Acreage Holdings Expands Retail Footprint to Queens, NY

2/20/2019

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A new medical cannabis dispensary in Queens, New York — The Botanist Queens — is the latest entity to open under Acreage Holdings’ multi-state Botanist dispensary chain, which so far operates in Massachusetts, Maryland, Ohio, and New York. The shop is also Acreage’s first expansion to the metro-New York City area.

The Botanist brand — owned by New York medical cannabis license holder NYCanna, which in turn was bought by Acreage Holdings last August — emphasizes sleekly designed retail spaces and consistently offers education opportunities to patients as well as top-shelf cannabis medicine and other products.

“The Botanist brand is really at the nexus of health and wellness,” said Harris Damashek, Chief Marketing Officer for Acreage Holdings. “We wanted our retail brand to be approachable for patients no matter their experience level with cannabis, so we base a lot of the patient experience around education.”

Multi-state dispensary operations, however, face difficult regulatory obstacles as each state has crafted different rules for their medical cannabis programs. In New York, for example, cannabis patients cannot smoke cannabis and/or buy cannabis edibles. Instead, their only options are vaporizers, tinctures, pills, or similar products. “We work very closely with local regulators in any market we are in to make sure we are in compliance,” Damashek said.

Despite New York’s tight restrictions, the state could easily shake out to be one of the more lucrative U.S. cannabis markets. Additionally, lawmakers in the state are currently considering adult-use legislation at the behest of Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo — there is not, however, a clear path forward on the issue.

According to Damashek, “We are evaluating the possibilities should adult-use pass in New York but our focus is on the medical program.”

Acreage Holdings made national headlines last year when it appointed former Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner and former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld to its board of advisors.

End

Classroom

New Mexico Senate OKs Medical Cannabis in Schools

2/20/2019

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The New Mexico state Senate has voted in favor of a bill to allow for the administration of medical cannabis in public schools to qualified patients, the Albuquerque Journal reports.

Senate Bill 204 passed the Senate floor with limited discussion and a landslide vote of 35-2 in favor.

The bill is sponsored by several bipartisan legislators, including Sen. Candace Gould (R-Albuquerque), who said the bill is meant to address the problem of sick kids having to choose between going to school or taking their medicine. “My constituent came to me, torn between using medicine that’s working more effectively for her child’s epilepsy with less side effects than the Valium she was using and being able to go to school,” said Gould.

Approximately 175 students in New Mexico are prescribed medical cannabis.

The bill would allow school officials to administer cannabis in the same way that other prescription drugs are currently given to students. Districts would be allowed to opt out locally if they decide they might lose federal funding due to the policy. With that in mind, however, there’s also an appeal process for parents in districts that have opted out.

The bill must now past the New Mexico House of Representatives before going to the desk of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) for her signature or veto.

End

Police Line

Study Shows Increase, Then Decline In Crime Around Cannabis Dispensaries

2/20/2019

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A study conducted by the University of Colorado at Denver has shown an initial increase in crime rates in neighborhoods near cannabis dispensaries that is followed by a decline over time, EurekAlert reports.

The study looked at neighborhoods in the Denver area. Researchers controlled for variables such as socioeconomic advantage and “high-risk” commercial establishments like check-cashing businesses and pawn shops.

“We found that neighborhoods with one or more medical or recreational dispensary saw increased crime rates that were between 26 and 1,452% higher than in neighborhoods without any commercial marijuana activity. But we also found that the strongest associations between dispensaries and crime weakened significantly over time.” –Lorine A. Hughes, associate professor in the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver, study author

One theory about how the “associations between dispensaries and crime” weakened significantly over time comes down to the source of the study’s data.

Statistics regarding crime were taken from the Denver Police Department. Because a large portion of the data was from this official police source, it is possible the data shows a skew from police targeting neighborhoods for enforcement specifically because they had a dispensary.

The authors concluded that the takeaway from this study is not that legalized cannabis causes crime, but rather that governments need to do more to support dispensary operations in supportive and secure ways.

“If Denver’s experience is representative, major spikes in crime are unlikely to occur in other places following legalization,” said study co-author Lonnie M Schaible.

