CCMA Political greenBrief
Monday, February 11, 2019
www.cannabismanufacturers.org
Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker Stated That The Expansion Of Federally Approved Cultivation Facilities For Research Are Being Pushed Back Because Of International Treaties
“We have some international treaty obligations that may not allow the way that marijuana has been handled from the grow facilities to the researchers. It is something that I’m very aware of. It’s something that I’m trying to push.”Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker On International Treaties Delaying Cannabis Research
“The American people have elected the most pro-cannabis Congress in American history and significant pieces of legislation are being introduced.”Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) On Introducing S.420
EVENT: Malibu Fire Fundraiser On February 15th (Los Angeles – Cannabis Events)
On Friday February 15th, help the CCMA and Future Cannabis Project bring the cannabis community together for a fundraiser to benefit victims of the Woolsey Fire in Malibu. Daytime activities include conference sessions and yoga classes. The evening kicks off with a four course dinner prepared by a team of chefs followed by a party in a beautiful venue in downtown Los Angeles. Tax deductible proceeds will go directly to the Malibu Foundation, a non-profit working to assist in recovery for victims of the Woolsey Fire.
http://malibu.futurecannabisproject.org
California Regulators Shut Down Two Unlicensed Cannabis Companies (CA – Illicit Market)
Ganjapreneur (February 11, 2019) According to an announcement from the Bureau of Cannabis Control, two businesses in Sacramento and Los Angeles County have been subject to search warrants due to operating without a license. The delivery service crackdown was the result of complaints received by the Bureau of Cannabis Control.
https://www.ganjapreneur.com/california-regulators-shut-down-two-unlicensed-cannabis-companies/
The Cannabis Cash Crisis: Where To Put The Money? (CA – Cannabis Banking)
The Mercury News (February 10, 2019) Despite the state’s legalization of cannabis in 2016, most traditional financial institutions in California won’t touch the estimated $5 billion a year in transactions. Only five places — all credit unions, including one in Santa Cruz and another in Santa Rosa — work with cannabis clients. But these credit unions are all closed to new customers, with long wait lists, and are shrouded in secrecy, reluctant to discuss these accounts.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/02/10/cannabis-where-cash-is-still-king/
Kamala Harris Listened To Tupac While Smoking Marijuana, Which She Says Brings ‘Joy’ (USA – Cannabis Support)
Marijuana Moment (February 11, 2019) Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) has smoked marijuana. And yes, she did inhale. Harris, who made a point of saying that her family is from Jamaica, started with a blanket statement: “I believe we need to legalize marijuana.” Harris is one of several Democratic presidential candidates who support broad cannabis reform and have signed onto legislation that would end federal prohibition.
Should Medical Marijuana Be Allowed On School Campuses? (USA – Medicinal Cannabis)
NBC San Diego (February 8, 2019) A California State Senator is proposing a new law that would let children take pot on camps. It would enable K-12 school districts to choose if a parent can administer medicinal pot to children at school. The student would have to be a medical cannabis patient with a doctor’s recommendation.
This Is The Marijuana Banking Bill Democrats Plan To Pass In 2019: Draft Text Released (USA – Cannabis Legislation)
Marijuana Moment (February 11, 2019) Congressional Democratic leaders are circulating the text of a bill allowing marijuana businesses to store their profits in banks that they are considering passing this year. The document was released by the House Financial Services Committee ahead of a scheduled Wednesday hearing on the cannabis industry’s lack of access to banks.
Senator Introduces A Bill To Legalize Marijuana And It’s Called S.420 (USA – Cannabis Politics)
The Verge (February 8, 2019) A new bill introduced in the Senate today would legalize weed, and it’s not just the text of the bill that’s a nod to marijuana culture. The bill, introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), is labeled with a conspicuous number: S.420. The new bill would give the Drug Enforcement Administration 60 days to remove the drug from its list of controlled substances, while also barring the sale of marijuana in states where it’s still illegal.
https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/8/18217226/s-420-marijuana-bill-senate-legalization-weed
Attorney General Blames Marijuana Research Expansion Delay On International Treaty (USA – Cannabis Politics)
Marijuana Moment (February 8, 2019) Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker blamed international treaty obligations for the delayed expansion of federally approved marijuana cultivation facilities for research purposes on Friday. The UN’s World Health Organization recently released its recommendation that marijuana should be removed from the strictest schedule under an international treaty. But while the political implications of rescheduling would be significant, it would have no bearing on the ability of the DEA to expand domestic cannabis research facilities.
Pot Is Legal In 10 States, But The Industry Still Can’t Use Banks. Will Congress Change That? (USA – Cannabis Banking)
The Modesto Bee (February 11, 2019) When a tax deadline approaches, county officials in the heart of California’s marijuana country ring up millions of dollars in cash deliveries from licensed growers. This week the House of Representatives plans to hold a hearing on legislation that could lead to licensed cannabis companies gaining easier access to banks six years after states began legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Representatives had raised the idea in the past, but it didn’t get anywhere in the Republican-controlled Congress.
https://www.modbee.com/news/state/california/article225923620.html
There Is Still So Much We Need To Learn About Weed – And Fast (USA – Cannabis Research)
Wired (February 11, 2019) With federal law lagging behind, the states have landed in a tangle of rules that are at times contradictory, self-defeating, and lacking in scientific support. Even attempts to make the marijuana business itself socially progressive come with complications, because policymakers are flying blind—there’s little data to inform what works and what doesn’t when it comes to regulation.
https://www.wired.com/story/theres-still-so-much-we-need-to-learn-about-weed/
How Alleged WHO Recommendations Would Affect International Cannabis Markets (World – Cannabis Market)
Benzinga (February 11, 2019) An anticipated recommendation by the World Health Organization calling for the international rescheduling of “marijuana” and derivative products is poised to be a watershed moment with implications to be observed throughout global markets. The rescheduling of cannabis products would accelerate the pace of global cannabis reform.
