John Boehner Joins Federal Cannabis Lobbying Group
Tue / Feb 12th
The former Republican House Speaker continues his pro-cannabis change of heart after being appointed the “honorary” chairman of lobbying group the National Cannabis Roundtable.
Federal Policy
Although cannabis acceptance is rising in many states, its use and possession is still illegal under federal law under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Activists are still working to change federal policy to reflect the voters in many states who have approved social use. Explore news below about the decriminalization effort from patients, politicians, and businesses on the federal level:
House Democrats Move Forward With Cannabis Banking Access Hearing
Thu / Feb 7th
The first hearing of the year is scheduled for February 13 in front of the Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions Subcommittee.
Judge: “Accidental” Cannabis Use Still a Fireable Offense for Federal Agencies
Wed / Feb 6th
A federal judge has set a binding precedent by ruling that intent does not matter when it comes to cannabis consumption — accidentally consuming cannabis is still a fireable offense.
Sen. Cory Booker Announces Presidential Bid, Wants to End Cannabis Prohibition
Tue / Feb 5th
The New Jersey Senator, who has already introduced significant cannabis legalization legislation to the federal Congress, announced his campaign on the Tom Joyner Morning Show.
Federal Judge Rules to Protect Cannabis Company’s Free Speech
Tue / Jan 22nd
New Mexico’s largest medical cannabis producer filed a formal complaint against the New Mexico State Fair following an attempt by that organization to limit what the company could display in an educational booth.
AG Nominee William Barr “Will Not Go After” Cannabis Companies
Wed / Jan 16th
President Trump’s nominee for Attorney General Bill Barr told senators in his confirmation hearing that he’s not interested in attacking state-legal cannabis businesses.
Cannabis Trade Federation Hires Lobbyists to Push Legalization in 2019
Mon / Jan 14th
The cannabis industry lobbying organization is bringing more lobbyists onboard to pressure for passage of the STATES Act this session.
House Considering Federal Cannabis Legalization Bill “H.R. 420”
Fri / Jan 11th
H.R. 420 would decriminalize cannabis and allow states to establish legalization, placing federal regulations under the ATF.
Morgan Fox: A Federal Cannabis Policy Update
Wed / Jan 9th PODCAST
Morgan Fox is the Media Relations Director for the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), the largest cannabis trade organization in the… Read More
Study: Cannabis Legalization Better Than Wall For Border Security
Fri / Dec 28th
The analysis reveals no connection between additional miles of border fence and the rate of cannabis seizures but does reveal a large drop in seizures following the launch of state-legal sales.
Trump Signs Farm Bill, Legalizes Industrial Hemp
Fri / Dec 21st
The repeal of hemp prohibition is expected to open new opportunities in agriculture, medicine, fibers/textiles, and biofuel.
Sen. Gardener Aims for Cannabis Banking Reforms This Week
Mon / Dec 17th
Senator Cory Gardener (R-Colorado) is planning to propose a major overhaul to banking rules for state-legal cannabis companies this week,… Read More
Congress Passes Industrial Hemp Legalization
Thu / Dec 13th
The unified 2018 Farm Bill was passed by the U.S. Senate and then soared through the House of Representatives this… Read More
Mitch McConnell Uses Hemp Pen to Sign Finalized Farm Bill
Tue / Dec 11th
The final version of the 2018 Farm Bill was released this week and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) symbolically… Read More
Surgeon General Advocates for Rescheduling Cannabis
Mon / Dec 10th
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams said that cannabis’ federal Schedule I classification should be reconsidered, Marijuana Moment reports. Dr. Adams spoke… Read More
FDA Chief: Federal Cannabis Action Is An ‘Inevitability’
Tue / Nov 20th
U.S. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said in a CNBC interview on Friday that a federal cannabis… Read More
Rep. Blumenauer Calls On Democrats to Legalize in 2019
Thu / Oct 18th
Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D) sent a blueprint for cannabis legalization to Democratic leaders in Congress on Wednesday, Forbes reports. “Congress… Read More
Canada Legalizes Cannabis, Possession Pardons Incoming
Wed / Oct 17th
Today marks the official legalization of cannabis in Canada. Canada, following in the footsteps of Uruguay, is only the second nation… Read More
Trump Team Planning Federal Cannabis Reforms
Fri / Oct 12th
The Trump Administration plans to address federal cannabis reforms after the midterm elections, Sen. Dana Rohrabacher (R-California) told FOX Business this week.… Read More
Tom Howard: The Many Legal Hurdles of Cannabis Commerce
Thu / Sep 27th PODCAST
Tom Howard is an Illinois-based attorney who specializes in banking and cannabis business, and he is an author who has… Read More
MMJ Research Expansion Bill Passes House Committee
Fri / Sep 14th
A bill requiring the expansion of medical cannabis research by the U.S. federal government has passed committee and moved to… Read More
Bipartisan Group Aims to Clear Cannabis Convictions
Thu / Sep 13th
A bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives that call themselves “strange bedfellows” is working together to clear federal cannabis-related convictions off… Read More
Congress to Consider MMJ Research Expansions
Wed / Sep 12th
The Medical Cannabis Research Act, a bipartisan bill to expand medical cannabis research, is scheduled to receive a vote by… Read More
Legislators Expect Federal Legalization in 2019
Tue / Sep 11th
Reps. David Joyce (R-Ohio) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) said at the Cannabis Law Institute in Washington, D.C. that public support… Read More