End

Tobacco Smoking

Police Issue More Tickets For Tobacco Than Cannabis In Edmonton, Alberta

2/20/2019

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The city of Edmonton, Alberta has only issued three tickets for violating cannabis bylaws since legalization, significantly less than the amount handed out for tobacco violations, according to a Global News report.

While there have only been three cannabis citations since legalization took place on October 17, 2018, there have been 73 tickets issued for tobacco smoking. Written warnings show a similar spread: 33 cannabis smoking warnings were issued and in the same time police issued 847 written warnings about illegal tobacco consumption.

Edmonton went through a long deliberative process in regards to public cannabis consumption. The city rules prevent smoking of any type — cannabis or tobacco — within 10 meters of windows, doors, and transit stops. There are also restrictions on consumption at places like parks with playgrounds, cemeteries, outdoor pools, and skating rinks. There are, however, some areas approved for public smoking, including cannabis.

Some speculate that the disparity in tickets for tobacco smoking and tickets for cannabis smoking is due only to the fact that cannabis has not been legal for very long. Only time will tell if citations will rise.

End

Tony Evers

Wisconsin Gov. Wants to Decriminalize Cannabis, Legalize Medical Use

2/19/2019

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Gov. Tony Evers of Wisconsin will propose decriminalizing cannabis to the state legislature, alongside a plan to create a medical cannabis program for qualifying conditions, when he issues his next state budget, The Wisconsin State Journal reports.

The proposal would remove all state-level criminal penalties for possessing, manufacturing or distributing cannabis in amounts less than 25 grams. It would further create a medical cannabis program with salaries for six regulators that would enable access to medical cannabis for a list of approved conditions. It would also remove the requirement of a doctor’s prescription for very low THC/CBD oil, allowing access by anyone.

The list of approved conditions would include:

  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • AIDS
  • HIV
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Hepatitis C
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • ALS
  • Nail-patella syndrome
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Chronic pain
  • Severe nausea
  • Seizures

The state Department of Health Services would be allowed to add additional conditions going forward. The organization would also issue medical cannabis cards and process applications. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection would regulate growers, retailers, and laboratories.

The proposal will also contain a structure for expungement of previous cannabis convictions for possessing less than 25 grams.

The full proposal is expected to be released to the public on February 28 alongside a state budget that will include funding for creating the regulated system.

End

Youth Arrest

Study: Strict Cannabis Laws Do Not Deter Youth Consumption

2/19/2019

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University of Kent researchers analyzed data from more than 100,000 teenagers in 38 countries, including the U.S., and have found that neither strict nor liberal cannabis policies influence underage cannabis use, The Guardian reports.

The study was conducted in response to a 2015 study in the International Journal of Drug Policy that connected liberal cannabis policies with increased adolescent use. The newest study, however, joins several others since 2015 that show no connection, reversing the narrative established in 2015.

“My new study joins several others which show no evidence of a link between tougher penalties and lower cannabis use. … This is useful information for governments as they consider the best way to deal with cannabis. As it is, the harms and costs of imposing criminal convictions on people who use cannabis do not seem to be justified by an effect in reducing cannabis use.” —Prof. Alex Stevens, study author

Stevens said the findings of the 2015 study were due to incorrect data interpretations. The new study looks at a much wider sample of adolescents and teenagers and controls for differences in use between boys and girls, as well as country of origin.

A mental health and addiction expert from the University of York told the Guardian, “For some of them the fact it is illegal will be part of the appeal, so if a country decides to open up access and allow regulated cannabis this may reduce part of the appeal the drug has.”

There is currently strong momentum to legalize cannabis in the UK, where the study was in part conducted.

End

Bodega

New York Bodega Mini-Mart Owners Want to Sell Cannabis

2/19/2019

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An association of bodega or small convenience store owners in New York City want the right to sell cannabis once it becomes legal in the state, according to an ABC News report.

It’s one part of a push to ensure that minorities in the state get to share in the economic benefits of ending cannabis prohibition.

“All this money should not go to white-owned businesses. It should not go to corporate America. It should be shared with the underdogs.” — Fernando Mateo of United Bodegas of America, via ABC News

A bodega — which is derived from the word for a storehouse where wine is matured — is a small convenience store typically offering alcohol, tobacco, snacks, beverages, and other small offerings. There are more than 15,000 bodegas in the greater New York City area.

