Cannabis Entrepreneurs Struggle to Secure Investments

8/01/2014

by

We’re in the midst of a marijuana revolution in the United States and there’s no shortage of enterprising visionaries looking to be part of it. But in their rush to get there while it’s still hot, many of these would-be entrepreneurs hit a snag: securing financial backing for their companies. That’s because despite individual states legalizing marijuana for recreational and medicinal use, it’s still a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance under federal law.

Banks have a good reason to steer clear of marijuana companies. Investing in any company comes with the risk that the company will fail and the investor will lose money. That’s inherent with any type of investing. But when the companies asking for loans are breaking federal law and risk being raided at any time, that risk becomes closer to a guarantee. The Controlled Dangerous Substances Act makes it illegal to manufacture, distribute, or dispense marijuana. To be publicly traded, companies must report all of their business records to the Securities Exchange Commission, the SEC, but that means that these companies have to admit to the federal government that they’re engaged in creating and supplying marijuana products. Just this year, five cannabis-related start ups have had their listing in the stock market temporarily suspended by the SEC.

So what can budding cannabis entrepreneurs do? Fortunately, securing funding from banks isn’t their only option. Groups like ArcView, a San Francisco-based investor network, are investing in these companies when banks won’t, allowing hopeful business owners to realize their dreams.

“I think we’re seeing a lot of people who see this as the next great American industry, and the clock is ticking,” said Troy Dayton, CEO of ArcView at the recent Cannabis Business Summit in Denver, Colorado.

ArcView’s goal is simple: to work toward an America where every adult may purchase and consume cannabis products without fear of harassment or criminal charges from law enforcement. Since 2010, ArcView’s network of more than 250 investors has spent over $10,000,000 to launch fourteen independent cannabis-related companies. It focuses on high-quality, sustainable business pitches that will promote the legitimacy of the cannabis industry.

“One of the key things to keep in mind here is that we’re not talking about a new substance, and there’s no panacea, there is no way to solve all the challenges of a particular substance,” Dayton said at the Summit, “but one thing’s for sure, a regulated environment with legal businesses is going to do a much better job of handling this product than the current criminal market.”

Along with ArcView, smaller investment groups like MJX are working to help fledgeling companies overcome the financial challenges of getting off the ground and into the marketplace. Investors like Troy Dayton are optimistic.

“The writing is on the wall,” he said. “Marijuana prohibition is very likely to end over the next five to seven years. If you’re an investor, and your game in the investment game is to get ahead of what’s going to happen, then this is often a good bet.”

Sources:

http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2014/01/03/marijuana-investors-rush

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/7/16/cannabis-boom-businesssummit.html

Photo Credit: Max London

End

Washington’s Retail Marijuana Market Generates $615K in Taxes During First Three Weeks

8/01/2014

by

In the first three weeks of Washington’s legal marijuana sales, the state reportedly earned $614,985 in excise taxes on the $2.4 million worth of marijuana products distributed through the new retail marijuana market. These numbers, released by the Washington State Liquor Control Board on Tuesday, do not incorporate state or local sales taxes, which add an estimated $240,000 to the sum.

Retail marijuana stores opened in Washington on July 8, but product shortages across the state have stunted sales during the industry’s initial weeks. Nonetheless, tax proceeds are expected to surpass $1 million during the market’s opening month.

When comparing these numbers to those reflected by Colorado’s retail market (which opened on January 1 this year and produced $2.4 million in taxes during its first month), it appears that, despite sporting higher prices, a larger population, and arguably higher demand for cannabis, Washington’s recreational marijuana market is starting off much more slowly than Colorado’s.

The major difference between Washington’s and Colorado’s recreational markets is the method that was used to implement them: in Washington, the WSLCB has designed the system, its infrastructure, and all of its regulations from the ground up; in Colorado, the first retail stores were converted from businesses that originated as medical marijuana dispensaries, which allowed for a much easier transition into the age of legalized weed.

The biggest problem in Washington is product availability. “Currently, the system is a disaster,” explains John Davis. “There’s not enough to sell.” Davis is both the executive director of the Coalition for Cannabis Standards and Ethics and CEO of the Northwest Patient Resource Center, a medical dispensary in Seattle. “People are coming to Seattle because cannabis is legal here… But the supplies aren’t there.”

The WSLCB announced last year that it would be issuing a total of 334 licenses for retail marijuana businesses. Of the more than 2,600 individuals who applied for growing licenses, however, less than 80 applicants have actually been licensed so far. Additionally, only 24 retail stores had been licensed in time for the July 8 grand opening, and many chose to remain closed until they were confident that they could open their doors with enough supply to meet the demand.

Washington’s recreational marijuana market is the result of voters passing the historic Initiative 502 in 2012. The initiative legalized the use and possession of marijuana for adults aged 21 and older, and also tasked the WSLCB with laying out regulations for a state-licensed product distribution system.

Sources:

http://thejointblog.com/2-4-million-cannabis-sold-615k-taxes-made-first-three-weeks-legal-sales-wa/

http://www.ibtimes.com/washington-pot-shortage-hurts-pot-tourism-1638222

Photo Credit: Rachel Sarai

End

The NY Times Becomes Nation’s First Major News Publication to Endorse Marijuana Legalization

7/31/2014

by

The New York Times Editorial Board released a landmark and incredibly public manifesto over the weekend in the form of an editorial series — the publication has officially condoned the past 40 years of marijuana prohibition, and now calls for the federal government to take action toward legalization.

The editorial series dedicates several more articles to the subject, which will be published throughout the week. These follow-up articles are to discuss unique aspects of cannabis’ current situation at the national level.

While the Editorial Board clearly recognizes that their opinion may spark heated controversy in some circles, they also have expressed confidence that the American population in general could sympathize with a desire to repeal marijuana prohibition.

“There are no perfect answers to people’s legitimate concerns about marijuana use. But neither are there such answers about tobacco or alcohol, and we believe that on every level — health effects, the impact on society and law-and-order issues — the balance falls squarely on the side of national legalization. That will put decisions on whether to allow recreational or medicinal production and use where it belongs — at the state level.”

The first part of the editorial series predictably calls for the federal government to repeal prohibition and leave it up to states to decide for themselves on the issue of marijuana.

A second article sheds light on the injustice of most marijuana arrests, arguing that not only can you measure the damage of marijuana prohibition in the billions of dollars it costs taxpayers, but also in the countless years of human life claimed by outrageously long prison sentences given to nonviolent drug offenders.

Yet another article argues that marijuana prohibition’s origin is rooted in racist ideals and out-dated legislation — that the era of ‘Reefer Madness’ was intended to demonize Mexican immigrants and African Americans, who were associated with marijuana use at the time.

The fourth installment discusses the health implications surrounding marijuana use, grounding its readership in a firmly scientific analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of a society that smokes marijuana.

The groundbreaking editorial series is set to continue throughout the rest of this week, with the final two articles’ subjects foreshadowed at the top of the New York Times’ Opinion section of their website: we can expect further articles expanding on the titles ‘Track Record’ and ‘Regulation’ to reach the media stream soon.

Historically, the New York Times has expressed some very different opinions on the issue of cannabis prohibition. About 30 years ago, for example, the publication was releasing some of the most anti-marijuana material you could find in those days. A.M. Rosenthal, former executive editor and columnist for the New York Times, made particular efforts to support cannabis prohibition in his day — and in a perfectly ironic twist, the current editorial page editor is none other than Andrew Rosenthal, the original editor Rosenthal’s son.

Sources:

http://blog.norml.org/2014/07/26/new-york-times-end-prohibition-again/

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/07/27/opinion/sunday/high-time-marijuana-legalization.html

Photo Credit: Alexander Torrenegra

 

End

Zane Witzel via Cannador®: Luxury Cannabis Storage and Preservation

7/27/2014

by

 

Our first official interview candidate is Zane Witzel, CEO and founder of Cannador®, a brand of luxury stash boxes that are specifically designed to prolong the life of cannabis flowers by maintaining constant humidity. Like a humidor for luxury cigars, Cannador was built for the seasoned connoisseur, and it definitely looks the part.

 

cdr3 cdr2 cdr1

Combining precise functional design with a luxurious aesthetic, it is truly a unique product. We had the opportunity to connect with Zane and ask him some questions about his experiences so far in the cannabis industry: read our interview below!

Ganjapreneur: When/where did you come up with the idea for the Cannador?

