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Law The Cannabis Chronicles - Misc Cannabis News

“Don’t we have to defer to the agency” when it comes to evaluations of research into marijuana’s therapeutic value? Garland asked the attorney representing reform group Americans for Safe Access. “Defer doesn’t mean they win, but defer in the sense of we’re not scientists
And neither is the DEA in teh sense that they do not follow objective evidence but have an obvious ax to grind and always defend their rice bowl which is pursuit of illegal drugs and putting people in jail. How the fuck can they do this if drugs are legal (yes, this is said with great sarcasm).

There is a simple rejoinder to his question: Epidiolex - cannabinoid approved by the FDA but the DEA still insists there is no valid medical use of cannabis. He thinks this represents science? Really.
 
So, they may have published rules, they may even accept applications....but don't be surprised if they take years of foot dragging to eval these applications. Just how resistant bureaucracies work.

"The House bill would put the Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services in charge of the program."

Now, I'm all for taking anything away from the DEA...but I don't understand this...the DEA is in DOJ??

The DEA May (Finally) Allow Private Companies to Grow Cannabis for Research


After years of mostly silence on the issue, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has released the “final rules” on how to apply for a federal license to grow cannabis for research. The decision came after the U.S. Congress passed a bill urging an expansion of marijuana research.
Unlike almost anything these days, the bill received strong bipartisan support.
The DEA had issued preliminary final rules in March. It took comments from interested parties and made a few minor adjustments to the rules, according to the final rules published in the federal registry. The new rules go into effect on January 19.

The change will open the door to better marijuana research in the U.S.

It’s been a slow, grinding process to get to the new rule changes. Along the way, a researcher filed a lawsuit against the DEA for holding up the process.
But the rule change will finally allow companies to get a license to grow cannabis for research purposes. Up until this point, only the University of Mississippi has been allowed to grow research marijuana for the past 50 years. Researchers have said that cannabis more closely resembles the genetic profile of hemp than it does the cannabis anyone can buy at a dispensary.
That’s led to researchers in the U.S. falling behind peers in other countries. Meanwhile, the DEA continues to spend huge chunks of money to seize millions of pounds of marijuana, sometimes simply paying contractors to burn it.
The situation remained that way even after the 2016 announcement by the DEA that they would develop rules to allow entrepreneurs to apply for a federal license to grow cannabis for research. That changes with the announcement of the final rules, which came after both the U.S. House and Senate passed a bill promoting an expansion of cannabis research.

A bipartisan issue

The Democrat-led House and Republican-led Senate agree on few things these days. But marijuana research turned out to be one of them.
The bill that passed the House would amend the federal Controlled Substances Act to lift restrictions on researching marijuana. It calls for the creation of a program to license producers and manufacturers of cannabis for research other than the farm at the University of Mississippi.
The House bill would put the Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services in charge of the program. The legislation also called for speeding up the time it takes to process applications and remove some of the more cumbersome regulations.
The DEA seems ready to accept applications as early as January 2021. Whether a new administration will allow the DEA to maintain control over the program remains to be seen.
 
Oh, how special....government run stores.....so it can cost more, be staffed by unenthusiastic employees that are selling limited selection of products that the government says you want....instead of what you actually want.

We have a country run liquor system where I live in Maryland and its atrocious. High prices, limited selection, and actually the employees are ok....def not fireballs...but just ok.

Great model to emulate....NOT.

Biden’s Commerce Secretary Pick Wants Marijuana Sold In Government-Run Stores



President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to run the U.S. Department of Commerce is a governor who supports not only legalizing marijuana but selling it through government-run stores.


Biden announced on Friday that Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) is getting the nod for Commerce secretary, a cabinet position where, if confirmed by the Senate, she will be responsible for representing business community interests and promoting economic growth. And while the incoming president might not be in favor of legalization himself, his nominee to lead the country’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic has come to embrace the policy change, with a unique twist.


In a budget proposal last year, Raimondo called for a state-run regulatory model for cannabis—rather than allowing sales through a privatized commercial market as is the case in all other states that have legalized to date. Having the government control the industry would “allow the state to control distribution, prevent youth consumption, and protect public health,” her proposal to lawmakers said.


The governor wasn’t always in favor of comprehensive reform, but the spread of the legalization movement regionally in other Northeast states led to her accept the policy change as an inevitability that should be thoughtfully implemented. Her budget plan for cannabis was not adopted by the legislature, however.


In November 2019, Raimondo described legalization as “the next logical step” after the growth of the state’s medical cannabis program. That came after she partnered with nearby states’ governors to develop a regional approach to legalizing cannabis. That year she also included legal cannabis in her budget, but that initial plan did not include the state-run approach that she has come to favor.


“My view: it is only a matter of time,” Raimondo told The Providence Journal last month. “I think we should do it. Yes, I support the state-run model because from all the work we have done it is the most controlled way to do it, arguably the safest, and the way to maximize state revenue.”


Although the would-be commerce secretary wants the government to make money selling marijuana, she is not herself a cannabis enthusiast. She said in an earlier interview that “I’ve never used marijuana. I’ve never smoked. I’ve never vaped,” calling herself a “super boring governor.”


The timeline for Raimondo’s confirmation for the federal role isn’t clear, and so it’s possible she could continue to pursue state-level reform while she’s still serving as governor in the interim. A new upcoming budget request is due in March, and she’s indicated legalization would again be part of that, though it’s not clear how the updated cannabis plan will differ from her last one.


Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Daniel McKee (D), who will become governor if and when Raimondo vacates the office, said in 2019 that he does not support legalizing marijuana. He is in favor of medical cannabis and decriminalization, however.


It remains to be seen how Raimondo will bring her perspective on the economic benefits of legalizing and regulating marijuana to the Biden administration, but at the very least her nomination represents yet another presumably incoming top administration official whose views on cannabis depart from those of the president-elect, which could collectively influence federal policy.


Biden recently selected a nominee lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D)—who is amenable to reform. And in his role, he could help facilitate federal cannabis rescheduling. While the Justice Department plays a key role in marijuana’s federal scheduling, a medical and scientific review by HHS is binding on the attorney general’s subsequent classification decision.


Raimondo was also considered for the HHS role, but Biden went in a different direction.


The president-elect’s pick for attorney general, Judge Merrick Garland, has not been especially outspoken about his views on marijuana policy. While advocates expressed concern about his commentary in a 2012 federal appeals case on marijuana scheduling, he doesn’t appear to have been publicly hostile to a policy change.


In positive news for advocates, Biden is also set to nominate former prosecutor and civil rights activist Vanita Gupta as associate attorney general. She favors cannabis legalization and has strongly condemned harsh criminalization policies for non-violent drug offenses.
 

The Race to Build a Global Cannabis Beverage Leader Is Heating Up

BevCanna recently announced a definitive agreement to acquire Naturo Group Investments Inc., an established beverage manufacturer.

The cannabis beverage market is an emerging vertical that has been generating significant traction. The reason for the uptick in interest is simple— these products can be purchased from Canadian Licensed Producers (LPs) following a change in regulation in late 2019.

Although the Canadian cannabis beverage vertical has proven to be successful, the big money that stands to be generated will be by the states that have legalized recreational cannabis in the U.S. While the development in Canada in late 2019 is significant, the U.S. cannabis beverage market has been booming for several years and experts expect this trend to become more significant in the years to come.

During the last year, spectators have seen big alcohol brands enter the legal cannabis industry via strategic investments or partnerships. From Corona to Coors, big alcohol brands have become levered to the cannabis beverage market. But until there is change in the way cannabis is viewed at the federal level, these large alcohol brands will only sell cannabidiol (CBD)beverages in the U.S.

Cannabis legalization has a real shot of eventually coming to the U.S. On the cannabis beverage side of the business, BevCanna Enterprises Inc. (CSE:BEV) (OTC: BVNNF) (FSE: 7BC) is an opportunity to be aware of.


Last week, BevCanna entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Naturo Group Investments Inc., an established beverage manufacturer and distributor for both in-house and white label brands. The acquisition builds on a multi-year exclusive partnership between the companies.

From operational synergies to cost savings, to a more diverse product portfolio and access to distribution (Naturo has over 3,000 points of distribution for their products), the acquisition may prove to be immediately accretive to BevCanna. The strength of the relationship between the two companies will play an important role in how resources are allocated and who is managing the operation.