Many bodega owners want to be able to sell cannabis once it’s legal. “Right now we sell cigarettes, we sell beer — we are highly regulated. There is no reason why we cannot be included in the packaging, distribution and sale of marijuana,” said Mateo.

One downside, however, to making common corner stores access points for cannabis — which is currently a cash-only business — is that it further raises their profile for potential robberies.

Ultimately, lawmakers must decided how accessible cannabis should be in the Empire State. Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s adult-use cannabis proposal is currently being debated in the state legislature but should garner enough support to pass.

 

End

Gov. Phil Murphy

New Jersey Lawmakers Reach Tax Consensus, Legalization Can Advance

2/18/2019

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Negotiations regarding cannabis legalization between New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D) have completed successfully, according to an App report.

The political disagreements between the two have held up cannabis legalization in New Jersey since last year, despite the fact that a bill was already expected to have been signed into law at this point. Wrangling between medical cannabis bills, full adult legalization, and the potential tax rate on both programs was the primary source of disagreement.

According to sources close to lawmakers, the agreement was reached when both parties agreed to manage cannabis taxes by weight instead of taking a percentage of sales, as most states with legalization have done. Under the agreement, cannabis would be taxed at a flat rate of $42 per ounce. The agreement would also grant the governor’s office additional control over the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, which would be created under the legalization plan.

With a tentative deal reached, lawmakers now must finalize the legislation and bring it to the full state legislature for approval. First, however, Gov. Murphy said he needs to approach several undecided lawmakers about the issue, as Democrat leaders do not want to bring forward a bill that they don’t expect to pass.

End

Montpelier, VT

Vermont Bill Establishing Commercial Cannabis Passes Committee

2/18/2019

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A bill that would create a regulated cannabis retail market in Vermont has passed the Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee, Seven Days reports.

The bill passed the committee by a 4-1 vote in favor on Friday. The legislation will still need to pass the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee before being considered on the floor of the state Senate.

The bill would create a state Cannabis Control Board to regulate the market’s retail sales. Cannabis possession and cultivation are already legal in Vermont, but there is no way to legally buy or sell cannabis yet.

If approved, the Cannabis Control Board would be tasked with issuing permits for retail cannabis stores by April 1, 2021. Lawmakers decided not to allow the state’s existing medical cannabis dispensaries to sell to the general public one year earlier than that date, though the House version of the bill contains that provision.

The bill would tax cannabis at 10 percent at the state level and up to 2 percent more by local governments. Cannabis sales would not be subject to Vermont‘s standard retail sales tax.

Chairperson for the Senate Judiciary Committee Dick Sears said that the legislation could make its way to the floor of the state Senate by early March.

End

North Carolina Statehouse

North Carolina Decriminalization Legislation Re-Introduced

2/18/2019

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Legislation to allow the possession of up to three ounces of cannabis for personal use was re-introduced to the North Carolina state Senate last week, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.

A similarly worded bill was introduced during last year’s session but failed to receive a hearing with the state Senate Rules and Operations Committee. The previous version would have set the maximum amount allowed for individual possession at four ounces.

The sponsor of both last year’s bill and the newer version, state Sen. Paul Lowe (D-Forsyth) said, “There are new legislators with differing outlooks on a lot of legislation being reintroduced, so now let’s see if the legislation gets a different reception.”

The new bill also moves the bar for felony cannabis possession from 1.5 ounces to an entire pound, among other small changes to the criminal structure of cannabis possession.

The bill is Sen. Lowe’s attempt at a near-term solution for restrictive cannabis laws in the state. For instance, North Carolina currently has no medical cannabis program, due largely to the fact that voter ballot initiatives are not possible in the state. Public pressure is building, however, as more and more states relax their cannabis laws and the stigma of prohibition fades.

According to a May 2017 poll by Elon University, 80 percent of North Carolina voters support legalizing medical cannabis.

End

Department of Justice

Senate Confirms William Barr as New Attorney General

2/15/2019

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William Barr has been confirmed by the Senate as the newest Attorney General, succeeding Jeff Sessions after his departure last year, NBC News reports.