Zane Witzel: About a year ago, at a friend’s place in LA, I noticed an odd-looking shoe box sitting atop his dresser, loosely filled with jars, rolling papers, and just about every smoker’s accessory you can think of. I thought that was a great idea, a place where you can keep everything centrally located, but aside from the cute ‘toy box’ appeal, it was clearly lacking any kind of organization. Don’t get me wrong, everyone’s stash box is unique and special to them, but after considering that the non-DIY group might also want something like this, then there must be something out there that’s better than my friends shoe box. After doing some research, I couldn’t find anything that addressed the central problem of evaporative loss (aka dry bud) in addition to organizing and separating strains, so after learning that a certain ratio of moisture is optimal to keep bud fresh and flavorful, I adapted a few attributes of a humidor to cater to bud. But this story won’t end here, I believe there’s room to innovate the curing and storage market on a much grander scale for both industrial and consumer use, something I will continue to research alongside the help of a lab I’ve engaged.

Do you think that the storage and preservation of cannabis for industrial and commercial purposes will eventually be regulated by the government?

Possibly in new states that want to restrict cannabis consumption to medical use only, although I doubt this will happen in the near term. There haven’t been enough studies on cannabis storage methods, so it’s difficult for dispensaries to make educated decisions on what they should be using to maintain their inventory. Many dispensaries use plastic bins or mason jars simply because they’re moving inventory so quickly that THC stability really doesn’t matter to them.  However, if and when they are forced to purchase excess inventory due to harvesting cycles and fluctuations in demand, these methods could be problematic since THC degrades from oxidation and evaporative loss. While the potency levels may seem negligible to the average recreational consumer, we have to keep in mind that it’s still a drug, and as such, it should be properly stored, just like any drug at a hospital.

What has been the greatest challenge you have faced bringing Cannador to market?

Other than telling my family at the Thanksgiving dinner table that I’m leaving my job in finance for this harebrained idea, there really is no greater challenge that I’ve faced than advertising. The primary channels available for advertising all forbid even the slightest hint that your product or service is related to marijuana. So we’re left with few options that don’t necessarily reach the right audience. At some point in our careers, we’ve all had to resort to guerrilla marketing tactics, but in this industry, it’s the norm.

How has the Cannador been received by the public?

It’s been well received since launching in June. I knew I did something right when nearly a quarter of our first customers became repeat customers. I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised that many are asking for larger storage units. Ask, and you shall receive. Plenty more sizes in the works.

Can you tell us about any of these new products?

I’m about to roll out a cabinet Cannador that will have several drawers and a pull-out work table. It will also have a shelf to store your glass. Think of it as a modified version of the classic 60’s cocktail bar. I’m also introducing alternate sized Cannadors as well as a stackable metallic canister that will have a kief repository and space for the Humidity Bead System® at the upcoming Hempfest and HempCon in August.

Have you had any celebrity customers or endorsements?

Not yet, although I’ve reached out to a few. I’d love to create a Strain Hunter’s line and get their input, those guys rock. I’m also pretty sure that celebrities like Tommy Chong or Snoop Dogg would appreciate our upcoming line of cabinet products that will be able to hold nearly a pound.

How long have you been following the cannabis industry in one way or another?

I started watching this industry really take off 2-3 years ago when Medbox, which operated right down the street from me on Sunset Blvd., began heavily marketing their dispensary systems. It became obvious that big players could enter and innovate. There’s still a lot more room for competition because this market is very immature, so it excites me to see new companies fill the many voids that piece together this emerging marketplace.

Did you begin your company with venture capital, crowd-funding, or did you fund it yourself?

Self-funded in addition to a small family loan.

Do you have employees? If so, how many?

No, it’s just me so far, wearing all the hats.

On your website, there is a page for your Corporate Social Responsibility statement: can you go into some detail about that?

Mainly inspired by Patagonia founder, Yvon Chouinard, I agree that we as a society should be more conscious about the actions we take. I’ve pledged to plant a tree for every unit purchased through a non-profit in Colorado to help reforest and replenish what we take. Like Patagonia, if I can follow the triple bottom line ethos, “People, Planet, and Profits,” then maybe it will continue to catch on and help make our world a better place.

Based on your experience so far, how do you see the cannabis industry evolving over the next few years?

These past few years have been about laying the foundation; banking, regulation and cultivation, so I think the next few years will be classified as the growth stage (primarily for companies in Colorado and Washington). Many of those businesses who got in early will now focus on perfecting their model and responding to market conditions. However, those companies in states where marijuana is either unregulated or just decriminalized will continue to face a litany of challenges. Out of this, we will probably see innovations in concentrates, new formulas and variations of extracts. We’ll also see the volume of cannabis increase, possibly even double, after more processing licenses are granted and the knowledge and skills behind cultivation improve. This would inevitably lead to cheaper prices, but if the government follows the same path they took with tobacco, we can rest assured the prices will be inflated.

Do you think the industry could be in danger if there is a change of power in Congress and/or the White House?

Like a fast moving train, this industry has too much momentum to slow it down. We’ve already proved that cannabis provides an economic and medical benefit to our nation’s health, so if there’s any resistance from Congress, it will be over regulation, but not any kind of reversal. Many in office are simply waiting for cannabis legalization approval ratings to increase so they can maintain their positions in office without rocking the boat. Governors Cuomo and Christie are both great examples of this. They’ve both repeatedly stated their disapproval of marijuana, yet both New York and New Jersey have enacted medical marijuana programs. Despite their respective states’ restrictions on which diseases are appropriate for the consumption of cannabis, scientific evidence will continue to render these laws obsolete and injurious.

What advice can you offer to aspiring ganjapreneurs?

Don’t let the stereotype of a typical marijuana enthusiast determine your customer base, and do not underestimate the business acumen of established ganjapreneurs. The number of cannabis-related businesses that are staffed with seasoned executives from major corporations may even surprise you. With regard to my first point, “the stoner” isn’t just a crystal-gripping hippie wearing tie-dye while listening to Phish. Yes, many of these people still wave that flag proudly, but this is no longer an accurate representation of the entire market. As cannabis consumption becomes more mainstream, there will be vast customer segments within age-groups and economic classes, just as there are in the apparel, auto, and consumer-electronics industries. Their appreciation for marijuana is just the tip of the iceberg, so just as you would in any business, get to know your customer!

Thank you, Zane, for taking the time to answer our questions about your experience running a business in the cannabis industry! We are looking forward to seeing those new products roll out in the near future, and we hope to check in on your progress down the road.

If you have follow-up questions of your own for Zane, you can write them in the comments area below or use the contact form via the Cannador website!

End

Big Changes in the Colorado Retail Marijuana Market

7/02/2014

by

The Colorado retail marijuana industry is opening its doors to all applicants on Tuesday in a sweeping transformation of the policies that monitor Colorado’s legal marijuana market. Previously, only established entrepreneurs of the medical industry could have applied for a recreational license.

Additionally, marijuana businesses were at first required to offer a general swath of marijuana services, and any weed sold must have been grown by the store itself. Starting this month, however, marijuana businesses are allowed to specialize in specific avenues of the industry — this means that soon there will be businesses in Colorado dedicated purely to cannabis cultivation, or perhaps businesses that focus on marijuana-infused edibles, or even 100% retail businesses that don’t actually produce any product.

Though ambitious individuals from outside the medical industry can now legally attempt a foray into the retail marijuana market, applicants are still required to be Colorado citizens.

The new businesses are expected to open sometime in October, but experts are unsure what effect these changes will have on Colorado’s retail market. “We are going into uncharted territory,” explains Sam Kamin, a University of Denver law professor. Kamin has been following Colorado’s recreational marijuana industry since it went legal at the beginning of this year. “It’s something that hasn’t happened in medical, and it hasn’t happened in recreational,” he said.

As of mid-June, nearly 300 individuals had expressed interest in applying for a license this month. The ratio of applicants hoping to start up retail locations vs. cultivation-only businesses remains unknown. Also, hopeful individuals who actually follow through with their applications are going to face zoning laws and local moratoriums across the state, which may hinder some fledgling marijuana businesses.

“It’s tough to know how many people are really going to apply,” said Mike Elliott, executive director of the Marijuana Industry Group. “Running a marijuana business is much, much more difficult than it might initially appear.”

In the first four months of legalization, Colorado raised more than $200 million in marijuana sales. Two thirds of that revenue, however, is linked to the still-thriving medical industry. By those numbers, the recreational market is actually seeing less demand than was originally expected, which means that the latest applicants for retail licenses might face trouble finding a sufficient customer base to justify their business investments.

Between that bit of discouraging statistics, the strict zoning laws and moratoriums of many Colorado cities, and the dramatic head start that medical-based retail stores got in January, new cannabis industry entrepreneurs in Colorado have their work cut out for them. “Right now,” Elliott said, “we don’t really know what the market can bear.”

Meanwhile, retail stores in Washington State are scheduled to open their doors in one week’s time. Washington’s market is different from Colorado’s in that it was designed from the very beginning to allow specialization among industry members. Producer and processor licenses were issued months ago, meaning the state’s first crop of recreational marijuana is set to unveil during the July 8 grand opening.