From a capital efficiency and synergy standpoint, the agreement will eliminate future payments that are associated with BevCanna’s current master license agreement with Naturo. This change will preserve future working capital and allow BevCanna to direct more resources towards the advancement of its domestic and international operations. The acquisition is expected to have an immediate positive impact on BevCanna and improves its ability to create shareholder value.

The acquisition represents a step forward for the combined company and has formalized the relationship in a way that combines the key strengths of each operator. From a valuation and growth standpoint, it is believed that the combined company is more valuable than the sum of its parts and are favorable on potential impact the transaction will have on profit margins.

race-build-global-cannabis-beverage-leader-heating-up-1.jpg


Combined Company is Positioned to Capitalize on the U.S.​

As part of the proposed business combination, BevCanna will take ownership of Naturo’s flagship brand, TRACE. It’s expected that the brand will benefit from the resources that are owned by the combined company and will monitor how sales ramp higher on a going forward basis. From a partnership standpoint, BevCanna and Naturo are sure to find new avenues for growth, identify synergistic opportunities, and capture market share in strategic markets.

In 2021, Naturo plans to execute on a U.S expansion strategy and BevCanna can play an important role in this. In Canada, the company develops and manufactures beverages and consumer products for in–house brands and white label clients like Keef Beverages, one of the U.S.’ leading cannabis beverage brands, for exclusive distribution in Canada. They will also be able to leverage the types of retailers that sell Naturo products in Canada including 7/11, Loblaws, London Drugs, Metro and Farm Boy.

Once the transaction is completed, Naturo will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of BevCanna. Due to the existing relationship between BevCanna and Naturo, the transition will likely be seamless.

Through a master license agreement that was part of the exclusive partnership, BevCanna has access to Naturo’s 40,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art beverage manufacturing facility. The facility is on a 315-acre property and is strategically located on an alkaline spring water source.

In addition to this landmark acquisition, the company also entered into a notable multi-faceted partnership with Keef Brands as another way to expand into the U.S. market in anticipation of positive federal regulatory reform within U.S. federal cannabis legalization.

What makes this partnership significant is that Keef Brands ranks second in the U.S. in units sold amongst all cannabis beverage companies and currently offers six of the top ten selling cannabis beverages in Colorado as well as three of the top ten selling in California.

BevCanna’s agreement with Keef leverages the strengths of both companies to full advantage, where BevCanna will act as the exclusive licensee, manufacturing and distribution partner to the award-winning U.S. line of Keef-infused beverages for the Canadian market. They will also leverage the extensive Keef U.S. manufacturing and distribution network to access the U.S. cannabis market, which includes more than 1,000 dispensaries and delivery services across Colorado, California, Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Puerto Rico.

Trading at a Discount on Key Valuation Metrics​

Earlier this year, an independent financial firm assigned Naturo an enterprise value that is between $38 million and $42 million (CAD). The firm came to this number by assigning a $10.4 million valuation to the property, a $3.4 million valuation to the beverage manufacturing equipment, and an $18 million valuation to the onsite natural alkaline spring water aquifer.

When combining Naturo’s assets with the assets that fall under BevCanna’s umbrella, it stands to reason that this is a business that has a compelling valuation and a favorable risk-reward profile. Additionally. the management team of the combined company has decades of expertise in the field of consumer packaged goods (CPG), capital markets, corporate strategy, and public markets.

The combination will create the only fully licensed, in-house and white-label beverage manufacturing company that distributes both conventional and cannabis-based beverage and wellness products. BevCanna’s management team took a patient approach toward M&A growth. Now that BevCanna is selling products in the U.S. and is on the 99-yard line as it relates to the commercialization of products that will be sold in Canada, the company is reaching an inflection point. Many believe that the acquisition will help turn the business into a leading cannabis beverage operator.
 

U.S. Census Bureau Wants To Collect Marijuana Tax Revenue Data From States


The U.S. Census Bureau has announced that it plans to begin collecting data on marijuana tax revenue generated by state governments around the country.

The federal agency tracks state tax data as part of quarterly reports it issues to provide benchmark financial indicators and inform economic research. Moving forward, it intends for those documents to include cannabis tax data, it said in a notice set to be published in the Federal Register on Friday.

“Tax collection data are used to measure economic activity for the Nation as a whole, as well as for comparison among the various states,” it said. “We plan to add the collection of cannabis and sports betting sales taxes.”

The Bureau said the new additions will “modernize the survey’s content to maintain the relevancy and sustainability of these data.”

“The information contained in this survey is the most current information available on a nationwide basis for state and local government tax collections,” it said. “The Census Bureau needs state and local tax data to publish benchmark statistics on taxes, to provide data to the Bureau of Economic Analysis for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) calculations and other economic indicators, and to provide data for economic research and comparative studies of governmental finances.”

There are three data collection forms that the Bureau uses to generate its quarterly reports, but it is only planning to make this policy revision to one related to state tax collections that is know as Form F-72. Here’s an example of an earlier version of what that form looks like and how it asks state government officials to break down their revenues into various categories, including alcohol, tobacco, utility, sales and property taxes, among others:

Screen-Shot-2021-01-14-at-10.45.23-AM.png


The Bureau will “email letters to each of the 50 state governments and the District of Columbia quarterly requesting their online data submissions or continued coordinated submission through the state government revenue office.”

The resulting quarterly report synthesizes the state and local tax data the agency collects, highlighting the extent to which different streams of revenue fill government coffers. This chart from the third quarter of 2020 shows, for example, regional differences in revenue from taxes on things like alcohol, tobacco, motor vehicles and income:


Screen-Shot-2021-01-14-at-10.44.13-AM.png


At some point in the future, the Census Bureau wants these forms and charts to include separate categories for marijuana and sports betting.

A public comment period on the proposed change in the agency’s tax collection policy will be open for 60 days following its official publication in the Federal Register. Interested parties can submit written feedback by email to Thomas.J.Smith@census.gov or through the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov.

Legalization advocates said the federal move will help to further legitimize the marijuana industry.

“On its face, I think this is a pretty good indicator that federal agencies are beginning to recognize that the cannabis industry isn’t going anywhere, and is in fact a vital—and in most states, essential—part of the U.S. economy,” Morgan Fox, media relations director for the National Cannabis Industry Association, told Marijuana Moment. “If I’m being optimistic, it is a sign that the federal government is preparing for eventual interstate commerce, federal regulation, and international market activity.”

Justin Strekal, political director of NORML, told Marijuana Moment that data “is a good thing and I am hard-pressed to believe that anyone can oppose this sensible modernization in good faith.”

“Now more than ever, we need our policymakers to rely on facts and evidence, not reefer madness rhetoric,” he said. “If a state or locality wisely chooses to regulate a commercial cannabis marketplace, then it is prudent for data collection efforts to acknowledge it just as it does for other aspects of the legal economy.”

Beyond modernizing the data, reporting on state cannabis tax revenue while marijuana remains federally illegal could further demonstrate to lawmakers the economic opportunities that regulating the plant represents.

Even amid the coronavirus pandemic, marijuana markets in states across the U.S. have generated millions of dollars in tax revenue.

In Illinois, for example, the state saw more than $1 billion in cannabis sales in its first year of implementation. And that’s translated into more than $100 million in tax dollars, portions of which are funding social equity grants and substance misuse and mental health treatment.

The governors of states like New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, among others, have all recognized the economic potential of legalization in their calls for reform.

At the federal level, there’s widespread recognition that the current legal status of marijuana has created complications for financial regulators.

To that end, a top official with the Internal Revenue Service recently participated in an informational webinar to discuss steps the agency is taking to help marijuana businesses stay compliant with their taxes under the umbrella of ongoing federal prohibition.

In September, IRS released updated tax compliance guidance for marijuana firms.

The educational drive also helps to resolve a problem identified by a Treasury Department internal watchdog in April. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration criticized IRS for failing to adequately advise taxpayers in the marijuana industry about compliance with federal tax laws.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin has brought up the complications caused by the lack of financial services access for the cannabis industry in his calls for a bipartisan legislative fix to the banking issue, noting in congressional hearings that IRS has had to build “cash rooms” to store the deposits.

Legislation to resolve the issue—the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act—repeatedly advanced through the House last session as a standalone bill and part of broader COVOD-19 relief measures, but it stalled in the GOP-controlled Senate. Industry stakeholders are optimistic that the proposal will clear Congress this year, with Democrats now in control of both chambers.

In the meantime, the number of financial institutions reporting that they service state-legal marijuana businesses has declined, federal data released last month shows.
 

Trump Grants Clemency To Marijuana Prisoners On Last Day In Office


As one of his final acts in the White House, President Trump on Wednesday announced that he has granted clemency to dozens more people with marijuana and drug convictions.

