Efforts to legalize medical cannabis in Tennessee have gotten some unexpected support from state House Speaker Beth Harwell. On Feb. 27, 2018, Harwell voted to break a tie in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee in favor of HB 1749 / SB 1710, also known as the Medical Cannabis Act. Under the proposed measure, medical cannabis…
Author Archives: William Sumner
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Federal Cannabis Prohibition
A United States District Judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to overturn federal cannabis prohibition.
Pennsylvania Medical Cannabis Program Off to Rough Start
The Pennsylvania medical cannabis program had a rough start as retail sales began on Feb. 15, 2018. The opening weekend was marked by long lines and short supply as Cresco Yeltrah was the only medical cannabis supplier able to provide products to dispensaries during the state’s first week of sales.
Study Finds MMJ Laws Do Not Increase Adolescent Cannabis Use
Although a majority of Americans support medical cannabis, a small segment of the population still opposes its legalization for fear that it will lead to an increase in adolescent cannabis use; however, according to a new study published in the journal Addiction, that fear may be unfounded.
Maine Committee Removes References to Cannabis Social Clubs in Implementation Bill
Maine residents and visitors looking forward to cannabis social clubs will have to wait much longer than previously expected.
Failed Applicants Sue Ohio Over Medical Cannabis Licensing Process
More strife is on the horizon for Ohio’s troubled medical cannabis program. On Feb. 20, 2018, a group of unsuccessful medical cannabis applicants, led by Jimmy Gould of CannAscend Ohio LLC, filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s medical cannabis licensing process.
Judge Overturns Detroit Medical Cannabis Initiative
In the city of Detroit, the group Citizens for Sensible Cannabis Reform is weighing its legal options after Wayne County Circuit Judge Robert Colombo, Jr., overturned Measure B, a Detroit medical cannabis initiative aimed at relaxing local control on the city’s medical cannabis industry, on Feb. 16, 2018.
Delaware Cannabis Task Force Poised to Vote on Final Report
A Delaware legislative task force charged with studying the effects and implications of legalizing recreational cannabis has written its final report, but the question remains whether the 25-member task force will vote to release the report.
Study Finds Alcohol is Worse for Your Brain Than Cannabis
Is alcohol worse for your brain than cannabis? According to a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, the answer is yes.
Detroit City Council Approves Moratorium on New Medical Cannabis Licenses
Entrepreneurs hoping to open medical cannabis dispensaries in Detroit, Michigan, will have to put their plans on hold for the time being. On Feb. 13, 2018, the Detroit City Council voted to impose a 180-day moratorium on new medical cannabis licenses and permits.
Virginia Senate Passes Bill for First-Time Offenders to Have Cannabis Charges Expunged
Virginia residents caught with cannabis might get a chance to clear their convictions. On Feb. 12, 2018, the Virginia Senate voted to approve Senate Bill 954, a bill which would reduce the penalties for cannabis possession and allow first-time offenders to have their charges expunged.
Deadline to Challenge Michigan Legalization Signatures Passes Without Objection
The Michigan-based Committee to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol received a boost in support after the Feb 9. 2018, deadline to challenge the group’s petition signatures for a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in the state passed without any objection from opposing organizations.
CDOT Launches Campaign to Combat Cannabis-Impaired Driving
In an effort to combat cannabis-impaired driving, the Colorado Department of Transportation has launched a new prevention campaign that invites state residents to share their opinions and habits on driving with cannabis.
Study: Medical Cannabis May Not Be Panacea to Prevent Opioid-Related Deaths
It has often been touted by medical cannabis advocates that states with medical cannabis laws see a statistical reduction in opioid-related deaths, and there is some evidence to support this claim; however, a recent study conducted by the RAND Corporation and the University of California, Irvine, calls into question this assumption and paints a more complex picture.
Medical Cannabis Exports Suspended in Israel
Israel has temporarily suspended medical cannabis exports. According to Haaretz, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was responsible for the suspension and has ordered a review from both the Health Ministry and the chairman of the National Economic Council.
Fourth Corner Credit Union Conditionally Approved by Federal Reserve
A Colorado credit union dedicated to serving the cannabis industry is one step closer to becoming fully operational. On Feb. 5, 2018, the Fourth Corner Credit Union was given conditional approval by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City for a master account.
New Mexico Senate Rules Committee Approves Legalization Bill
Recreational cannabis might be heading for the New Mexico ballot in 2018. On Feb. 2, 2018, the New Mexico Senate Rules Committee voted 4-3 to approve Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino’s Senate Joint Resolution 4, a measure which would allow state residents to vote on cannabis legalization in the next general election.