Sources:

http://www.denverpost.com/marijuana/ci_26063902?source=rss

http://www.thedailychronic.net/2014/34073/colorados-retail-marijuana-industry-opens-to-all-applicants/

Photo Credit: Brett Levin

 

End

Legalization Initiative in Oregon Submits Over 145,000 Signatures

6/26/2014

by

The New Approach Oregon campaign has reportedly collected more than 145,000 signatures for their cause, which means that Oregon voters can expect to see marijuana legalization up for vote once more in November’s election.

The organization needs 87,213 valid voter signatures by July 3 to get on Oregon’s ballot. Anticipating at least one third of the collected signatures to be deemed invalid, the campaign’s push for voters’ signatures extended well beyond the required amount. The campaign’s initial goal of 100,000 signatures was achieved sometime last week. The final accumulation of signatures was submitted to the Secretary of State’s office on Thursday at 2 PM.

“We are confident that our measure to regulate, legalize and tax marijuana will qualify for the November ballot and that Oregonians are open to the case for a smarter and more responsible approach to marijuana,” Peter Zuckerman, the spokesman for New Approach Oregon, announced on Wednesday.

Initiative Petition 53 — a.k.a. the Control, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana and Industrial Hemp Act — would, if passed, allow adults aged 21 and older to possess up to eight ounces of marijuana, and to grow no more than four marijuana plants for personal use. The Initiative would also provide regulations for selling marijuana to adults. Pot sales would be subjected to a flat tax of $35 per ounce of marijuana flowers, $10 per ounce of marijuana leaves, and $5 per immature marijuana plant.

A Survey USA poll taken earlier this month found that a slight majority of Oregon voters support the legalization and regulation of marijuana. The poll did not, however, differentiate between support specifically for New Approach Oregon’s campaign and for the notion of legalization in general.

With the signature drive coming to a close, New Approach Oregon is putting renewed efforts into fundraising to see the campaign through to a successful finish. Their website currently boasts a fundraising drive wherein any contributions made by July 3 will be matched by an anonymous donor, up to a maximum of $10,000. The campaign has already raised more than $1.7 million, though much of that money was spent gathering signatures to see the initiative make the ballot.

“We are poised to make history in November,” said campaign manager Dan Mahr on the subject. “But campaigns require a significant investment of time and money. And to succeed, it’s critical that everyone who is passionate about legalization invests.”

Three months ago, it looked as if Oregon voters might have had the luxury of choosing between three different legalization initiatives; as of this week, however, New Approach Oregon is the last campaign standing. Paul Stanford — who was the initiator behind Oregon’s 2012 attempt at legalization, the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act — announced earlier this week that he was giving up on two separate ballot measures that would have also put the legalization and regulation of marijuana up for vote in November.

“We have decided, given that we were just at about 50,000 signatures, that we do not have the wherewithal to move forward and qualify for the ballot so we stopped this week our paid petition drive,” Stanford announced on Friday. 

Given that Oregon voters very nearly passed the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act in 2012 (with 47% in favor, 53% against) despite any major funding, many Oregon ganjapreneurs are hopeful for November’s election — the state’s second attempt at making marijuana history.

Sources:

http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2014/06/marijuana_legalization_in_oreg.html

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/06/recreational_marijuana_support.html

http://www.thedailychronic.net/2014/33970/oregon-marijuana-legalization-drive-collects-over-145000-signatures/

http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=005a915d-93f5-4dc8-b982-324b58e9eaa7

http://newapproachoregon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/053text.pdf

Photo Credit: Coleen Whitfield

End

Washington’s Retail Marijuana Market to Open July 8th

6/24/2014

by

The first retail marijuana stores will open in Washington on July 8th, according to the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB), nearly two whole years after voters passed Initiative 502 and legalized the drug in 2012.

The first wave of stores should include approximately 20 different locations. They will be receiving their licenses on July 7, according to WSLCB communications director Bryan Smith. Before opening on the 8th, retailers must record their marijuana inventory into the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system.

“We’ve kept in mind geography and population, and retail licenses will be spread around the state,” Smith said. The Board will publish a list of licensed retailers after the licenses have been issued.

Some retailers are concerned that there might be an initial shortage of product when the market opens. “The last thing we want to do is open and have very little inventory, run for a couple days and then shut down for three days. I really do think that will be a problem,” admits Todd Shirley, a dispensary owner in Shoreline who expects to receive a retail license. Whether or not he gets a license on the 7th, Shirley is planning to skip the July 8 grand opening: “Once we open, I would like to be able to supply our clients. And to have to shut down for a few days could cause them to go elsewhere.”

The new state law says that recreational pot cannot be sold in quantities greater than one ounce — stores may keep the limit even lower, however, as retailers try to keep their sales under control until the marijuana market is fully established. One hopeful store owner, who prefers to remain unnamed, predicts, “it’s going to be kind of a blood bath. You have to compete against the medical and black market with super high prices and limited supply.”

Michael Perkins is another hopeful retailer in the Seattle area. He already runs several medical marijuana dispensaries in Washington, and plans on offering recreational marijuana in a new location, but reportedly doesn’t know how much he’ll charge for it yet. “I would assume $20 to $25 a gram until the producers reduce their prices,” he said. Whether or not producers will lower their prices remains to be seen, but Perkins warns:

“If you want a successful 502, you have to beat the black market. You have to be price competitive. You have to be selection competitive. You have to be convenience competitive. You have to be legitimacy competitive. You’re guaranteed to get all of the customers who would never shop with an illegal street dealer … but you’re not going to get that group of people who shop from their friends unless you bring that price down enough to where the convenience is completely worth it.

For now, there are reports of some growers with asking prices as high as $5,000 per pound for the retail stores. One group of producers, however, has reportedly established a more reasonable price of $2,800 per pound. These growers also request that their retailers cap prices at $420 per ounce for consumers.

So, on the bright side: tt would seem that not everyone has succumbed to the temptation of price gouging in Washington. These lower prices may even develop into an important contribution to the success of the I-502 recreational market.

Sources:

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/washington-stores-to-open-july-8-but-high-prices-expected/

http://blog.seattlepi.com/marijuana/2014/06/23/first-group-of-retail-marijuana-stores-expected-to-open-on-july-8/#14194105=0&21503103=0&24345101=0

Photo Credit: Gavin White

End

New York: The 23rd State to Legalize Medical Marijuana

6/21/2014

by

Lawmakers in New York decided yesterday that their state will be the next to have legal medical marijuana. There is, however, a catch:the new law will only allow the drug in non-smokable forms. That means only edibles, tinctures, and vaporizers are to be prescribed by doctors — hash, bud, and other products made of the flower itself will still be banned.

The Compassionate Care Act, as it’s known, allows doctors to prescribe medical marijuana to patients suffering from certain conditions, including AIDS, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Doctors must undergo specific training, however, to be eligible to write medical marijuana prescriptions.

This development comes following days of negotiations between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the bill’s sponsors, Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (D) and state Senator Diane Savino (D). The governor was the one who had reservations about allowing patients to smoke the plant, citing that he was afraid marijuana would serve as a gateway drug. Gottfried and Savino had both pushed for a less restrictive bill, but the governor’s tenacity overruled their concerns.

Gottfried has been pushing for legal medical marijuana in New York for 20 years, and described the bill’s success as a “tremendous victory,” adding that “this comprehensive, tightly-regulated legislation will bring relief to thousands of New Yorkers.”

Gabriel Sayegh, the New York state director for the Drug Policy Alliance, said, “New York has finally done something significant for thousands of patients who are suffering and need relief now. They will benefit from this compromise. That said, this is not the bill we wanted.”

The statement continued:

“The cost of purchasing a vaporizer and the extract products will likely leave many low-income patients behind, and there is little research on the long-term health effects of using extracts. We know that overly restrictive programs, like New Jersey’s, can create enormous obstacles for suffering patients. We hope that the proposal being put forth today is both well regulated and flexible enough to ensure that patients who need medication get it — and get it in a timely fashion. We look forward to seeing the details and to working to ensure this is implemented as quickly as possible.”

Karen O’Keefe, the director of state policy at the Marijuana Policy Project, expressed a more specific concern: “For many patients, [smoking marijuana] is the best mode of administration. Vaporizing also allows nearly immediate relief, but good vaporizers can be very expensive and difficult for some patients to use. Smoking marijuana doesn’t cause lung cancer, and the dangers of smoking marijuana pale in comparison to smoking cigarettes.”

Insurance companies will not be required to cover the costs of medical marijuana.

And finally, if any aspect of the legalization program seems to fail, the bill grants power to the governor to call the whole thing off at any point.

Sources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/19/new-york-medical-marijuan_n_5512942.html

http://www.thecannabist.co/2014/06/19/new-york-lawmakers-agree-medical-marijuana/14356/

Photo Credit: Enrique Mendez

End

Colorado to Funnel $9 Million Into MMJ Research

6/18/2014

by

As more and more states pass laws toward cannabis law reform, studying marijuana’s medical properties has become a priority for some lawmakers. Colorado is now preparing to funnel $9 million into medical marijuana research, as per a bill signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper last month.