The latest batch of pardons and commutations is the product of a push from advocates, celebrities and even some Republican lawmakers, who coordinated with White House staff over the course of Trump’s administration.

In a letter sent to the president in November, the coalition noted the president’s comments supporting bipartisan legislation to protect state cannabis programs from federal intervention and argued that congressional gridlock meant that those most harmed under federal prohibition would go without relief unless executive action was taken.

They also attached a list of people incarcerated in federal prison who they felt were most deserving of clemency—an addendum that was requested by the office of Trump senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner. Now the White House has granted relief to several of those names.

One of the people on that list, Craig Cesal, was granted clemency for his cannabis conviction that landed him a life sentence.

“It feels like a new life, even though I don’t even know the terms yet,” Cesal, who received a call about the news on Tuesday evening from Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter, told Marijuana Moment. “Just to know that I won’t have to go back to the prison after COVID abates is a huge relief.”

Cesal was released to home confinement in June.

“Many, many marijuana activists have worked for years to make this happen for me, with the Last Prisoner Project helping recently with my reintegration into society,” he said. “My release and my clemency is due solely to the efforts of many marijuana activist groups, and I thank each and every one of them.”

Another recipient of the presidential action is Michael Pelletier, who has served 14 years of a life sentence over a federal marijuana conviction. He’s been a paraplegic since age 11 and is currently 64.

Weldon Angelos, an activist who received a presidential pardon for a federal marijuana conviction last month and has been involved in the White House talks about further clemency, told Marijuana Moment that he’s been encouraged by the progress that advocates have been able to make.

However, one person he fought especially hard for—Luke Scarmazzo, who was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for operating a state-legal medical cannabis business in California—did not make Wednesday’s clemency list. Angelos said it’s possible he was passed up at the last minute, or that he will be granted relief in another round of clemency on Wednesday.

Although Trump would need to sign any grant of relief prior to the end of his term at noon, there is no requirement in federal law that it be publicly announced by that time in order to take effect.

“He was following state law—and they used his case to send the message,” Angelos said, of Scarmazzo. “He got charged under a kingpin statute, as though he was a cartel member, rather than providing medicinal cannabis for people that needed it.”

In all, 12 people with marijuana-related convictions were included in the latest round of clemency actions, and more than two dozen others with other drug offenses on their records were also granted pardons or commutations.

Of course, while Trump campaigned during his reelection bid as the criminal justice reform candidate, certain administrative actions have raised questions about that—such as the revival of federal executions for people on death row. He hasn’t done anything to proactively promote marijuana policy reform either, and has taken a number of hostile budget actions related to cannabis while also hiring several key officials who hold anti-legalization views.

Asked what message he felt resonated with the White House when it came to presidential clemency for nonviolent drug offenders, Angelos said he thinks Trump “is not a typical politician, and so he doesn’t make the same political calculations as other presidents.”

“I think Trump was also very skeptical of the government,” he said, as well as the criminal proceedings that land people in prison for lengthy sentences over minor crimes.

As with his last batch of pardons and commutations, it’s possible that these particular actions for people with drug-related convictions will be overshadowed by the slew of other clemency decisions that are rolling out, such as one for former Trump advisor Steve Bannon.

And at the same time that Angelos was pardoned last month, Trump gave clemency to allies and controversial figures such as Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, former Republican members of Congress and the team of four private military contractors convicted of killing 17 Iraqi civilians in the 2007 Nisour Square massacre.

But advocates—including Angelos and Alice Johnson, who also received a presidential commutation in 2018—are going to take their wins where they can get them.

Wednesday was “a day to honor mercy and justice, a day to celebrate the second chance given to many deserving individuals, and the families and communities who have been reunited with their loved ones,” Johnson said in a press release.

“While we celebrate today, let us not forget we still have laws in place that put nonviolent people in prison for life and there remain thousands behind bars today, who have paid their debt to society and who deserve a second chance to return home,” she added. “Today is just more fuel for the fire in my heart to continue to fight for those who have no voice.”

The 2020 letter that informed some of the new cannabis-related clemency actions was supported by Republican state lawmakers from Kansas, Maine and Missouri, as well as a former U.S. attorney, actor Danny Trejo, the New Haven, Missouri police chief and former New Mexico governor and former presidential candidate Gary Johnson. They were joined by representatives of groups like #cut50, Marijuana Policy Project and Law Enforcement Action Partnership.

Activists are cautiously optimistic that between the new Democratic Senate and the incoming presidential administration, this trend of drug war relief will continue. Despite a history of championing punitive anti-drug legislation during his time as a senator, President-elect Joe Biden has called those efforts a mistake and now backs some modest marijuana reforms.

Read the full list of new marijuana-related pardons and commutations
below:


Ferrell Damon Scott – President Trump commuted the sentence of Ferrell Damon Scott. This commutation is supported by former Acting United States Attorney Sam Sheldon, who prosecuted his case and wrote that he “… strongly does not believe that [Mr. Scott] deserves a mandatory life sentence.” Ms. Alice Johnson, the CAN-DO Foundation, and numerous others also support clemency for Mr. Scott. Mr. Scott has served nearly 9 years of a life imprisonment sentence for possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Under today’s sentencing guidelines, it is likely that Mr. Scott would not have received such a harsh sentence.

John Knock – President Trump commuted the sentence of John Knock. This commutation is supported by his family. Mr. Knock is a 73 year-old man, a first-time, non-violent marijuana only offender, who has served 24 years of a life sentence. Mr. Knock has an exemplary prison history, during which he completed college accounting classes and has had zero incident reports.

Anthony DeJohn – President Trump commuted the sentence of Anthony DeJohn. Mr. DeJohn has served more than 13 years of a life sentence for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Mr. DeJohn has maintained a clear disciplinary record and has been recognized for his outstanding work ethic while incarcerated. Mr. DeJohn has employment and housing available to him upon release.

Corvain Cooper – President Trump commuted the sentence of Mr. Corvain Cooper. Mr. Cooper is a 41 year-old father of two girls who has served more than 7 years of a life sentence for his non-violent participation in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Way Quoe Long – President Trump commuted the sentence of Way Quoe Long. Mr. Long is a 58 year-old who has served nearly half of a 50-year sentence for a non-violent conviction for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana. Mr. Long has spent his incarceration striving to better himself through English proficiency classes and by obtaining his GED. Upon release, Mr. Long will reunite with his family and will be strongly supported as he integrates back into the community.

Michael Pelletier – President Trump commuted the sentence of Michael Pelletier. Mr. Pelletier is a 64 year-old who has served 12 years of a 30 year sentence for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Mr. Pelletier has maintained a clear disciplinary record, has thrived as an artist working with oil paints on canvas, and has taken several courses to perfect his skill while incarcerated. Upon his release, Mr. Pelletier will have a meaningful place of employment and housing with his brother.

Craig Cesal – President Trump commuted the sentence of Craig Cesal. Mr. Cesal is a father of two, one of whom unfortunately passed away while he was serving his life sentence for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Mr. Cesal has had an exemplary disciplinary record and has become a paralegal assistant and a Eucharistic Minister in the Catholic Church to assist and guide other prisoners. Upon his release, Mr. Cesal looks forward to reintegrating back into society and to contributing to his community while living with his daughter with whom he has remained close. Mr. Cesal hopes to be a part of her upcoming wedding.

Brian Simmons – President Trump commuted the sentence of Brian Simmons. Mr. Simmons has served 5 years of a 15 year sentence for a non-violent conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana. Mr. Simmons has had an exemplary prison record and upon release will have strong support from his fiancée and his community.

James Romans – President Trump commuted the sentence of James Romans. Mr. Romans is a father and a grandfather who received a life sentence without parole for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Mr. Romans has had an exemplary disciplinary record for the more than 10 years he has served, and has completed a long list of courses. He has already secured job opportunities that will help him successfully re-enter society.

Jonathon Braun – President Trump commuted the sentence of Jonathan Braun. Mr. Braun has served 5 years of a 10-year sentence for conspiracy to import marijuana and to commit money laundering. Upon his release, Mr. Braun will seek employment to support his wife and children.

Noah Kleinman – President Trump commuted the sentence of Noah Kleinman. Mr. Kleinman is a 45-year old father of two children. The mother of his children unfortunately passed away during Mr. Kleinman’s incarceration. Mr. Kleinman has served 6 years of a nearly 20 year sentence for a non-violent crime to distribute marijuana. Mr. Kleinman has had an exemplary prison history and has worked to remain close to his children and his father. Upon release, he looks forward to living with his father, working for the family business, and caring for his children.

