This past week brought more good news than much of the cannabis industry thought we would get all year. The Warren-Gardner bill, modifying language from the Controlled Substance Act. The bill will allow states, if they choose, to produce, cultivate, and sell cannabis without federal inclusion or fear of prosecution. As the news, spread more states have shown advocacy in other ways.
Mayors Aim for Cannabis Reform
As the recent news broke, mayors from multiple legal-cities have banned together to advocate for federal legalization. Being led by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, six other city leaders all bring their experience of dealing with cannabis to help with many issues the industry will face on a larger level.
In addition to legalization, they hope to allow cannabis companies easier access to banking and tax deductions that other businesses benefit from. Hancock announced the Government for Responsible U.S. Cannabis Policy Coalition on Monday morning with support from:
- Michael Hancock (Denver)
- Mark Farrell (San Francisco)
- Jenny A. Durkan (Seattle)
- Libby Schaaf (Oakland)
- Ted Wheeler (Portland)
- Heidi Williams (Thornton)
- Carolyn Goodman (Las Vegas)
This coalition aims to “take the right steps to support other local governments as they prepare to enter this new frontier.”
Colorado Vetoes and CBD Prescriptions
As part of a developing story, cannabis companies are threatening to leave the state after Colorado governor, Hickenlooper vetoed 3 separate cannabis bills. One of the most upsetting was not allowing Autism to the list of conditions that qualify for MMJ.
The bill leaving many businesses on the fence about continuing operation in Colorado was House Bill 1011. If passed, it would have allowed publicly traded companies to invest or hold a medical or recreational marijuana license, starting next year.
Despite the governor’s growing number of vetoes, he did sign a letter of support for the STATES Act, introduced by US Sen. Warren and Sen. Gardner.
In more positive news for Colorado, Hickenlooper did sign into a law a bill allowing prescriptions of CBD medicines. It gives physicians the ability to prescribe cannabis-derived medicine that is approved by the US Food and Drug Association.
This comes months after the FDA Advisory panel unanimously recommended the first cannabis-derived CBD medicine, Epidiolex. A hearing about the new medicine will be held in late June.
Canada Signs Off on Cannabis Legalization With Concerns
Late last week, Canadian Senate approved their federal cannabis legislation, Bill C-45. It allows those over the age of 18 to possess, grow, and purchase specific quantities of cannabis. The overwhelming vote in November was to establish licensing retail production and sale of cannabis.As soon as House leaders sign off on Senate changes, Prime Minister Trudeau can enact the legislation.
As the law gets signed into effect, Edmonton’s city committee recommends cannabis smoking be treated like tobacco. The recommendation comes with restrictions as those smoking stay 10 meters away from open doors and windows and 30 meters areas such as playgrounds.
The committee could have opted for rules much stricter, like that of alcohol but chose more relaxed laws instead.
Some are concerned with the recommendations, as it may lead to heavy littering in areas of the city. Many already see cigarette butts littering popular areas, they worry joint remnants will be added aking the area “unsightly”. Others offer the solution of lounges to that argument.
Local cannabis shop manager, Sara Doran says “If there’s a lounge with a patio, where I’m allowed to smoke cannabis on the patio, then I think that would be better. I think it also creates a safe space and it also encourages responsibility.”
The committee recommends the action but changes can be made up until July 4th.
This new move has raised some questions for the rest of the country, specifically the military. Now that cannabis will be decriminalized and federally legal, one can’t simply ban the plant’s use. Despite those realities, some military personnel have argued for an outright ban for certain occupations, air force specifically.
Chief of military personnel in the canadian Armed Forces, Lt. Gen. Chuck Lamarre and a team are proposing an expansion of their policy concerning alcohol to include cannabis. Lamarre, however, doesn’t feel like there will be a spike in cannabis use after legalization.
Veterans Equal Access Amendment Blocked
In a case of bad news, State(TX) Representative Pete Sessions blocked amendments to grant legal protections to veterans that use cannabis medically. One of which, the Veterans Equal Access amendment, would have allowed VA doctors to authorize MMJ use for veterans.
In response, Congressman Earl Blumenauer, who wrote the amendment said:
“For the second year, Pete Sessions has shown that he does not care about the health and well-being of our veterans—who are speaking out across the country. All they want is fair and equal treatment, and the ability to consult with their own physician on all treatment options. By blocking this vote, Chairman Sessions has turned his back on our wounded warriors, commonsense, and the will of the American people. He should be ashamed.”
Michigan Still Without Licensed Businesses
As Michigan’s market gears up for MMJ legalization, some companies have been hit with some unfortunate news. Hundreds have applied for licensing but will have to wait another month as the state tried to prepare for the changes. They had a meeting scheduled for this past Monday but moved it to July 12 instead.
At the moment, close to 212 business have applied for licenses to operate, 17 of which were supposed to be granted this week. Another 546 are waiting for prequalification and have yet to obtain local approval for business plans of the land on which they operate.
Now 18 months after the law was passed and 6 months after licensing was opened, some are fearing for their business and employees. Without a way to legally operate and cannabis, despite recent approval, being federally illegal, some are faced with the options of laying off employees and even bankruptcy.
Charges Dropped In Minneapolis Cannabis Stings
Cities in Minneapolis wish to cast out what some believe as “blatant racial discrepancies” involving cannabis arrest. Mary Moriarty, a Hennepin County Chief Public Defender, brought up to issue to Mayor Jacob Frey in reference to police stings for illegal cannabis sales.
The now ceased sting operations would mostly involve 1-2 grams of product sold for less than $20. Moriarty feels the policies and procedures are biased as they involve officers, not in uniform, approaching those in the downtown area and then arresting anyone willing and able to sell them cannabis.
The changes came after finding 46 of the 47 felony charges were with African American individuals. The only other case involved someone approaching the officers versus them beginning the exchange.
Officers will continue to arrest for illicit cannabis sales, the mentioned charges, however, have been dropped.
