Category: Cannabis News Round-Up

2019 marijuana laws in review and 2020 projections. What to expect from federal marijuana legalization in 2020. Federal marijuana reform will get another Congressional hearing next week. Where 2020 Democrats stand on marijuana. More dogs falling prey to THC poisoning. Mixed legality of marijuana on state, federal levels leaves gun owners in limbo. Legalizing marijuana may lead people to have more sex.

Alaska marijuana products found contaminated with unapproved pesticides. A Santa Ana, California cannabis shop says its new business model beats bans in other cities. Federal Reserve Bank examines Colorado marijuana industry’s growth.

Illinois new marijuana law is reason to hope America can eventually get legalization right. Illinois shops run out of marijuana just six days after start of legalization. Illinois marijuana dispensaries sold more than $10.8 million worth of recreational weed in the first five days of sales. Illinois marijuana legalization pretty uneventful so far for police. Governor Pritzker knows what angry Illinois taxpayers need: legal weed. Illinois pardons are a reminder of the scale of marijuana arrests, past and present. Using marijuana Illinois is legal—but it can still get you fired. Illinois legal marijuana & firearm permits. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot addresses legal marijuana. Plan to license Chicago recreational marijuana consumption sites stalls. Now that marijuana is legal in Illinois , there are pot amnesty boxes at Chicago’s airports.

Paducah, Kentucky law enforcement uncertain of effects of legal Illinois marijuana. A St. Louis guide to legal marijuana in Missouri and Illinois. Town of Beloit, Wisconsin police issue first citation involving legal marijuana from Illinois. Governor DeWine doesn’t think Ohio should legalize marijuana, even if nearby states have. Illinois legal marijuana and the Kansas black market.

Even with legal pot sales, Vermont black market could stay strong. Ten predictions for the Massachusetts marijuana industry in 2020. Connecticut legal marijuana votes likely in legislature this year despite earlier doubts. Rising challenges for Rhode Island legalized pot. Formerly anti-marijuana congressman Joe Kennedy III cosponsors comprehensive legalization bill.

Marijuana legalization measure officially qualifies for South Dakota 2020 ballot.

Arizona voters may get a chance to vote on marijuana legalization (again) this November. What MedMen’s exit from Arizona marijuana market means for legalization In 2020.

Supporters continue to push Indiana lawmakers to legalize recreational marijuana.

The future looks green for marijuana in Texas. Campaign funding fight fuels push to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida. Legalize marijuana amendment should be kept off the ballot, Florida GOP leaders tell state Supreme Court. ACLU opposes Virginia governor’s marijuana decriminalization plan—for now.

Marijuana Legalization in the US: A Social Injustice. Recreational Marijuana Legalization and Changes in Marijuana Use and Cannabis Use Disorder, 2008–2016. Health considerations of the legalization of cannabis edibles. Legalization of marijuana should come with a public health campaign.

Legal pot takes a bite out of beer consumption in Canada. Top Mexico senator says marijuana legalization will be a priority this year. Changing how society views cannabis use can boost industry innovation.

California marijuana tax hike puts future of legal market in spotlight amid worries over state industry’s viability. California cannabis industry sending SOS to state leaders. California officials side with marijuana company in new fight over home deliveries. California threatens landlords of unlicensed pot shops with prosecution. 

A serial tech entrepreneur is trying to create an Amazon-like platform for legal marijuana. 

Massachusetts made wrong decision in legalizing recreational marijuana.

Recreational marijuana goes on sale Jan. 1—legal weed is three weeks away. As businesses apply for right to sell legal weed in Illinois, social equity a top concern. You can apply to run an Illinois recreational pot shop starting Tuesday. Here’s how, where and what you’ll be able to buy in Illinois. Questions remain weeks until marijuana legalization in Illinois. Weeks before recreational marijuana is legal in Illinois, 5 things Northbrook residents should know about it locally. Chicago Police Department releases marijuana facts video on where you can, can’t smoke. Your pocket guide to Illinois legal weed. 

Recreational marijuana sales in Michigan exceed $1.6 million in first 8 days. Indiana prepares for possible influx of pot from Illinois and Michigan, considers decriminalizing small amounts.

Legalizing marijuana has majority support in Kansas, poll finds. Rep. Ryan Winkler discusses the push to legalize recreational marijuana in Minnesota. Iowa Senate leader: Raise tobacco age to 21; no to legalized marijuana. Wisconsin lawmakers seek to legalize marijuana amid concerns. 