The approximately $9 million is to be issued in grants by the state health department over the next five years, with which medical researchers will study marijuana’s health effects. According to the Denver Post, the research will reportedly include clinical trials on marijuana products currently being offered in Colorado’s medical and recreational markets — this sort of direct product review has never been encompassed by federally funded research.

“Our intent is to be rigorous scientifically, but to also act with some expediency because these are products that a large percentage of our population is using today,” said Dr. Larry Wolk, the executive director and chief medical officer of the health department. “We want to make sure that what’s happening out there in everyday practice isn’t harming people.”

Thus far, federal cannabis research has been limited due to the plant’s inanely high priority scheduling on the DEA’s controlled substance list. The state of California, however, slotted $8.7 million for marijuana research in 1999, and over the next 12 years state-funded studies found that smoked marijuana is indeed capable of relieving pain, that MMJ patients with multiple sclerosis experienced a reduction in spasticity while medicating with marijuana, and that vaporized marijuana is easier on the lungs than smoked marijuana.

Colorado, using money from the registration fees of medical marijuana patients, plans to build further on that research.

The health department expects to start accepting applications for grants as early as later in 2014, according to Dr. Wolk, but researching the plant in regards to those medical conditions already approved for the medical marijuana program will take priority. The state should be able to fund between 10-15 different studies. “We’re trying to turn over all the stones on this,” Wolk said.

It remains clear, however, that the federal government continues to resist recognizing marijuana’s medical properties. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) released a polarized report earlier this month that links the drug to some adverse effects such as addiction and impairment of brain development. According to the Denver Post, any evidence that the plant might have therapeutic qualities was deemed “less than convincing.”

Meanwhile, there are millions of people around the world with personal stories about the cannabis plant and its various healing properties. The anecdotal experiences of medical marijuana patients continue to indicate the drug’s usefulness in treating pain, nausea, spasms, cramps, inflammation, and many other symptoms — with any luck, the grants issued by Colorado’s health department will result in further, and more officiated, acceptance of marijuana as medicine.

Sources:

http://www.denverpost.com/marijuana/ci_25946384?source=rss

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/21/colorado-medical-marijuana_n_5365644.html

Photo Credit: Brett Levin

End

MPP Urges Denver Police to Allow Off-Duty Marijuana Use

6/17/2014

by

Is it safer to get high than it is to get drunk?

This question has led to a dilemma in Denver, where police officers face a zero tolerance policy on marijuana despite the state-wide legalization of recreational marijuana in 2012 for adults aged 21 and older. Recently, the Marijuana Policy Project urged the Denver Police Department to allow officers of the law to use recreational marijuana as a safer alternative to alcohol, following an announcement made by Denver Police Chief Robert White, in which he conceded to be considering options for handling the department’s problematic alcohol abuse. “I’m concerned for the officers. I’m concerned for their wellness,” White admitted. “I’m concerned for our agency. We’ve worked extremely hard.”

In 2014, Denver has seen a series of officer arrests in which alcohol has played a key role. There are already seven officers accused of crimes so far this year, six of which directly involved alcohol abuse (by comparison, there were only four officers arrested in 2013). The Denver Post reports:

Incidents involving officers this year have included a veteran detective arrested on a child-pornography charge; another detective arrested on nine charges, including child abuse and domestic violence; and two officers accused, along with their wives, of getting into a drunken brawl involving allegations of swinging. Three others have been accused on driving under the influence, said Sonny Jackson, a department spokesman.

The Marijuana Policy Project contacted the Denver Police Department on Friday and suggested considering the potential benefits of lifting the department’s ban on off-duty marijuana use.

“Denver police officers know as well as anyone that alcohol use is a far bigger threat to public safety than marijuana use,” said Mason Tvert, MPP’s Denver-based director of communications. “Drunk and rowdy people cause them problems all day at work. It should not be a problem for them to relax after work by using marijuana instead of alcohol, if that’s what they prefer.” Tvert was also co-director of the 2012 initiative campaign to end marijuana prohibition in Colorado.

And, if the law prevents lifting the ban on off-duty marijuana use, the MPP suggests that “the [Denver Police Department] and other police organizations should lobby to change the law(s) in the interest of officers’ health and safety.”

“Coloradans now have the right to make the safer choice, and that should include our law enforcement officers,” argues Tvert. “Police organizations always lobby on issues that affect their members’ health and safety. This case should be no different.”

Sources:

http://www.mpp.org/media/press-releases/as-denver-police-department.html

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_25950835/denver-police-chief-concerned-about-alcohol-abuse-officers

Photo Credit: Steve Rhodes

End

AG Eric Holder Pushes to Reduce Sentences for Nonviolent Drug Offenders

6/12/2014

by

The US Sentencing Commission approved a proposal last month that will reduce prison sentences for future drug offenders. Now, the Department of Justice, headed by Attorney General Eric Holder, has announced its support for an additional initiative that would retroactively reduce prison sentences in a similar manner for thousands of nonviolent drug offenders currently serving time in federal prisons across the country — the retroactive proposal should go to a vote next month.

The proposal would reduce sentences for qualified inmates by an average of 23 months. Qualified inmates are described as those “who lack significant criminal histories and whose offenses did not include aggravating factors, such as the possession of a dangerous weapon or the use of violence.”

Somewhere between 20,000 and 50,000 nonviolent drug offenders may be affected by this proposal, and if passed the reduction of prison sentences could save taxpayers $2.4 billion.

Holder, who announced his support for enforcing these changes retroactively in an official statement on Tuesday, described the proposal:

“If your offense was nonviolent, did not involve a weapon, and you do not have a significant criminal history, then you would be eligible to apply for a reduced sentence in accordance with the new rules approved by the Commission in April. Not everyone in prison for a drug-related offense would be eligible. Nor would everyone who is eligible be guaranteed a reduced sentence. But this proposal strikes the best balance between protecting public safety and addressing the overcrowding of our prison system that has been exacerbated by unnecessarily long sentences.”

With marijuana legalization movements gaining momentum and credibility across the nation, criminal justice reform has become something of a political platform for Attorney General Holder and President Obama. The new initiative is consistent with these efforts, which “seek to reserve the harshest penalties for the most serious criminals who pose the greatest threat to public safety.”

Sally Yates, US Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, provided further information about the DOJ’s understanding of the situation. “We believe that the federal drug sentencing structure in place before the amendment resulted in unnecessarily long sentences for some offenders that has resulted in significant prison overcrowding,” she said, adding that “imprisonment terms for those sentenced pursuant to the old guideline should be moderated to the extent possible consistent with other policy considerations.”

According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, there are currently 100,888 people serving federal time for drug-related charges, meaning that drug offenders currently make up 49.9% of federal prison inmates.

Sources:

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2014/June/14-ag-619.html

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2014/jun/10/ag_holder_supports_making_federa

http://www.thedailychronic.net/2014/33344/ag-eric-holder-urges-reduced-sentences-for-nonviolent-drug-offenses/

Photo Credit: US Department of Education

End

Jamaica Considering Marijuana Legalization

6/10/2014

by

Believe it or not, cannabis is still technically illegal in Jamaica. In fact, the country’s first medical marijuana company, Medicanja, launched a mere six months ago.

However, inspired by successful legalization experiments in Colorado, Washington, and Uruguay, Jamaican farmers and some politicians have decided it’s time to legally capitalize on the culturally-entrenched industry: largely through the advent of popular reggae legend Bob Marley, Jamaica already has a powerful claim on cannabis culture — in fact, Jamaica-brand ganja might be the world’s most popular perception of marijuana.

Earlier this week, Rastafarian locals and ganja farmers gathered in downtown Kingston, the country’s capital, to discuss the road to legalization. They kicked off a project called Jamaica’s Ganja Future Growers and Producers Association, which hosted guest speakers from Jamaica, the USA, and Canada who talked about various benefits of the drug and how the marijuana industry is swiftly bandwagoning into a raging success story.

“The time has come to provide an opportunity for Jamaicans to benefit from the marijuana industry,” said Angela Brown Burke, mayor of Kingston and senator in Jamaica’s Parliament. Her husband, Paul Burke, heads the new ganja growers and producers association, and is also the general secretary of the PNP, the government’s current ruling party.

Phillip Paulwell, the leader of government business in Jamaica’s House of Representatives, announced a popular opinion earlier this year: “It is my view that decriminalization of the weed will become a reality this [calendar] year, arising from the Parliamentary debate and the support by the majority of the members.”

According to one study, most Jamaican’s (85%) believe that medicinal products should be created from the plant, while a smaller majority (66%) claimed to have used the drug themselves.