Alaska Considers Sealing Cannabis Convictions
Alaska residents with cannabis convictions on their records may get a second chance. On Jan. 31, 2018, Rep. Harriet Drummond introduced HB 316, a bill that would seek to seal public records pertaining to certain cannabis convictions.
Maine Governor Agrees to Delay Implementation of Controversial Medical Cannabis Rules
Controversial rules regulating Maine’s medical cannabis program will not go into effect as scheduled. On Jan. 31, 2018, Gov. Paul LePage agreed to delay implementation of the medical cannabis rules, which would have gone into effect on Feb. 1, 2018, until May 2018.
Study: Cannabis Use May Reduce Risk of Alcohol-Related Liver Disease
Can cannabis protect individuals from alcohol-related liver damage? Maybe. According to a study published in the journal Liver International, heavy alcohol users that use cannabis on a daily basis have reduced incidence of liver disease than those that do not.
Legislative Committees in the Pine Tree State Vote to Delay Maine Marijuana Regulations
Two legislative committees in the Pine Tree State have decided that they need more time to perfect Maine marijuana regulations. On Jan. 25. 2018, the state legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee voted to approve a moratorium bill that would delay the implementation of new medical marijuana rules issued by the state Department of Health and Human Services.
Case Challenging Florida Medical Cannabis Smoking Ban Moves Forward
A lawsuit challenging a ban on Florida medical cannabis smoking has been given the approval to proceed, but one of the key players in the suit will have to drop out.
Judge Hears Case Challenging Florida Medical Marijuana Smoking Ban
Should Florida medical marijuana patients be allowed to smoke their medicine? That’s the question a Leon County Circuit Judge must decide.
Prohibitionist Poll Accidentally Shows American Opposition to Federal Marijuana Policy
A poll commissioned by the prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana has accidentally shown how wildly unpopular cannabis prohibition is in the United States.
Nevada Tax Department Taking Steps to Address Issues Surrounding Testing Facilities
The Nevada Tax Department is taking steps to address issues with state-licensed cannabis testing facilities. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, four of the the state’s nine licensed cannabis testing facilities have been suspended in the last five months.
Illinois Judge: Add Chronic Pain as Qualifying Condition for Medical Marijuana
Illinois patients suffering from chronic pain may soon have a new way to treat their medical condition. On Jan. 16, 2018, Cook County Judge Raymond Mitchell ordered the Illinois Department of Public Health to add chronic pain as a qualifying condition for the state’s medical marijuana program.
Poll: Record Number Want Georgia Medical Marijuana Program Expanded
Support for expanding the Georgia medical marijuana program is at an all-time, according to a new poll released by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Maine Medical Marijuana Caregivers File Lawsuit Against DHHS
In an effort to halt implementation of new regulations governing Maine medical marijuana caregivers, two medical marijuana shop owners, along with two unnamed patients in their care, have filed a lawsuit against the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the state medical marijuana program.
Maryland Report Suggests State Consider Race in Cannabis Licensing Process
Minorities in the state of Maryland are at a disadvantage in the state’s medical cannabis licensing process, according to the report of a state consultant hired to review a 2017 disparity study after controversy arose over the fact that no minority-owned businesses were awarded a medical cannabis license.
New York Governor Calls for Feasibility Study to Examine Legalizing Marijuana
Could New York become the next state to legalize recreational marijuana? On Jan. 16, 2018, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his proposed FY 2019 state budget, which includes funding for the creation of a feasibility study aimed at understanding the social, health, and criminal justice impact of legalizing recreational marijuana in the state.
Federal Judge Lets Illinois Girl Use Medical Marijuana at Public School
Can children use medical marijuana on public school grounds? If you’re a particular 11-year-old girl from Illinois, then the answer is yes.
Illinois Parents Sue School District to Let Daughter Use Medical Marijuana
In the state of Illinois, the parents of an 11-year-old girl are suing their school district for their child to have the right to use medical marijuana on school grounds.
Vermont Senate Votes to Legalize Recreational Marijuana
Recreational marijuana is coming to the state of Vermont. On Jan. 10, 2017, the Vermont Senate voted to approve H. 511, a bill that will legalize recreational marijuana possession for adults 21 and older, as well as home growing of two mature plants and four immature plants.
