Berkeley has declared itself a sanctuary city for marijuana users, a largely symbolic move that cements a policy prohibiting city employees from assisting federal officials in the enforcement of federal marijuana laws.
Tag Archives: Enforcement
City of Berkeley Becomes First in the U.S. to Grant Sanctuary to Cannabis Users, Businesses and Landlords
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.
Colorado’s Senator Cory Gardner to Confront AG Jeff Sessions on Marijuana
Colorado U.S. Senator Cory Gardner will meet with Attorney General Jeff Sessions to discuss marijuana enforcement policy.
Pelican State Asks Trump to Protect Louisiana Medical Marijuana
When United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo on Jan. 4, 2018, announcing the reversal of federal marijuana enforcement policy, politicians across the country were outraged, and now the Pelican State has joined in and asked President Donald Trump to protect Louisiana medical marijuana.
Yolo DA Enforces New Cannabis Laws: West Sacramento Warehouse Owner Enjoined from Leasing to Illegal Growers While Other Landlords and Cultivators Admit Liability, Pay Penalties
WOODLAND, Calif., Jan. 8, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced today that on January 4, 2018, Yolo County Superior Court Judge Sonia Cortés issued a preliminary injunction against multiple defendants, including the landlord of a warehouse in West Sacramento.
Gardner Defends States’ Rights on Senate Floor
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ — Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) today spoke on the Senate floor regarding the reported action being taken by the Justice Department on marijuana legalization enforcement.
U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer Issues Statement Regarding Marijuana Prosecutions in Colorado
DENVER, Jan. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer of the District of Colorado has issued the following statement regarding marijuana prosecutions.
Gillibrand Statement on Reports That Attorney General Sessions Will Rescind Current Federal Marijuana Policy
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today released the following statement regarding news reports that Attorney General Jeff Sessions will rescind current policy and allow federal prosecutors to decide how aggressively to enforce marijuana laws.
Governor Kate Brown’s Statement on Reports A.G. Sessions Will Rescind Federal Marijuana Policy
SALEM, Ore., Jan. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ — Governor Kate Brown today released the following statement regarding reports that Attorney General Jeff Sessions will rescind current federal marijuana policy.
National Cannabis Industry Association Responds to Department of Justice’s Move to Rescind Marijuana Enforcement Guidelines
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – Today, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Department of Justice has rescinded the “Cole Memo” and two additional memos related to marijuana enforcement policy.
Justice Department Issues Memo on Marijuana Enforcement
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ — The Department of Justice today issued a memo on federal marijuana enforcement policy announcing a return to the rule of law and the rescission of previous guidance documents. Since the passage of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in 1970, Congress has generally prohibited the cultivation, distribution, and possession of marijuana.
US to End Policy That Let Legal Pot Flourish
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Jeff Sessions is rescinding the Obama-era policy that had paved the way for legalized marijuana to flourish in states across the country, two people with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.
Denver DA Charges 10 Sweet Leaf Dispensary Employees in ‘Looping’ Scheme
On Dec. 28, 2017, Denver District Attorney Beth McCann announced that charges have been filed against 10 Sweet Leaf dispensary employees arrested on Dec. 14 for selling unlawful amounts of cannabis to customers.
Charges Filed in Law Enforcement Operation Targeting Alleged Illegal Marijuana Sales
DENVER, Dec. 28, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Denver District Attorney Beth McCann has formally charged 10 individuals arrested December 14 for illegal distribution of marijuana in various quantities in connection with a multi-agency marijuana enforcement operation.
Multiple Agencies Conduct Marijuana Enforcement Operation
DENVER, Dec. 14, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — The Denver Police Department and several partnering agencies today conducted an enforcement operation at eight Denver-area Sweet Leaf Marijuana Center locations. The operation is the result of an extensive, year-long criminal investigation into illegal distribution of marijuana at those locations.
Sessions Hints at Shift in Federal Marijuana Enforcement
Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday gave his strongest signal yet that the Justice Department’s more hands-off approach to marijuana enforcement may soon be changing.