There is one major difference between the legalization plans of Jamaica and what was passed in Uruguay many months ago: mainly, Jamaican ganjapreneurs are pushing for legalization so they might capitalize on the ganja tourism industry, much like what we’ve seen in Colorado these past six months. In Uruguay, where marijuana was legalized across an entire nation for the first time earlier this year, tourists are not allowed to buy or use the drug.

“I do believe it may boost our economy, but I don’t think we should sacrifice our human capital to gain the marijuana dollar,” said Dayton Campbell, a physician and member of Jamaica’s Parliament. While Campbell does not oppose using marijuana medicinally, he believes that it should not be smoked for the health risks it poses to the body and developing brain.

However, marijuana advocates continue to lobby based on very clear projections, which indicate that increased tourism would result from legalizing Jamaica’s cannabis culture. One small-time grower predicted the rush for ganja tourism: “Thousands — if they know they can come into a ganja field and police wouldn’t arrest them — they would come. Hotels would be full of people. Everybody would benefit.”

Sources:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/06/08/jamaica-marijuana-ganja/9992405/

http://marijuana.com/news/2014/06/jamaica-could-soon-be-the-worlds-next-legal-marijuana-country/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/28/jamaica-may-decriminalize-marijuana_n_4874980.html

Photo Credit: Nicolas Oren

End

US House Votes to Block the DEA on MMJ, Lobbyists Focus on Senate

6/05/2014

by

Last week, the US House of Representatives passed a landmark vote to block the Drug Enforcement Administration from using federal funding to pursue medical marijuana users in those 22 states (and the District of Colombia) where it has been legalized. Representatives from around the nation voted 219-189 in an historic and bipartisan win for legitimate marijuana policy reform — arguably, marijuana’s first major and most resounding federal victory to date.

The appropriations amendment in question was presented by a Republican, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California, who said that the amendment “should be a no brainer” for conservatives who value states’ rights. The amendment itself was sponsored by five Republicans and five Democrats: Reps. Rohrabacher (R-CA), Farr (D-CA), Young (R-AK), Blumenauer (D-OR), McClintock (R-CA), Cohen (D-TN), Broun (R-GA), Polis (D-CO), Stockman (R-TX), and Lee (D-CA).

Now, with the vote successfully passed through the House, public attention has turned to the Senate for another vote, which may take place as soon as next week. As Steph Sherer, executive director of Americans for Safe Access (ASA), states:

“The U.S. Senate has an historic window of opportunity to take action on medical marijuana. The Obama Administration has already indicated a change to federal enforcement policy, and all we’re asking the Democratically-controlled Senate to do is make that policy binding.”

One man from Washington State, Larry Harvey, is traveling to Washington DC despite his impending federal trial to persuade the Senate to vote for a similar amendment against unnecessary federal prosecutions for marijuana offenses. Harvey himself is a victim of such a prosecution: he and several family members are being prosecuted in what’s become known as the “Kettle Falls 5” trial — the defendants were busted by the DEA for a medical marijuana grow operation that had existed entirely in compliance with Washington State laws.

Harvey is 70 years old and suffers from many afflictions, including heart disease and severe gout. Sadly, despite the Obama Administration’s claim that they do not target seriously ill patients, the Department of Justice has already spent more than $3 million trying to sentence Harvey and his companions to the mandatory minimum of ten years in federal prison. “It’s wrong what the federal government is doing to us,” he said. “I just want to make sure Congress knows what’s happening so they can fix the law and so there’s no more money wasted on cases like mine.”

Oregon’s Rep. Earl Blumenauer — who is a long-time proponent of legalization and has led many political efforts to further that aim — offered a compelling argument for changing the legislation:

“Those who suffer under current policies are not faceless. They are not statistics. They are our neighbors and live in our communities. They are the owners of small businesses that are so important to our economy, and patients with conditions — often desperate and painful — who have turned to medical marijuana to help them get through each day. They’re not the enemy, and it’s time we stopped treating them like it.”

Advocates for marijuana are working to get an amendment to the Senate Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations bill approved in time for a vote later this month. Even if the bill is approved, a House-Senate conference committee will be necessary to hash out political compromises between the two bodies of Congress.

Sources:

http://www.thedailychronic.net/2014/33051/federal-medical-marijuana-defendant-returns-to-washington-d-c-to-lobby-senate-ahead-of-imminent-vote/

http://www.thedailychronic.net/2014/30949/facing-federal-trial-70-year-old-medical-marijuana-patient-to-lobby-congress/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/30/dea-medical-marijuana-house-vote_n_5414679.html

http://www.hightimes.com/read/us-house-bans-feds-policing-medical-marijuana-states

Photo Credit: Wally Gobetz

End

Early Indications Suggest Legal Weed Won’t Destroy Life As We Know It

6/04/2014

by

Well, it’s been five whole months since retail marijuana stores first opened in Colorado, and things are looking up. Barring a few unfortunate accidents, recreational marijuana appears to have had only positive effects on Colorado’s quality of life.

For starters, the Colorado coffers have been continually loaded with marijuana tax money since recreational stores first opened on January 1. Since the advent of marijuana’s legal market, Colorado has earned an approximate grand total of $12.6 million from the combined totals of recreational taxes, medical taxes, and marijuana licensing fees. And, as per the original wording of Amendment 64, Colorado school districts across the state will see direct benefits from that tax money. In fact, the Colorado legislature plans to spend at least $33 million of marijuana tax money on its public schools: specifically, there are plans to improve school nurse programs and increase public education about marijuana and other drugs.

Additionally, legalization has created thousands of new jobs: budtenders, growers, testing lab scientists, and security specialists — the list goes on and on, and people are scrambling to fill the positions.

Perhaps most exciting, however, is that the legalization of cannabis in Colorado reportedly coincides with a decrease in crime rates across the state. Clearly the age-old notion that correlation does not imply causation can be applied here, but doesn’t it seem logical that legalizing access to a plant that makes you happy, hungry, and also potentially sleepy would naturally lead to a decrease in criminal activity? Because that’s exactly how it looks: crime rates in Colorado have dropped an average of 10% across the board since January 1, stumping the marijuana skeptics that predicted pure gloom and doom from the outset of Amendment 64.

Meanwhile, officials and ganjapreneurs in Washington State have been trucking along with the launch of their own recreational marijuana market. Reports from the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) indicate that retail stores could open as early as next month. Licenses for producers and processors in Washington were first issued in March, and the state’s first crop of legal pot is likely approaching the time to harvest. And so far, despite a handful of cities electing for local moratoriums on the recreational cannabis industry, the commencement of Washington’s great legalization experiment is edging closer and closer without any legitimate cause for alarm.

So to all of the naysayers who ranted and raved about the inherent “dangers” of legal weed: you may now remove your foot from your mouth and kindly apologize. But if you have something else to say, just know that — after witnessing what really happened these past few months in Colorado — most people probably won’t want to hear it.

Sources:

http://www.policymic.com/articles/89165/colorado-s-marijuana-sales-keep-seeing-green

http://themindunleashed.org/2014/06/colorado-sells-19-million-cannabis-march-1-9-million-goes-schools-crime-10.html

http://www.denverpost.com/marijuana/ci_25725179?source=rss

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/6/3/washington-marijuanaban.html

Photo Credit: Matthew Kenwrick

 

End

NY State Assembly Passes Comprehensive MMJ Bill, Again

5/29/2014

by

The New York State Assembly passed a comprehensive medical marijuana bill last Tuesday, leaving NY poised once more to become the latest U.S. state to legalize medical marijuana.

The Compassionate Care Act, as it’s called, is a bill that would provide access to medicinal cannabis for thousands of patients suffering from serious, debilitating conditions across the state. Ultimately, the bill passed through the Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support (91-34), making this the fifth time the Assembly has passed such a bill.

Kate Hintz from North Salem, whose daughter Morgan suffers from severe fits of life-threatening seizures, voiced an increasingly-common opinion among New Yorkers:

“I applaud the leadership of the Assembly in passing the Compassionate Care Act for the fifth time. But my family can’t keep waiting; every day we wait is another day of seizures that could take our daughter’s life. It’s time for the Senate to follow the Assembly’s lead and pass the bill before more seriously ill New Yorkers needlessly suffer or die.”

And Hintz is not alone in her sentiments. Donna Romana of Syracruse said, “As someone who lives with MS and seizures, I know medical marijuana can help alleviate my suffering and that of thousands of other New Yorkers. I hope the Senate will finally do the right thing and pass the Compassionate Care Act now.”

The Assembly has passed the Compassionate Care Act five times now in the last seven years, but discrepancies in the Senate have continually stalled the final vote on the Senate floor. The bill narrowly passed through the Senate Health Committee last week, and could be heading to the Senate Finance Committee as early as next week. Finance Committee Chair John DeFrancisco told reporters last week that he would allow the vote, provided that the Senate Leadership agrees to the notion.