Arizona Supreme Court Reviewing Ruling in Campus MMJ Case
Can Arizona universities and colleges ban medical marijuana on their campuses? Can the state legislature ban it for them? These are the questions that the Arizona Supreme Court is set to decide.
New Hampshire House Gives Preliminary Approval to Legalization Bill
A legalization bill in the state of New Hampshire has just cleared its first legislative hurdle. On Jan. 8, 2018, the state House of Representatives voted to give preliminary approval to an amended version of HB 656, a bill legalizing recreational marijuana in the state.
California Drugged Driving PSA Nixed Over Concerns It Encouraged Cannabis Use
Cannabis may be legal in California, but that doesn’t mean that reefer madness has gone away. According to a report by FOX40, the California Department of Traffic Safety has pulled an anti-drugged-driving PSA over concerns that it encouraged cannabis use.
Vermont House Approves Bill Legalizing Recreational Cannabis
On Jan. 4, 2018, the Vermont House of Representatives voted to approved H. 511, a bill legalizing recreational cannabis in the state.
Vermont on Fast Track to Legalize Recreational Marijuana
Vermont legislators are on the fast track to legalize recreational marijuana. On Jan. 4, 2018, the state House Judiciary Committee voted to approve H. 511, a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in the state.
Alaska Investigating Inconsistent Results at Marijuana Testing Facilities
On Jan. 2, 2018, the Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office announced that it had been made aware of several inconsistencies at two marijuana testing facilities in the state. In an announcement released by AMCO, officials outlined two specific examples of inconsistencies found at the testing facilities.
Mike Tyson Breaks Ground on Cannabis Resort in Nevada
After a lifetime of conquering opponents in the ring, legendary boxer Mike Tyson has set his sights on a new opponent: the legal cannabis industry. On Dec. 20, 2017, Tyson broke ground on a 40-acre cannabis resort in California City, Nevada.
Florida Judge Halts Issuance of Cultivation License Intended for Black Farmer
On Dec. 29, 2017, a Florida judge ordered the state health department to halt the issuance of a medical marijuana cultivation license intended for a member of the Florida chapter of the Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association.
New Mexico Legislator Wants Marijuana on the 2018 Electoral Ballot
A New Mexico legislator is once again working to legalize recreational marijuana. On Dec. 21, 2017, state Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino introduced a measure that would put a ballot amendment legalizing recreational marijuana on the 2018 electoral ballot.
Former California Attorney General Bill Lockyer Launches Cannabis Distribution Company
After spending the bulk of his professional career enforcing federal cannabis law, former California Attorney General Bill Lockyer is cashing in on the state’s legal cannabis industry by co-founding his own cannabis distribution firm.
Vast Majority of Utah Voters Support Legalizing Medical Marijuana
The vast majority of Utah voters support legalizing medical marijuana. According to a new poll by UtahPolicy.com, approximately 73% of registered Utah voters either strongly or somewhat support legalizing medical marijuana in the state.
Nevada Marijuana Sales in October Generated $5.8 Million in Tax Revenue
Tax revenue from Nevada’s fledgling marijuana industry continues to climb. On Dec. 20, 2017, the Nevada Department of Taxation reported that marijuana sales brought in approximately $5.8 million in tax revenue in the month of October.
Senator Ron Wyden Becomes First Co-Sponsor of Marijuana Justice Act
On Dec. 18, 2017, United States Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced that he would be the first co-sponsor of S.1689, better known as the Marijuana Justice Act, a bill that would take marijuana off of the federal list of controlled substances.
WHO Declares Cannabidiol Appears Relatively Safe and Non-Addictive
Cannabidiol is relatively safe and non-addictive, according to a declaration made by the World Health Organization on Dec. 13, 2017.
Alaskan Edibles Manufacturer Has License Revoked by State
On Dec. 15, 2017, Frozen Budz, an Alaskan edibles manufacturer, had its manufacturing license revoked by the state Marijuana Control Board, marking the first time that the state control board has had to take such an action.
Ohio Officials Defend Medical Marijuana License Selection Process
Ohio officials are defending the way in which they chose the state’s 24 medical marijuana cultivators after a series of scandals have brought the integrity of the department’s selection process into question.
PharmaCann Suing Ohio Over Licensing to Fulfill Racial Quota
For the third time in two weeks, Ohio’s medical marijuana program is once again at the center of controversy. PharmaCann Ohio, LLC, a medical marijuana company that failed to obtain a cultivation license in the state, has filed a lawsuit against the Ohio Department of Commerce over its alleged “racial quota.”
