Cannabis and alcohol are often compared to one another. Why is that? Well, from a political and cultural lens, it seems fairly obvious. Both are mind-altering substances which have gained acceptance by the majority of Americans.
Opinion
Yes to Marijuana Ballot Measures
The decision by California voters in 1996 to legalize medical marijuana produced a wave of similar initiatives around the country. Less than two decades later, over half the states allow at least limited medical use.
Dispensaries: Waiting is the Hardest Part
There is one thing that separates marijuana dispensaries from Starbucks: one sells coffee, and the other marijuana. Actually, there are many more differences than that, but maybe there should be more similarities.
Enemies of Marijuana Policy Reform in America [INFOGRAPHIC]
Election day, November 4, 2014 may prove to be the biggest day in history, thus far, for marijuana policy reform in America. Therefore, both proponents and opponents of this issue are hitting the streets in an attempt to educate and sway voters.
Study Reveals Truth About MMJ
A common misconception about medical marijuana is that the program is often abused and is more about getting people high than helping sick people. You can see this narrative play out in Florida as the Vote No on 2 campaign continues.
Breaking Down the MMJ Ad War in Florida
Every two years, around this time of the month, the television airwaves become crowded with political ads. During this period I spend a great deal of time watching and critiquing such ads, partly because I cannot fast forward through commercials.
Hemp Will Power Batteries in the Future
The August 28, 2014, issue of Rolling Stone has octogenarian Willie Nelson on the cover, calling him “America’s most beloved outlaw.” Within the story Willie says thusly, “You can bust me for weed, and I’ll pay my fine or go to jail.”
Destination Ladybud
It’s a quiet morning. With a couple of hours of darkness, no one else needs anything of me yet. Coffee in hand, I can go where I want. Destination Ladybud.
Proposed Maryland MMJ Fees Are Too High
When discussing the cannabis industry, we usually like to discuss the large amounts of money that dispensaries make. Often overlooked, however, are the extremely high fees that many dispensaries pay the state to stay open, such as licensing and permit fees. It is actually very expensive to start a marijuana dispensary; and in Maryland, it stands to be even more expensive.
Food as Pharma?
On the surface, the recent High Times Cannabis Cup in Seattle appeared to be one big counter culture smoke fest for “Free the Weed!” enthusiasts. With reggae music pumping and Twitter ablaze with photos of cannabis dabbing Millennials blowing psychotropic smoke rings, there were clusters of grizzled gray beards and former hippies now eligible for AARP discounts.
Cannabis Should Mean More than Taxes
$3,098,866,907 – that’s a lot of bread. In fact, that figure is more than twice as much as the entire 2013 budget for the Small Business Administration, according to NerdWallet. That $3 billion figure came from a study conducted by the aforementioned personal finance site; $3 billion represents the amount of revenue the United States would see from taxes every year if marijuana were legalized throughout the country.
Is Florida’s Amendment 2 Losing Steam?
In less than two months Florida voters will be going to the polls to decide whether or not to approve a proposed ballot initiative, dubbed Amendment 2, which would legalize medical marijuana. The ballot measure has enjoyed overwhelming support and stands to generate billions in economic activity.
Hemp’s Versatility Invites Opportunity
Many people are aware of the benefits that THC and CBD provide, but hemp is something that has yet to be examined on a larger scale. Hemp, which comes from the same plant as marijuana-Cannabis Sativa L-is commonly used for industrial and commercial purposes.
Eric Holder Questions Marijuana’s Legal Status as He Prepares to Leave Justice Department
On the eve of his reported resignation, US Attorney General Eric Holder said in an interview with Yahoo News that it’s time to reconsider marijuana’s legal classification in the federal government’s scheduling system.
Illinois Gets Over $5M from MMJ Applicants
Before close of business on Wednesday, September 24, 2014, state officials in Illinois announced the number of grower and dispensary applications it received for its Medical Cannabis Pilot Program. According to the Associated Press, “more than 350 groups have applied to be the first to legally grow or sell medical marijuana in Illinois.”
Passing the Torch for Marijuana Reform
Ethan Nadelmann, Founder and Executive Director of the Drug Policy Alliance, recently addressed the ArcView Investors Chicago Forum about the need for new marijuana capitalists to step up to the task of supporting drug law reform. In a nutshell, his message to new investors was that without continued focus on changing the law, there will be no place for investments to go.
Massachusetts Messes Up MMJ Rollout
How long should it take for a state to roll out its medical marijuana plan? Three months? A year? What about two years? If you live in Massachusetts, you have probably been asking yourself that question for a long time.