Colorado Police Department Phases Out Marijuana Sniffing Dogs
A Colorado police department is going to stop teaching old dogs new tricks and focus on training new dogs with fewer tricks, especially when it comes to marijuana sniffing dogs.
Michigan Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Have Until Mid-December to Shut Down
On Sept 12, 2017, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs announced that existing medical cannabis dispensaries have until Dec. 15 to shut down or they risk losing the opportunity to become licensed under the state’s new medical cannabis laws.
Cali Enforcement: San Mateo County Cannabis Raids Net Almost $23M
On Aug. 24, 2017, San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force announced that a series of San Mateo County cannabis raids eradicated 11,400 cannabis plants with a value of approximately $22.8 million.
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.
California Could Be a ‘Sanctuary State’ From Federal Marijuana Laws
California moved a step closer Thursday to becoming a “sanctuary state” where local and state police would not assist federal enforcement of marijuana laws.
Virginia Marijuana Arrests Continue to Hit Black Communities
When it comes to marijuana enforcement, it’s no secret that racial disparities persist even though black and white communities use marijuana at similar rates. The most recent reminder of this comes from the Old Dominion State, where Virginia marijuana arrests continue to disproportionately affect black communities.
Hickenlooper Doesn’t Foresee Sessions Cracking Down on Legal Marijuana
On April 27, 2017, in an interview with Chuck Todd, host of NBC’s Meet the Press, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper recounted a recent talk he had with Attorney General Jeff Sessions and indicated that he doesn’t foresee Sessions cracking down on state-legal marijuana.
Activists Arrested at Smoke-In on United States Capitol Grounds
Calling upon the federal government to reschedule marijuana, activists with the group DC Marijuana Justice staged a smoke-in on United States Capitol grounds on April 24, 2017, and some were subsequently arrested by United States Capitol Police for possession.
District Attorneys: Federal Enforcement Preempts State-Legal Marijuana
On April 20, 2017, the National District Attorneys Association announced that it had released “Marijuana Policy: The State and Local Prosecutors’ Perspective,” a white paper that argues federal drug policy should be enforced in state-legal marijuana markets in the United States.
USCP Arrest Four on Capitol Grounds for Possession of Marijuana
WASHINGTON, April 24, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — At approximately 1:30 p.m. today, the United States Capitol Police (USCP) arrested four individuals on the East Front Plaza of the U.S. Capitol for smoking marijuana on Capitol Grounds.
US Capitol Police Arrest Eight for Possession of Marijuana
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — At approximately 12:18 p.m. today, United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers began arresting several individuals after witnessing them distributing marijuana in public view to passersby at First and Constitution Avenue, NE.
Poll: US Voters Support Legalization and Oppose Federal Meddling
On April 20, 2017, Quinnipiac University announced the results of its latest national poll and found that 60% of American voters believe marijuana use should be legalized in the United States, the greatest level of federal legalization support ever recorded by Quinnipiac.
Advocates Organize Smoke-In for April 20 on Steps of US Capitol
On April 20, 2017, advocates for the legal marijuana industry plan on staging a mass smoke-in on the steps of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Set to coincide with the 4/20 holiday, the smoke-in is a response to the Trump Administration’s pledges of greater federal marijuana enforcement.
Poll: Majority of Americans Support Medical Marijuana Legalization
On April 17, 2017, “Weed & the American Family,” a poll conducted by The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion and Yahoo News, revealed data points on Americans’ perspectives regarding legalization, the evolution of social norms and how marijuana affects relationships.
US Marijuana Index Trends Down After Attorney General’s Memo
Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo on April 5, 2017, outlining the mission of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety, including the creation of a subcommittee to review marijuana enforcement policies, and it did not go unnoticed by public market participants.
Attorney General’s Task Force to Review Marijuana Enforcement Policies
On April 5, 2017, the Department of Justice announced that Attorney General Jeff Sessions had issued a memo with an update on the DOJ’s Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety, including the move to review marijuana enforcement policies.
Jeff Sessions: Marijuana ‘Only Slightly Less Awful’ Than Heroin
On March 15, 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions gave a speech to law enforcement officers in Richmond, Virginia, on his mission to fight violent crime and bolster public safety. It was during his discussion of drugs that Sessions brought marijuana into the conversation, reinforcing a stance that he has previously communicated.