Senator Diane J. Savino of Staten Island has sponsored a bill similar to the Compassionate Care Act in her chamber at the Senate, and, she has reportedly gained the support of as many as 40 senators, including many Republicans. Therefore, if Republican Senate Leader Dean G. Skelos allows the bill to go to a vote on the Senate floor, it is expected pass.

A poll taken in February found that 88% of New York voters favored the legalization of medical marijuana, an extremely high percentage considering the Compassionate Care Act’s perpetual struggles in becoming proper legislation. In fact, support for medical marijuana exceeded 80% in literally any gender, age group, or political party, demonstrating how truly bipartisan and popular medical marijuana’s legalization has become in New York.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a new program in January that utilizes a 1980 law to allow certain hospitals to dispense medicinal cannabis to patients. The Compassionate Care Act and its counterpart in the New York Senate is a much more expansive attempt at legalization, however, and the Governor has previously said that he will closely review any medical marijuana bill before signing it into law.

If New York’s Compassionate Care Act passes through the Senate and is signed by Gov. Cuomo, New York will become the 23rd state to legalize medical marijuana.

Sources:

http://www.thedailychronic.net/2014/32685/new-york-state-assembly-passes-comprehensive-medical-marijuana-bill/

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/28/nyregion/assembly-backs-use-of-marijuana-for-illnesses.html?_r=0

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/05/new_york_state_assembly_passes_medical_marijuana_legislation.html

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/02/wow-lots-of-new-yorkers-are-into-medical-pot.html

Photo Credit: Josh Liba

End

Canadian Company to Sponsor World’s First Clinical Trial of MMJ for Arthritis

5/27/2014

by

The list of diseases that can reportedly be treated with marijuana has grown quite lengthy. However, scientific trials to determine the plant’s medical effectiveness in some such treatments have been extremely difficult and, due to legal restraints, all but impossible to carry out — until now.

A Canadian company called CanniMed has recently been approved by Health Canada, the federal department that helps Canadians maintain and improve their health, to run the world’s first clinical trials using medical cannabis to treat arthritis.

Arthritis is one of the most common conditions treated with medical marijuana. In fact, about one third of Canada’s 40,000 medical marijuana patients are using cannabis to alleviate pain caused by joint disease. Currently, such patients rely on medical marijuana purely based on anecdotal evidence. However, with the upcoming clinical trials, the world can look forward to finally seeing some hard, scientific proof that cannabis is indeed medicine.

CanniMed released a statement about the trials last week, stating that “With 36 percent of the patients registered in the former MMAR program suffering with symptoms of severe arthritis – the largest concentration of any disease area – we felt there was no option but to continue our clinical exploration within this important patient group.” The process of patient recruitment will reportedly be finalized in the coming weeks.

This development comes following a massive overhaul of the Canadian medical marijuana program in April, dubbed the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR). The MMPR legalized the use of medical marijuana for Canadians who had it recommended to them by their doctors.

Despite recent legalization trends in both Canada and the U.S., however, the government and multiple medical organizations have agreed that more research is required, and clinical trials are the best option for research into marijuana’s unique medical properties.

“We are very pleased to see that a clinical trial specific to osteoarthritis of the knee has been registered with Health Canada,” explained Joanne Simmons, chief mission officer of The Arthritis Society. “Clinical research is the necessary first step to get us to where we want to go: more treatment options available for the arthritis community.”

CanniMed’s parent company, Prairie Plant Systems Inc., was on the forefront of Canada’s marijuana policy reform movement. As the company’s latest news release explains:

Prairie Plant Systems Inc. was the sole supplier to Health Canada under the former medical marijuana system for the last 13 years, and has been producing safe and consistent medical marijuana for thousands of Canadian patients, with no incident of diversion…. Our goal is to provide improved access for Canadians who rely on medical marijuana through scientific collaborations with external partners including academic institutions and healthcare professionals.

According to Brent Zettl, President and CEO of  both Prairie Plant Systems and CanniMed, the study should “determine not only the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis, but also… provide prescribing physicians with the clinical data they are looking for regarding dosing.”

What impact these trials may have on the global stage is, of course, entirely up for speculation. We can only hope that, as more research unfolds about the medical properties of cannabis, this era of prohibition will in turn continue to fade away.

Sources:

http://www.leafscience.com/2014/05/26/health-canada-approves-landmark-marijuana-trial/

http://cannimed.ca/blogs/news/14217941-first-medical-marijuana-clinical-trial-registered-with-health-canada

Image Credit: Brett Levin

End

FBI to Reconsider Drug-Related Employment Requirements

5/21/2014

by

In an ironic twist, the FBI is having to reconsider their employment requirements due to the increasing difficulty of finding qualified specialists in the cybersecurity field.

The Bureau was authorized by Congress to hire 2,000 new individuals this year. Currently, prospective FBI employees cannot have smoked marijuana for three years prior to employment, but that requirement is hurting the Bureau’s selection pool: it would seem that the nation’s best and brightest individuals, who are most capable of combating the influx of cybercrime we’ve witnessed in recent years, are also particularly fond of cannabis.

The loosening of its stance on marijuana would widen the FBI’s selection pool so that it may include the nation’s top computer programmers and hacking experts. As Director James Comey put it, “I have to hire a great work force to compete with those cybercriminals, and some of those kids want to smoke weed on the way to the interview.”

Mr. Comey was speaking during an annual conference in New York on Monday. When one attendee mentioned to Mr. Comey a friend who had neglected applying to the FBI because of their policy against prior marijuana use, the FBI Director said that the Bureau was currently “grappling with the question,” but ultimately admitted that the friend “should go ahead and apply” despite prior marijuana use.

This is not the first time the FBI has relaxed their hiring requirements in relation to drug use, particularly marijuana. The three-year rule was instated in 2007; prior to that, the FBI’s hiring policy disqualified any individuals who had simply used marijuana more than fifteen times, ever. The Bureau’s current policy also disqualifies prospective personnel who have used other illicit substances within the past 10 years, and also those who have distributed, produced, or transported illegal drugs of any kind — a ruling that appears unlikely to be reconsidered.

The FBI’s hiring policy is generally harsher than other federal policing agencies: the CIA, for example, says on its website that “illegal drug use prior to 12 months ago is carefully evaluated during the medical and security processing,” but it does not strictly disallow it.

Marijuana advocates will be pleased to see such institutions of authority continue this trend of growing enlightenment regarding drug policies. With cannabis fully legal in two states now, and medical programs either underway or poised to launch in a growing majority of U.S. states, many official organizations nationwide are being forced to reconsider their stance on marijuana use. The NFL, for example, announced in January that it would consider allowing its players to use medical marijuana if recommended by medical experts.

Sources:

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304422704579574374286817550?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304422704579574374286817550.html

http://rt.com/usa/160320-fbi-employee-hires-marijuana-use/

Photo Credit: Ian T. Edwards

End

DEA Chief Michele Leonhart Changes Attitude After Meeting With Eric Holder

5/19/2014

by

DEA Chief Michele Leonhart has made headlines more than once this year for her publicized negative comments about the growing cannabis industry. Contrary to her continued prohibitionist agenda, the Obama administration (officially represented by Attorney General Eric Holder in this matter) has been letting legalization efforts proceed unhindered. In fact, as the Huffington Post reports, prison sentencing reform has become “a critical, second-term legacy item” for Holder and President Obama: they are striving to dial back a federal system that has sought to impose incredibly long sentences for even nonviolent drug-related crimes since the advent of the infamous War on Drugs. This effort culminates in the Attorney General’s recent initiative, the Smarter Sentencing Act.

Leonhart, however, has expressed an entirely different agenda. She has faced criticism for her refusal to acknowledge that marijuana is categorically less dangerous than other narcotics currently classified alongside it as Schedule 1 substances, such as heroin or LSD. Additionally, her decrying remarks have been publicly recognized as intentionally undermining the Attorney General and the President on this issue, and many have asked why her superiors have allowed such direct opposition from a subordinate.

Things came to a head recently, when Leonhart spoke to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on the subject of mandatory minimum sentencing, emphasizing the system’s usefulness in granting legal leverage over defendants. This remark was recognized by some as a grim sign that the DEA’s chief administrator opposed the president’s plan to enact sentencing reform, and in fact supported legal strategies that directly employed tactics such as fear mongering and the unfair repression of citizen liberties. These concerns led to a conversation between Leonhart and Holder on the subject.

Following that conversation, the DEA released a statement expressing Leonhart’s public support for the reforms of the Smarter Sentencing Act, which will reign in the deployment of harsh mandatory minimum sentences against nonviolent drug offenders. “The Administrator believes mandatory minimums in general can be an important tool in DEA investigations, but she supports the Attorney General’s sentencing reform initiative to ensure those sentences are imposed appropriately,” read one section of the statement.