California Would Take the Most in Taxes From Legal Marijuana
Economic forecasters note that if all 50 US states legalized Marijuana this year, collectively the government/s would be taking more than $3-B a year in taxes.
Colorado Keeps Current Caregiver Rules
On September 16, 2014, the Colorado Board of Health heard arguments and subsequently voted 6-1 against a proposal to change Colorado’s medical marijuana caregiver laws. For those of you that don’t know what a caregiver is, in Colorado, medical marijuana patients can designate an individual to grow and provide medical marijuana for them; those people are known are caregivers.
Survey: One in 10 has Worked on Weed
Ever earned a $20 bill … on weed? According to a SurveyMonkey poll conducted by Mashable, one in 10 people in the United States have gone to work while high on marijuana. The poll highlights other drug habits of the American worker, and despite lingering questions, the results help contrast the use of prescription drugs to marijuana.
Why Young Oregon Voters Matter
When advocates of legalization look at the polls, it is hard to be worried about Oregon. There are always reasons to fret, but Measure 91 looks more likely to pass than ballot initiatives in Alaska or Florida. A SurveyUSA poll from early August showed Oregon voters supporting legalization at 51 to 42 percent, with 6 percent undecided. Should we let Oregon coast and focus on the other races?
Growers Challenge Florida MMJ Lottery
Millions of Florida residents waiting to receive non-euphoric medical marijuana may have to wait a little longer. Costa Farms, a Miami-based nursery, has filed a legal challenge to the newly developed rules regarding the roll-out of the non-euphoric strain of medical marijuana, dubbed Charlotte’s Webb.
Study: Adolescents Should Avoid Cannabis
News from Down Under: adolescents should avoid developing cannabis habits according to a recent study. The study examines the sequelae, long-term effects, of adolescent cannabis use on a person from adolescence into young adulthood. The purpose of the study was to look at effects of long-term use, since all other studies on long-term effects had used a piecemeal approach to derive any conclusions.
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.
How High Can Legal Pot Profits Get?
Twenty-three states have now legalized or decriminalized marijuana. The weed that became popular in the 1960s and ’70s has outgrown its reputation as a dangerous “gateway drug” and is increasingly accepted as a treatment for certain illnesses and a source of relaxation and fun.
Marijuana Conferences Spark Ideas
Some invisible business spirit once whispered, “If you build it, they will come,” (or its variant, “If you book them, they will come). The hectic marijuana business conference schedule for the winter and spring suggests that marijuana entrepreneurs are not waiting for Election Day.
Legislative Loophole Lets Welfare Recipients Buy Cannabis
If you have been reading the news, then you have probably heard about a growing controversy regarding food stamp recipients and cannabis in Colorado. According to CBS News, recipients of welfare and food stamps can use their EBT cards to withdraw money in marijuana dispensaries and buy marijuana.
Physical & Psychological Effects of Pot
“Cannabis takes the edge off,” “it helps me sleep,” “there is no hangover,” “it is natural,” “I can drive fine on it, unlike alcohol” and “I can stop using anytime because cannabis is not addictive.” These are some of the most common remarks I hear from clients regarding their cannabis use.
Former Bronco: NFL Needs Weed
Nate Jackson, former Denver Broncos tight-end and author, aired a grievance last week with the National Football League that wasn’t related to Ray Rice. In a New York Times op-ed, Jackson called the NFL’s policy on marijuana use “absurd.” Furthermore, in the article he admitted to medicating with cannabis throughout his career, and suggested that he…
Philly Gets Decriminalization Right
As recently reported, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter will sign a compromise measure to decriminalize personal possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana, with the penalty dropping from possible jail time to a $25 fine. Philadelphia got it right in two major ways.
Colorado Closing Caregiver Loophole?
On September 16, 2014, the Colorado Board of Health will convene a public hearing on a proposed change to Colorado’s medical marijuana caregiver laws. Under current laws, caregivers are allowed up to five patients; however, if caregivers can get a special waiver, they can serve more.
Media Miss Real Danger in Hash Oil
All across the nation, news media outlets are sounding the alarm over something they do not understand. You may have noticed the news becoming filled with stories about this dangerous new “marijuana wax.”
“Big Ag” to Begin MMJ Cultivation in Illinois
Illinois’s Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act establishes a 4-year pilot program allowing the cultivation and dispensing of marijuana for medical purposes. Although the law became effective in January, 2014, much of this year has been spent building the regulatory framework necessary to administer the program.
