On November 7, the day after Democrats seized control of the House with what would become a 40-seat swing, President Trump fired his Attorney General, Jeff Sessions. That day, at his home in California, Smoke Wallin’s phone blew up with congratulatory calls from friends and associates celebrating the political demise of the nation’s top law […]
jeff sessions
States Hold Breath as Trump’s Attorney General Nominee Says He Won’t Prosecute Pot in Marijuana-Legal States
Marijuana companies operating legally according to state laws where the cultivation and sale of the drug is allowed will not face action by the Justice Department, nominee for Attorney General William Barr said in testimony to the Senate on Jan. 15. If Barr is confirmed and follows through, this would reverse a decision made by […]
Fifty Years: How Marijuana Became Re-Legalized In America
Part of a year-long series, longtime cannabis law reform advocate and historian Allen St. Pierre examines monthly for Cannabis Business Executive the last fifty years of cannabis prohibition and the public advocacy efforts in America to bring about the ongoing and inescapable socio-political changes underway first at the state, and soon, federal level regarding cannabis policy. […]
Tilray stock up 30% after cannabis foe Jeff Sessions resigns under pressure
Shares of major marijuana companies rallied after Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned Wednesday after months of public criticism from his boss, President Donald Trump. Canada-based Tilray closed up 30 percent while Canopy Growth and Aurora Cannabis rose 8.1 percent and 9 percent respectively. Cronos Group added 8.4 percent. “You’re happy if you’re long the cannabis stocks. He was the biggest roadblock to broadening that out to […]
Marijuana Bill Approved By Congressional Committee, Despite Drug Conviction Restriction Dispute
A powerful U.S. House panel that oversees federal drug enforcement efforts approved a bill on Thursday to require the Department of Justice and Attorney General Jeff Sessions to begin issuing more licenses to grow marijuana for research. Prior to the vote, a bitter dispute broke out over a provision of the legislation that prevents anyone with a “conviction […]
Canada Is About to Inhale the Global Pot Market. Thanks, Jeff Sessions.
In the dark of a frigid February morning on the outskirts of Ottawa, Canada, a convoy of trucks pulled up to the loading docks of a refurbished Hershey’s factory that’s now the headquarters of the world’s largest marijuana company—Canopy Growth Corp. Horticulturists in Tyvek suits began loading the vehicles with unmarked boxes, each the size of […]
DEA chief steps down, citing increasing challenges of temporary role
The acting head of the Drug Enforcement Administration told staff Monday he is retiring, saying that running the agency as a temporary fill-in had become “increasingly challenging.” Robert W. Patterson, who has worked at the DEA for 30 years, sent an email to employees Monday afternoon saying he will retire in about two weeks. Patterson […]
ICYMI: Legitimate Marijuana Reform May Be On The Horizon For . . . Congress!
By Hilary Bricken The political stars may finally be aligned to see meaningful marijuana law reform be puff-puff-passed. It seems like every year, the old pot guard in Congress tries its hand at some form of marijuana legalization. Though these sorts of actions attract headlines (and votes?), they never seem to go anywhere. But for […]
More Banks Working With Marijuana Businesses, Despite Federal Moves
The number of banks that are willing to work with marijuana businesses is steadily climbing, even after the Department of Justice revoked protections for state cannabis laws, new federal data shows. By the end of March, 411 banks and credit unions in the U.S. were “actively” operating accounts for marijuana businesses, according to a report […]
Is Legal Hemp In The Hands Of Mitch McConnell?
The future of hemp legalization is up to Mitch McConnell. Period. House supporters of the idea tried to include legalization measures into the big farm bill lawmakers have been considering, but were advised to back off McConnell’s taking care of things, they were told. Reps. Andy Barr, R-Kentucky, and James Comer, R-Kentucky, and others tried […]