Taylor West on MSNBC: Marijuana Policy and the Trump Administration
National Cannabis Industry Association deputy director Taylor West appears on MSNBC to discuss comments made by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, regarding the Justice Department’s approach to state-legal marijuana programs.
Statement Regarding White House Comments Suggesting Crackdown on Cannabis
TRENTON, N.J., Feb. 24, 2017 /Weed Wire/ —Yesterday White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the Trump administration would not use federal laws against medical marijuana users, but does see a potential crack down on adult-use of cannabis.
Marijuana Industry Group Responds to White House Press Secretary, Sean Spicer’s Comments on Recreational Marijuana
DENVER, Feb. 23, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — The following statement by Kristi Kelly, Executive Director, Marijuana Industry Group, is being released in response to a Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, announcement by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer that the Department of Justice was going to target recreational marijuana businesses.
MPP Issues Statement Regarding White House Press Secretary’s Comments About Federal Marijuana Enforcement
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — The Marijuana Policy Project has issued the statement below regarding White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s comments about federal marijuana enforcement. A clip of the comments is available at http://bit.ly/2leuCx9.
National Cannabis Industry Association Statement on Press Secretary’s Comments Regarding Trump Administration Marijuana Policy
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — National Cannabis Industry Association executive director Aaron Smith issued the following statement in response to Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s comments regarding the Trump Administration’s marijuana policy in the press briefing today:
NORML Responds: White House Threatens To Crack Down On Legal Marijuana
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer suggested that the Trump administration will step up enforcement of federal laws against recreational marijuana.
Greenspoon Marder Cannabis Law Practice Monitoring Department of Justice Potential Regarding Recreation Cannabis
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 24, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Greenspoon Marder recognizes that there are a number of possible interpretations of this messaging; however, we are hopeful that this does not mean a reassessment of the recreational market.
White House Indicates Potential Crackdown on Recreational Marijuana
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — In a press conference today, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer strongly indicated that Jeff Sessions’ Department of Justice (DOJ) will crack down on recreational marijuana programs. In response, Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director of Drug Policy Alliance, released this statement:
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.
Michigan Counties Miss Grants For Medical Marijuana Enforcement
Only 18 of Michigan’s 83 counties applied for money to enforce the medical marijuana law and educate the public about how it works.
Business Professionals in Maine Call for Better Marijuana Regulation
A group of professionals from Maine’s business community have come together to call for better regulation of the state’s marijuana industry.
Report: West Virginia Could Generate Millions With Legal Marijuana
On Aug. 18, 2016, the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy announced that it had released a report that examines how marijuana legalization could affect the state’s budget, prison system and chronically ill.
Legal Pot Industry Could Bring Billions in Annual State and Federal Taxes
A legal marijuana industry could contribute billions of dollars in annual tax revenues to state and federal governments, according to the Tax Foundation. “If all states legalized and taxed marijuana, states could collectively expect to raise between $5 billion and $18 billion per year,” the report said.
Illegal Marijuana Cultivation Declines in Washington State
In Washington State, illegal cultivation of marijuana has taken a sharp decline. According to the Yakima Herald, the number of marijuana plants confiscated by the Drug Enforcement Agency has fallen from 321,583 in 2010 to approximately 57,000 in 2014, an 80 percent decrease over four years.
Cannabis Business Owners: You Can Fight City Hall
Cannabis business owners must quickly become accustomed to living in a world where nearly every aspect of their operation is meticulously regulated.
Alaska Lawmaker Aims to Combat Illegal Grow Operations
In an effort to combat the proliferation of illegal marijuana cultivation, one Alaskan state lawmaker has a proposed a bill that would impose financial penalties on illegal grow operations.
OLCC Announces Public Safety, Education & Enforcement Committee
PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 17, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — The OLCC is sponsoring a Public Safety, Education & Enforcement Committee, to gather law enforcement professionals from around the state to discuss public safety-related issues and coordination needs in implementing OLCC’s recreational marijuana program.