420 with CNW Archives - Page 259 of 297

TuesdayJul 02, 2019 4:20 pm

420 with CNW – New Mexico Cannabis Decriminalization Officially Takes Effect

Approximately three months ago, New Mexico governor, Michelle Grisham signed a marijuana decriminalization bill into law. That law officially took effect yesterday July 1). In that law, the possession of up to half an ounce of cannabis is no longer a crime punishable by jail time. Instead, the person pays a $50 fine. The punishments for possessing drug paraphernalia have also been reduced. This law makes New Mexico the 24th state to decriminalize marijuana. Hawaii appears set to enact a similar law soon after the governor revealed that he will not veto a decriminalization bill if it is brought to…

TuesdayJul 02, 2019 4:20 am

420 with CNW – Cannabis Edibles Could Cause a Spike in Life Insurance Premiums for Canadians

As Canadians countdown to the start of cannabis edibles sales in December, some sobering information is filtering in to the effect that life insurance premiums could go up depending on one’s cannabis edibles consumption habits. When recreational marijuana was legalized in October 2018, most insurance companies stopped regarding marijuana users as smokers. People who are categorized as smokers can pay up to four times more in life insurance premiums when compared to those who are categorized as non-smokers. This is because smokers are seen as being higher-risk clients for insurance companies. However, it has emerged that one’s marijuana consumption habits…

MondayJul 01, 2019 4:20 pm

420 with CNW – Bipartisan Senators Table Cannabis and CBD Research Bill

A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation on Thursday (June 27) intended to facilitate federally-approved research into cannabis and its derivatives, such as cannabidiol (CBD). The first section of the bill centers on the process through which research institutions can apply to the federal government for authorization to conduct marijuana research. If the bill passes in its current form, the U.S. attorney general would have a maximum of 60 days within which to approve the applications for cannabis research or request the applicant to avail more information. The first section of the bill also creates a mechanism through which research…

MondayJul 01, 2019 4:20 am

420 with CNW – 5 Trends Making a Mark on the Cannabis Industry in 2019

As the first half of this year comes to an end, you may be wondering what trends have firmly established themselves as shapers of the cannabis industry. Here is an overview of some trends you may have noticed or need to watch going forward. Trend #1: Growth of Marijuana Social Consumption It was always ironical that while marijuana was legal in various jurisdictions, it remained nearly impossible to legally use pot outside one’s home. A new wave of amendments and laws is addressing this gap and we have started seeing states and cities creating regulatory mechanisms for marijuana social consumption…

FridayJun 28, 2019 4:20 pm

420 with CNW – USDA Reveals Deadline for the Release of Hemp Regulations

A notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture published in the Federal Register at the beginning of this week provides insights regarding the department’s plans to release rules that will govern the newly legalized hemp industry. Of particular importance is the August self-imposed deadline when the final draft rules will be released by USDA. Previously, the department had been noncommittal about when it would finalize these rules. They would simply say that the rules will come out in time for the planting season of 2020. A USDA spokesperson revealed that the August deadline reflects the best-case scenario, but the process…

FridayJun 28, 2019 4:20 am

420 with CNW – 2019 Federal Data Shows More Banks are Accepting Marijuana Businesses

Newly released federal data shows that in 2019, more credit unions and banks have been taking on marijuana businesses as clients compared to previous quarters and years. The federal data shows that there were 113 credit unions and 438 banks which actively serviced cannabis businesses in the final quarter of 2018. The statistics for the first quarter of 2019 indicate that the banks increased to 493 while credit unions numbered 140. The data comes from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the Treasury Department. FinCEN tracks the finances of the marijuana industry in accordance with the banking guidelines issued…

ThursdayJun 27, 2019 4:20 pm

420 with CNW – National Sheriffs’ Association Wants Marijuana Rescheduled

The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) has passed a resolution calling on the federal government to reschedule marijuana. The same resolution also reiterates the group’s opposition to the legalization of recreational marijuana. In the resolution, the NSA states that they regard the legalization of cannabis as a threat to public safety and health, but they also have empathy for people who are suffering as a result of debilitating conditions which prompt them to seek medical cannabis. The sheriffs reaffirmed that they remain opposed to not just state-level legalization but decriminalization as well since these policies haven’t done much to eradicate illicit…

ThursdayJun 27, 2019 4:20 am

420 with CNW – Idaho Medical Cannabis Ballot Initiative Clears First Hurdle

According to a press release issued by the Idaho Cannabis Coalition on Tuesday (June 25), the group has submitted the required list of voters supporting their petition to see medical marijuana included on the state ballot in 2020. The group was told that they needed to collect a minimum of 55,057 signatures from Idaho voters if they were to be given the go-ahead to put together a ballot measure that would be voted on during the upcoming elections in 2020. The coalition duly collected the signatures and submitted them to the Secretary of State for verification before the next step…

WednesdayJun 26, 2019 4:20 pm

420 with CNW – It’s Official, Illinois is 11th to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

As had been widely expected, Gov. J.B Pritzker yesterday (June 25) signed a bill legalizing recreational marijuana in Illinois. This makes the state the 11th to legalize marijuana fully, joining the likes of Colorado and California. When this new law takes effect on Jan 1, 2020, adults 21 and older will be allowed to possess up to 30grams of marijuana and non-residents will be permitted to possess a maximum of 15grams. The signing ceremony marked the fulfillment of a pledge Gov. Pritzker made when he was campaigning for office. He promised to see the swift legalization of recreational marijuana in…

WednesdayJun 26, 2019 4:20 am

420 with CNW – California Launches Public Campaign Against the Illicit Marijuana Market

The legal marijuana industry in California has been grappling with a number of challenges, chief of which is how to stamp out the illicit operators in the state. On Friday, the state launched a public campaign aimed at educating the public about the dangers associated with cannabis from the black market. The “Get #Weedwise” campaign is intended to encourage people to only buy marijuana from the regulated market. The campaign will also send out warnings to the illegal operators to either get licensed or close shop. In a press release, the Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC) chief, Lori Ajax, said…