In the wake of a string of marijuana victories at the ballot box, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, is leading the charge to ensure banking access for the legal marijuana industry.
Tag Archives: Legalization
Marijuana Advocates Hitting Trump’s Inauguration With 4,200 Joints
On Jan. 20, 2017, attendees of Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington, D.C., may get free joints, or at least a contact high, at the presidential ceremony.
Florida Doctors Ready to Prescribe Medical Marijuana
A large group of Florida doctors are going through the certification process to prescribe medical marijuana to patients, just days before legalization goes through.
Gov. Baker Signs Bill Delaying Opening of Pot Shops in Massachusetts
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill Friday aimed at delaying by up to six months the opening of marijuana shops in the state until mid-2018.
Indiana Man Planning Long Walk to State Capitol to Lobby for MMJ
How far are you willing to go to lobby for medical marijuana? For one Indiana man, the answer is hundreds of miles.
California Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Ban Marijuana Use While Driving
On Dec. 29, 2016, California State Sen. Jerry Hill and Assemblymember Evan Low announced the introduction of Senate Bill 65 to ban marijuana use while driving.
Lawmakers in Massachusetts Vote to Delay Retail Marijuana Sales
On Dec. 28, 2016, Massachusetts lawmakers voted to pass S.2524, a bill that delays the retail sales of recreational marijuana by six months. Approved during an informal session, the bill’s swift and subtle passage came as a disappointment to many.
The Global Experiment of Marijuana Legalization
Marijuana is the most widely cultivated, produced and consumed drug worldwide, and more than 20 countries worldwide are trialing legislation regarding access to marijuana and exploring possible benefits.
Study: More Australians Support Legalization Than Oppose It
For the first time in their nation’s history, more Australians support the legalization of recreational than oppose it. This is according to The Australian Election Study, a multi-decade study conducted by Australian National University.
Rhode Island Governor Estimates Legalization Could Generate $15M
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo recently estimated that if The Ocean State legalizes recreational marijuana, it could generate between $10 to $15 million in revenue during its first year.
How Canada’s Legalization May Alter Its Relations With America
Their position on marijuana is hardly the only difference between Canada’s prime minister and the president-elect of the United States.
Bill Blair: Decriminalization Before Legislation ‘a Half Measure’
MP Bill Blair says until legalization legislation is in place marijuana requires strict regulation and that current laws should be obeyed.
Marijuana Opponents in Maine Accept Defeat and Drop Recount
On Dec. 17, 2016, an anti-legalization group in Maine withdrew its recount request with the Secretary of State’s Bureau of Elections, ending the recount of Question 1, an initiative legalizing recreational marijuana in the state.
Mexican Senate Approves Medical Marijuana Bill
On Dec. 13, 2016, the Mexican Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill that would legalize medical marijuana in the country. Approved by a margin of 98-7, the bill is part of a larger proposal submitted by President Enrique Peña Nieto to Congress.
Federal Survey Debunks Marijuana-Kids Myth (Again)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — The results of an annual survey of U.S. middle and high school students released Tuesday invalidate claims that reforming marijuana laws and debating legalization will lead to increased marijuana use among teens.
Canadian Task Force Shares Report on Future of Federal Legalization
On Dec. 13, 2016, Anne McLellan and Dr. Mark Ware, the chair and vice chair of Canada’s Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation, presented a report on how the federal government should move forward with the legalization of recreational cannabis in the country.
Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Presents its Advice on a Framework for Legalization and Regulation of Access to Cannabis
OTTAWA, Ontario, Dec. 13, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — Today the Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation provided their report to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Minister of Health.
Maine Marijuana Opponents Fail to Produce Enough Volunteers for Recount
Opponents of legalization in Maine have come under fire after failing to produce enough volunteers for the first two and a half days of a statewide ballot recount for Question 1, a marijuana legalization initiative that was narrowly approved by voters.
Head of AK’s Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office to Step Down
Franklin announced her resignation to members of the Alcohol and Marijuana control boards on Wednesday afternoon, in an email forwarded to Alaska Dispatch News.
Institutional Cannabis: An Economic Timeline
Institutional interest is emerging. Data has become available and it’s time to start telling the story of the marijuana economy.
Maine Starts Recount of Marijuana Legalization Ballots
On Dec. 5, 2016, Maine began the recount of Question 1, a ballot initiative legalizing recreational marijuana in the state. Backed by opponents of the initiative, this marks the first time in Maine’s history that a statewide recount has been issued.
Report: Beer Business Underperforming in Legal Cannabis States
According to a recent report from Cowen and Company, the legalization of cannabis is starting to affect beer volumes in Colorado, Oregon and Washington.
Michigan Marijuana Seminar Educates Caregivers and Patients
Both state and local legislation is ever-changing in the medical marijuana industry. A seminar was held yesterday focused on educating caregivers, patients, and dispensary owners. FOX 47’s Scott Wolchek spoke with those attending to find out how this education will affect them and those in need of medical marijuana.
Obama: Marijuana Should Be Treated Like ‘Cigarettes or Alcohol’
“Look, I’ve been very clear about my belief that we should try to discourage substance abuse,” Obama said. “And I am not somebody who believes that legalization is a panacea. But I do believe that treating this as a public-health issue, the same way we do with cigarettes or alcohol, is the much smarter way to deal with it.”
Statement from the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation
OTTAWA, Ontario, /Weed Wire/ — The Honourable Anne McLellan, Chair of the Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation, and Dr. Mark Ware, Vice Chair, released the following statement…
South Africa Moves to Legalize Medical Cannabis in 2017
On Nov. 23, 2016, South Africa’s Medicines Control Council announced to members of parliament that it had progressed in its study of medical cannabis and that the Department of Health could have a regulatory framework ready to publish by February 2017.
