3.26.2018 - History Lesson: 50 Years of Re-Legalization

CANNABIS NEWS:

Quick Rips:
+ According to The Associated Press, on March 15, a three-judge panel in Arizona’s Court of Appeals ruled to allow patients with a valid California doctor’s recommendation to have legal access to medical cannabis while they are in Arizona.
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+ Virginia is a state that is typically known for its strict approach to medical cannabis laws. However, the state’s congressional leaders and even Gov. Ralph Northam himself have approved a landmark medical cannabis expansion bill. House Bill 1251 passed both the Virginia Senate and House in February, and moved forward for the governor’s approval in the legislation on March 8. The bill allows for the application for CBD and THC-A oil for patients who are diagnosed with certain conditions. It expands the list of diagnosable conditions beyond just severe epilepsy, and now patients will be able to pick up their cannabis-derived oils from a pharmaceutical provider. Read More...
+ California cannabis has found a new consumer base in Mexico, as cannabis culture and advocacy from California is making its way south of the border. Cannabis activists are hoping that recent legalization will help shift Mexico’s politics. As more U.S. states legalize cannabis, the flow of cannabis from Mexico moving north has begun to slow and is now even reversing as more middle-class Mexican citizens and American citizens living in Tijuana are crossing the border to sample some of the famous California cannabis. Binational cannabis advocates are hosting events in Tijuana about the medical benefits of cannabis, hoping to increase support for policy changes on the plant. Medical cannabis is legal in Mexico and while recreational cannabis is still illegal, support for full legalization is growing. Recent polls have found that Mexico is slowly tilting in favor of legalization, with one-third of citizens showing support in 2016, up seven percent from 2008. Read More...
+ KAYA Farms, home to Jamaica's first legal medical cannabis dispensary, will today celebrate its grand opening at Drax Hall, St Ann with an Official ribbon-cutting and concert featuring some of Jamaica's favourite reggae artistes. Kaya Farms and sister companies, Kaya Herbhouse, Kaya Spa, Kaya Cafe and Kaya Tours offer a variety of services for Jamaicans and tourists, including the sale of marijuana for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. The grand opening of Kaya, said the owners, is considered to be a momentous occasion for Jamaica and the economy. Read More...
+ "According to the website Cannabis Benchmarks, which tracks U.S. wholesale prices, the domestic spot index of wholesale cannabis was at $1,292 per pound at the end of January. Or about $5 per gram. Read more »
+ In Sacramento, Republican Assemblyman Tom Lackey and Democratic Assemblyman Rob Bonta proposed a plan Thursday to dial back the state tax rates to encourage buyers to patronize legal shops. Read more »
+ Baltimore Sun — Just over three months since the first few medical marijuana dispensaries opened their doors amid a shortage of products and some technical difficulties, more than 30 cannabis outlets have opened in Maryland. The 34 dispensaries are maintaining regular hours and are located in all corner of the state, according to a review by The Sun. They are in a dozen counties and Baltimore City, with five more dispensaries licensed but not yet open in five jurisdictions. There are 102 dispensaries approved by the state. READ FULL STORY
+ New Jersey’s Gov. Phil Murphy is planning to legalize cannabis in his state by the end of 2018. According to NJ.com, Murphy is committed to legalizing cannabis, even though he currently lacks support from other legislators in the state. He is interested in the tax revenue that legalization could bring to his home state. Read More... 
+ Amsterdam-like lounges, cafés, social consumption areas or whatever you want to call them—are here to stay. San Francisco-based Barbary Coast Dispensary opened a cannabis lounge, and it is open for business. City officials approved onsite smoking at a handful of existing dispensaries, but efforts to control secondhand smoke has slowed the release of additional permits. Read More...  
+ Ann Arbor’s Hash Bash is not only one of America’s earliest cannabis celebrations, but one of the largest and longest-running events too. The first Hash Bash took place in 1972, predating the advent of major cannabis magazines and the social acceptance of cannabis that we now enjoy. Hash Bash is asking for donations to continue to allow the event to thrive. Proceeds go to improve its sound system with high-fidelity sound, trash removal, entertainment costs, promotional material and other costs. The goal is $4,200. Read More...
+ An unidentified Carpinteria-based cannabis cultivator has won an insurance payout of over $1 million from Brown & Brown Insurance after their crop was destroyed from the Thomas Fire that raged through Santa Barbara County and Ventura County last December.
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+ CannaCraft, Inc., has reached a $510,000 cash settlement agreement with the Sonoma County District Attorney’s office regarding issues that arose in 2016.
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+ Despite Ohio's Medical Marijuana Industry's Rocky Start, Job Excitement GrowsThe state's legal infighting is keeping some of that excitement at bay, though.
+ Cannabis for Dogs? A Look Behind The CBD Pet Treat Trend At one pet shop in Alaska, CBD pet treats make up 50 percent of gross revenue. 
+ A recently proposed California bill could pave the way for veterinarians to recommend cannabis as treatment for pets. Read More...
+ Ricky Williams Launches Cannabis-Based Wellness Brand The brand leverages Williams’ experience in holistic health and targets new cannabis consumers who use herbal remedies as wellness tools
+ Hemp has been known for its versatile applications for some time now, and was unfairly demonized during prohibition. Hempearth has joined forces with Florida-based Velocity Inc. and built a plane constructed mostly out of hemp and fueled with hemp.
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+ Sir Patrick Stewart recently spoke out in support of Alfie Dingley, a six-year-old boy who relies on medical cannabis oil to control his severe case of epilepsy. Read More...


BIG STORIES:
International:
Swiss Parliament Votes for Coffee Shop Trials, Pilot Projects

National:
Congress Protects Medical Marijuana from Jeff Sessions in New Federal Spending Bill

Regional:
Cashed and Counting; California Starts Crackdown on Gray Marijuana Marketplace

State of Oregon:
Oregon Cannabis Regulators to Soon Begin Spot Inspections

Southern Oregon:
Josephine County Oregon Invites Federal Intervention on Marijuana Grows

EDUCATION STATION:
​Fifty Years: How Marijuana Became Re-Legalized In America Part 1, 1968-1972
Fifty Years: How Marijuana Became Re-Legalized In America Part 2, 1972 to 1976
Fifty Years: How Marijuana Became Re-Legalized In America Part 3 1976 to 1980