BERKELEY, Calif., Feb. 14, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – The City of Berkeley has become the first city in the country to grant sanctuary to adult users of cannabis, businesses selling the product, and property owners where dispensaries and other cannabis-related business are located, Mayor Jesse Arreguin announced Wednesday. The decision means that no city department, agency, officer or employee can use city funds to assist in the enforcement of federal laws surrounding cannabis.
Tag Archives: City
City of Seattle to Erase Marijuana Misdemeanors
In a municipal move signifying the dying war on drugs, the city of Seattle is going to vacate convictions and dismiss charges for marijuana misdemeanors. Former U.S. Attorney and Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and City Attorney Pete Holmes made the announcement during a press conference on Feb. 8, 2018.
Bright Side of the Bay: 8 Winners Selected for Oakland Dispensary Licenses
In California, officials with the city of Oakland have been working for more than a year to create and implement the city’s Dispensary Equity Permit Program, and with the winners of Oakland dispensary licenses having been announced, the fruits of their labor are being realized.
Santa Barbara to Welcome 5 Recreational Cannabis Shops
On Nov. 21, 2017, California’s Santa Barbara City Council approved an ordinance to amend the city municipal code to allow five recreational cannabis shops within city limits, as well as voting to ease requirements for onsite security officers, permit an unlimited number of wholesale cannabis operations and allow residents to cultivate one cannabis plant outdoors and five indoors.
Matier in the Morning: Regulating Recreational Marijuana in California
Phil Matier talks with state senator Scott Wiener (D-S.F.) about the competing city and state politics around recreational pot use on Matier in the Morning.
Ordinance Passes to Limit Operations of Cleveland Medical Marijuana Businesses
Prospective Cleveland medical marijuana businesses may have to start looking outside of Forest City if they hope to have a chance for business progress and prosperity.
Atlanta Mayor Signs Decriminalization Ordinance Into Law
On Oct. 10, 2017, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed signed into law Ordinance 17-O-1152, an ordinance that reduces the penalties for simple marijuana possession.
Marijuana Cite-and-Release Program in Dallas Has Been Delayed
The Dallas cite-and-release program, in which those caught possessing a small amount of marijuana are issued a fine and a court summons, has been delayed.
Los Angeles City Council Committee Approves Revised Cannabis Regulations
On Sept. 25, 2017, a Los Angeles City Council committee approved revised draft regulations for the city’s cannabis industry. While the original draft regulations were released on June 8, the revised version wasn’t released until Sept. 22, giving industry members little time to prepare for the meeting on Sept. 25.
Mile High City Now Accepting Applications for Denver Cannabis Clubs
The road to regulate Denver cannabis clubs has been a long one and while doors aren’t open quite yet, the city of Denver started accepting applications for cannabis consumption establishment licenses on Aug. 24, 2017.
This Is Why Illegal Sacramento Marijuana Grows Will Be Eradicated
With approximately 1,000 homes having been converted for illegal residential cultivation, illegal Sacramento marijuana grows have become a public safety concern for California’s capital city.
San Diego Police Raid Two Illegal Cannabis Dispensaries
On Aug. 17, 2017, the San Diego Police Department narcotics unit raided two illegal cannabis dispensaries, bringing the number of raids on illegal dispensaries to more than 60 since March 2016.
First Look at the Los Angeles Cannabis Commission Approved by City Council
While Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti named Cat Packer, a former policy coordinator at the Drug Policy Alliance, as the Department of Cannabis Regulation’s executive director on Aug. 9, 2017, the Los Angeles City Council approved Garcetti’s selection of Packer at its meeting on Aug. 16, as well as approving five members for the Los Angeles Cannabis Commission.
State and Local Politicians Oppose Opening of Philadelphia Medical Marijuana Dispensary
A political storm is brewing in the City of Brotherly Love over the location of a medical marijuana dispensary. A cadre of state and local politicians have rallied together in an attempt to stop the opening of TerraVida Holistic Centers, a Philadelphia medical marijuana dispensary.
Study: Colorado Springs Retail Cannabis Would Give City Tax Boon
Colorado’s legal recreational cannabis sales commenced in 2014, but not every municipality chose to embrace the retail market, so a Colorado Springs retail cannabis market has yet to materialize; however, some citizens are looking to change that.
