420 with CNW Archives - Page 267 of 305

WednesdayJul 03, 2019 4:20 pm

420 with CNW – Congress Schedules Hearing on Ending Marijuana Prohibition

A major Congressional subcommittee plans to hold a hearing next week on ending cannabis prohibition. The Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee will discuss a number of proposals that are aimed at passing legislation to protect states which have enacted marijuana laws. Considering the list of people who are expected to be invited to speak to the subcommittee on Wednesday (July 10), one is left to conclude that the subcommittee is interested in learning how prohibition can be ended rather than gathering views on whether reform should happen. For example, one of the witnesses who is expected to testify during…

WednesdayJul 03, 2019 4:20 am

420 with CNW – Maine Recreational Marijuana Regulations Signed

Back in 2016, voters passed a measure to legalize recreational marijuana in Maine. Since then, residents have been waiting for the state government to draft and pass regulations which would operationalize recreational cannabis cultivation, manufacture and sales. Gov. Janet Mills has now signed the regulations and brings the long wait to an end. These guidelines will take effect in September and the first recreational cannabis sales could begin early next year. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Gov. Mills remarked that the rules show what can happen when the government works with legislators, industry players and members of the public to…

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…