In September 2017, a group of friends announced their intention to apply for Denver’s first social cannabis consumption license, with the goal of opening a pot-friendly gaming lounge. Although it took a little longer than expected, the group behind Denver Vape and Play finally turned in their application for a Cannabis Consumption Establishment license on Thursday, June 7.
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A bill that passed the Colorado General Assembly that would’ve allowed marijuana dispensaries to open their own tasting rooms was vetoed by Governor John Hickenlooper today, June 4. HB 1258 received plenty of attention as it made its way through the state legislature and wasn’t without its detractors, but it had enough support to pass its third House and Senate readings — 39-24 and 22-12, respectively.
Of the 33 state legislators from Colorado who signed a recent letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions calling for congressional action “to protect the sovereignty of states like Colorado and ensure that marijuana businesses and consumers will be free from undue federal interference,” none were Republicans.
Advocates often say that legal marijuana has the potential to combat America’s opioid crisis, but anti-pot groups are claiming just the opposite. In a recent letter sent to legislators in states with forms of legal marijuana, drug-prevention organization Drug Free America claims that pot use is associated with an increased risk of abusing prescription opioids and warns against using medical marijuana to treat opioid-use disorder.
Banking and general financial services have been a great white whale for the cannabis industry, as financial institutions continue to be wary of the plant’s illegal status with the feds. But a recent settlement between a Colorado credit union and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City may help reel in a solution.
Dear Stoner: I ordered hemp-CBD oil online, but I got a letter in the mail saying it was intercepted by U.S. Customs. What’s the deal? Isn’t it legal now?
Garry
Back in April, Governor John Hickenlooper and the governors of three other states that have legalized recreational marijuana sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, urging them to respect the rights of states to pass such measures, and to consult with the states that have been operating under 2013’s Cole Memorandum before making any enforcement changes.
The recent arrests and legal actions against a former Marijuana Enforcement Division official and several marijuana industry license-holders here in Colorado has been touted by Attorney General Jeff Sessions as an example of why this industry is not working. In a letter to congressional leaders on May 1, he also suggested that in some way the regulated marijuana industry contributes to more illegal marijuana trafficking. In actuality, a regulated system like the one in Colorado has created a boom for us in the areas of job creation, revenue generation and increased law enforcement support, and the list goes on.
Days after a letter from Attorney General Jeff Sessions surfaced, asking congressional leaders to revoke federal protections for medical marijuana, senators have introduced a bill that would protect medical marijuana patients in states where it’s legal while also removing cannabidiol (CBD) from the Controlled Substances Act and expanding research on marijuana.
Senators Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), Al Franken (D-Minnesota) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Arkansas) introduced the Compassionate Access Research and Respect the States (CARERS) Act on June 15. The bill would protect medical marijuana users from federal prosecution, allow Department of Veterans Affairs doctors to recommend medical marijuana to veterans, and loosen multiple restrictions on cannabis research and medical compounds.
It’s part of a whole PR campaign.
Here’s your daily dose of pot news from the newsletter WeedWeek.
Ahead of his confirmation hearing for Attorney General, a public relations campaign is trying to depict Sen. Jeff Sessions as emphatically not a racist. He has long been dogged by such accusations, due in part to a statement that he was ok with the Ku Klux Klan, until he heard that they smoke pot.
Rolling Stone envisions the war on drugs under Attorney General Sessions.
Oregon is revising its product testing rules again, following complaints from companies. Nevada companies call for strict product testing.
The Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, N.Y.) reports on “ progress and hurdles” in the New York MED program. For more see here.
Maine REC opponents cancelled their recall effort. Gov. Paul LePage (R) said that with REC there’s no longer a need for a MED program. A prominent New Hampshire state senator will propose a REC bill.
Canada.com looks at how legalization up north could alter Canadian/American relations.
An Arizona judge ruled that local officials can’t use federal law to block MED dispensaries.
The city of Copenhagen is pursuing a longshot legalization push in an effort to reduce gang warfare.
Caribbean nation Dominica will consider MED legalization next year.
Denver cannabis law firm Hoban Law Group may sue the DEA over its recent CBD ruling.
Purdue Pharma, which makes Oxycontin, is expanding overseas. In the U.S., the L.A. Times remarks, opioids are a “dying business.”
Hound Labs and Cannabix Technologies are racing to perfect a cannabis breathalyzer.
Boston is another potential “ cannabis capital.” Canadian businesses are preparing for legalization.
CBD pet treats are becoming big business.
Older adults are using more cannabis, and binge drinking more too. Cannabis use may not be a good idea for those seeking long-term abatement of depression and anxiety, Colorado researchers found.
Modern Farmer hangs out with Bear Real, a Colorado hemp scientist.