Lynn Barney – President Trump granted a full pardon to Lynn Barney. This pardon is supported by Senator Mike Lee, as well as numerous notable members of the Utah business community. Mr. Barney was sentenced to 35 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon, after having previously been convicted for distributing a small amount of marijuana. Since his release from prison, Mr. Barney has been a model citizen and has devoted himself to his work and children. He is described by his employer as an exceedingly hard worker and a role model to other employees.
 

Congressman Files First Federal Marijuana Reform Bill Of 2021


The first marijuana reform bill of the new Congress was introduced this week. It’s not the comprehensive legalization legislation that advocates are waiting for, but it would reschedule cannabis under federal law.

Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) filed the proposal, which is identical to a measure he sponsored last session. It would simply move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

Text of the legislation, which has not yet been posted on Congress’s website but was shared with Marijuana Moment, states that “the Attorney General of the United States shall, by order not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this section, transfer marijuana…from schedule I of such Act to schedule III of such Act.”

When the congressman introduced the bill in 2019, he said the state-level legalization movement necessitated a policy change that would free up research into cannabis.

“As marijuana is legalized for medical and recreational use across the United States, it is important that we study the effects of the substance and the potential impacts it can have on various populations,” he said at the time. “By rescheduling marijuana from a schedule I controlled substance to a schedule III controlled substance, the opportunities for research and study are drastically expanded.”

But while rescheduling is backed by President Joe Biden, who remains opposed to adult-use legalization, it’s not the reform that advocates are getting behind. There are high hopes that a more comprehensive completely remove marijuana from the CSA—while promoting social equity—will move through the 117th Congress.

A bill to accomplish that cleared the U.S. House of Representatives last year, but it died in the GOP-controlled Senate. Now that Democrats have control of both chambers, activists are waiting for the legislation to be taken back up with a better chance of making it to Biden’s desk.

That bill—the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act—was sponsored by now-Vice President Kamala Harris, though she’s indicated that she would not necessarily push the president to adopt a pro-legalization position.

While moving marijuana to Schedule III under Steube’s new bill would not end federal prohibition in the way the MORE Act would, it would still have a number of effects.

It would, for example, protect federal employees who use marijuana from a Reagan-era executive order that defines illegal drugs as Schedule I or II substances.

And only drugs under Schedules I and II are affected by the tax provision known as “280E” that blocks cannabis companies from deducting businesses expenses from their taxes.

Reclassification would also make scientific research easier, since cannabis’s current Schedule I status creates additional hurdles for studies.

Moving cannabis out of Schedule I would additionally end threats from the U.S. Postal Service that publishers have faced over the mailing of newspapers containing marijuana advertisements, since the federal statute the agency has cited to justify its actions applies only to Schedule I substances.

But modest rescheduling alone would not remove federal criminal penalties. Advocates have also expressed concerns that any move other than a complete removal from the CSA could create additional regulatory roadblocks for cannabis businesses that are operating in compliance with state laws.

Read the text of the new marijuana rescheduling bill by following title link and scrolling to the bottom of the article.
 
12 cannabis prisoners pardoned from their sentences

When President Donald Trump issued his last-minute pardons early Wednesday morning, much of the attention went to the official forgiveness he lavished on his friends and cronies. But for a few people convicted of past marijuana-related offenses, Trump’s relentlessly stormy tenure also ended on an upbeat note. Among the 143 people Trump granted pardons or commuted sentences were 12 whose lives were upended by the nation’s failed drug war.

Advocates hailed the move. “These pardons and commutations, especially when considered in light of the recent momentum behind legalization on the state level, are further evidence of the overwhelming bipartisan support for broad-based cannabis policy reforms,” said Sarah Gersten, executive director and general counsel of the Last Prisoner Project, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to cannabis criminal-justice reform.

Gersten noted that she hopes more of the same is coming from the incoming president, with about 40,000 people “still suffering behind bars due to our country’s unjust and inequitable policy of cannabis criminalization.”

12 set free and unburdened​

Trump’s pardons, announced with less than 12 hours to go in his term, will free 10 men and one women from prison, and pardon another who was already released.

Those who received pardons or commutations are listed below.

Craig Cesal, 61 years old​

Craig Cesal has been serving a life sentence for possession and conspiracy to distribute cannabis. The Chicago-area resident was a nonviolent offender who told the Washington Post: “My crime was that my truck repair business in Chicago fixed trucks operated by a Florida long-haul trucking company whose drivers trafficked marijuana in the south.”

Craig Cesal, a trucking repair company owner, was serving a life sentence for a marijuana trafficking conviction in the early 2000s. (Photo courtesy Last Prisoner Project)
In 2002, U.S. border agents at a checkpoint in Texas discovered 1,500 pounds of marijuana wedged into a hidden compartment in one of his trucks. DEA agents trailed the truck to Georgia, where the cannabis was delivered. Cesal told the Chicago Sun-Times that he “never received any direct revenue from marijuana.”

The White House said Cesal “had an exemplary disciplinary record” and “looks forward to reintegrating back into society and to contributing to his community.”

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Ferrell Damon Scott, 58 years old​

Ferrell Damon Scott had served nearly nine years of a life sentence for possession with intent to distribute marijuana when Trump commuted the rest of his sentence.

Ferrell Scott: Life in prison for doing a job that’s legal in post-prohibition states today. (Photo courtesy of Last Prisoner Project)
In 2007, according to Scott’s account, he was arrested for transporting shipments of cannabis, which today is a legal job in dozens of states. Scott turned down a plea deal for 12 years—reasoning that that was too much time for a marijuana offense—and wound up facing life behind bars.

Trump’s statement noted that the prosecutor who tried his case “strongly does not believe that [Mr. Scott] deserves a mandatory life sentence,” and that under today’s sentencing guidelines, Scott “would not have received such a harsh sentence.”

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Corvain Cooper, 41 years old​

Corvain Cooper served more than 7 years of a life sentence for nonviolent participation in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana. After growing up in South Central Los Angeles, Cooper opened his own retail clothing store in his old neighborhood. In 2013, he was arrested for playing a minor role in a marijuana distribution operation.

Corvain Cooper, a clothing retailer, was hit with a federal three-strikes sentence after a minor marijuana arrest. (Courtesy of Last Prisoner Project)
By refusing to name others, and by choosing a trial rather than accepting a plea deal, he wound up with a three-strikes sentence far worse than his more-culpable co-conspirators.

If his trial took place today, the judge could have followed “his stated desire for a sentence less than mandatory life,” according to the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Instead, Cooper was sentenced to life in federal prison. The original arrest charges that led to his life sentence are today treated as a misdemeanor under California state law.

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John Knock, 73 years old​

John Knock is a first-time, nonviolent, marijuana-only offender who served 24 years of a life sentence.

He was convicted on conspiracy charges related to a plot to import cannabis from Canada and Europe.

Knock wrote on a website requesting clemency: “I have been incarcerated for this offense for twenty years and am no doubt approaching the twilight of my life… I beg for mercy, compassion and forgiveness and a chance for a second chapter in my life.”

John Knock was scheduled to live out the rest of his life in federal prison. (Photo courtesy Last Prisoner Project)

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James Romans, 49 years old​

After his arrest in 2010, James Romans was sentenced to life in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Romans was working low-wage construction jobs in suburban Indianapolis in 2004, struggling to support his kids by selling cannabis on the side. Eventually Romans joined a larger distribution ring, where he worked as a middleman, relaying money from about 15 lower-level dealers to an old friend who acted as his boss.

Jimmy Romans dealt weed to make ends meet. He knew there were risks, but didn’t figure life in prison was one of them. (Photo courtesy of candoclemency.com)
“I knew there could always be consequences,” Romans told a HuffingtonPost reporter in 2013, but he never imagined his role would lead to life in prison.

The Huffpost reported that the federal judge in his case pointedly ignored a movement toward lessening marijuana sentences. “ “I think it’s misguided, the places that have” lowered cannabis sentences, she said. “So I don’t agree with that.” She added: “I think a life sentence is appropriate in this instance.”

Read more about Jimmy Roman’s story at the Can-Do Justice for Clemency Foundation’s website.

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Michael Pelletier, 64 years old​

Michael Pelletier was 13 years into a life sentence when Trump commuted the rest of his prison time.

