CCMA Political greenBrief
Friday, December 7, 2018
www.cannabismanufacturers.org
President Trump Has Nominated William Barr As U.S. Attorney General. Barr Formerly Served As President George H.W. Bush’s AG And Will replace Jeff Sessions
“The vast majority of Americans believe the war on drugs needs to be replaced with a health-centered approach. It is critically important that the next Attorney General be committed to defending basic rights and moving away from failed drug war policies. William Barr is a disastrous choice.”
Michael Collins, Director Of National Drug Affairs For The Drug Policy Alliance, On President Trump’s Choice To Elect William Barr As Attorney General
“Notable drug policy under Bush either happened before Barr became AG or through agencies other than the DOJ, leaving Barr with no expectation to comment. It is our understanding that Barr has not made comments about marijuana policy in the years since he was AG, which leaves us in a holding pattern until more information is released.”
Stefanie Miller, Senior Vice President Of Height Capital Markets’ Special Situations Team
Trump to Nominate William Barr For U.S. Attorney General (USA – Cannabis Politics)
Cannabis Business Times (December 7, 2018) President Trump announced his intention to nominate William Barr for U.S. Attorney General, about one month after the forced resignation of Jeff Sessions. Barr served as attorney general under former President George H.W. Bush, from 1991 to 1993. He also served as deputy U.S. attorney general from 1990 to 1991, before ascending to the top U.S. Department of Justice post. For the fragmented domestic cannabis industry, the news has been met with general ambivalence thus far. Based on preliminary research into Barr’s past work in the federal government, his stance on cannabis legalization and reform is not yet clear.
https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/trump-william-barr-cannabis-attorney-general/
Trump Will Nominate William Barr As Attorney General (USA – Cannabis Politics)
The New York Times (December 7, 2018) President Trump on Friday said he intended to nominate William P. Barr, who served as attorney general during the first Bush administration from 1991 to 1993, to return as head of the Justice Department. Mr. Trump’s focus on Mr. Barr, who supports a strong vision of executive powers, had emerged over the past week following the ouster last month of Jeff Sessions as attorney general and the turbulent reception that greeted his installation of Matthew G. Whitaker as the acting attorney general.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/07/us/politics/trump-barr-kelly.html
Where Trump’s Pick For Attorney General Stands On Drug Policy (USA – Cannabis Politics)
Marijuana Moment (December 17, 2018) President Donald Trump said on Friday that he plans to nominate William Barr to replace Jeff Sessions as U.S. attorney general. Barr, who previously served in the position under President George H. W. Bush’s administration, seems less openly hostile to marijuana compared to other potential nominees. That said, he developed a reputation as anti-drug while overseeing harsh enforcement policies under Bush.
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/where-trumps-pick-for-attorney-general-stands-on-drug-policy/
Marijuana Retailer MedMen Facing Class Action Lawsuit From Former Employees (CA – Cannabis Lawsuits)
Marijuana Business Daily (December 6, 2018) One of the biggest names in cannabis retail, California-based MedMen, is facing a class action lawsuit from former employees that allege multiple labor law violations. The lawsuit alleges MedMen “intentionally failed” to pay employees appropriately under California law.
https://mjbizdaily.com/marijuana-retailer-medmen-facing-class-action-lawsuit-from-former-employees/
Marlboro Owner Altria Invests $1.8 Billion In Cannabis Company Cronos (Canada – Cannabis Investments)
CNN Business (December 7, 2018) Altria hopes pot is the key to help it grow beyond its stagnant cigarette business. Tobacco giant Altira is investing $1.8 billion in Canadian cannabis company Cronos Group. That will give Altria a 45% stake in the company, with an option for Altria to increase its stake to 55% over the next five years. The decision by Altria to go ahead with an investment in Cronos shows that Altria is serious about investing in marijuana as a new growth area as sales of traditional cigarettes slow.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/07/investing/altria-cronos-investment-marijuana/index.html
Key UN Summit Could Lead To International Rescheduling Of Cannabis (World – Cannabis Industry)
Marijuana Business Daily (December 6, 2018) A crucial milestone for the global industry could be achieved this week, as the World Health Organization presents its findings on cannabis to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna. The UN currently places cannabis in the strictest categories in the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 and the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, which only allow its use for medical and scientific purposes under strict controls.
https://mjbizdaily.com/un-summit-cannabis-reschedule/
Congress Will Likely Legalize Hemp In The Farm Bill. It Should Also Heal The USDA’s History Of Discrimination. (USA – Cannabis History)
Civil Eats (December 7, 2018) After more than 80 years, hemp is about to be legalized under the new farm bill, a shift that may offer farmers of color a unique chance to right historical, discriminatory injustices. But as a lawyer who works with farmers of color, the need for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure fair programming is at times missed. With the history of discrimination against farmers of color in mind.