Leonhart’s admission, however, is contradicted by continued DEA efforts to impede all facets of the legalization movement. Recent headlines, for example, detail a scandal between the organization and the state of Kentucky, wherein the former was being sued by the latter for confiscating some 250 lbs. of imported Italian hemp seeds for the state’s fully-legalized pilot hemp program. The DEA ordered customs officials to impound the seeds and has physically endangered the state’s first hemp crop in decades. Earlier this year, Leonhart decried the president’s comments about marijuana’s physical harmlessness to a room full of sheriffs, and even claimed that the flying of a hemp American flag over the U.S. Capitol marked the lowest point in her career — she has since been informed such comments were inappropriate.

It would seem that the current administration has, for some reason, a certain attachment to the DEA’s current chief administrator: very little else would explain why she has retained her position despite continually expressing complete disregard for any alterations to the U.S.’s outdated drug policies and the persistently progressive opinions expressed by Attorney General Holder, President Obama, and the majority of the American public.

Sources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/16/michele-leonhart-dea-sentencing-reform_n_5319085.html?vsmaid=261

Photo Credit: Duncan Brown

End

Marijuana Job Fair Website Encourages Citizens to Take the “High Road”

5/16/2014

by

With the recreational cannabis industry well underway in Colorado, and Washington’s market soon to follow, more and more people are looking for work in retail, production, and other niches of the marijuana market. MarijuanaJobFair.com, a website dedicated to providing resources to those in search of a job in this new industry, has recently launched their efforts to connect employers with potential employees both online and in person.

In recent months, cannabis career fairs have attracted huge gatherings of hopeful applicants. In Denver, the vaporizer manufacturer O.PenVape recently hosted an event dubbed “CannaSearch” that attracted a line of visitors that wrapped around the block at the event’s opening. “This is just the first example of how enthusiastic the general populace is about the industry,” said a representative from MarijuanaJobFair.com. “So many people are sitting in cubicles at boring office jobs or standing behind counters at big retail chains: I wouldn’t be surprised if there is going to be a mass exodus of employees who would rather work in the cannabis industry.” If there were such a trend, of course, the competition would be fierce: there is a finite number of cannabis industry businesses, and most of them are likely very selective about who they hire.

The website itself is currently purely informational, though it alludes to future events and services that the group intends to offer. Visitors are encouraged to sign up for email alerts about progress on the website and updates on marijuana business events near where they live. The website also offers a list of brief descriptions of the different types of jobs that may be available, from grow supervisor, to “Budtender,” to social media marketing coordinator.

“We’re excited to offer a valuable service to both cannabis businesses and employees seeking work,” the representative said. “Big things are coming.”

End

Colorado Symphony’s ‘Classically Cannabis’ Series Will Continue, Official Warning Heeded

5/14/2014

by

In April, Denver’s Colorado Symphony announced a series of concerts titled “Classically Cannabis: The High Note Series,” which would be a bring-your-own-cannabis event at a local art gallery designed to stir up interest for the classical music scene with a younger and more diverse crowd.

Following the Symphony’s announcement, however, the Denver city attorney warned the Symphony that their event may be in violation of Amendment 64 (the reason for Colorado’s legalized recreational weed market), under which public consumption of marijuana is still illegal. Specifically, the letter stated that Amendment 64’s “immunity from prosecution under state and local laws granted for adult possession and consumption does not extend to smoking ‘openly and publicly or in a manner that endangers others.'”

The Symphony has since modified the structure of the series, which will now be an invite-only occasion. Here are the event’s final modifications:

· The Colorado Symphony has removed public information about Classically Cannabis from its website and agreed to refund all ticket purchases through May 12, 2014.

· Classically Cannabis will now be available by invitation only. Events will be limited to a closed list of VIP guests managed by Edible Events Co. No reservations or requests for invitations to the events will be accepted from the general public.

· In consultation with Mr. Martinez, the Colorado Symphony has also determined that it no longer needs the two special events permits it had previously applied for from the City of Denver because of the events’ private nature. Therefore, the Colorado Symphony is in the process of withdrawing the permit applications.

Originally, the concert series was open to the public ages 21 and over and would have cost $75 regardless of whether you planned on consuming marijuana or not. Now, however, it is a strictly private event and is therefore acceptable by the city’s standards. City attorney Scott Martinez said in a brief statement, “We are pleased the (symphony) revisited planned events and worked to come into compliance with state and city laws.”

The Symphony’s cannabis industry partner throughout the series is Edible Events Co., whose responsibilities include organizing the event and bringing in marijuana companies to sponsor the event. Current cannabis industry sponsors are Ideal 420 Soils, The Farm of Boulder, Gaia Plant Based Medicine, and Wellspring Collective. No cannabis products are to be sold at the event, but refreshments such as food and beverages will be available.

The first concert in the series is scheduled for May 23, featuring the symphony’s brass ensemble. Further programs have not yet been established for the other concerts, which are scheduled for July 18 and August 15.

It’s expected that the Classically Cannabis series will raise up to $200,000 for the Colorado Symphony. A recent Denver Post poll also shows that more than 65% of its readers approve of the Symphony’s partnership with the cannabis industry.

According to the Symphony’s blog,

“From the beginning, our goal has been to support fundraising for the Colorado Symphony and to reach out to a culturally diverse audience,” says Jerome H. Kern, Colorado Symphony CEO and Co-Chair of its Board of Trustees. “We’re pleased to present these events in a way that will allow us to pursue these goals and move forward with the business of operating the Colorado Symphony.”

Sources:

https://www.cpr.org/news/story/colorado-symphony-move-forward-marijuana-themed-concerts

https://www.coloradosymphony.org/Events/Classically-Cannabis

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/05/14/denver-accepts-colorado-symphonys-tweaks-to-pot-themed-concerts/

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/colorado-symphony-tries-to-address-denvers-marijuana-concerns-over-classically-cannabis-concerts05132014

Photo Credit: University of Denver

End

How to Get a Job in the Marijuana Industry

5/13/2014

by

Not long ago, talk of growing, producing, and selling cannabis was only ever discussed in the dark corner of some hazy backroom or basement. Now, the question has come out in the open: how do you make a career for yourself in the marijuana industry?

Obviously, the advent of legal recreational weed in Colorado and Washington, not to mention the legalization of medical marijuana in an ever-increasing number of states, has all but completely normalized this discussion, but the question remains fairly frequent as the industry unfolds in Colorado.

One of the most common comparisons being drawn is calling this emergence of legal cannabusiness the great “Green Rush,” equivocating the phenomenon with the California Gold Rush of 1848-1855. And if nothing else can be said about the mad scramble to occupy some part of the cannabis industry, you can at least count on there being some stiff competition, so properly preparing yourself is essential to finding success with this exciting new opportunity.

With legalization in effect, suddenly there are career options related to the industry sprouting up left and right. One important consideration about the cannabis industry is that not every job will be directly handling the product: there will be a rising demand for glass blowers, LED grow light manufacturers, and hydroponic engineers, for example, in addition to more expected positions such as budtender or marijuana producer. And if you keep your interest all-encompassing, it will be much easier to find a position that suits both you and your employer.

The following is a brief guide that will aid in your preparation and qualification for having a successful cannabis industry job interview:

Analyze your desired job before showing up for the interview. Research the company. Learn about their influence, and figure out when they got involved in the cannabis industry. Make a list of the skills your desired position will require, and be ready to explain exactly how and why you can fill that role.

You should know beforehand exactly which position you desire from your potential employer.  Don’t show up and just say, “Give me whatever you’ve got, sir!” because that makes you look desperate.  Instead, you want to express confidence, so when you say “I can be the best BudTender you’ll ever have,” they’re that much more likely to believe you.

Practice your interview! Practice with a mirror, practice with a friend, or even practice with your dog. The more you say the things you want to share in your interview, the better you’ll get at saying them. And, following a similar vein, make sure you have your interview clothes ready before the actual day of your interview. Even though the cannabis industry has sprouted from the counterculture of recent decades, showing up in cut-off jean shorts and a tie-die probably won’t help your chances.

Know what to bring to your interview! Typical things include extra copies of your resume or portfolio, a list of references, and a list of questions you have about the company. Also know what not to bring: don’t seem obsessive over your cellphone, don’t chew gum or bring your coffee for the interview, and… well, probably don’t bring your weed.

Before you leave your interview, ask your questions! If you express genuine interest in the company, employers will appreciate it. Listen carefully during your interview so that you will be prepared to ask some questions of your own if you didn’t prepare enough beforehand. The best job interviews will feel more like a conversation, and the best conversations are usually not very one-sided.

The nation’s first cannabis industry job fair, CannaSearch 2014, was hosted in March at O.penVape’s headquarters in Denver. The vaporizer pen company’s chief revenue officer Todd Mitchem said, “Inside the cannabis industry, we are focused on professional, qualified people — just like any other industry. We won’t be impressed if someone says, ‘I’ve been smoking all morning, I can still talk.'”