Michael Pelletier: A self-taught artist whose work helped fund his campaign for clemency. (Photo courtesy of Last Prisoner Project)
According to officials at the Last Prisoner Project:

“After losing the ability to use his legs at a young age, Michael discovered the therapeutic benefits of cannabis. He was arrested for importing marijuana from Canada to the US and because of two prior marijuana charges, received life in prison without parole.”

Pelletier is a self taught artist whose work can be seen and purchased on his website.

He was already under consideration for release from federal prison in Maine because of health issues. He was serving time for distribution and conspiracy convictions and had a spotless disciplinary record.

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Noah Kleinman, 45 years old​

Trump commuted the sentence of Noah Kleinman six years into a nearly 20-year prison term. Kleinman was convicted of illegally distributing marijuana in California in 2014.

Kleinman worked outside the lines during California’s medical marijuana years, using legitimate medical dispensaries as a cover to run bulk shipments of illicit cannabis to non-legal states like New York and Pennsylvania.

A federal judge sentenced him to more than 17 years in prison. Read more about his story at pow420.com and the Los Angeles Times.

Noah Kleinman ran illicit cannabis shipments to the East Coast using a California medical marijuana dispensary as cover. He was serving more than 17 years in federal prison. (Photo courtesy of pow420.com)

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Way Quoe Long, 58 years old​

Way Quoe Long is a a non-violent offender who has been serving one of the toughest sentences for cannabis ever handed down in a federal court. By the time of his pardon this week, he’d served almost 25 years of his 50-year sentence for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana.

Way Quoe Long has served 25 years of a 50-year sentence for marijuana distribution, one of the harshest sentences for a cannabis offense. (Photo courtesy of Last Prisoner Project)
The Last Prisoner Project wrote that “Way Quoe Long is serving a de facto life sentence for a nonviolent, marijuana-only offense.”

LPP notes that “Long spends his time in prison performing and writing music. He is currently writing an album entitled Rose Among Thorns. Though he has no means of recording from prison, he hopes one day the world may be able to hear his music. Way is currently being assisted through LPP’s compassionate release program.”

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Anthony DeJohn, 46 years old​

After more than 13 years in prison, Anthony DeJohn will be released from a life sentence imposed for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. More of his story can be found at the website pow420.com.

Anthony DeJohn, right, in an undated photo courtesy of Change.org.

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Brian Simmons​

Brian Simmons served five years of a 15-year sentence arising from a non-violent drug offense. He was sentenced in 2013 for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cannabis.

Jonathan Braun​

Jonathan Braun served five years of his 10-year sentence before receiving Trump’s commutation. He was convicted of conspiracy to important marijuana and to commit money laundering.

Lynn Barney​

Lynn Barney was given a full pardon after having already served 35 months in prison. He was sentences for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, having previously been arrested for distributing a small amount of marijuana. Trump’s statement described him as a “model citizen.”
 

GOP Congressman Files Bill To Protect Veterans Who Use Medical Marijuana From Losing Benefits


A Republican congressman has filed the second piece of marijuana reform legislation to be introduced so far in the new 117th Congress—this one aimed at ensuring that military veterans aren’t penalized for using medical cannabis in compliance with state law.

The proposal from Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL), who filed a more expansive version of the measure last year, would also codify that U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors are allowed to discuss the risks and benefits of marijuana with their patients.

VA doctors are currently permitted to discuss cannabis with patients and document their usage in medical records, and those veteran patients are already shielded by agency policy from losing their benefits for marijuana use—but the new bill would enshrine these policiesinto federal statute so they could not be administratively changed in the future.

That said, the version Steube introduced last year contained a notable provision that further allowed VA physicians to formally fill out written recommendations for marijuana.

But that language was omitted from this year’s bill, which could create barriers to access given that most state medical cannabis programs require a written recommendation, meaning many veterans would have to outsource their healthcare to a non-VA provider in order to qualify for legal access to marijuana.

Carson Steelman, communications director in Steube’s office, told Marijuana Moment that removing that component was politically necessary to advance the previous version through a House committee last year as an amendment to another bill.

“This bill was able to pass through markup with the removal of that portion,” he said. “Many members had concerns regarding it so in order to move this bill swiftly this Congress, we introduced it without that portion.”

Doug Distaso, executive director of the Veterans Cannabis Project, applauded Steube for the overall bill, saying that “we consistently see, on a daily basis, a denial of veteran benefits ranging from medical prescriptions to VA loans, solely because a veteran is participating in a state-approved marijuana program or working in the cannabis industry.”

“However, we are disappointed that specific language on Veterans Affairs provider-issued cannabis recommendations was removed from this bill, since these are the providers upon whom veterans rely for full, integrated treatment and care—including cannabis,” he told Marijuana Moment.

But while the absence of language around discussing and recommending medical marijuana isn’t ideal from advocates’ perspective, the bill would still be a modest step for veterans, making it so VA could not move to deny them benefits for using cannabis in accordance with state law.

The Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act had 19 cosponsors last session, including eight Republicans and 11 Democrats.

This is the second piece of marijuana reform legislation that’s been introduced so far in the new Congress, both of which are sponsored by Steube. His first bill would simply require that cannabis be moved from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act—a move that the congressman said would free up research into the plant.

That proposal is identical to legislation he filed last year.

While rescheduling is backed by President Joe Biden, who remains opposed to adult-use legalization, it’s not the reform that advocates are getting behind. There are high hopes that a more comprehensive completely remove marijuana from the CSA—while promoting social equity—will move through the 117th Congress.

A bill to accomplish that cleared the U.S. House of Representatives last year, but it died in the GOP-controlled Senate. Now that Democrats have control of both chambers, activists are waiting for the legislation to be taken back up with a better chance of making it to Biden’s desk.

That bill—the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act—was sponsored by now-Vice President Kamala Harris, though she’s indicated that she would not necessarily push the president to adopt a pro-legalization position.

Read the text of the veterans-focused marijuana bill by following title link and scrolling to the bottom of the article.
 

UN removes cannabis from list of most dangerous substances


The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) has voted to remove cannabis from the list of the most dangerous substance.
According to the UN news portal, in reviewing a series of World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations on cannabis and its derivatives, CND zeroed in on the decision to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
Under the schedule, cannabis was listed alongside specific deadly, addictive opioids, including heroin, recognised as having little to no therapeutic purpose.
“The 53 member states of the CND, the UN’s central drug policy making body, voted to remove cannabis from that schedule where it had been placed for 59 years and to which the strictest control measures apply that generally discouraged its use for medical purposes,” reads the information on the UN news portal.



The decision made in late December has opened the door to recognising the medicinal and therapeutic potential of the drug, although its use for non-medical and non-scientific purposes continues to remain illegal.
In January 2019, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director General, made a series of recommendations to the UN to update the scope of control of cannabis and cannabis-related substances.

The recommendations reflect the emerging therapeutic role of cannabis-based medicines whilst continuing to prevent diversion, misuse, and other public-health related harms that may arise from cannabis use.
Cannabis advantages
According to CNN website, animal studies have shown some marijuana extracts may kill certain cancer cells, other cell studies show it may stop cancer growth, and marijuana can also prevent the nausea that often accompanies chemotherapy treatment used to treat cancer.
Using marijuana or some of the chemicals in the plant may help prevent muscle spasms, pain, tremors and stiffness, according to early-stage, mostly observational studies involving animals, lab tests and a small number of human patients, among others.
Last year, this newspaper learnt that some companies have already engaged themselves in growing cannabis although there has not been Cabinet decision made regarding the new guidelines for medical marijuana growing.
An August 21, 2019, Ministry of Internal Affairs letter stated that Urban Properties Limited is growing cannabis experimentally as well as Prime Ranchers.
Industrial Hemp (U) Ltd, a private firm working with an Israel company, Together Pharma Ltd, is growing and processing marijuana from its Kasese facility. The company was given the licence in 2016.
When contacted yesterday of what became of the guidelines regarding the growth of medical marijuana in Uganda, Dr Ruth Jane Aceng, the Health minister, said the guidelines have not yet been approved by Cabinet. CaAsked why the Cabinet decision has not yet been made, Dr Aceng said: “A decision will be taken some day.”
 

Democratic Senate Leaders Announce Steps To Federally Legalize Marijuana In 2021


Three leading champions of marijuana reform in Congress said on Monday that the issue will be prioritized in the new Democratic Senate this year and that they plan to release draft legislation in the coming weeks to begin a conversation about what the federal policy change will look like.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said in a joint statement that ending cannabis prohibition “is necessary to right the wrongs of this failed war and end decades of harm inflicted on communities of color across the country,” but that alone “is not enough.”

