Industry

Industry Virginia Lawmakers Give Final Approval To Marijuana Sales Legalization As Part Of Budget

Virginia lawmakers have formally passed a budget bill that includes provisions to legalize recreational marijuana sales. On Monday, the Senate and House of Delegates adopted Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s (D) proposed amendments to the legislation that they had given initial approval to last week. Because lawmakers accepted her suggested changes in full, the measure has now […] The post Vir…

Industry The Supreme Court’s Ruling On Gun Rights For Marijuana Users Is Already Being Applied To Other Cases

The Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold the gun rights of a man who uses marijuana is already impacting the cases of other cannabis consumers who have been prosecuted for possessing firearms. Earlier this month, the nine justices unanimously ruled that the government’s efforts to criminalize possession of guns for cannabis consumers is an unconstitutional […] The post The S…

Industry Why Are Republicans Fighting To Raise Taxes On Cannabis Businesses? (Op-Ed)

“These Republican members of Congress appear to be hoping to undermine President Donald Trump’s position…by preserving punitive tax treatment for licensed cannabis businesses, regardless of their classification under federal law.” By Michael Cooper, National Cannabis Industry Association Sometimes you have to wonder what some congressional opponents of cannabis reform are smoking…

Industry Marijuana Activists Say They’re Being ‘Shut Out’ Of DEA’s Rescheduling Hearing That Features Only Legalization Opponents

A coalition of marijuana legalization activists gathered outside Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) headquarters on Monday ahead of the start of a hearing an agency judge is overseeing on the Trump administration’s proposal to reschedule cannabis—criticizing the fact that no supporters of reform were invited to participate and that the proceedings are not being livestreamed despite [&#823…

Industry Congress Won’t Block Trump’s Marijuana Rescheduling Move, Bipartisan Lawmakers Say As Hearing On Reform Begins

As a hearing kicks off this week on the Trump administration’s marijuana rescheduling proposal, efforts in Congress to block officials from carrying out the reform are unlikely to succeed, lawmakers from both parties say. While the House Appropriations Committee last month approved a funding bill containing a provision that, if enacted, would prevent federal officials […] The post Cong…

Industry Marijuana Reform Advocates Push Virginia Governor To Remove Public Consumption Penalty Increase From Legalization Bill

As Virginia’s governor weighs changes to budget legislation that lawmakers approved this week, marijuana reform advocates are urging her to cancel out a section that would dramatically increase penalties for public consumption of cannabis—which they say will be enforced on a racially discriminatory manner based on new data they have obtained. The budget bill passed […] The post Marijuana Reform Ad…

Industry White House Pushes Congress To Ensure ‘Fair Treatment Of Hemp Products’ By Calling Off Broad Recriminalization Law Set For November

The White House is pressing Congress to take action to prevent the broad federal recriminalization of hemp products that’s set to take effect later this year. The push comes as part of a request to lawmakers for supplemental funding to address costs associated with the administration’s attacks on Iran and “other critical needs” such as […] The post White House Pushes Congress To Ensure ‘Fair Treat…

Industry DEA Judge Sets Testimony Schedule For Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing Starting Next Week

A Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) judge has issued an order laying out the schedule for a hearing on the Trump administration’s move to reschedule cannabis that is set to start next week. Under a previous decision by the DEA administrator, only opponents of the reform are being invited to participate. “Pursuant to the Preliminary Order […] The post DEA Judge Sets Testimony Schedule For Marij…

Industry As An Olympian, Cannabis Use Was Forbidden. Now I Spend My Career Studying It. (Op-Ed)

“Rescheduling will not answer every question overnight, but it will make it easier. It may also help pave the way for more rational healthcare policies.” By Joanna Zeiger, Canna Research Foundation As an Olympian and Ironman 70.3 World Champion, cannabis was something we were warned about. It was a banned substance, a potential career-ending mistake […] The post As An Olympian, Cannabis Use Was Fo…