The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday urged a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to overturn the United States’ longstanding prohibition of marijuana, the latest court battle over federal policy under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Tag Archives: Prohibition
German Police Association Calls for Complete Legalization of Cannabis
The Association of German Criminal Officers (BDK) has spoken out in favour of ending the ban on cannabis and has called for the decriminalization of all use of the drug.
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.
Gov. Hickenlooper’s Statement on Trump Administration’s Decision to Rescind Policy Guiding Federal Approach to Marijuana Legalization
Gov. John Hickenlooper today released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s decision to rescind the Cole Memorandum.
Jeff Sessions Expected to Rescind Obama-Era “Cole Memo” That Allowed States to Implement Marijuana Laws Without Federal Interference
WASHINGTON, JAN. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ —The AP reported this morning that US Attorney General Jeff Sessions plans today to rescind Obama-era guidance by the Department of Justice allowing states to implement their own marijuana laws with limited federal interference.
Mexico City Should Allow Marijuana Cultivation, Mayoral Hopeful Says
Mexico City residents should be free to grow marijuana for personal use, a mayoral hopeful told Reuters on Wednesday, arguing that one of the world’s largest cities should lead the charge to end prohibition in a country riven by drug violence.
These States Are Likely to Legalize Marijuana in 2018
After four of five statewide marijuana legalization ballot initiatives were approved by voters in 2016, no additional states ended cannabis prohibition in 2017 (though New Hampshire did decriminalize possession of the drug and West Virginia allowed its medical use).
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.
Marijuana Index Gains Continue As Pot Stocks Anticipate Prohibition Repeal
It was another big day of gains on Tuesday for the North American Marijuana Index, even as some investors anxiously wait for the Fed to announce an interest rate hike in the next 24 hours.
Government Shutdown Could Allow Marijuana Crackdown
Funding for the federal government is set to run out on Friday, unless Congress enacts a bill extending current spending levels. Also set to expire is a current rider that prevents the Department of Justice from interfering with state medical cannabis laws.
Jeff Sessions ‘Can’t Comment’ on Rumors of Marijuana Crackdown Plans
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is a longtime opponent of marijuana legalization. But in a radio interview on Thursday he was guarded about the Trump administration’s plans to push back against the growing number of states that are ending cannabis prohibition.
These 5 States Had the First Marijuana Laws on the Books
Even though the federal government banned cannabis later, individual states began restricting the sale, consumption, and cultivation of cannabis as early as 1911 by introducing some of the first marijuana laws on the books.
These 5 States Are the Least Likely to Legalize Marijuana
Marijuana legalization is gaining momentum across America, but not all states are making progress. Although the number of states where recreational weed is legal could double from 8 to 16 in 2018, it might take decades for other districts to get onboard with reform.
Senator Cory Booker Introduces Marijuana Legalization Bill, Focused on Racial Justice
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Today, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced legislation that ends federal marijuana prohibition and centers communities most devastated by the war on drugs.
Federal Lawmakers Reintroduce Bipartisan Medical Cannabis Bill
A group of lawmakers reintroduced a bipartisan medical cannabis bill just days after a letter surfaced from Attorney General Jeff Sessions that asked Congress to let him prosecute medical cannabis users.
Bipartisan Bill to End Federal Prohibition of Medical Marijuana Reintroduced in U.S. Senate
WASHINGTON, June 15, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — U.S. Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY), Corey Booker (D-NJ), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) reintroduced a bill Thursday that would end the federal prohibition of medical marijuana. Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) also signed on to the legislation as original co-sponsors.
Los Angeles County Cannabis Ban Extended to Unincorporated Areas
On June 6, 2017, a Los Angeles County cannabis ban was extended after a unanimous vote by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. The regulations call for a ban on commercial cannabis businesses in unincorporated areas and also include new rules for personal cultivation.
Chileans Grow Personal Medical Marijuana as Weed Ban Loosens
Chileans are increasingly growing their own cannabis for medical purposes as the conservative South American nation begins loosening legal prohibitions on the formerly illegal plant.
The Challenges of Enforcing Maine’s Marijuana Laws
Local law enforcement say there are still many questions to be answered about how to enforce the new legal marijuana law, especially when it comes to driving under the influence.
Poll: 87% of NFL Players Support Medical Marijuana
According to a new poll by SurveyMonkey and BudTrader.com, a medical marijuana marketplace, 87 percent of 152 NFL players support the use of medical marijuana in states where it’s already legal.
Vermont Legislature Passes Bill to Make Marijuana Legal for Adults; Historic Measure Now Headed to the Governor’s Desk
MONTPELIER, V.T., May 10, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — A bill that would make marijuana legal for adults in Vermont has received final approval from state legislators and is headed to the desk of Gov. Phil Scott.
Congressman Bringing Marijuana Policy Event to Capitol Hill
In an effort to educate lawmakers on Capitol Hill, Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., co-sponsor of a bill to end federal prohibition of marijuana, recently announced that he will be hosting The Marijuana Big Thinker Talks on May 3, 2017, at the Rayburn House Office Building Foyer in Washington, D.C.
3 Pot Stocks That Will Benefit if Canada Legalizes Recreational Weed
Three Canadian medical cannabis companies, which have been expanding their growth operations like crazy over the past couple of quarters, could be in line for significant sales growth if Trudeau’s legislation passes.
Sacramento County Votes to Ban All Commercial Marijuana Activities
Sacramento County is moving forward with a proposal to ban all commercial marijuana activities. The first vote passed 3-1 on Tuesday afternoon.