The lawmakers, each of whom has advocated for federal legalization, said that “we must also enact measures that will lift up people who were unfairly targeted in the War on Drugs,” especially as more states opt to legalize.

“We are committed to working together to put forward and advance comprehensive cannabis reform legislation that will not only turn the page on this sad chapter in American history, but also undo the devastating consequences of these discriminatory policies,” they said. “The Senate will make consideration of these reforms a priority.”


We can't address our country's racial inequality crisis without ending the outdated, dangerous war on drugs and its disproportionate impact on Black and Brown Americans. @SenSchumer@SenBooker and I are going to introduce legislation to do just that. https://t.co/IjYWQx6ide
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) February 1, 2021


This is a narrative that’s been building in recent months, with Schumer saying on several occasions both before and after the election that he would work to move reform legislationwith his new power to control the Senate floor agenda. Since Democrats secured a majority in the chamber, the stage is set for action.

“In the early part of this year, we will release a unified discussion draft on comprehensive reform to ensure restorative justice, protect public health and implement responsible taxes and regulations,” the senators said. “Getting input from stakeholder groups will be an important part of developing this critical legislation.”

A bill to federally deschedule cannabis cleared the House last year, but it did not advance in the GOP-controlled Senate. Lawmakers like Schumer and Booker stressed that Democrats reclaiming a majority in the chamber was an imperative for any comprehensive reform to pass this year.

“After years of marijuana policy reform being neglected and mocked by [Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)] it is heartening to see these Senate leaders working together to repeal the senseless and cruel policy of marijuana prohibition,” NORML Political Director Justin Strekal said.

“We look forward to constructively engaging with Congressional leaders, other organizations, and those communities that have historically been most impacted by criminalization in order to ensure that we craft the strongest and most comprehensive bill possible to right the wrongs of the nearly a century of federal cannabis prohibition,” he said.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), who has spent decades working to end marijuana prohibition and is a co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, said in a press release that he’s encouraged that Senate’s new majority is “prepared to move forward together on comprehensive cannabis legislation.”


Very excited that our champions in the Senate, @SenSchumer, @SenBooker & @RonWyden, are prepared to move forward together on comprehensive cannabis legislation.
The MORE Act – a product of years of work with advocates, cannabis industry leaders, & states – is a great foundation.
— Earl Blumenauer (@repblumenauer) February 1, 2021


He added that the House-passed Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act to legalize marijuana “is a great foundation” for reform in the 117th Congress. The new legislation would likely be referred to Wyden’s panel, the Senate Finance Committee, for consideration once introduced.

“We look forward to working with the Senate to refine the bill, advance its core principles, and end the federal prohibition of cannabis once and for all,” Blumenauer said. “The missing ingredient in cannabis reform has been Senate action. To finally have the active leadership of the new Senate majority leader, rather than being stuck in McConnell’s legislative graveyard, makes all the difference in the world.”


The missing ingredient in cannabis reform has been Senate action.
To finally have the active leadership of the new Senate majority leader, rather than being stuck in McConnell’s legislative graveyard, makes all the difference in the world.
— Earl Blumenauer (@repblumenauer) February 1, 2021


Recent comments from the Schumer, the majority leader, indicate that whatever bill is filed will likely include components of multiple pieces of legislation from the last Congress, which he said are actively being merged.

With Democrats in control, advocates and lawmakers are preparing for a deluge in marijuana reform proposals that could see floor action and make their way to President Joe Biden’s desk.

Although the president does not support full legalization and only backs relatively modest cannabis reforms, advocates are hopeful that he would not veto or seek to undermine any broad marijuana legislation that congressional leaders decide to prioritize.

Already in 2021, two congressional marijuana bills have been filed: one to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act and another to prevent the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from denying veterans benefits solely because they use medical marijuana in compliance with state law.

Read the full joint statement on Senate marijuana reform priorities below:

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cory Booker, D-N.J., Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., issued the following joint statement regarding comprehensive cannabis reform legislation in the 117th Congress:

“The War on Drugs has been a war on people—particularly people of color. Ending the federal marijuana prohibition is necessary to right the wrongs of this failed war and end decades of harm inflicted on communities of color across the country. But that alone is not enough. As states continue to legalize marijuana, we must also enact measures that will lift up people who were unfairly targeted in the War on Drugs.

“We are committed to working together to put forward and advance comprehensive cannabis reform legislation that will not only turn the page on this sad chapter in American history, but also undo the devastating consequences of these discriminatory policies. The Senate will make consideration of these reforms a priority.

“In the early part of this year, we will release a unified discussion draft on comprehensive reform to ensure restorative justice, protect public health and implement responsible taxes and regulations. Getting input from stakeholder groups will be an important part of developing this critical legislation.”
 
"McConnell has fought like a dog to keep the Democrats from squashing the filibuster this year, and rightfully so. It’s the only way he can still control the Senate as minority leader."

Holy hell.....do they not teach civics to budding young cub MJ reporters these days? If a person is going to write about filibusters in the Senate, it would be EVER so helpful if they at least understood the historical justification for this procedure which BOTH parties have utilized extensively in the past.

I feel the same when I read some ignorant article about the Electoral College from an author who has absolutely no fucking idea why this was established in the Constitution (yes, children...that is indeed where it is enshrined).

Does Democratic Senate Really Have Enough Power To Legalize Marijuana Nationwide?


Democrats will still need to work closely with Republicans to garner enough support for legal weed. But divisiveness will make that difficult.

Democratic Senate leadership has vowed to legalize marijuana at the federal level in 2021. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer with Senators Cory Booker and Ron Wyden announced earlier this week that they will soon introduce legislation to end marijuana prohibition nationwide. This is precisely what cannabis advocates hoped would happen when the Democrats took control over the Senate and knocked Mitch McConnell down a notch.

Now all the Democrats have to do is hold a few hearings, shuffle some papers around and vote on a cannabis-related bill, and marijuana will be as good as legal in the eyes of the U.S. government, right? It’s more complicated than that.

One of the main problems in getting anything marijuana-oriented through Congress this year is the Democrats really don’t have the power to get it done. Sure, Senate Majority Leader Schumer has made some media appearances and discussed how marijuana reform is a priority for the Senate, but that doesn’t mean much. Any bill the Democrats put on the table might not have the votes required to pass. The Senate is evenly divided this session, with Vice President Kamala Harris being the tiebreaker. This means that Democrats will still need to work closely with Republicans to garner enough support for legal weed. But divisiveness will make that difficult.

And then, there’s Mitch McConnell and his gang of cronies. Even though McConnell is no longer the majority leader, rest assured he can still cause problems for marijuana legalization. You might recall hearing a lot of noise recently about a filibuster. It’s a rule that allows Senators to engage in lengthy debates to stall or prevent legislation with majority support from passing. McConnell has fought like a dog to keep the Democrats from squashing the filibuster this year, and rightfully so. It’s the only way he can still control the Senate as minority leader. For now, the filibuster lives. And it will need to continue living if Democrats expect to get anything accomplished.



“I made clear that if Democrats ever attack the key Senate rules, it would drain the consent and comity out of the institution,” McConnell Tweeted last week. “A scorched-earth Senate would hardly be able to function.”
Senator Mitch McConnell Congratulates Biden, But Will He Work With Him On Weed?

Photo by Caroline Brehman-Pool/Getty Images
Although we do not understand the full extent of the marijuana legalization package that the Democratic-controlled Senate plans to introduce in the coming months, one thing is sure: Anything designed to legalize marijuana at the national level will require bipartisan support to go the distance.
This means getting McConnell and his followers on board in some manner. Even if the Democrats can get close to collecting the necessary votes to move marijuana legislation in the upper chamber, the filibuster could still sabotage the deal. McConnell, who has, for years, prevented marijuana-related bills from taking shape in the Senate, has probably already considered the filibuster his lifeline to stopping the legal cannabis industry from gaining ground.
What Chuck Schumer Can Do For Marijuana As Senate Majority Leader

Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Furthermore, just because Senate leadership introduces a marijuana legalization bill doesn’t mean it has the White House’s support. And it’s going to need it. President Biden hasn’t expressed any interest in full steam ahead legalization. He has, instead, given every indication that he would side with modest marijuana reforms intended to keep people out of jail for weed. Biden is all about looking at the research. He wants to see more scientific involvement on the cannabis scene before signing off on anything that allows a taxed and regulated marijuana market to take hold.

