Political

NY Criminal Defense Lawyers Press for Marijuana Legalization, Halt to ICE Courthouse Arrests

Authored by: Dan M. Clark, New York Law Journal

A coalition of criminal defense lawyer groups have called for the New York Legislature to approve a series of reform measures, including marijuana legalization and a bid to prevent immigrant arrests at state courthouses.

Michigan celebrates first legal cannabis purchases

Despite a frigid, rainy morning, three Michigan cannabis stores were open for the state’s first legal adult-use sales beginning at 10:00 a.m. this morning.

All three were in Ann Arbor, a hot spot for dispensaries in the state, and also the city where the annual Hash Bash is held. 

At Exclusive Brands an estimated 2,000 people waited in a line that circled around the block and into nearby parking lots, even two hours after opening.

How the House Judiciary Committee decided which marijuana bill to pass

Image: From left, Reps. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., and Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., announce at a Nov. 29, 2019, press conference in Washington that the House Judiciary Committee will take up legislation ending the federal ban on marijuana.

One bill had bipartisan support in both houses of Congress and a hint from President Donald Trump that he would sign it. The other has only Democratic sponsors and little chance of passing a Republican-controlled Senate.

Biden Reverses Long-held Stance on Marijuana, Says There’s ‘No Evidence’ It’s a Gateway Drug

Former vice president Joe Biden on Monday backed away from his previous assertion that marijuana may be a “gateway drug,” saying he has seen no evidence that use of the drug could lead to dependence on other, more powerful substances.

'Comeback crop': Bill makes Wisconsin's hemp-growing program permanent

MADISON, Wis. -- Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday signed into law a bipartisan bill that makes Wisconsin's hemp-growing program permanent as it continues to surge in popularity in just its second year.

Hailed by supporters as Wisconsin's "comeback crop," hemp is seeing renewed popularity in large part because of the growth in the market for CBD, a legal, therapeutic compound extracted from the cannabis plant that marketers say can treat a range of ailments without getting users high. It's widely marketed in oils, lotions and foods.

Cannabis Leaders On The State Of Social Equity: 'Doing Nothing Won't Be An Option For Much Longer'

Six of the 18 states that have legalized legalize adult use or medicinal cannabis since 2016 have made diversity measures part of their program. 

Data released in August 2019 by Marijuana Business Daily found that states are warming to social equity measures in cannabis.

With less than half of the states to legalize cannabis in the last three years to enact social equity measures, the concern is warranted.

Canada's New Health Minister's Thoughts On Cannabis: What You Should Know

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has unveiled the list of ministers who will make up his cabinet for his second term.

Patty Hajdu, formerly the minister of employment, will replace Ginette Petitpas Taylor as minister of health. 

Canada’s Minister of Health holds special importance to the country’s cannabis market, since the cabinet member oversees the Health Canada agency, which is responsible for regulating legal cannabis.