Browsing United States

SACRAMENTO, CA — Last week, The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) filed The Control, Regulate and Tax Marijuana Act with the Califronia Attorney General’s office. If passed, the measure would allow those 21 and over to possess up to one ounce of cannabis and grow as many as four plants from home. The proposed initiative would also create a statewide system of cannabis regulation, imposing a 25% tax on retail sales. With that said, The Drug Policy Alliance has not yet decided whether it will …

Company Plans To Lease Warehouses To Canna-Business Owners The State of Washington began accepting business license applications a few weeks ago. According to reports, the state has already received more than 1,300 applications, reinforcing the thought that legal cannabis could mean big business in Washington next year. Accordingly, a plethora of companies have attempted to position themselves atop of the industry through networking, strategic relationships, and deliberate branding. The budding cannabis industry has received a great deal of investor interest as well.

Florida Supreme Court Hears Arguments About Medical Cannabis The Florida Supreme Court heard in favor of and against a pending ballot measure to legalize medical cannabis in the state. The hearings were scheduled after Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi flagged the ballot language as misleading in October. The measure was proposed by People United for Medical Marijuana (PUFFM) earlier this year and has received notable support throughout the state. The group has collected nearly 500,000 signatures in support of their amendment.

Sebastopal City Council Named Robert Jacob As Mayor The Sebastopal, California City Council voted Tuesday to appoint Vice Mayor Robert Jacob as Mayor. In addition to his role in public service, Jacob is the founder and director of Peace in Medicine – a medical cannabis collective with two locations in northern California. “We can shape a better world for ourselves.” – Robert Jacob Mayor Jacob founded Peace in Medicine in 2007 and began serving on the Sebastopal Planning Commision in 2011. He then went on to run a successful campaign for Vice Mayor the following year. “My life …

New Jersey Governor Opposes Medical Cannabis Reciprocity New Jersey Governor Chris Christie told reporters yesterday that he will veto a recently-proposed bill to expand the state’s current medical cannabis legislation, should it reach his desk. The measure, which was introduced by Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Union), would create a reciprocity agreement between New Jersey and other states with medical marijuana. “I am done expanding the medical marijuana program under any circumstances.” – Gov. Chris Christie In turn, registered medical marijuana patients in the State of New Jersey would be permitted to acquire medical cannabis from out of …

New Haven University Is Developing A New Contaminant Test A team of researchers at New Haven University (Connecticut) are developing a new methodology to test for any contaminants in a given batch of cannabis. They hope to make it faster and easier for lab-testing facilities across the country to identify potentially harmful substances. “Researchers are developing a method of screening cannabis for biological contaminates.” The school previously received a $100,000 grant from the federal Office of National Drug Control Policy’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program.

Arizona Representative Supports Legal Cannabis Representative Ruben Gallego (D-16th District), Arizona’s Assistant House Minority Leader, announced plans Tuesday to introduce adult-use cannabis legislation. If passed, his bill would allow those 21 and over to possess up to an ounce of dried cannabis. The home-cultivation of up to five plants would be permitted as well. Further, retail locations would be licensed and authorized by the state. Smoking in public would remain illegal however. “This is for recreational use.” Gallego explained. “If somebody is of a sane state of mind, they’re above the age of 21 and if their employer doesn’t care, …

Oregon Senator Introduces Cannabis Legalization Draft Bill Oregon Senate Judiciary Chairman Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene) presented draft legislation in a hearing Friday that would allow voters to decide whether the adult-use of cannabis should be legal in the state. The measure would task legislators with creating regulations if passed by voters in the 2014 election. In contrast New Approach Oregon filed a similar, but more detailed measure last month. The Control, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana and Industrial Hemp Act specifies that it would allow the possession of up to 8 ounces of cannabis and up …

Portland Senator Votes Against Cannabis Legalization With a 5-5 vote on Thursday, the Maine Legislative Council failed to pass LR 2329 – “An Act to Align Maine’s Marijuana Laws With the Guidelines Governing Taxation and Regulation Issued by the Federal Government.” In turn, the measure will not be introduced for a full Senate vote during this legislative session. “Senate President Justin Alfond (D-Portland) was among the lawmakers to vote “No” on the measure.” As written, the measure would permit the cultivation of up to 6 plants, possession of up to 2 and 1/2 …

Feds Raid Colorado Dispensaries & Cultivation Facilities Federal agents executed multiple search and seizure warrants at medical cannabis facilities in Colorado Thursday morning. The raids occurred at dispensaries and cultivation facilities in the Denver and Boulder areas. “We hope they are sticking to their word and not interfering with any state-regulated, law-abiding businesses.” – Mason Tvert According to Jeff Dorschner, spokesman for the Department of Justice, “The Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, the Denver Police Department and state and local law enforcement are today executing lawfully obtained search warrants and seizure warrants.” In …