Cannabis Cultivation Headed To Dec. 11 Vote (CA – Local Ordinances)
San Benito News (December 6, 2018) After months of deliberation and a countywide vote to adopt a tax structure for the recreational cannabis business, marijuana may be coming to unincorporated San Benito County. The San Benito County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1, with outgoing Supervisor Jerry Muenzer in dissent, to move forward with a resolution to approve the cultivation and manufacturing of recreational cannabis in unincorporated parts of the county. A final vote is expected Dec. 11.
https://sanbenito.com/2018/12/06/cannabis-cultivation-headed-to-dec-11-vote/
Marijuana Legalization Is Working; Most Americans Are On Board (USA – Federal Legalization)
USA Today (December 6, 2018) Michigan joined nine other states and Washington, D.C., on Thursday in legalizing marijuana for adult recreational use. It’s the first state outside of the West and Northeast to do so, and it reflects just how dramatically public opinion in America has shifted on marijuana. In just 10 years, legalization has gone from a fringe issue, attracting about 40 percent support, to a mainstream topic attracting vast bipartisan support.
Older Americans Are Flocking To Medical Marijuana (USA – Medicinal Cannabis)
The New York Times (December 7, 2018) Physicians who treat older adults expect their cannabis use to increase as the number of states legalizing medical marijuana keeps growing. That support may rise as the baby boomers, often no strangers to marijuana, succeed their more leery parents as the oldest cohort. People aged 50 to 64 are more likely to report recent marijuana use than their elders.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/07/health/seniors-marijuana-cannabis-pain.html
‘Capitalistic’ America Faces Fight With Canada For Cannabis Supremacy (USA & Canada – Cannabis Market)
Seattle Times (December 7, 2018) A key question has emerged as investors pour billions of dollars into the marijuana industry: Will it be U.S. or Canadian companies that win the race for cannabis supremacy? Businesses in Canada licensed to grow and sell weed have a head start, thanks to their national government’s legalization of pot for adult use in October. They’re well funded and are touting their ability to export medical marijuana to countries around the globe that are relaxing restrictions. Still, Canada’s population is smaller than California’s, and the U.S. market for legal marijuana is already larger than its northern neighbor.
Ashley Kingsley, Woman Of Weed, Talks About The Female Impact On Cannabis (USA – Cannabis Industry)
Westworld (December 7, 2018) Cannabis affects everyone differently, and we’re still trying to figure out what scientific and psychological factors play the biggest roles in each of our “highs.” To learn more about the plant’s impact on women and how they can use it to further their own well-being, we talked to Ashley Kingsley, co-founder of women’s cannabis support group Ellementa.
Wiz Khalifa Partners With Supreme Cannabis (USA – Cannabusiness)
Yahoo! Finance (December 6, 2018) Supreme Cannabis Company Inc., and rapper Wiz Khalifa’s Khalifa Kush Enterprises have entered into a partnership to release a line of premium cannabis products. The agreement between Supreme Cannabis Company and Khalifa Kush Enterprises Canada, a subsidiary of Khalifa Kush Enterprises includes exclusive consulting services. Khalifa Kush Enterprises will provide cannabis-related consulting services to Supreme Cannabis.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wiz-khalifa-partners-supreme-cannabis-183450395.html
In Canada, You Can Study Marijuana Production For College Credit (Canada – Cannabis Education)
The Washington Post (December 5, 2018) Nearly a dozen colleges nationwide are adding or expanding courses designed to train the next generation of marijuana producers, often at the nudging of area employers. Some of the classes count toward two- and four-year degrees. Other schools offer certificates. Although the use of medical marijuana has been legal in Canada since 2001, the rise of recreational toking has fueled a hiring boom as growers rush to scale up production of smokable buds and oils. Openings have tripled over the past year and now represent 34 of every 10,000 job postings, according to Indeed Canada, an employment site.
End The Ban On Hemp To Help Texas Farmers, Says Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller (TX – Hemp Farming)
Dallas News (December 7, 2018) Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is calling on Congress to lift the ban on hemp production. In a press release Thursday afternoon, Miller urged Congress to pass the 2018 Farm Bill, which negotiators have revealed includes a provision to remove hemp from the federal list of controlled substances. It’s time for American farmers to be allowed to tap into the hemp market, Miller said.
