A United States District Judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to overturn federal cannabis prohibition.
Tag Archives: Federal
Unless You’re a Citizen, Legal Marijuana Isn’t for You
Legal marijuana may be a multi-billion dollar industry in Colorado, but cannabis is still illegal federally — so any job in the industry can be considered trafficking in a controlled substance.
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.
California Treasurer Studying Possibility of Creating a Public Cannabis Bank
United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions may have reversed federal marijuana enforcement policy, but that isn’t stopping the Golden State from studying how to move forward with creating a public cannabis bank to serve the state’s legal cannabis industry.
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.
AG Ferguson Wants to Know Sessions’ Effects on Washington Cannabis Industry
Since United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions first criticized the Washington cannabis industry in July 2017, Gov. Jay Inslee and Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson have defended the industry; however, Sessions’ memo on Jan. 4, 2018, announcing a reversal of federal cannabis enforcement policy, may have prompted the state to bolster its position.
Curbelo: Attorney General’s Marijuana Witch Hunt Favors Those Operating Illegally, Hurts Legal Businesses’ Ability to Compete
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2018 /Weed Wire/ — Last night, Representative Carlos Curbelo (FL-26), the sponsor of legislation to provide tax parity to legally operating marijuana businesses, joined a bipartisan group of House colleagues on the House Floor to discuss Attorney General Jeff Session’s recent decision to crack down on legally operating marijuana businesses.
Attorney General Becerra Urges Congress to Incorporate $6.7 Billion Cannabis Industry into Banking System
SACRAMENTO, Jan. 16, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today joined a bipartisan group of 18 state attorneys general in urging Congress to advance legislation that will enable the cannabis industry to participate in the banking system in states that have legalized medicinal or adult use of cannabis. The recent decision by the Trump Department of Justice to rescind prior federal guidance rolled back critical protections for the legal cannabis industry.
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.
Fourth Company Signed to Supply Cannabis for Recreational Market
FREDERICTON, GNB, Jan. 15, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – A memorandum of understanding has been signed with Nuuvera Inc. to supply the provincial government with cannabis for the recreational market. The agreement was reached as the federal government prepares to legalize the recreational use of cannabis later this year.
American Mayors Send Letter to Sessions Criticizing Cannabis Policy Change
The outrage over United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ reversal of federal cannabis policy continues to grow, with a group of American mayors the latest to join the clarion call.
North Dakota Medical Marijuana Rules Poised for Approval
North Dakota’s State Health Council is poised to sign off on administrative rules for medical marijuana amid uncertainty over whether the federal government might crack down on state marijuana operations.
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.
What’s Next for Marijuana Industry After Recent Crackdown?
The national movement to legalize marijuana took a big step forward this week – and a big step back. California became the largest state in the nation to permit recreational pot use, but on Thursday Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded Obama-era guidelines meant to limit federal prosecutions. Atlantic senior editor Derek Thompson joins “CBS This Morning: Saturday” to discuss why this situation is so confusing and what this means for business owners in the burgeoning marijuana industry.
Pew Survey: Majority Still Support American Marijuana Legalization
While United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions has reversed federal marijuana enforcement policy, it appears his stance on American marijuana legalization isn’t representative of the country’s politicians or its people.
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.
Sessions’ Rescinding of the Cole Memo to Have Chilling Effect on Cannabis Public Markets
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that he will rescind “the Cole Memo,” a policy put in place during the Obama Administration which gave guidance to federal prosecutors operating in states where cannabis had been legalized for medical or adult use. New Frontier Data, the authority in business intelligence for the cannabis industry, forecasts this decision will have a chilling effect on the industry.
Heck Calls DOJ Withdrawal of Cole Memorandum ‘Reckless and Irresponsible’
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – Following the announcement that Attorney General Jeff Sessions will withdraw Cole Memorandum guidance regarding enforcement of federal law regarding marijuana use and distribution, U.S. Representative Denny Heck (WA-10) released the following statement.
Cantwell Statement on Department of Justice Rollback of Cole Memorandum
SEATTLE, Jan. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement after Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced his decision to rescind the Cole Memorandum, which changes federal enforcement policies regarding marijuana laws.
Congressmen Cohen Condemns Sessions’ Marijuana Decision
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) on Thursday condemned Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision to crack down on states whose voters have authorized the medical or recreational use of marijuana. He released the following statement.
Politicians Outraged by Reversal of Federal Marijuana Enforcement Policy
On Jan. 4, 2018, United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo to announce a reversal of federal marijuana enforcement policy, rescinding five Obama-era memos that guided U.S attorneys to take a hands-off approach in regards to investigating and prosecuting state-legal marijuana businesses complying with state law.
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.
Sessions’ Actions Against Cole Memo Triggers Call to Action from Medical Cannabis Advocates
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ — As first reported by the Associated Press, Attorney General Jeff Sessions is planning on rescinding the 2013 memo created by then Deputy Attorney General James Cole.
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.
Polis, leader of Congressional Cannabis Caucus, Condemns Attorney General’s Decision on Marijuana
BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ — Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., gave the following statement after Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced he would reverse the Cole Memo, and target states – like Colorado – that have legalized marijuana.
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.
Congressman Blumenauer Statement on Reports that AG Sessions to End Policy on State Marijuana Laws
PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, today released the following statement on reports that Attorney General Jeff Sessions will rescind the “Cole Memo”—guidance established by the Obama Administration in 2013 to allow states to implement responsible marijuana laws without federal interference.