San Francisco Board of Supervisors Votes to Create the Office of Cannabis
On July 18, 2017, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to create the Office of Cannabis. Consisting of three employees, the new department will be responsible for approving permits for recreational cannabis dispensaries in the city.
Denver Issues Rules for Social Marijuana Use
On June 30, 2017, Denver’s licensing officials released final rules regulating the city’s pilot program to allow social marijuana use within city limits.
No High Flying in Florida: Orlando Airport Bans Medical Marijuana
Florida may have legalized medical marijuana in 2016, but that hasn’t stopped Orlando International Airport from banning the substance on its property.
Marijuana Shipment Businesses Under Investigation by Denver’s Better Business Bureau
Two online marijuana shipment businesses are under investigation by Denver’s Better Business Bureau. On June 15, 2017, the BBB announced that it was investigating Denver Marijuana and Denver Smoke Buds for illegally mailing marijuana, among other reasons.
Toronto Board of Health Wants Canadian Cannabis Decriminalization Now
Canadian cannabis decriminalization has earned the support of Toronto’s Board of Health. On June 12, 2017, the board voted unanimously to request that the Government of Canada immediately decriminalize the possession of cannabis for personal use.
Los Angeles Issues Dispensary Map, Draft Business Regs and Zoning Ordinance
In the span of two days, the City of Los Angeles has taken three important steps toward regulating its legal cannabis market—issuing a cannabis dispensary map, draft commercial cannabis regulations and a proposed zoning ordinance.
Detroit Cracking Down on Illegal Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
In the Wolverine State, the city of Detroit is cracking down on illegal medical marijuana dispensaries within city limits.
Battle Born State: Reno Medical Marijuana Event Helps Veterans
On May 27, 2017, the Canna Community Connection brought together stakeholders for a Reno medical marijuana event to give back to veterans in Nevada by offering them access to free physician evaluations and medical marijuana cards.
5 Marijuana Trends to Watch in Portland
Most people think about Colorado when marijuana is mentioned, but Oregon is one of the biggest cannabis-friendly hotspots to watch for emerging marijuana trends in 2017. This is particularly the case with the state’s largest city, Portland.
City of Oakland Releases Medical Cannabis Permit Applications
Oakland, Calif., May 23, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – Today, the City of Oakland released its Medical Cannabis Permit Application for individuals interested in cultivating, manufacturing, delivering, distributing, testing or transporting medical cannabis in Oakland.
Washingtonians: WSU Needs Volunteers for Marijuana Breathalyzer Study
Researchers with Washington State University are looking for individuals to volunteer for a marijuana breathalyzer study. According to The Spokesman-Review, the study is attempting to determine if a marijuana breathalyzer can actually register “acute exposure” to THC.
Pasadena Ponders Shutting Off Utilities at Illegal Marijuana Dispensaries
Pasadena, Calif., is considering an ordinance that would shut off the utilities of illegal marijuana dispensaries operating within the city. On May 15, 2017, the city council voted unanimously in favor of the ordinance’s first reading; if approved at its second reading, the ordinance could go into effect as soon as June of this year.
Alabama’s City of Mobile Pondering Marijuana Citation Ordinance
On May 15, 2017, Mobile, Alabama, Mayor Sandy Stimpson announced that he would sponsor a city ordinance that would, among other things, allow city law enforcement officials the discretion to issue a marijuana citation for simple possession.
Atlanta City Council to Reconsider Decriminalizing Marijuana
Georgia’s capital city is once again thinking about decriminalizing marijuana within city limits. According to an update by Peachtree NORML, the Atlanta City Council will take a vote Ordinance 17-O-1152, an ordinance decriminalizing marijuana, on May 15, 2017.
Reno Rejects Recreational Marijuana Moratorium
On April 26, 2017, the Reno City Council rejected a measure that would have imposed a six month moratorium on recreational marijuana dispensaries. The council decided to abandon the moratorium after speaking with local dispensary owners.
Marijuana in Missouri: Kansas City Passes Decriminalization Ordinance
On April 4, 2017, voters in Kansas City, Missouri, overwhelmingly approved Question 5, a decriminalization ordinance that reduces the penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana to a simple fine.
Marijuana Growers in Sacramento: Application Window Opens April 3
On March 11, 2017, in California, the city of Sacramento announced that it will begin accepting cultivation applications for non-residential medical marijuana cultivation on April 3.