The fair drew more than 1200 hopeful job searchers, nearly twice the expected amount. If nothing else, that’s a sign that you’re not the only person out there mulling over the same question — how can I get in on this industry? — and that it’s time to make a plan to get yourself involved.

Sources:

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_25331149/resumes-mdash-not-reefer-mdash-welcome-at-cannasearch

http://www.marijuanajobfair.com/2014/05/08/get-a-job-in-the-marijuana-industry/

http://photos.denverpost.com/2014/03/14/photos-inside-cannasearch-the-first-ever-cannabis-job-fair-in-colorado/#1

Photo Credit: Coleen Whitfield

End

Lottery Results for Washington Marijuana Retail Licenses Are In

5/07/2014

by

Last Friday, the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) announced the results of lotteries held last month to determine who might receive licenses for owning and operating a retail marijuana store. The results are now posted to the public records section of the WSLCB’s website, they announced via email last week.

Lottery winners were chosen through an independent, double-blind process that took place April 21-25.

The rules of I-502 dictated that marijuana retail stores were to be limited by county, and the WSLCB established earlier in Washington’s transition from cannabis prohibition that the maximum number of marijuana stores statewide would be 334. In counties with more applicants than allotted retail stores, a lottery would determine which applicants were successful.

The lotteries produced ranked lists of applicants, categorized by region, which will be used throughout the rest of the licensing process. The lotteries themselves were carried out by the Social and Economic Sciences Research Center of Washington State University and Kraght-Snell of Seattle, which is a private sector audit firm. Both parties were contracted by the WSLCB to independently hold lotteries in districts where there were more applicants than licenses to be distributed.

There were 47 districts that did not need a lottery to determine which applicants may continue through the licensing process, but in the other 75 districts lotteries proved necessary. There were a total of 1,174 hopeful applicants taking part in the lottery system last month.

Entrepreneurs hoping to secure a marijuana retail store in the state of Washington, however, have been warned that making it through the lottery process does not necessarily guarantee getting a license. If an applicant fails to pass the rest of the licensing process, which includes a criminal background check and financial investigation, the WSLCB will pull their application and continue to the next ranked applicant on the list. Applicants are also responsible for having a location that is not within 1,000 feet of a school, park, or other area specified by I-502 as a place where children congregate.

The WSLCB has now begun processing the successful applicants for retail marijuana stores. The Board will soon be licensing producers, processors, and retail stores simultaneously. As of the end of April, there are currently 25 producer and processor licenses that have been distributed. The earliest that the Board expects to issue licenses for retail stores is no later than the first week of July, but it will likely be even longer before the first stores open and Washington’s fully-legalized recreational marijuana market is unleashed.

As was the case in Colorado’s early months of legalization, the Washington market is expected to start off slowly while the cannabis industry’s infrastructure is assembled and things begin to fall into place.

Photo Credit: Joe Mabel

End

Restrictive MMJ Bill Passes in Florida

5/05/2014

by

Lawmakers in Florida approved a bill last Friday that allows limited access to cannabinol (CBD) based medicine that can be used to treat chronic epileptic seizures, cancer, or other serious illnesses. Generally-speaking, CBDs have been considered to produce the painkiller effect of cannabis consumption, while it is the plant’s THC content that results in the user’s euphoric “high” experience.

Senate Bill 1030, as it’s called, passed through Florida’s House of Representatives on Thursday with a 111-7 vote in its favor, and on Friday it passed through the Senate with a 30-9 vote. The Senate originally passed the bill 36-3 in April, but had to vote on the issue again because of changes made in the House, which had amended the bill to allow low-THC cannabis to be used for treating cancer and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Republican Gov. Rick Scott has already agreed to sign the bill into law.

Florida’s bill is similar to other bills passed in Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Utah, Mississippi, and Wisconsin, in that it only allows access to one popular cannabis strain, Charlotte’s Web, which is known to have particularly low levels of THC and a very high CBD content.

The bill lays out a system wherein the state’s legal cannabis will be grown and distributed through five dispensaries run by preestablished nurseries.  The dispensaries will be closely monitored, and their growing of Charlotte’s Web shall be heavily regulated.

There remains skepticism from the broader community of cannabis advocates that these CBD-only bills might not be as beneficial as we hope, as none of the states who have passed the restrictive MMJ bills has yet to begin product distribution. Another proposed bill, the joint legislation Senate Bill 962 and House Bill 859, would have allowed further access to cannabis with both higher THC and CBD content. This bill would have permitted medical marijuana use for patients with a longer list of qualifying illnesses, as well, but lawmakers failed to take action on the bill before they adjourned their legislative session on May 2.

There is, however, an unrelated Constitutional Amendment that is anticipated at the ballot boxes in Florida this November.  The Amendment, which will require 60% of the vote or more to pass, will legalize medical marijuana in Florida for a much wider variety of patients. It would appear that the ballot proposal has very strong chances this November, with 88% of Florida residents expressing support for medical marijuana, according to a recent poll by Quinnipiac University.

Meanwhile, Florida lawmakers failed to pass a bill this session that would have legalized recreational marijuana for adults 21 and over, much like Colorado and Washington’s legalization laws from 2012. The bill would have legalized the personal cultivation of up to 6 cannabis plants and the possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for recreational use.

Sources:

http://www.thedailychronic.net/2014/30934/florida-lawmakers-approve-restrictive-medical-marijuana-bill/

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2014/05/medical_marijuana_support_at_8.php

Photo Credit: Diego Charlón

End

Anti-Legalization Organizations Take Action Following Denver’s 4/20 Celebration

5/01/2014

by

4/20 came and went this year in a flurry of legalization celebrations and pot smoke, but not everyone got their kicks out of the unofficial holiday, reports The Denver Post. Anti-marijuana legalization groups Smart Colorado and Project SAM acted swiftly in retaliation to Denver’s 4/20 celebrations, during which police issued 92 citations for public marijuana consumption despite a coordinated 4:20 p.m. toke-up by thousands of marijuana supporters.

The Justice Department announced earlier this year that it would not interfere with the legalized cannabis industries of Colorado and Washington, given a few stipulations such as marijuana not being distributed across state borders and not being made readily available to minors.

Nonetheless, some groups with ambitions for the continued prohibition of marijuana are continuing to fight. “The messages we are sending our youth are deeply concerning. Getting high is being encouraged, celebrated and glorified,” read one complaint by Rachel O’Bryan, spokeswoman for Smart Colorado. A statement from the organization targeted the disregard for state law demonstrated by 4/20 celebrators, and announced that Colorado’s cannabis industry, through inaction and a failure to prevent public consumption on 4/20, had “willfully betrayed many of their Amendment 64 supporters.”

“This past weekend we saw marijuana users and folks from the industry openly flouting the laws by consuming pot in public,” O’Bryan said in the statement. “If Denver can’t enforce its own ordinances because of the enormity of the task and lack of cooperation from the marijuana industry, then none of our residents or visitors are adequately protected.”

Additionally, on the day following the celebration, former U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy said in a conference call with reporters that he’d already met with representatives from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and urged for federal intervention with marijuana legalization in Washington and Colorado.

Kennedy presumedly presented data gathered by anti-legalization group Project SAM about Colorado that suggests a rise in marijuana-related problems in that state. One report showed a rise in marijuana-positive workplace drug test results. Another noted an increase in postal seizures in cases where individuals were attempting to ship marijuana over state borders. And yet another report noted two recent deaths in Colorado in which marijuana’s involvement is suspected: in one case, a man shot and murdered his wife after allegedly consuming marijuana along with other pharmaceuticals, and in the other case, a 19-year old jumped to his death from a hotel balcony after eating six times the recommended amount of pot cookies.

“The president and the attorney general, now that we’re getting this new information, have a better ground to say, ‘Well we gave this a chance. Now we’re going to change our approach here,’” Kennedy said.

Recent announcements from Attorney General Eric Holder in representation of the Obama administration, however, seems to demonstrate that opposite sentiments are present at the federal level. And even though DEA Chief Michele Leonhart is continuing her campaign against legalization, recent headlines have suggested that some sort of federal action toward marijuana law reform may not be too far off in our future.

Meanwhile, cannabis industry officials had undergone efforts to distance themselves from Denver’s expectedly-large 4/20 celebration.  The Marijuana Industry Group even released an official statement two days prior, saying that it was not connected to any of the celebratory events taking place that weekend. The news release also included warnings about the illegality of both public cannabis consumption and providing marijuana to minors.

Sources:

http://www.denverpost.com/marijuana/ci_25608602?source=rss

http://www.thecannabist.co/2014/04/21/the-white-house-should-reverse-legalization-and-other-post-420-complaints/10091/

Photo Credit: Jonathan Piccolo

End