Tag: Policy & Legal

What’s the DEA’s Announcement Mean for the Future of Cannabis Research?

Posted on by AggregatedNews

When the DEA said it would open up cannabis licenses for producers, it sounded like a saving grace for pot research in America. But a look at past history begs the question, “is it just the latest obstacle?”

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency recently announced plans to expand cannabis research in the U.S. In late August, after a years-long hiatus in communications between the agency and potential growers, federal officials said they would soon resume contact with groups that have applied to register to manufacture cannabis for researchers. Continue reading “What’s the DEA’s Announcement Mean for the Future of Cannabis Research?” →

Kamala Harris Just Introduced a Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana

Posted on by AggregatedNews

More than half of all states have taken some action to legalize or decriminalize marijuana, but using the drug is still a crime under federal law. Senators, including 2020 contenders Cory Booker (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), have proposed legislation to tackle this disconnect, and on Tuesday, Kamala Harris (D-CA) joined the fray. Continue reading “Kamala Harris Just Introduced a Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana” →

The 2018 Farm Bill – What it Means for Hemp Farmers’ Tax Bill

Posted on by Ben Condon

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill) has officially been signed into law.  One of the major components of this legislation of industrial hemp.  This blog post will mainly focus on what the tax implications of this legalization and contrast tax differences of a federal legal hemp business versus a federally illegal business subject to section 280E.  Continue reading “The 2018 Farm Bill – What it Means for Hemp Farmers’ Tax Bill” →

Patents on Pot? U.S. Lawsuit Puts Cannabis Claims to the Test

Posted on by AggregatedNews

In October, the U.S. government issued Axim Biotechnologies Inc a patent for a cannabis-based suppository to treat irritable bowel syndrome.

Britain’s GW Pharmaceuticals Plc, which recently brought to market a drug derived from marijuana for epilepsy, is now seeking patent protection for another one to treat eczema.

With marijuana now fully legal in Canada and at least partially legalized in the majority of U.S. states, companies are rushing to patent new formulations of the age-old botanical.  Continue reading “Patents on Pot? U.S. Lawsuit Puts Cannabis Claims to the Test” →

Congress is going to make marijuana moves

Posted on by AggregatedNews

Despite majority public support in favor of marijuana legalization, and super-majority support in favor of medical cannabis access, members of Congress have nonetheless been reticent to move forward with any significant changes to federal pot policy. That is, until now. Continue reading “Congress is going to make marijuana moves” →

First FDA approved cannabis-based drug now available by prescription

Posted on by AggregatedNews

The first cannabis-derived medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration is now available by prescription in every state, according to its manufacturer.

Epidiolex, manufactured by GW Pharmaceuticals, is intended to treat seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy that begin in childhood. The drug is made of cannabidiol (CBD), a component of marijuana that doesn’t give users a high.

Continue reading “First FDA approved cannabis-based drug now available by prescription” →

Vancouver, Canada’s Marijuana Capital, Struggles to Tame the Black Market

Posted on by AggregatedNews

In the pot-friendly city of Vancouver, illegal marijuana dispensaries outnumber Starbucks outlets, and among the most popular is Weeds, Glass and Gifts. There, in a relaxed space reminiscent of the coffee chain, jovial “budtenders” sell coconut chocolate bars infused with marijuana and customers smoke powerful pot concentrates at a sleek dab bar. Continue reading “Vancouver, Canada’s Marijuana Capital, Struggles to Tame the Black Market” →

Has The U.S. Reached A ‘Tipping Point’ In Marijuana Legalization?

Posted on by AggregatedNews

Has the U.S. reached the “tipping point” in marijuana legalization? That’s what one CNN commentator said happened last month when, on June 26, Oklahoma adopted medical marijuana through a ballot initiative — making it the 30th state to do so, as you can see in the figure below. Continue reading “Has The U.S. Reached A ‘Tipping Point’ In Marijuana Legalization?” →

Democrats say looser marijuana laws attract young voters, and some Republicans are catching on

Posted on by AggregatedNews

Democrats are increasingly embracing looser restrictions on marijuana — and a growing number of high-profile Republicans are joining them, marking a shift in the politics of cannabis.

As Democrats try to regain control of Congress in the November elections and make gains in state races, some strategists are wagering that being firmly on the side of easing marijuana laws will help boost turnout among millennials, a key bloc in the party’s coalition. Many of those voters have sat out recent midterms. Continue reading “Democrats say looser marijuana laws attract young voters, and some Republicans are catching on” →

California could see a $643-million marijuana tax haul in first full year of legalization, Gov. Jerry Brown says

Posted on by AggregatedNews

Gov. Jerry Brown estimated Wednesday that the state will receive $643 million from excise taxes on marijuana during the first full year of legalization in California, much more than the cost to the state of issuing licenses and enforcing new rules. Continue reading “California could see a $643-million marijuana tax haul in first full year of legalization, Gov. Jerry Brown says” →