Over 65% of Florida voters want recreational marijuana legalized.

Denver turned marijuana into money for after-school programs. Other cities are taking note. Colorado will get help improving marijuana energy efficiency from National Governors Association. Conservatives host forum opposing legal marijuana in Estes Park, Colorado. 

On-site smoking of marijuana one step closer after Anchorage, Alaska Assembly kicks questions to voters. Youth pot use dropped in states after legalization, including Colorado. California governor signs marijuana tax fairness bill but vetoes cannabis in hospitals. Nevada governor to tighten legal marijuana marketplace. How a California company is buying up marijuana grow centers in Illinois —without a cultivation license.

Breathalyzer for weed could be a game changer for legalization efforts. Marijuana legalization can help end vaping deaths by allowing the FDA to do its job. I’m an American doctor. Here’s the truth about Juul, vaping and legalizing marijuana.

The push to unionize cannabis workers, explained. Immigration and the growing marijuana industry. 

A reporter’s experience at the High Times Cannabis Bazaar in Detroit. Illinois has a marijuana referendum after all. High-stakes pot deal goes bust as Illinois recreational use starts. Supporter of marijuana legalization says Illinois lawmakers left out key provisions. Chicago City Council black caucus takes issue with rollout plan fr legal recreational marijuana. Rules murky on opportunity zones for Michigan cannabis businesses. Legal marijuana casts a little haze over Michigan workplace drug rules. Indiana mixed messages on prohibition. 

New Mexico governor’s working group releases legalization proposal 
Crossing Wisconsin state lines to buy legal pot. A Democratic takeover could make Virginia more marijuana-friendly. But legalization may still be years away. Recreational marijuana would create more than 100,000 jobs in Florida. 

What to know about proposed bill that would legalize marijuana in Pennsylvania. Poll shows Pennsylvania voters wary of legalizing marijuana. Public skeptical of Pennsylvania marijuana legalization survey. New Jersey marijuana legalization mailbag. Will New Jersey weed, vaping laws look like those in states next door? Governors hope so. Governors of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania adopt coordinated marijuana legalization plan.

Grading the presidential candidates on marijuana. How Republicans learned to love a pot bill. Cannabis legislation progresses, yet companies and cannabis investors are moving in reverse.  How lobbyists broke the logjam on cash and cannabis. SAFE banking needed for legal marijuana businesses. Banks and big security companies won’t touch cannabis cash—that’s where the soldiers come in.

The new weed on the block. Why we don’t know much about pot. Trump doesn’t inhale, but the cannabis industry is betting his supporters do. Former congressman who fought marijuana legalization joins cannabis company board. Progressives tend to believe legalizing pot is a good idea. Here are 7 reasons they should think twice. The Great American cannabis experiment. “We have to take the handcuffs off states.”

One year on, Canada legal cannabis market is down but not out. 

Scientists unveil weed breathalyzer, launching debate over next steps.

Mexico moves toward legalization of cannabis. Mexico cannabis users eagerly await legal marijuana. Mexico senator files marijuana legalization bill ahead of Supreme Court deadline. 

Mayor of Fall River, in enough trouble as it is, arrested for extorting six-figure bribes from marijuana vendors. Five months after opening, NETA Brookline is still one of America’s busiest pot shops—and not everyone is thrilled. Central Mass officials walk fine line in seeking ‘pot’ of gold. Massachusetts pot shop laws cry out in the reform wilderness. Here’s what to know about the pot shops opening in Massachusetts this week.  

California has completely crapped the bed rolling out legal marijuana 
Weedmaps to stop listing illegal cannabis retailers in California. (As predicted by Dr. Kleiman) nearly 3,000 illegal marijuana businesses found in California audit, dwarfing legal trade.

Legal marijuana is a positive amenity for new Colorado residents, study finds. Colorado official shares lessons from state’s marijuana legalization 
Colorado adds marijuana fungus testing requirements.

Bumps in the road to legalizing on-site inhalation of marijuana in Anchorage. After the Grand Opening: Assessing cannabis supply and demand in Washington State. Washington marijuana industry shakes Cheech-and-Chong stereotype, improves in public eye.

Former Elgin, Illinois chief now in Colorado says drivers smoking legal pot is “difficult for enforcement.” Bloomington, Ilinois City Council to consider task force on legal marijuana use within city. Illinois is having trouble preparing for recreational weed. Tight-knit Illinois female lawmakers behind legal marijuana have new nickname. Cook County and Code for America aim to speed up marijuana expungement as legalization nears. Champaign-Urbana, Illinois dispensaries plan for legal marijuana.

