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 […]
jeff sessions
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 […]
Wisconsin’s First Hemp Store Fights Attorney General To Keep Doors Open
Wisconsin’s first hemp store is open for business, but just two weeks in, the owner is fighting to keep his doors open. Joel Peterson has been told what he’s selling is illegal despite a new state law that allows farmers to grow and sell hemp. Hemp is grown for two main reasons. First, its fibers […]
House Judiciary Chair Goodlatte Co-Sponsors Medical Marijuana Bill
House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte has agreed to co-sponsor a Florida Republican’s bipartisan bill to make medical marijuana research easier, his office confirmed on Wednesday. That backing by the conservative Virginia Republican potentially bolsters the bill’s chances in the House. Representative Matt Gaetz started circulating a handout Tuesday night explaining his Medical Cannabis Research Act, […]
An Open Letter From Dr. Sanjay Gupta To Jeff Sessions On Medical Marijuana
Dear Honorable Jeff Sessions, I feel obligated to share the results of my five-year-long investigation into the medical benefits of the cannabis plant. Before I started this worldwide, in-depth investigation, I was not particularly impressed by the results of medical marijuana research, but a few years later, as I started to dedicate time with patients and […]
Trump Card: Is A Congressional Legislative Victory On The Horizon For States’ Rights And Pot?
Hopefully the Justice Department will leave state-legal marijuana businesses alone now. By HILARY BRICKEN When it comes to cannabis and this Presidential administration, it’s a bit like watching a soap opera, complete with all the drama and emotional crescendos you would expect. In this week’s episode, the rumor is that President Trump struck a deal […]
Trump, Gardner strike deal on legalized marijuana, ending standoff over Justice nominees
President Trump has promised a top Senate Republican that he will support congressional efforts to protect states that have legalized marijuana — defusing a months-long standoff between Sen. Cory Gardner and the administration over Justice Department nominees. In January, the Colorado Republican said he would block all DOJ nominations after Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued […]
