Author: Nicole Potter
[ad_1] A group of gay bar owners and LGBTQ+ advocates recently released a joint statement regarding recent “visits,” which they describe as raids, conducted by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Control Board (LCB) at their businesses in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The LCB told bar owners on Jan. 26 and 27 that law enforcement observed violations of the law often called the “lewd conduct law,” which requires employees and patrons to clothe specific parts of their bodies. A coalition of these advocates release a statement on Instagram on Jan. 29 about the raids, including Joey Burgess (The Cuff Complex…
[ad_1] The saga continues for four Massachusetts-based business owners who filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Justice Department in an attempt to overturn cannabis prohibition. The plaintiffs include owners of Canna Provisions, Inc., Gyasi Sellers, Wiseacre Farm, Inc., and Verano Holdings Corp., who are represented by David Boies and Josh Schiller of Bois Schiller Flexner LLP. The lawsuit was first issued in October 2023, and used the results of a court case from 2005, Gonzales v. Raich, to showcase how federal prohibition of cannabis is outdated. “The federal criminal prohibition on intrastate marijuana remains in place, an unjustified vestige of…
[ad_1] The Irish government has delayed on discussing a bill that would legalize cannabis possession for nine months. A report submitted by the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use completed its review of Ireland’s current drug policies in October 2023, and released a final report on Jan. 25, which includes 36 recommendations for prioritizing marginalized groups and communities, focusing on prevention and recovery, and more. On Jan. 24, 2024, one day prior to the release of the report, Taoiseach (TD) Leo Varadkar (who holds a position similar to that of a prime minister) attended a Dáil Éireann parliament hearing and joined legislators…
[ad_1] Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin recently rejected a medical cannabis ballot measure because of its title. The Arkansas Medical Cannabis Amendment of 2024 was submitted on Jan. 12 by Stephen Lancaster of the law firm Wright Lindsey & Jennings LLP. Griffin responded to the submission, although the opinion was initially prepared by Assistant Attorney General William R. Olson on Jan. 29, explaining the reasoning behind his decision to reject the measure in its current form. He clearly states in the beginning of this letter that his decision is not a reflection of his support or opposition to this ballot…
[ad_1] A new bill was introduced in Hawaii last week on Jan. 24, which aims to establish a regulatory framework for therapeutic psilocybin if passed. However, in its current form, the bill would help protect patients who choose that form of medicine, rather than fully legalize psilocybin. Senate Bill 3019 was introduced by Sen. Chris Lee on Jan. 24, and a companion bill, House Bill 2630, was introduced on Jan. 23 by 14 representatives. “…the purpose of this Act is to ensure that people who struggle with trauma and treatment-resistant mental health ailments are not penalized by the State for…
[ad_1] Representatives from the Kansas Cannabis Coalition, Loud Light, and the ACLU of Kansas held an online meeting on Jan. 23 to discuss why they need to call on the Kansas House and Senate to move forward with medical cannabis. Initially, the day was intended to be a “day of action at the Capitol” in Topeka, Kansas, according to the Kansas Reflector, but due to unsafe weather conditions, the meeting was shifted to be held online instead. During the meeting, some people spoke about how they or people they love have found relief in cannabis. Advocate Delaney Jones explained that…
[ad_1] A team of Canadian researchers recently published the results of their newest study in the medical journal Palliative Medicine. The study examined the social acceptability of using psilocybin as an end of life treatment, specifically to treat “existential dread.” According to study team leader Michel Dorval, who is a researcher at CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center and also a Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy professor, previous studies have established the potential benefits of psilocybin for medical use. “Studies have already shown that psilocybin, combined with psychotherapy, produces rapid, robust and lasting anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in patients suffering…
[ad_1] New data from the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) in Michigan revealed that the state collected more than $3.6 billion in adult-use sales last year. Compared to the $2.3 billion in sales collected in Michigan in 2022, the most recent sales data shows 30% growth. According to Crain’s Detroit, that amount equates to $305 in cannabis products per person, compared to the $150 per capita in California (with a projected $5.9 billion in cannabis products sold in 2023), and approximately $290 in per capita spending in Colorado. The CRA also showed an increase in retailers as well, with a total…
[ad_1] A clerk from the Missouri Supreme Court recently shared in a House of Representatives committee meeting on Jan. 17 that the state has expunged 103,558 cases involving people with cannabis convictions. However, many older court records are not digitized, and it is requiring a lot of time and effort on the parts of circuit clerks to comb through every case in search of expungements. “We’ve had about 100,000 cases expunged, but I can’t tell you, of that, how many more there are to go,” said court clerk Betsy AuBuchon, according to The Missouri Independent. She added that currently, about…
[ad_1] A police chief in Maryland is standing up against county regulations, which requires that potential law enforcement applicants must abstain from cannabis use for at least three years before they can be considered for hire. Police Chief Marcus Jones, who is based in Montgomery County, Maryland, told NBC Washington that the law is making it difficult to find new recruits. “I think in today’s environment, where we are with the legalization of cannabis, that has now restricted law enforcement agencies, particularly larger agencies, across the state,” Jones said. Earl Stoddard, the Montgomery County Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, also commented…
[ad_1] On Jan. 16, the California Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) released its first annual report of money, illegal cannabis plants/products, and firearms obtained in its seizure operations last year. In total for 2023, which was the UCETF’s first full year of operation, the task force stated that it has seized more than $312 million in illegal cannabis. Additionally, it reported that it also seized 189,854.02 pounds of cannabis, eradicated 317,834 cannabis plants, served 188 search warrants, seized 119 firearms, and seized $223,809 of money on-site. According to the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) Director Nicole Elliot, the UCETF has…
[ad_1] Two Tasmanian hemp business owners are founders and operators of the island state’s hemp processing operations. Andi Lucas of the hemp processing facility X-Hemp and Tim Crow of Hemp Harvests proudly embrace the benefits of hemp, but in a recent interview with ABC News, both of them expressed the need for regulations to change. “I’m effectively being treated as though I’m dealing with some sort of narcotic when in actual fact it’s a crop like grain, or barley, or wheat,” said Lucas about the state of the industry. “I think we missed an opportunity, the rest of the world…