420 with CNW Archives - Page 68 of 305

MondayAug 07, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — MasterCard’s Ban on Marijuana Transactions Shakes Industry

America’s state-legal marijuana industry has been left reeling after MasterCard banned the use of its debit cards in cannabis-related transactions. Players in the industry were left shocked after MasterCard demanded that payment processors and banks immediately cease marijuana transactions using the company’s debit card, sending an already fragile industry into chaos. Both medical marijuana and recreational cannabis retailers and their customers will undoubtedly be affected by the ban, with retailers likely being forced to go back to cash-only transactions. Marijuana’s illegal status at the federal level comes with several major limitations, chief of them being that cannabis businesses have little…

FridayAug 04, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Washington State Announces Online Portal to Process Reimbursements for Illegal Drug Prosecutions

Washington State recently announced an online portal aimed at facilitating the payment of legal fees for those who were charged with crimes under drug criminalization statutes that were later ruled illegal by the state Supreme Court in 2021. The newly established Blake Refund Bureau website, initiated by the state AOC, is a collaborative effort involving public defenders, courts, advocates, prosecutors, county clerks and other stakeholders. The site’s primary objective is to provide relief to those impacted by the shortcomings in the state's drug possession charges penal code. The court determined that the existing statutes may potentially criminalize accidental possession because…

FridayAug 04, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — Congressional Committee Leaders Call for Expert Guidance Regarding CBD Regulation

Bipartisan congressional committee leaders are calling on experts to offer guidance on best practices for building a framework to regulate America’s CBD industry. This call comes amid increased pressure on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to start regulating the nearly five-year-old industry that was built on the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill legalized the cultivation and sale of industrial hemp, which it defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC, and its derivatives under state or tribal programs. This led to the birth of the CBD industry, a sector that quickly began making millions on…

ThursdayAug 03, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Florida Gives Black Farmers Medical Cannabis Licenses Under Newly Enacted Law

The state of Florida has awarded medical cannabis business licenses to two Black farmers under a bill that was signed into law last month. Governor Ron DeSantis signed Bill HB 387 into law in late June, finally giving members of the Black farming community a chance to enter the state’s mammoth medical marijuana industry. The legislation was originally written to allow eligible doctors to use telehealth to renew medical cannabis patient licenses but was later amended to include language that would address the issue of providing Black farmers with Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC) licenses. These farmers had been part…

ThursdayAug 03, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — DOJ Wants Federal Court to Throw Out Case on Overdose Prevention Sites

The Biden administration has consistently expressed its commitment to approaching the overdose crisis through harm-reduction measures. One key aspect that advocates have been closely monitoring is whether this approach would extend to the authorization of safe consumption sites, where individuals can use illicit substances under medical supervision. However, activists received disappointing news as the Justice Department has decided to reject legal arguments advocating for possible exceptions to the federal ban on such facilities. Subsequently, they are seeking to dismiss a long-standing lawsuit that could have enabled the opening of a safe drug consumption facility in Philadelphia known as Safehouse, which…

WednesdayAug 02, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Ohio Advocates Have 10 More Days to Put Marijuana Initiative on Ballot

The Ohio Secretary of State’s Office has revealed that recreational cannabis advocates have only 10 days to put a legalization initiative on the state ballot. Reform activists behind an adult-use cannabis measure failed to meet Ohio’s threshold of verified signatures by 679 signatures and cannot get their measure on the ballot as is. However, state law grants the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol another 10 days to collect the remaining signatures and qualify the recreational cannabis measure for the ballot. The measure seeks to legalize the purchase, sale, possession and consumption of recreational marijuana for Ohio adults 21 years…

WednesdayAug 02, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — Investors Weigh in On Whether Europe Can Sidestep Challenges America’s Cannabis Industry Has Faced

The most significant development in Europe’s marijuana market took an unexpected turn this year. Despite expectations, Germany decided against legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. Instead, the country diluted its plans for law reform following consultations with regulatory bodies. Now, one might wonder if this decision sets a negative precedent for venture capitalists (VCs) investing in European cannabis startups. Surprisingly, it may not be all bad news; in fact, it could prove beneficial for some. Óskare Capital cofounder Oliver Lamb views Germany's cautious approach positively, especially for the medical and pharmaceutical sectors. Drawing lessons from North America's experience, Lamb highlights…

TuesdayAug 01, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Luxembourg Starts Implementing Marijuana Legalization Law

Luxembourg has finally begun implementing legislation that legalized the possession, use and personal cultivation of marijuana. Advanced by the Luxembourg parliament last month, the marijuana legalization bill took effect last week and makes Luxembourg the second nation in the European Uniont to end the era of marijuana prohibition after Malta. The bill advanced via a 38 to 22 vote about two year after lawmakers first proposed the idea of ending cannabis prohibition. The ministers of Homeland Security and Justice tabled the legalization bill in 2021, setting the stage for marijuana legalization in the country. Justice Minister Sam Tanson said at…

TuesdayAug 01, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — DOD, VA Oppose Medical Cannabis but Stay Neutral on Psychedelics

The U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs both hold firm opposition to the use of cannabis in treating PTSD. However, when it comes to psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin, their stance is more neutral, asserting the need for further research. In a recent update to joint clinical practice guidelines, the departments offered recommendations on various therapies to address acute stress disorder and PTSD commonly affecting military veterans. Despite many veterans turning to cannabis for symptom relief, the DOD/VA Management of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder Work Group is wholly against this alternative treatment. While the work…

MondayJul 31, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — State Cannabis Associations Implore Senate to Pass Cannabis Banking Law

A group of state cannabis associations is asking Senate leaders to advance bipartisan cannabis banking legislation as soon as possible. The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH) alongside marijuana trade associations from 16 other states sent a letter to Senate Banking Committee chair Sherrod Brown and committee member Tim Scott emphasizing the need for immediate cannabis banking reform. ATACH was joined by trade associations representing cannabis businesses from Hawaii, Arizona, Alaska, Alabama, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, California, Washington State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Montana, Mississippi, District of Columbia and Missouri. These entities joined together to urge the…