Michigan kicks off education sessions on recreational pot licensing. 

Why the Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party is pushing marijuana legalization. Marijuana in Minnesota: Legalization issue sparks fierce debate. 

Marijuana legalization, impact of trade war dominate Louisiana Commissioner race. Looking to other states, officials expect marijuana will be legalized in Kentucky. Advocates say it’s not “if” marijuana gets legalized in Virginia—but when. Recreational pot drive draws big bucks in Florida. Florida Atty. General to challenge marijuana legalization referendum. Arizona support is high for legalizing marijuana, but is it high enough? Arizona marijuana ballot measure will advance with minor changes after review.  

New Jersey may have found a way to help legalize marijuana, lawmakers say. One way to pass legal marijuana in New Jersey? Cut out those gummy bears, top Democrat says. Toms River, New Jersey forms 24/7 opioid response team. New Jersey’s would-be pot purveyors watch investments go up in smoke.  What if New York legalizes marijuana but New Jersey doesn’t? Cops prepare for legal weed border battle.

Where the 2020 Democratic candidates for president stand on marijuana legalization. Here’s what legalization advocates would ask presidential candidates at the debate. Kamala Harris proposes loaning government funds to “disadvantaged” marijuana business owners. Here’s how Kamala Harris really prosecuted pot cases. Joe Biden says marijuana should remain illegal as a misdemeanor at Democrats debate why the most pro-marijuana Congress ever won’t deal with weed. Rep. Blumenauer on legalization.

Marijuana 1-to-3 Act would reclassify cannabis under federal law. Former anti-pot Clinton cabinet official files marijuana reclassification bill in Congress. Congressional Black Caucus focuses on legalization at conference. DEA wants 3,200 kg of marijuana legally grown in 2020. 
Vape safety requires legalizing marijuana. Cannabis industry calls for legalization and regulation to snuff out underground vapes. 
Are there any downsides to marijuana legalization? 

How marijuana is poised for a North American takeover. Legal pot efforts have turned states from narcs to pushers. Restorative justice must begin with America’s pot POWs. NIMBY? Not so fast: the effect of marijuana legalization on neighborhood crime. How hemp legalization has made it much harder to prosecute people for marijuana. The baffling legal gray zone of marijuana at the airport.   
 
Marijuana seizures increasing at Canada borders since legalization, police urge drivers to “think twice.” British Columbia still losing money on legalized marijuana sales. 11,000 marijuana plants seized in ‘extremely large grow operation’ in British Columbia. Ontario University launches online pot production course. 

Former New Zealand Prime Minister’s foundation urges ‘yes’ vote on marijuana legalization.

Recreational marijuana legalization reduces opioid deaths by 20%…at least. Mexico government is taking public input on how best to legalize marijuana. Bernie Sanders says he would legalize marijuana by executive order. Outside Lands becomes first major music festival to allow marijuana sales.

Marijuana legalization is coming to Arizona. Initiative filed with Arizona Secretary of State for marijuana legalization on 2020 ballot. Arizona marijuana measure faces opposition from business community, politicians. New Mexico governor’s marijuana legalization working group schedules first hearing. Legalizing Florida marijuana is long overdue.

First legal marijuana shop opens off Massachusetts mainland. Massachusetts municipalities seek clarifications on recreational marijuana legalization. Cash is king for New Hampshire marijuana industry as banks remain cautious. The best responses from the Pennsylvania lieutenant governor’s weed survey.

A beginner’s guide to legal marijuana in Michigan. Three Michigan communities say no to marijuana businesses. Task force eyes flaws in Michigan‘s new recreational marijuana law. Michigan Atty General eyes tweaks to recreational marijuana law. Illinois community colleges eye programs to train students for marijuana industry. Will Illinois pot sales fuel prevention funding? Advocates fear not. Pot prohibition in Illinois will persist, even after it’s legal. Illinois marijuana growers spent about $600,000 on political giving leading to the pot legalization vote: here’s where the money went.

Colorado governor says deliveries would deter stoned driving. Legal marijuana sold in Colorado is increasingly for recreational use. Oregon law limits sales of marijuana byproducts. Legal marijuana has created a thriving black market in Riverside County, California. Marijuana legalization and the California workplace. It’s Minnesota‘s turn to legalize marijuana use. Wisconsin falling behind on legal marijuana laws. Did Ohio lawmakers accidentally legalize marijuana? Top law enforcers say yes.