It’s possible that Vice President Harris, a big supporter of ending marijuana prohibition, could influence Biden to accept broader reforms. But she has indicated that she wouldn’t pressure him on any issue if it came down to it. Unfortunately, getting a full steam marijuana legalization law on the books in 2021 is going to prove challenging.

Unless the Democrats have devised some brilliant scheme to package it in much larger legislation, like a far-reaching criminal justice bill. Even then, the chances of it passing are slim. But let’s wait and see what they have up their sleeves. America might be pleasantly surprised.
 
@arb so true, indoctrination is even more prevalent in schools today, where being told what to think is the way over teaching students How to think. Schools now have liberal arts courses on gender studies! The color of one's skin or using the correct pronoun is more important than is learning to balance one's proverbial Checkbook, why don't students learn finance or banking laws in school?? Peasants can't learn how the game works.. Up is down black is white today.
I digress, why has the white house been lights out over the past week during the evening hours?
 
Well.....FUCK YEAH!! haha

Americans Would Prefer Legal Marijuana To $15 Minimum Wage


Some of the latest Gallup polls show marijuana legalization has the powerhouse support of around 68% of the U.S. population.
America has spoken, and contrary to what some might believe, most aren’t all that interested in seeing the minimum wage increase to $15 per hour. Instead, they think the federal government should prioritize the nationwide legalization of marijuana and allow pot products to be taxed and regulated like alcohol. Although this focus might sound strange, a new survey from the folks at Emerson College Polling shows a majority of the population sees the economic value in legal weed.



According to the poll, 61% of the population believes the United States should legalize the leaf for recreational use. This concept is similar to what has been done in several states, whereby adults 21 and older can purchase cannabis just like they do with beer. Still, nearly 40% of the respondents agreed that legalization isn’t the way to go. Many believe that Uncle Sam should rejoin the Paris accord, give undocumented immigrants more straightforward access to citizenship and move ahead with the $15 minimum wage. But they don’t see the big picture.
could marijuana legalization unite a divided country

Photo by strelov/Getty Images
The fact that marijuana was among the highest-ranking issues for most Americans speaks volumes about how the nation perceives legalization. Presumably, respondents who think ending marijuana prohibition should be the government’s priority understand that it is a mega-job creator — especially for the dying middle class — that can induce a tidal wave of economic reverberations that benefit a lot more than just the cannabis trade. Many folks see legalization as one way toward the economic recovery needed due to the coronavirus.


After all, raising the minimum wage to $15 won’t help as many Americans if the job market struggles and unemployment remains high. Most taxpayers grasp the concept of the nation needing new revenue streams to rebuild. Incidentally, the average job in the cannabis industry already starts at around $15 per hour. The growing and selling of legal marijuana has kept hundreds of thousands of families from sinking into financial ruins during the pandemic.
It makes sense to take it nationwide.
The results of the new survey should come as no surprise. Some of the latest Gallup polls show marijuana legalization has the powerhouse support of around 68% of the U.S. population. National support on this issue has consistently lingered somewhere between 60 and 65% for the past few years, which political analysts argue should force Congress to act.
It just so happens that the Democratic-controlled Senate plans to introduce a series of cannabis-related measures in 2021 to try and legalize nationwide. We do not yet understand the full extent of their intentions. Still, it does appear cannabis legalization will get some attention on Capitol Hill this year.
 
I don't know but would like to see someone who does know address this statistic along side the overall crime rates in the areas where black Americans are being disproportionately being arrested for MJ.

It is a fact....as far as I know which ain't all that far haha...that a disproportionate percentage of black Americans live in urban, often high crime, areas compared to other demographics....such as red necks! hahaha joking

I used to live in Baltimore....most of the city was black, crime of all sorts was rampant and still is, lot of "commerce" taking place on the street corners, and a lot of police presence often asked for and supported by law and peace loving black residents, and their church leaders,who would like to live and raise their children in safety as would any of us.

Same in DC where I now live in the suburbs. I live in a townhouse community and not only is NOTHING happening on the streets, there is also no regular police presence. Its dead quite. But, there are some other areas in my local county that does have high crime, high on the street activity , MS-13, and all the rest and also have a high police presence.

As Benjamin Disraeli said "There are three types of lies -- lies, damn lies, and statistics.”

Or

“Most people use statistics like a drunk man uses a lamppost; more for support than illumination”
― Andrew Lang

And my favorite person to quote....just love him

"Statistics show that of those who contract the habit of eating, very few survive"
- George Bernard Shaw



Is America’s Approach to Cannabis Racist? Study Shows It’s Worse Than You Think


A recently published study showed that Black people are 3.6x more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white people in the United States, and the gap is growing. The research, conducted by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and compiled by Joslyn Law Firm between 2010 and 2018, suggests “War on Drugs” racism still permeates cannabis law enforcement, even though 1 in 3 Americans now live in a state where marijuana is legal.


The difference between white and Black marijuana arrests rose by over 300% in 20 U.S. counties between 2010 and 2018, according to the study. In Carter, Tennessee, racial disparity in this department increased by 977%, making Black people 14x more likely to be arrested for marijuana than whites in 2018.


Of the 49 states reporting (Florida did not contribute to this study), the state with the highest racial disparity was Montana, where Black people were almost 10x more likely to be arrested for marijuana than white people. Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, and West Virginia followed close behind, with the chance of arrest for Black people above 7x what it was for white people.


Two of these states have since legalized recreational marijuana, indicating that the issue has little to do with overall attitudes toward marijuana use in these states. Cannabis became legal in Montana this November, and Illinois legalized it January, 2020.


Recreational marijuana is illegal in Kentucky, Iowa, and West Virginia. Though West Virginia has a medical marijuana program now, it had not gone into effect during the time this data was collected.


The states with the lowest racial disparities in cannabis arrests were Colorado, California, and Oregon. Recreational cannabis has been made legal in each of these states within the years this data was collected.


Brian Joslyn, Owner of Joslyn Law Firm, said areas of the country with the highest racial disparity in marijuana arrests also tend to record vague and bizarre reasons for other charges against Black people.


“All too often I see suspicious police reports that justify traffic stops and detentions of black people with suspicious justifications ultimately leading to a search and seizure of their persons. It’s these kinds of suspicious justifications that I rarely see as much when the individual is white,” Joslyn told GreenState. “I believe the data clearly shows that black people are being targeted by police. It would be impossible to suggest otherwise.”


Every year, roughly 700,000 marijuana-related arrests are made in the U.S, meaning this problem is effecting thousands of people every day.


Joslyn said he believes legalizing marijuana would only be the first step in erasing racial prejudice from cannabis charges, since law enforcement would continue to unlawfully detain and search a disproportionate number of Black people for drug impairment or other violations of cannabis law. Therefore, he believes a kind of “deep clean” of law enforcement around the country to be imperative for racial justice.


“What needs to occur are policy changes within the police departments that train and instruct officers to only pull over or detain individuals for well-established violations of law,” Joslyn said. “In addition, all officers should be equipped with both cruiser cams and body cams so their arrests can be reviewed and verified, and our state legislatures need to further work to protect individuals’ Fourth Amendment rights through the passage of laws that would raise the standards for law enforcement to search one’s persons or property.”
 
Wouldn’t you rather pay a tax on legal cannabis than a tax on food or a state income tax? We don’t have a state income tax but we have a lot of other taxes. Our fuel tax is high.

I can’t believe all these states that are trying to repeal the vote of legal cannabis. The people voted but the lawmakers are trying to determine what they think is best for their citizens.
 

NFL Explores How Marijuana And CBD Can Be Used As Opioid Alternatives For Players


The National Football League and NFL Players Association are launching an effort to learn about the potential of marijuana and its components like CBD as alternative treatment options for pain.

They’re also more generally interested in discovering how cannabis use affects athletic performance.

A request for information that was published on Tuesday states that the league’s goal is “to identify investigators who have the current capability to carry out studies aimed at supplementing the NFL-NFLPA Pain Management Committee’s (‘PMC’) knowledge about pain management and athletic performance in NFL players.”

The notice lists three areas of interest:

1. The potential therapeutic role of medications and non-pharmacological interventions that are considered to be alternatives to opioids in routine pain management of NFL players. Medications may include, but are not limited to, cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (“CBD”).

2. The impact of cannabis or cannabinoids on athletic performance in NFL players.

3. The potential therapeutic role of medications and non-pharmacological interventions that are considered adjunctive to routine post-surgical orthopedic pain management in NFL football players.