William Barr previously held the post under former president George H.W. Bush. His stance on many issues is not expected to differ greatly from former AG Jeff Sessions, though many elected officials believe he will listen to the needs of lawmakers more than Sessions did.

“There was a dogmatic quality to Jeff Sessions’ approach, and I think Barr will be more open-minded,” said Jon Malcolm, vice president of the Institute for Constitutional Government.

Most of the concern from Barr’s confirmation was centered on protecting the the Mueller probe into possible political ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump presidential campaign. However, Barr has indicated both during his confirmation hearing and also in writing after the hearing that he will not seek to prosecute state-legal cannabis interests.

Unlike Jeff Sessions, Barr has never held elected office or taken any extreme political positions, though he is known to be conservative. Brett Tolman, a former district attorney in Utah and a criminal defense lawyer, told the Denver Post, “I think Barr is being sensitive to states that have legalized marijuana and sees the need to balance it.”

The issue is important as Sessions rescinded the Cole Memo during his tenure, which were the only formal federal protections for state-legal cannabis businesses that are now technically open to prosecution, though no cases have yet been brought. Many seem optimistic that, while the Cole Memo may not be reinstated, Barr will not seek to revive prohibition through litigation.

End

Cash Banking

House Committee Holds First Cannabis Banking Hearing

2/15/2019

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A bipartisan bill to allow cannabis businesses to access banking services in the U.S. got its first-ever committee hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives, The Denver Post reports.

The bills sponsors Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colorado) and Rep. Denny Heck (D-Washington) have attempted to get similar bills considered by the House but were unable due to Republican control for nearly six years.

“We’ve had robberies. We’ve had murders. We’ve had violence. We have to stop that. For Colorado and the nation as a whole, this would help resolve access to banking. It provides more certainty. It helps the employees, it helps the banks. It’s going to assist the industry generally by allowing legitimate businesses to get legitimate banking services.” — Rep. Ed Perlmutter, via the Denver Post

The bill is worded to also help landlords, electricians, and others who serve the cannabis industry. Many businesses that serve the cannabis industry but don’t handle cannabis directly, for example, have been having problems. For instance in 2017, many cannabis and ancillary businesses had their accounts closed by major banking institutions due to concerns about federal interference.

Perlmutter expects the bill to be introduced to the House, and likely a companion bill to the Senate, within the next two to three weeks.

End

National Guard

California Gov. Tells National Guard to Eliminate Unlicensed Cannabis Grows

2/15/2019

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the National Guard has been ordered to eliminate all unlicensed cannabis grows in California, according to a Marijuana Business Daily report.

“We applaud [Newsom] for allocating resources to eliminate very destructive and dangerous trespass grows. … These operations are typically on public lands, use extremely harmful pesticides and are run by organized crime.” — Terra Carver, Executive Director of the Humboldt County Growers Alliance, via MJ Biz Daily

Newsom signed an order than will redeploy 360 National Guard soldiers from the Mexico border to several other assignments. Some will be sent to northern California to seek illegal cannabis farms; 150 soldiers will be also assigned to the National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, with 100 more assigned to police smugglers at “existing border checkpoints.”

Newsom has also sought further funding for California’s National Guard Counterdrug Task Force from the Department of Defense. The governor sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, hoping to acquire more funds to fight international cartels.

The mission of these troops is expected to be complete in the near-term and the troops’s duties could be complete as early as March 31.

End

Washington Proposal Would Expunge 200,000 Cannabis Crimes

2/15/2019

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The Washington State legislature has proposed House and Senate companion bills that, if passed, would grant clemency for some Washingtonians convicted of misdemeanor cannabis possession since January 1, 1998 — the year Washington passed I-692 to legalize medical cannabis.

If passed, the new law would allow citizens with multiple misdemeanor convictions to apply to the court to have their records expunged; the courts would be required to grant the requests. Unlike Governor Jay Inslee’s widely praised Marijuana Justice Initiative — which only 3,500 people are eligible for due to the requirement that applicants can only have one misdemeanor cannabis conviction — the new proposals would offer relief to over 200,000 Washingtonians, according to The Seattle Times.