Philadelphia to Decriminalize Marijuana
The city of brotherly love has just gotten a lot more loving. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter confirmed that on Monday, September 15, he will sign into law a bill which decriminalizes marijuana. The bill will institute a $25 fine for simple possession of 30 grams or fewer instead of jail time. Once the bill is signed, it will go into effect on October 20.
No Shock: Big Pharma Tied to Anti-Pot
Smart Approaches to Marijuana was created in part by Patrick Kennedy, a former Rhode Island congressman known for being son of Ted Kennedy and for crashing his car into a Capitol Hill barricade in 2006. In an article from The Nation, Kennedy railed against marijuana in the name of improving mental health.
Marijuana Dispensaries Need Access to Banking System
NEARLY TWO years after Massachusetts voters approved medical marijuana, nine distribution centers are to open next year in places like Brookline, Lowell, Salem, and Quincy. The state licensing process for these dispensaries has been convoluted. And yet that path seems easy to navigate compared with the latest obstacle: the banking system.
John Morgan’s Intoxicated Speech Outrages Opponents and No One Else
In this digital age where cell-phones are everywhere, and where every phone has a camera, it is hard to have an embarrassing moment that isn’t captured on film. Of all people, public figures have to watch what they say because someone could always have the camera rolling.
Colorado Testing Edibles by Year’s End
Colorado is building a reputation as the national laboratory for getting marijuana mostly right, and the edible side of the industry is no exception. However, edibles present their own set of challenges from the regulatory perspective. Challenges range from the agricultural to the pharmaceutical to child safety.
Kevin Smith’s New Film Brands Marijuana
The world of cinema and cannabis culture have recently intersected through an innovative marketing tactic. On Friday, September 6, 2014, The New York Times reported on the advertising technique of “Tusk,” a new movie by Kevin Smith, which includes selling two medical marijuana strains under the movie’s brand names: Mr. Tusk and White Walrus.
Growing Marijuana Industry Ripe with Opportunity and Risk for Lenders
A client recently came to Sacramento, California-area lender Tod Chadwick seeking a loan for a three-unit commercial property. A standard request — except the client wanted to use one of the units for a medical marijuana dispensary.
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.
New Cannabis Production Rules Rile Rookies
One of the leading arguments for the legalization of cannabis is the tax revenue a state can generate. Unfortunately for Colorado, instead of generating the predicted $33.5 million tax revenue, they only generated $12 million, a shortfall of $21.5 million.
Zoning Laws vs. Washington’s I-502
Tedd Wetherbee has Washington State approval, issued under the provisions of Initiative 502, to open a marijuana business, and he leased a storefront in the town of Fife to do so. Earlier this summer, however, the Fife City Council adopted zoning regulations that went beyond the usual restrictions on location, signage and hours of operation, to ban all marijuana businesses in town.
Berkeley Pushes a Boundary on Medical Marijuana
BERKELEY, Calif. — Since the birth of the Free Speech Movement half a century ago, this city has prided itself on its liberal values and policies, be they generous benefits for the needy or a look-the-other-way attitude toward marijuana use.
MMJ Farmers Market Loses Court Battle
Over the Fourth of July weekend this past summer, owners of the Los Angeles dispensary West Coast Collective hosted California’s first ever medical marijuana farmers market. Thousands of medical marijuana patients flocked to California Heritage Market, where they were met by growers, budtenders and bushels of high quality cannabis at reasonable prices.
Life Sentence for Buying Marijuana?
(CNN) — Clearly something is broken when a Missouri man named Jeff Mizanskey can be sentenced to die in prison for purchasing seven pounds of marijuana. With two nonviolent marijuana convictions already on his record, Jeff received life without parole under Missouri’s three strikes law.
Pot’s Link to Low Rates of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a terrible thing. Every year in the United States, seven million people find themselves the victims of domestic violence. One of the leading causes of domestic violence in this country is substance abuse, but not all substances are created equal.
Lakeland Discussion Brings Together Both Sides Of Medical Marijuana Debate
On Thursday, August 28, 2014, residents of Lakeland, Florida, were treated to an insightful and thought provoking discussion panel about the pending ballot initiative in Florida which would legalize medical marijuana.
Daunting Outlook for Alaska
Prospects are starting to look dicey for Ballot Measure 2, which would legalize marijuana in Alaska. Smart Alternatives to Marijuana, the brainchild of legalization foe Kevin Sabet, has seized the advantage, and polls are now running 49 to 44 percent against, a shift from the 55 percent approval rate in early 2014.
Are Marijuana Stocks Safe Yet?
Equities.com invites you to watch Legalized: Making Sense of the Marijuana Green Rush our ground-breaking roundtable discussion on the impact of recreational marijuana’s legalization in the United States.