Long overdue, yet seemingly taking shape faster than most thought possible, a recreational cannabis program may finally be coming to New York. Last week, New York Governor (and former fan of Sex and the City) Andrew Cuomo announced that he making cannabis legalization in New York a priority for 2019, his
Drug Laws and Policies
Hemp To Be Legalized By 2018 Farm Bill
By the time you read this, it's entirely possible that the 2018 Farm Bill will have just passed. That's notable for several reasons, none more so than the provision which would legalize hemp production. This would then radically change the landscape for CBD extracted from hemp, which is the source of
MJBiz Con 2018: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
In November 2018, I attended the annual MJBizCon in Las Vegas. It’s the largest cannabis convention in the world, featuring 27,000 attendees from 70 countries, with 1,000 exhibitors, three days of speakers, break-out lunches, and afterparties. I didn’t visit all 1,000 booths or meet all 27,000 attendees, although “Hi, I’m
The City of Portland’s Cannabis Program Needs You To Do Your Civic Doobie
Just because the elections are over doesn't mean your civic duty is done. If you have a strong interest in cannabis policy, your city needs you. Consider this the cannabis equivalent of the Bat Signal. The City of Portland is accepting applications until this Thursday, November 15, 2018 to apply for
Majority of Cannabis Ballot Measures Pass
Last night we saw (thank god) a Blue Wave. And as primary-school finger painting taught me, you can't make green without blue—and there was also a Green Wave last night as well. As I wrote yesterday, four states had cannabis-related measures on the ballot—two with medical programs (Missouri and Utah), and
Four States With Cannabis On The Ballot
Is Cannabis In Mexico Now Legal? Kind Of
Portland To Lower Cannabis Businesses Fees
Licensed cannabis businesses throughout Oregon face numerous challenges—an oversupply has led to continual falling prices, the OLCC has changed packaging requirements yet again, and no one can get a goddamn bank account. But in Portland, there's about to be some relief, and it's just the first step of an ongoing effort. Brandon
Florida Candidate Loses Wells Fargo Account Over Cannabis Contribution
It's not breaking news that cannabis businesses and the banking industry have a contentious and ugly relationship fueled by paranoia and fear. The vast majority of US banks will neither make loans to, nor open and maintain accounts for, cannabis businesses. Therefore, these businesses are shut out of access to credit and
DEA Says Term “Cannabis” Is Out, New Term is “Dinkie Dow”
Hey, you’re cool, right? You have a hip haircut, on-point non-prescription glasses, a wardrobe that’s trailblazing without being too Donner Party, and your apps are all beta. You and your squad are certainly “down” and “woke” about “what” is “up,” and that includes the nicknames you use for cannabis. I mean, there’s “weed,” “cheeba cheeba,” “pot,”
A Program To Target Minneapolis Cannabis Users Of Color Has Been Discontinued
While there are legit issues with cannabis here on the West Coast, overall we have it pretty good. Supplies are plentiful, selection is bountiful, and new strains and products are refined and released regularly. And in cities everywhere along the coast, there continues to be discussion and action around the issues
Cannabis and Race Have an Intertwined History of Imperialism
Cannabis history is nearly as long as the history of human civilization, but unlike other agricultural products, the story of this plant has often been shrouded in the dark. This is true especially in America, where cannabis’ legacy has long been connected with our country’s institutionalized racism. It’s time for this to
Give Thanks To Elvy Musikka, Legendary Cannabis Trail (And Joint) Blazer
Elvy Musikka is the stoned grandmother I always wanted, and if you meet her, you’ll feel the same. The OG cannabis activist lives in Eugene, Oregon, and she’s the definition of a firebrand. She’s also something of a rarity in this country—someone who receives cannabis from the federal government, at no
Philando Castile, Cannabis and White Privilege
If you say it wasn’t racial When they shot him in his tracks Well, I guess that means that you ain’t black It means that you ain’t black —Drive-By Truckers, “What It Means” We recently passed a terribly sad one-year anniversary on July 6, and I’ve been struggling to frame the tragedy properly. It addresses something
Cannabuzz: The Week in Cannabis How to Lobby 101
I HAVE GOOD NEWS! Today we're going to explore how you can shatter the myth of the lazy, unmotivated, forgetful stoner and defend cannabis consumers everywhere. And you can do it while stoned and sitting down! Plus, you can sit down! Wait...what? I also have not-so-good news! It's going to involve taking time out