Oversight in Cali: Los Angeles Approves Cannabis Licensing Commission
On March 22, 2017, the Los Angeles City Council approved a motion for the city to create the Cannabis Licensing Commission, with the commission being responsible for the oversight of the city’s recreational cannabis licensing process.
Event Organizers Cancel Denver 420 Fest
On March 17, 2017, event organizers behind the Denver 420 Fest, a two-day cannabis festival, announced that the event has been canceled.
City of Sacramento to Start Accepting Marijuana Cultivation Applications on April 3
SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 11, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — The City of Sacramento will start accepting applications for non-residential marijuana cultivation on April 3rd after the City Council lifted the temporary moratorium on cultivation, and approved the remaining components of its cultivation regulations at the March 7th meeting.
Elemental Wellness Approved as the First Legal Cannabis Delivery Service in San Jose
SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 27, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — The San Jose City Council recently voted to amend the City Ordinance governing medical marijuana dispensaries to allow delivery services. Elemental has worked closely with the City to provide a safe, yet fully transparent experience for Elemental members.
Alaska Hires New Director of Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office
On Feb. 21, 2017, Erika McConnell was appointed as the new director of Alaska’s Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office. The position had been vacant since Cynthia Franklin resigned from the position at the beginning of 2017 to become the assistant attorney general in the state’s Consumer Protection Unit.
Oregon Greenlights Dispensary to Deliver in Bend
With the Oregon Liquor Control Commission recently greenlighting one of the state’s first marijuana delivery services, Oregon’s retail marijuana industry is preparing to cover new ground.
Santa Ana Police Department Serves Search Warrants on Illegal Marijuana Dispensaries
During the morning hours of Thursday, January 26, 2017, Police Detectives assigned to the Santa Ana Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Unit served search warrants at Sky High dispensary located at 419 W. Seventeenth Street and the Elevated Dreams dispensary located at 413 W. Seventeenth Street in the City of Santa Ana.
Nevada’s State Capital Temporarily Bans Recreational Dispensaries
On Jan. 19, 2017, the Carson City Board of Supervisors temporarily banned recreational cannabis dispensaries in Carson City, Nevada. The ban will last for 180 days, unless the state issues regulations before the moratorium has expired.
Marijuana Activists Staging ‘Smoke-in’ at Popular Philadelphia Park
On Jan. 20, 2017, marijuana activists in Philadelphia staged a peaceful protest and community outreach event in Rittenhouse Square.
Pesticide Residue Prompts Denver Business to Recall Marijuana
On Jan. 19, 2017, Green Man Cannabis in Denver voluntarily recalled marijuana flower and products due to samples containing off-label pesticide residues.
Terra Tech Opening Fourth Marijuana Dispensary in Nevada
On Dec. 29, 2016, Terra Tech (OTCQX:TRTC), a marijuana-focused agriculture company, announced that it is opening a Blüm dispensary in Reno, Nevada, the company’s fourth medical marijuana dispensary in the state, on Jan. 2, 2017.
Riding High in Bridgetown: Portland Approves Marijuana Couriers
On Dec. 22, 2016, Oregon’s Portland City Council voted unanimously to amend its marijuana business regulations, creating a license for marijuana retail couriers.
Alaska Welcomes the Arctic Herbery in Anchorage
On Dec. 15, 2016, the Arctic Herbery opened its doors to recreational cannabis customers in Anchorage, Alaska.
California’s CannaCraft Earns Approval of Santa Rosa
On Dec. 14, 2016, CannaCraft, a group of California-based cannabis companies raided this past summer, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark its approval from the City of Santa Rosa to open back up for business.
Spokane Dispensary to Donate $36K Worth of Marijuana
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, one dispensary in Spokane is going to show its thanks by donating medical marijuana to qualifying patients.
New Rule Limits Marijuana Social Use in Denver
On Nov. 18, 2016, the Colorado Department of Revenue announced a new rule that would prevent holders of liquor licenses from allowing on-site use of marijuana, striking a blow to supporters Initiative 300, a ballot measure allowing the social use of marijuana in Denver.
Reno to Stop Prosecuting Simple Marijuana Possession
In light of Nevada legalizing recreational marijuana, Reno City Attorney Karl Hall announced on Nov.16, 2016, that his office would likely stop prosecuting low-level marijuana possession.
Denver Passes Measure Allowing Social Use of Marijuana
Initiative 300, a ballot initiative legalizing the social use of marijuana at certain businesses in Denver, Colorado, has been passed.