There are no shortages of new year predictions for the cannabis industry. Having just wrapped up a tumultuous year that saw a bloodbath of job and financial losses in the US and Canada, there have been a cavalcade of reports, articles, and blog pieces predicting what we can expect in
Tag: cannabis legalization
What Chance Does the MORE Act To Legalize Cannabis Have of Passing?
On Wednesday, Congress is expected to begin voting on an important piece of legislation regarding cannabis—the MORE Act. We’ve touched on the MORE Act before, and how its chances fared in comparison to its cannabis banking cousin, the SAFE Act, which received a vote on September 24, and passed with a
Future of the SAFE Act Not Looking So Safe
This year has generated increasing hope that a long-overdue bill for addressing the lack of banking options for cannabis businesses would finally be passed, thus alleviating the hassle, expense, and dangers that come with operating as an all-cash businesses. That solution manifested as the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act, AKA
Federal Cannabis Legalization Still Moving Slowly
Status Check On Federal Cannabis Legalization
Regular readers of this column—hi, Mom!—will attest I am a strong proponent of cannabis legalization at the national level. Not simply rescheduling cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2 (or even lower), but full-out descheduling, making weed a legal commodity. That’s the dream, but it won’t happen until the great white
On January 1, 2020, Cannabis Becomes Legal In Illinois
Last week, the Illinois Senate passed a bill to establish a recreational cannabis program, and Gov. Pritzker has announced he will sign it, having run on a platform supporting such action. Illinois' cannabis law goes in effect on January 1, 2020, making it the 11th state to offer a recreational program,
Give the FDA Your Thoughts On Cannabis
MedMen And Other Garbage Brands Oppose Medical Cannabis Home Grows In New York
One of the most cannabis-intolerent states for decades, New York, has recently made cannabis legalization a fast-track issue, from city to statehouse. That's great news, but late week it came to light that some interests do not want a recreational cannabis program that allows individuals to grow their own at
Micheal Bloomberg Is Not A Friend Of Cannabis Legalization
The rush of candidates running for the Democratic nomination for president is breathtaking and encouraging—looking at you, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Kamala Harris—and provided there is anything left of the US by election time, we could be looking at a candidate who favors cannabis legalization at the federal level. Well,
State Governments Warming To Cannabis Legalization
Wednesday saw the release of the annual US Governors Scorecard, produced by NORML (National Organization Reform of Marijuana Laws. As NORML describes it, "This extensive database assigns a letter grade 'A' through 'F' to states' governors based upon their comments and voting records specific to matters of marijuana policy." As the old
Blumenauer Introduces Bill to Regulate Cannabis On Par With Alcohol
Representative Earl Blumenauer, US congressman for the 3rd district of Oregon, introduced a new congressional bill last week, H.R. 420. (Yes, it's actually numbered 420, and that's on purpose.) The bill seeks to support research for faster bong-cleaning systems, address chronic cotton mouth, and provide financial support for businesses to use
NYC Loves THC: Governor Cuomo Comes Around on Cannabis
Long overdue, yet seemingly taking shape faster than most thought possible, a recreational cannabis program may finally be coming to New York. Last week, New York Governor (and former fan of Sex and the City) Andrew Cuomo announced that he making cannabis legalization in New York a priority for 2019, his
Beer Makers Begin Investment In Cannabis
The company that makes an inexplicably popular beer that gives me cringe shivers when I choke it down because it tastes so bad has made a joint $100 million investment to find a way to make THC- and CBD-infused beverages. The industry that contributed untold dollars to prohibitionist efforts has now
Recreational Canadian Cannabis Sales Begin Today
Starting today, the poutine-loving, Celine Dion-blasting, hockey-playing, moose-wrestling residents of Canada may now legally purchase cannabis all across their fine country. That's right: It's now legal, nationwide. Which leads me to the question, "Who in Canada would like to marry a cannabis columnist who is seeking to flee the flaming sewer bomb
Grow Your Own Cannabis Under Measure 91
WHEN RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA becomes legal in Oregon in July 2015, each household will be able to grow up to four plants. While plenty of people will be content with store-bought bud, harvesting one's own seems to fit in with a particularly Portlandian mentality. After all, this is a city of gardeners. So