Perlmutter Statement on AG Sessions’ Decision to Rescind DOJ Guidance for Marijuana Activity
LAKEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ — U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) released the following statement after Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced his decision to rescind the “Cole memo”, a document from the U.S. Department of Justice which provided guidance for federal enforcement of marijuana activity.
Statement from Inslee regarding reports that USDOJ will rescind Cole Memo
OLYMPIA, Wash., Jan. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ — Gov. Jay Inslee issued the following statement today upon news that the U.S. Department of Justice would announce its decision to rescind the Cole Memorandum that has allowed Washington and other states to implement common-sense 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.
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.
Province Evaluating Proposals for Cannabis Retail Locations
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Dec. 28, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — The Manitoba government is beginning the next step in establishing a hybrid system for the distribution and retail of legal cannabis by evaluating proposals from applicants seeking to operate retail locations, Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen announced today.
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.
Wyden Becomes First Senate Cosponsor of Landmark Bill to End Federal Prohibition of Marijuana
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) today became the first U.S senator to cosponsor Senator Cory Booker’s (D-NJ) landmark bill to end the federal prohibition on marijuana. He announced his support in a Facebook live tonight with Booker.
Quarles Rejects Federal Overreach Into Kentucky Hemp Program
FRANKFORT, Dec. 13, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles called on Congress to remove industrial hemp from the list of controlled substances under federal law and challenged the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) position on consumable hemp-derived products in remarks delivered today at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s (KDA) Industrial Hemp Advisory Board meeting.
Finance Ministers Revise Canadian Cannabis Tax Plan
While the initial Canadian cannabis tax framework was revealed on Nov. 10, 2017, provincial leaders and industry stakeholders renounced the proposed 50-50 split of cannabis taxes and so federal, provincial and territorial finance ministers went back to the drawing board, announcing the revised Canadian cannabis tax plan on Dec. 11.
Department of Justice Intern Questions US Attorney General’s Stance on Marijuana
According to an internal video obtained by ABC News, United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions took part in a heated exchange with Department of Justice interns this summer over policing, gun control and marijuana policy.
Province Announces First Decisions on Legalization of Cannabis
HALIFAX, N.S., Dec. 7, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Following consultation with Nova Scotians, health experts, law enforcement officials, municipalities, and other stakeholder groups, the province announced key decisions about the legalization of cannabis today, Dec. 7.
First Directions Set on Cannabis Regulation
CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island, Dec. 7, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – The provincial government today outlined three significant directions related to implementing the federal government’s objective of legalizing cannabis.
Members of Congress Urge Extended Protection of State Medical Cannabis Laws
On Nov. 28, 2017, a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers sent a letter to congressional leaders, urging them to extend protection of state medical cannabis laws in the 2018 appropriations bill.
The Government of the Northwest Territories Proposes a Way Forward for the Legalisation of Cannabis in the NWT
YELLOWKNIFE, NWT, Nov. 24, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Minister of Justice Louis Sebert released the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) proposed plan for legalizing cannabis in the NWT today. This is an important step in designing a system that will provide controlled access to a safe supply of recreational cannabis for NWT residents in order to maintain the health and safety of residents and communities across the North.
Health Canada Launches Public Consultation on Proposed Approach to the Regulation of Cannabis
OTTAWA, Ont., Nov. 21, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — The current approach to cannabis does not work. Earlier this year, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-45, the proposed Cannabis Act, to legalize, strictly regulate and restrict access to cannabis. Bill C-45 aims to keep cannabis out of the hands of Canadian youth and the profits away from criminals and organized crime.
NEW REPORT: Marijuana Stores as Profitable as Starbucks
OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 16, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – A new report released today shows that licensed marijuana stores are as profitable as Starbucks stores, if only they were taxed at the federal level like Starbucks.
Government of Canada Announces Consultation on Proposed Excise Duty Framework for Cannabis Products
OTTAWA, Ont., Nov. 10, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — The current approach to cannabis is not working, and the Government of Canada is committed to legalizing, regulating and restricting access to cannabis to keep it out of the hands of kids, and profits out of the hands of criminals.
Maine Governor Vetoes Bill to Regulate Recreational Marijuana
On Nov. 3, 2017, Maine Gov. Paul LePage vetoed LD 1650, a bill that would regulate recreational marijuana in the state. In his veto letter, LePage outlined three key concerns and urged legislators to come together and rework the bill.
Organization in Ohio Is the New Holder of a DEA Marijuana Research License
While the United States Drug Enforcement Agency’s marijuana research license isn’t awarded lightly, an Ohio-based organization was recently awarded a Schedule I Researcher license by the DEA to study the effects of marijuana.
Charges Against the Kettle Falls Five May Soon Be Dropped
After years of court battles, the charges against the Kettle Falls Five may soon be dropped. On Oct. 16, 2017, the United States Department of Justice filed a motion to stay the case against the Kettle Falls Five, admitting that federal prosecutors did not have the authority to try the group.
Canadian Securities Regulators Outline Disclosure Expectations and Certain Risks for Issuers with US Marijuana-Related Activities
TORONTO, Ontario, Oct. 16, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published CSA Staff Notice 51-352 Issuers with U.S. Marijuana-Related Activities, which among other things, outlines CSA staff’s specific disclosure expectations for issuers that have, or are in the process of developing, marijuana-related activities in the U.S.
DEA Report: 71% of Cannabis Plants Seized in 2016 Came from California
While California may grow eight times the amount of cannabis state residents can consume, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration is dimming the brilliance of the Golden State’s illegal cannabis plants.