Representative Joe Fitzgibbon (D) has introduced similar bills to the House every year since 2013 but feels this year things may turn out differently than in years past. “It just seems like there is a lot more momentum this year than any of the past times I have taken a run at it,” he said.

The primary sponsor of the Senate bill, Senator Joe Nguyen (D), cites widely publicized racial injustices in cannabis law enforcement for his support of the bills. If passed, Washington would join other states like California, Maryland, Colorado, New Hampshire and Oregon in erasing some of the damage done by prior cannabis convictions.

End

EU Parliament

EU Parliament Follows World Health Organization, Recommends Descheduling Cannabis

2/14/2019

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Due to the World Health Organization’s recommendation to deschedule cannabis and all associated chemicals, the European Union has passed a resolution to help member countries do just that, Forbes reports.

The non-binding resolution is designed to create incentives that will encourage the development of medical cannabis programs in the European Union.

“This will help facilitate and expedite the well required safety and efficacy studies on cannabinoid solutions beyond the initial markets such as Canada and Israel. … There is an ongoing concern of the toxic and inefficacious products being offered as medicine that will be limited with the entrance of qualified studies.” — Aras Azadian, CEO of Multi-national Avicanna, via Forbes

The resolution seeks to prioritize scientific and clinical studies. It tasks the Commission on Use of Cannabis for Medicinal Purposes and the EU member states to “address the regulatory, financial and cultural barriers,” preventing the development of medical cannabis programs.

The Parliament also urged equal access to cannabis medicine and research into the correct usage of said medicine. According to the resolution for potential patients, “It is essential that they be provided with comprehensive information about the full spectrum profiles of the plant strains used in the medication provided.”

End

Kentucky Capital

Kentucky Gov. Says He Supports Medical Cannabis

2/14/2019

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Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin told a community forum that he supports medical cannabis legalization in his state, according to The Associated Press.

Gov. Bevin referenced his experience with a young family member who had died in pain due to cancer when explaining his support for medical cannabis. Bevin said he would be “happy” to sign a medical cannabis bill in the state that would make medical cannabis legal in Kentucky.

Bevin, a Republican, said of potential medical cannabis patients, “They should have the ability to use a natural drug that exists to provide relief … when it is needed, where it can be prescribed and regulated as we would other such drugs.” Bevin went further on the issue, saying that no potential legislation should be developed solely to raise tax revenue for Kentucky.

Bevin, however, said emphatically that he would not support full adult-use legalization in Kentucky. Bevin refused to comment on the several pending medical cannabis bills in the state legislature, saying that he expected them to change before they reached his desk.

Republican support is important in Kentucky, as the GOP has complete control of the government in that state.

End

Colorado Police

Broadly-Worded Colorado Cannabis DUI Legislation Withdrawn by Sponsor

2/14/2019

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A piece of proposed legislation that would have made it easier for police in Colorado to charge people with driving under the influence of cannabis intoxication has been withdrawn by its sponsor, according to a Westword report.

Colorado state Rep. Dylan Roberts (D) introduced House Bill 1146 in the final days of January. However, Roberts pulled the legislation after hearing discussion over the bill.

“We’ve been having a lot of meetings on this bill. We had stakeholder meetings, and met with people from the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar and medical marijuana patient community. I appreciated and really learned a lot from the conversation, and have taken their suggestion and feedback. What we were trying to do with the law wasn’t really workable with this bill, and it would’ve had unintended consequences that I wouldn’t support as a legislator.” — State Rep. Dylan Roberts, via Westword

HB 1146’s language would’ve allowed police to arrest “for the presumption that a driver is under the influence of marijuana” if there is “evidence to believe that a driver had consumed alcohol or drugs, that the driver was substantially incapable of safely operating a vehicle, and that the driver had any measurable amount of a drug in his or her blood or oral fluid.”

The current technology and chemical standards in terms of cannabis intoxication, however, are largely inaccurate. While the Colorado “legal limit” for cannabis intoxication is 5 nanograms of THC per mL of blood, the problem with that is that habitual users may not be impaired at that level, while new users or those with zero tolerance may be intoxicated below that threshold.