The joint NFL-NFLPA committee also noted that, in 2020, it held two informational forums on CBD “to learn about the current state of CBD science and manufacturing in North America.”

The findings of those forums weren’t definitive, as PMC found that while the non-intoxicating cannabis compound shows promise in the treatment of some forms of pain, the science doesn’t currently live up to the “hype.”

“CBD is a promising compound, but the level of its use in the United States outpaces the level of research at this point,” the committee wrote in a white paper for players. “Most of the hype about CBD is based upon results from animal studies.”

This new request for information stresses that NFL is not committing to funding any particular studies but is more generally meant to help the league find qualified scientists if it does move forward with research projects on these issues. Interested parties have until March 31 to submit relevant information.

Meanwhile, the league’s drug testing policy changed demonstrably last year as part of a collective bargaining agreement.

Under the new policy, NFL players will not face the possibility of being suspended from games over positive tests for any drug—not just marijuana.

The decision reflects a significant shift in the league’s approach to drug use by players, with the agreement emphasizing the need to focus on “ensuring evaluation and treatment” rather than punishment. Now those who test positive for drugs, exhibit behaviors that indicate drug misuse or self-refer themselves will be required to enter an “intervention program” where they would receive an evaluation and treatment plan.

Testing positive for prohibited substances after that point would result in a half-week salary loss for first violations, a one-week salary loss for second violations, a two-week salary loss for third violations and a three-week salary loss for fourth and subsequent violations. The threat of suspensions would be removed.

In a similar vein, the MLB decided in 2019 to remove cannabis from the league’s list of banned substances. Baseball players can consume marijuana without risk of discipline, but officials clarified last year that they can’t work while under the influence and can’t enter into sponsorship contracts with cannabis businesses, at least for the time being.

Meanwhile, a temporary NBA policy not to randomly drug test players for marijuana amid the coronavirus pandemic may soon become permanent, the league’s top official said in December. Rather than mandate blanket tests, Commissioner Adam Silver said the league would be reaching out to players who show signs of problematic dependency, not those who are “using marijuana casually.”
 
What kills me is that Joe Montana was allegedly the biggest pothead in the NFL and never once suffered a suspension
Larry Bird, Robert Parish (who had a quarter pound mailed to him back in the day), and Bill Walton were notorious for leaving smoke filled rooms, cars, practice sessions (Celtics players from days of yore)
Some people blamed those three for the dope famine of the 80's, real POTHEADS
 

Marijuana foes deploy new ‘playbook’ to thwart state legalization, upend election results


Efforts to thwart voter-approved marijuana legalization in Mississippi, Montana and South Dakota are evidence of a “playbook” that reflects new legal strategies and greater willingness among local government officials to nullify election results, experts say.

Those efforts – led by anti-marijuana politicians and other opponents – threaten to stop or delay the implementation of new medical and recreational cannabis markets that would generate hundreds of millions of dollars in sales a year.

In Idaho, some state lawmakers are even trying to preemptively ban marijuana legalization through an amendment to the state constitution.

Attempts to fight off challenges to ballot initiatives, particularly in conservative states, could become more costly in the future. They also could have a chilling effect on new voter-driven measures.

The hope among industry executives is that public sentiment ultimately will prevail: The five-state sweep for marijuana ballot initiatives on Nov. 3 signals that Americans strongly support legal marijuana, even in the most conservative of states.

“You have to recognize we are in red territory, and that’s part of this,” Matt Schweich, deputy director of the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), said of the recent legal challenges. MPP led ballot campaigns in Montana and South Dakota.

“At the same time, we are living in a time when democratic norms are under assault. Politicians no longer feel they have to uphold the vote.”

Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML in Washington DC, noted that in the past when there were legal battles, they generally preceded getting a marijuana measure on the ballot.

For example, a secretary of state might reject the language of an initiative or the number of valid signatures.

Also, Armentano said, anti-marijuana public officials in the past had enough clout to control the message and influence voters to reject initiatives.

But it’s a relatively new phenomenon, he said, “to have these sorts of challenges taking place following a vote … and to nullify a successful vote.”

He concurred that changing political norms could be one factor in play.

“Certainly, (former President) Trump has established that you can lose an election and continue to act like you didn’t,” Armentano said.

“Certainly, that’s a playbook that’s been shown to the world.”

But even before the November election, reluctance to implement the public’s will has been in evidence in some states.

For example, former Maine Gov. Paul LePage thwarted the implementation of adult-use legalization in the state for a couple of years.

And more recently, lawmakers in Utah enacted a much more narrow medical cannabis program than was called for by a voter-approved citizen initiative.

In a key decision, the Utah Supreme Court ruled that the governor and Legislature were within their legal rights to enact a more restrictive program, and MMJ advocates decided to drop a second challenge.

Challenges based on single-subject rule

Legal strategies clearly have shifted.

The Nebraska Supreme Court shot down a medical marijuana initiative before Nov. 3, saying it violated the state’s single-subject rule for ballot measures. That rule bars packing multiple issues into a single yes-or-no question.

Armentano noted that many states, including Colorado, have single-subject rules, and it hasn’t been an issue.

The ballot-measure system is designed, he noted, for state officials to review and approve initiative language before an election “so we don’t have an incident after the fact where the court comes in and says your vote doesn’t matter.”

But the single-subject rule has become the template for the effort by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to overturn that state’s voter-approved adult-use initiative.

In South Dakota, medical marijuana passed easily, by a margin of 68% to 32%. Recreational marijuana was the surprise: It passed by a margin of 54% to 46%.

After the election, Noem, a Republican and vocal opponent to marijuana, stepped in.

She instructed a state highway patrol official to file a legal challenge to the recreational marijuana initiative in large part based on the claim that the initiative violated the single-subject rule.

A circuit judge recently agreed the initiative is unconstitutional, and now South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, which backed the initiative, is preparing to appeal to the state Supreme Court.

“I cannot imagine our opponents are not going to make similar challenges going forward regardless of the initiative language,” Armentano said. “This is now going to be a standard part of the playbook.”

Noem hasn’t stopped there. She also has moved to delay the implementation of the medical cannabis initiative so strongly supported by voters.

“Gov. Noem doesn’t respect the will of the people,” Schweich said. “I haven’t seen a medical marijuana initiative treated like this.”

Schweich said he believes Noem’s move is a “plan to ultimately repeal and replace” the voter-approved initiative.

Mississippi legal challenge

In Mississippi, a constitutional challenge to voter-approved medical marijuana is especially egregious in Armentano’s view.

A lawsuit filed by a public official claims the medical marijuana initiative should be invalidated because it didn’t meet a state standard requiring an equal number of signatures from Mississippi’s former five congressional districts. The state lost a congressional district after the 2000 census.

Armentano noted the challenge, which will be heard by the state Supreme Court in April, is based on a signature-collection technicality that would nullify “every initiative in the past two decades.”

So, in Mississippi, “obviously there’s selectivity (against marijuana) going on,” he said.

Despite opposition to legal marijuana by many lawmakers and state officials, the state Board of Health ismoving ahead in developing regulations by July 1.

Then there’s Idaho, where the state Senate recently passed a constitutional amendment that would ban Idaho from legalizing any psychoactive drug, including marijuana. The bill now will be considered by the state House.

Schweich called that legislative effort to permanently prevent MMJ legalization an “obscene power grab.”

Montana moves forward

Montana, which also has faced legal challenges to its voter-approved recreational marijuana initiative, shows the importance of having a governor committed to upholding the vote.

Things appeared rocky when state lawmakers rejected a $1.35 million budget request to fund the state’s recreational cannabis program.

But the Montana Department of Revenue has established a website for adult-use marijuana, which says the state will begin accepting license applications by Oct. 1, as scheduled.

“So far, implementation is going fairly well,” MPP’s Schweich said. “There is a little bit of an attempt of obstruction” from lawmakers, but not from the governor.

In fact, in his recent State of the State address, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, discussed using tax revenue from recreational marijuana sales to help fund a program aimed at addressing methamphetamine and opioid addiction.

The new playbook to challenge initiatives after the fact also might have a chilling effect on the willingness of funders and donors to bankroll the initiatives, Armentano said.

“Historically, the battles were fought before the election, and it’s certainly going to increase the overall expense and resources, not just to win these campaigns but to make sure the law is actually implemented,” he said.

But there also is a silver lining – public support for legalization will make it increasingly difficult for governors and lawmakers to ignore the will of their constituents.

Armentano noted that in some ways the current effort is a “sort of Hail Mary, a last resort” to thwarting marijuana legalization.
 

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