Vermont House Committee Approves Proposal to End Marijuana Prohibition; New Poll Shows Strong Public Support
MONTPELIER, Vt., March 22, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — The state House Judiciary Committee approved a bill 8-3 Wednesday that would make personal possession and cultivation of small amounts of marijuana legal for adults 21 and older.
Illinois General Assembly to Consider Ending Marijuana Prohibition, Regulating and Taxing Marijuana for Adult Use
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., March 23, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — State lawmakers introduced legislation Wednesday that would end marijuana prohibition in Illinois and establish a system in which marijuana is regulated and taxed for adult use.
Congressman Earl Blumenauer Statement on White House Press Sec. Sean Spicer’s Statement on Marijuana
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Today Congressman Earl Blumenauer released the following statement in response to White House Press Secretary, Sean Spicer’s statement that the Trump Administration may start “greater enforcement” of adult use of marijuana.
Marijuana Officially Becomes Legal for Adults in Maine
PORTLAND, Maine, Jan. 30, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — A voter-approved initiative to end marijuana prohibition in Maine officially took effect Monday, making it legal for adults 21 and older to possess and grow limited amounts of marijuana.
Governor Cuomo to Propose Clarifications to NY State Law Decriminalizing Marijuana Possession
ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 13, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Yesterday, Governor Cuomo announced his renewed commitment to decriminalizing marijuana possession in his State of the State Book, which outlines his agenda for the 2017 Legislative Session.
Safety in Numbers Drives Canopy Growth Corp. Higher
U.S. estimates by investment bank Cowen and Company suggest cannabis sales will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 23% over the next decade to US$50 billion. In Canada, it’s estimated that 5.2 million Canadians will consume legalized pot annually by 2021.
Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Issues Statement Regarding the Narrow Defeat of Prop. 205
Nov. 16, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CRMLA) issued the following statement Tuesday regarding the narrow defeat of Prop. 205.
Marijuana Growers Prepare for a Price Crash if Prop. 64 Passes
By Jan. 1, 2018, licensed retail stores and farms would be open in many cities. It would bring huge changes to pot producers.
Travel Guru Rick Steves to Tour Massachusetts in Support of Pot Legalization
Travel guru Rick Steves of PBS fame will make a four-day tour of Massachusetts in support of the state’s ballot question on legalizing marijuana. If affirmed by Massachusetts voters this November, Question 4 will allow, among other things, adults 21 years of age and older to “possess and cultivate marijuana in limited amounts,” as described by supporters.
Congress’ Top Legal Pot Advocate on the Future of Marijuana Policy
It’s been a lonely 20 years for Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, one of legal marijuana’s biggest champions in Congress.
Support for Marijuana Legalization at All-Time High
On March 25, 2016, the Associated Press and University of Chicago released a survey showing support for marijuana legalization is at an all-time high.
Legalize It All
In 1994, John Ehrlichman, the Watergate co-conspirator, unlocked for me one of the great mysteries of modern American history: How did the United States entangle itself in a policy of drug prohibition that has yielded so much misery and so few good results?
What’s the Reality of Removing Cannabis from Schedule I?
Now that 23 states have legalized cannabis for medical use and more appear likely to do so in 2016, the conflict between federal and state laws has become especially glaring. Would it not make sense, as advocates have been arguing for years, to either re-schedule or de-schedule cannabis?
Bernie Sanders Introduces Marijuana Reform Bill in the Senate
On Nov. 4, 2015, Bernie Sanders introduced a bill to finally begin the process of federally decriminalizing marijuana and allowing states to decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana.
Buffalo Forum Addresses Potential of Recreational Marijuana in New York
Today, Oct. 28, 2015, Assemblymember Crystal Peoples-Stokes and Sen. Liz Krueger held a press conference followed by a public forum at Buffalo City Hall in Buffalo, New York, to address the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act.
D.A.R.E Briefly Relevant Due to Mistaken Advocacy of Marijuana Legalization
The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program was briefly relevant to the actual concerns of 21st century life Saturday afternoon when it mistakenly posted an op-ed by former Ohio Deputy Sheriff Carlis McDerment to its homepage urging the widespread legalization of marijuana.
Previewing Regulation of Recreational Marijuana in California
It’s no secret that medicinal cannabis is big business in California, the first state to legalize medicinal marijuana. If a ballot initiative legalizing recreational marijuana passes in November 2016, business is going to get bigger.
Two House Bills Would End Federal Prohibition Of Marijuana
Two congressmen filed separate House bills on Friday that together would legalize, regulate and tax marijuana at the federal level, effectively ending the U.S. government’s decadeslong prohibition of the plant.
The Cannabis Industry: Challenges in Texas
We must make maximum use of the lessons coming out of Colorado and other pioneering states.
Legalization Needs Federal Assurance
The biggest boost to cannabis investor confidence would come in the form of governmental assurance that their investments will not be undone.
Cannabis Reform Debated in Salem, Oregon
In case you missed it, there was another riveting debate on cannabis reform that took place in Salem, Oregon on September 12, 2014 The debate was on the impending ballot measure, Measure 91, which would legalize the use of recreational marijuana. On the side of marijuana legalization was Congressman Earl Blumenauer, D-OR, and on the side of prohibition was Clatsop County DA Josh Marquis.
NCIA & NORML: Comparing Pot Advocates
There’s “Big Coal” and “Big Tobacco;” there’s “Big Oil,” and with the dominoes of cannabis prohibition tumbling, “Big Pot” rises.
Repeal Prohibition, Again
It took 13 years for the United States to come to its senses and end Prohibition, 13 years in which people kept drinking, otherwise law-abiding citizens became criminals and crime syndicates arose and flourished.