Cannabis advocates were happy with the decision to withdraw the legislation. “Dylan Roberts took our concerns into consideration and expressed the same concerns for medical marijuana patients and those on everyday prescription drugs as well,” said Ashley Weber of the Colorado NORML chapter. “It takes a good leader to admit when they’re wrong, instead of moving forward with language that doesn’t please anybody but their own egos.”

End

Sacramento, California

California Legislation Aims to Cut Taxes for Compassionate-Care Cannabis

2/13/2019

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A bill introduced to the California state Senate may change the tax law surrounding non-profit distribution of cannabis in the state, lightening the tax burden on some companies, according to a story by Weedmaps.

The 2016 legalization of adult-use cannabis in California caused a change in the state’s legal cannabis tax structure. Previously, non-profit cannabis providers were taxed at a reduced rate. Now, both commercial and non-profit providers are in the same tier, which pays a heavy tax per pound of cannabis.

The change in tax structure caused many non-profit collectives that previously would donate cannabis to patients in need to close. This included the oldest compassionate care collective, the Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM) in Santa Cruz.

“In 2017 we gave away thousands of dollars worth of cannabis, serving over 2,000 people. But since we had to close there are many people suffering. There were people in need but WAMM was not able to do anything.” — Valerie Corral, former director of WAMM

Compassionate-care providers, now grouped with commercial providers, are expected to pay up to $1,000 per pound of medical cannabis that they might be trying to give away for free. The new legislation, Senate Bill 34, introduced by state Sen. Scott Wiener, aims to fix that.

The new legislation will create specific requirements for donated cannabis. It must be donated and it must be cannabis that is medical in nature. “Poverty should not be a barrier to getting your medicine. We don’t tax prescription drugs. Why should we tax medical cannabis?” said Sen. Wiener.

The bill has shown bipartisan support and is expected to reach Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk by mid-2019.

End

Classroom

Denver Dispensary Offers One-Cent Eighths to Teachers on Strike

2/13/2019

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A dispensary in the Glendale suburb of Denver is offering one-cent eighths to teachers currently on strike in the city, according to a Westword report.

Kind Love will sell an eighth of cannabis to any person with a Denver Public Schools badge for just one penny. Matt LaBrier, Chief Brand Officer for Kind Love, said the move was inspired after witnessing striking teachers outside of North High School on his way to work.

“Technically, we have to charge them something. We figured this was the least we could do. We’ve got quite a few teachers who come in here. … I think they do some of the most important work on earth, and we don’t necessarily treat them the way we should.” — Matt LaBrier, via Westword

Kind Love also offered a similar deal to military veterans on Veteran’s Day. Other dispensaries in the industry have done similar deeds for those deserving of appreciation or who might be short on cash, such as the online cannabis trader BudTrader, who offered free cannabis to furloughed federal workers in California during the government shutdown earlier this year.

End

Lansing, Michigan

Michigan Proposes Cutting Medical Cannabis Fees

2/13/2019

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The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has proposed several cuts to fees for its medical cannabis program, according to a Detroit Free Press report.

The rules are expected to take effect later this year. Representatives of the state said in a filing that they’re lowering fees because the program is now cheaper to operate than it was at launch.

“The revenue generated based on the current application fee for the past three years is approximately 90-100% more than (the department’s) operational expenses.” — Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs in its filing with the Office of Regulatory Reinvention

The changes lower the cost of a two-year medical card from $60 to $40. Other fees will be completely eliminated, such as a $10 fee for changing address and a $25 background check fee for cannabis caregivers. There is now also a longer window for renewal when a medical card expires.

Tax rates on retail cannabis will also decrease due to the elimination of a 3 percent excise tax.

Fees for Michigan’s medical cannabis program have been declining at two-year intervals since the program launched in 2008. A spokesperson for the department said there is still enough of a cushion built for the program that it is expected to continue getting cheaper for at least the next five years.

End

Connecticut Billboard Advertising Legal Cannabis In Massachusetts Draws Protests

2/12/2019

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Weedmaps has put up another billboard in a state where cannabis remains prohibited, this time in Connecticut, according to a story by NBC Connecticut.

The billboard, located on the side of Interstate 91 in North Haven, Connecticut, reads: “Weed is legal in 60 miles.” Technically, the billboard is not violating any laws because it is advertising the Weedmaps app. Weedmaps conducted a similar campaign in Arizona, informing people about the availability of cannabis in Colorado and Washington.