Legal weed bill for New Jersey may be revived later this year.

Advocates want legalized cannabis boom to help communities hurt when marijuana was illegal. Protect vulnerable groups from exposure to Big Marijuana. Credit unions won’t be punished for working with weed businesses, federal regulator says.

Push to legalize pot cements partisan divisions in 2020 race. This is the most marijuana-friendly Congress in history. Key Congressional chairman sends marijuana email to NORML activists. Why the issue of marijuana legalization isn’t about getting high. Marijuana and agribusiness.

Teen pot use tricky to predict as legalization approaches. Big Alcohol is pouring billions into the drinkable marijuana market. After marijuana legalization, the wait for retail sales is the national norm. Capitalization requirements for marijuana businesses are unjust and counterproductive. A US-based cannabis company could be active in as little as 6 months, says pot investor. Infusing marijuana with data: Cannabis industry vets aim to clear the haze in a booming industry. Four takeaways from National Drug Use and Health Survey on marijuana.

Legalising cannabis in the UK would fuel violent crime and turn a new generation into hard drug addicts, warn skeptics. UK gives verdict on Canada cannabis industry.

Marijuana-related deadly crashes decreasing since Nevada legalization.
After legalizing marijuana, Colorado saw significant decrease in opioid prescriptions. Burlington, Vermont traffic searches down 70% after new marijuana law. Virginia marijuana arrests rise amid calls for legalization. California enforcement efforts against illicit marijuana market having a so-so impact for legal businesses.

Michigan marijuana chief steering evolving industry. Illinois is making it hard—and expensive—to get a license to sell marijuana. You can soon buy legal weed in Illinois–depending on where you live.

Marijuana is legal in Massachusetts—but not off its shores.

Wyoming cops warn Colorado to keep marijuana out of their state. Two groups fighting for legal marijuana in North Dakota. Indiana marijuana surge coming from other states. Pennsylvania legal cannabis could pose law enforcement challenges.

Florida activists clear first hurdle to put marijuana legalization on state’s 2020 ballot. With petition milestone, recreational marijuana is one step closer in Florida. Media reports Arizona governor supports legalizing weed. He doesn’t. Kentucky governor: Marijuana legalization leads to spike in homelessness, ER visits and disease.

Aging baby boomers becoming new face of cannabis. Careers in marijuana catch on at colleges. In states where marijuana is legal, this bill would protect federal employees who use. Sports leagues will need to revisit cannabis rules as more states legalize weed. Legalized marijuana and a Democratic time machine.

The government of St. Kitts and Nevis is filing a marijuana legalization bill this week. United Kingdom to legalize cannabis in next 5 to 10 years, MPs suggest.

Did Florida accidentally legalize pot? Officials clamber for a solution after hazy hemp law. Texas legalized hemp, not marijuana, governor insists as prosecutors drop pot charges. Marijuana arrests in Virginia reach highest level in at least 20 years, spurring calls for reform. Georgia governor candidate endorses legalization.

California seizes $30 million in black market cannabis. Can California really track all the weed in the world’s largest cannabis marketplace? How legal marijuana is helping the black market. New Washington law worries marijuana growers over cross-pollination from hemp farms. Two bills would make it easier for North Dakota marijuana businesses to operate.

Possible legalization in New Mexico draws public input. Arizona attorney general wants to legalize marijuana. Should Arizona legalize marijuana before it gets to the ballot? If Arizona legalizes recreational marijuana, it should regulate its potency.

Marijuana a substitute for alcohol, but not tobacco. Alcohol sales get high from pot legalization. CannTrust breach will damage legal pot market. As marijuana gets legalized, companies drop THC testing of employees.

Growing marijuana under the Michigan sun in a smart building. Legalizing marijuana is a victory for freedom in Illinois. Three other states, numerous public pension funds aiming to profit off legal weed in Illinois. While neighbors legalize pot, Indiana leaders still opposed. Governor Kim Reynolds: Don’t expect legal marijuana in Iowa.

Congressional hearing highlights fault line in legalization debate. Kamala Harris introduces law to federally legalize, tax marijuana. Pete Buttigieg pushes for marijuana legalization. Record number of states considered marijuana legalization in 2019.

Time to hit pause on marijuana legalization. Illegal pot still exists in states where weed is legal.

New York legalization: lawmakers vow renewed push in 2020.

In legalizing marijuana, Canada did everything differently. Here’s what we can learn.