Massachusetts Marijuana Roll-out Faces Potential Delays
Although recreational marijuana is slated to become legal in Massachusetts on Dec. 15, 2016, Massachusetts Sec. of State William F. Galvin announced on Nov. 28 that it could take longer than expected for the law to go into effect.
PBS News Hour: What is Next for Marijuana Legalization?
On November 8, multiple states legalized the use of marijuana for either recreational or medicinal purposes — thus marking a major shift in U.S. drug policy. William Brangham speaks with Taylor West of the National Cannabis Administration and Jonathan Hudak of the Brookings Institution about marijuana law and how it might evolve under President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming administration.
Will Trump White House Snuff Out N.J. Push to Legalize Marijuana?
New Jersey already has a tightly regulated medical marijuana program that includes six alternative treatment centers, or dispensaries, but the issue has largely stalled in New Jersey because of the Republican governor’s resolute opposition.
VICE News Gives An Inside Look Into Cali After Prop 64
VICE News’ Dexter Thomas talks to Steve DeAngelo, Executive Director of Harborside Health Center in California, and gives viewers an inside look at what legal weed looks like post Election Day.
Legal Marijuana Poses New Problems For Employee Drug Testing
These new laws make pot legal in some form in more than half the country—28 states. Meanwhile, it remains illegal under federal law creating a gray area for companies to maneuver through.
Marijuana Advocates Worried If Jeff Sessions Named Attorney General
Supporters and opponents of marijuana legalization woke up to the news on Friday. Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions is Donald Trump’s choice as the nation’s top law enforcement official.
Trump and Marijuana: Will 2016’s Big Winners Get Along?
Trump has said marijuana policy should be up to the states, but that was on the campaign trail. Will he stay true to his word?
How to Open a Bank Account for Your Cannabis Business
To help you get started, this guide will provide the basics on how to open a bank account for your cannabis business.
Mayors of Some Massachusetts Towns Oppose Marijuana Shops
After Massachusetts voters legalized adult-use marijuana on Nov. 8, 2016, mayors in some towns are trying to quell marijuana’s presence by restricting retail outlets. In the town of Methuen, Mass., where 52 percent of the residents voted against legalization, Mayor Stephen Zanni wants to prohibit pot retailers.
Texas Legislators File Bills Aimed at Decriminalizing Marijuana
Among the bills are those that would create a specialty court for certain first-time marijuana possession offenders, reduce criminal penalties for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana and re-classify convictions for possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Denmark Announces Trial Program for Medical Cannabis
On Nov. 8, 2016, Denmark announced that it will launch a medical cannabis trial program in 2018, as reported by AFP.
Maine’s Marijuana Opponents Want a Recount
Although voters in Maine narrowly approved Question 1, a ballot measure legalizing recreational marijuana in the state, opponents of the measure are saying “not so fast.”
New York Braces for Legal Marijuana in Mass.
Bringing marijuana from Massachusetts or Maine to New York, or from any other states where it’s legal, is a violation under New York law.
Pot Smokers Owe Last Night’s Historic Ballot Wins to This Man
Yesterday, Americans handed over the keys to the White House to a thin-skinned demagogue, but in eight states, at least, they also voted to legalize a way to cope with the cataclysm they wrought.
What The Future of MJ Legalization Could Look Like Under Trump
Jubilation over marijuana’s ballot wins was quickly tempered by the uncertain future marijuana faces under a Trump Justice Department.
Medical Marijuana Emerges as Dark Horse in North Dakota
On Nov. 8, 2016, a majority of voters in North Dakota approved Measure 5, legalizing medical marijuana in the state and signaling a watershed victory in the legalization movement.
Montana Passes Measure to Expand Medical Marijuana
The passing of the initiative would reverse provisions of a bill passed by the Montana Legislature in 2011
Massachusetts Becomes First State East of the Rockies to Approve Marijuana Legalization
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2016 /Weed Wire/ —Voters in Massachusetts have approved marijuana legalization, making it the first state east of the Rockies to do so.
Success in the Silver State: Nevada Legalizes Retail Marijuana
On Nov. 8, 2016, a majority of voters in Nevada approved Question 2, legalizing retail marijuana in the the Silver State and poising the state marijuana market for massive growth.
Florida Approves Medical Marijuana in Landslide Victory
On Nov. 8, 2016, Florida voters overwhelmingly voted to approve Amendment 2, a ballot amendment that will legalize medical marijuana in the state.
California Gives Green Light to Recreational Cannabis
On Nov. 8, 2016, a majority of Californians voted to approve Proposition 64, legalizing recreational cannabis in the state and signaling an end to cannabis prohibition.
California Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Marijuana Legalization
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — California voters have approved Proposition 64, legalizing marijuana in the nation’s largest state.
MJ Investors Ready to Spend Millions if Cali Passes Prop 64
New Frontier Data estimates California’s marijuana industry will generate $7.6 billion a year in direct sales to consumers by 2020, and that’s not including sales generated when growers sell to processors and when processors sell to dispensaries.
Voters Could Legalize Marijuana For Quarter of All Americans
Potential victories in Arizona, Nevada, Massachusetts and Maine would fill in much of the rest of the West and extend recreational use to the Northeast. Opinion polls show voters favoring the initiative in all five states.In addition, measures to legalize medical marijuana or expand its use are on the ballot in North Dakota, Montana, Arkansas and Florida.