Some Connecticut residents, however, are angry about the billboard. Connecticut has a medical cannabis program but not an adult-use program; it is still a crime to bring cannabis across the border from Massachusetts — or any state, for that matter. The billboard attracted enough attention that dissidents came out for a rally in front of the media company that owns the billboard.

Another billboard was placed four exits further down the highway towards Massachusetts that reads, “Treatment is closer.” It was placed there by an addiction treatment center in New Haven called Turnbridge.

The billboard is still posted along Interstate 91 and doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere for the time being.

Some Connecticut lawmakers are working to bring cannabis regulations to their state but opposition in the capital remains. Voters in the state strongly approve of overhauling cannabis laws, but Connecticut is not a state with rules allowing voter ballot initiatives so any significant change will have to come from elected officials.

End

New Mexico Capital

New Mexico Adult-Use Legalization Clears Committee

2/12/2019

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Legislation to potentially legalize adult-use cannabis in New Mexico has successfully passed the Health and Human Services committee of the New Mexico state legislature, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

House Bill 356 passed the committee on a 5-2 vote in favor.

“Prohibition simply does not work, and the country is coming to the realization of that.” — State Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas (D-Albuquerque), via the Albuquerque Journal

The bill is cosponsored by Rep. Maestas and four other New Mexico House Democrats. Some Republicans are expected to oppose the legislation, and some moderate Democrats have historically helped block previous cannabis legislation in the state. A decision will need to be made by mid-March for the bill to have a chance to pass before the end of the legislative session.

Beyond legalization, the legislation stipulates:

  • Taxation of up to 19 percent on cannabis sales. The taxes would be earmarked for health, law enforcement, and research programs.
  • Cities and counties will be able to opt out of sales
  • Prior criminal records for cannabis crimes would be expunged

Before the bill can be considered by the full state House of Representatives, the bill must also clear the House Judiciary Committee. If that happens, and then the bill receives House approval, it would go to the Senate for consideration before eventually landing on the governor’s desk.

End

John Boehner

John Boehner Joins Federal Cannabis Lobbying Group

2/12/2019

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Former Speaker of the House John Boehner (R) has been appointed an honorary chairman of a newly-formed pro-cannabis lobbying group, The Hill reports.

The National Cannabis Roundtable, formed on Friday, aims to help develop cannabis policy on the federal level. The group aims to solve things such as banking access and roadblocks to cannabis research. The National Cannabis Roundtable was formed by companies including the Liaison Group, HDMK Public Affairs and Square Patton Boggs, and Acreage Holdings — where Boehner is already a board member.

Boehner will not be a lobbyist but will rather serve as an advisor for the group. Since leaving government, Boehner has become strongly supportive of the cannabis industry, saying that his beliefs related to cannabis have “evolved.” He has even started selling advice about making cannabis investments as the industry goes mainstream.

The National Cannabis Roundtable will be one more voice for the end of cannabis prohibition, which already includes groups like the Cannabis Trade Federation.

“As the cannabis industry grows and matures, it’s vital that we work together for a common-sense legal framework for cannabis policy,” Boehner said in a press release.

End

California Regulators Shut Down Two Unlicensed Cannabis Companies

2/11/2019

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According to an announcement from the Bureau of Cannabis Control, two businesses in Sacramento and Los Angeles County have been subject to search warrants due to operating without a license, according to a press release.

The Bureau of Cannabis Control and the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Division of Investigation served search warrants to two businesses. The unlicensed cannabis delivery service “Nollie Green-Blu Solutions” in Fair Oaks, California and the unlicensed retailer “Smoking Aces” in Los Angeles.

The delivery service crackdown was the result of complaints received by the Bureau of Cannabis Control. Police and regulators seized $250,000 of cannabis and cannabis products from Nollie Green-Blu Solutions and $27,637 from Smoking Aces. Two firearms and six people were also arrested in Los Angeles.

This follows the ending of a grace period on January 9 for unlicensed businesses in California. It’s unclear if more enforcement will follow, but there are still estimated to be hundreds of unlicensed cannabis businesses operating in California and regulators have been clear that those without licenses are taking their changes with law enforcement after the deadline.

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