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It should be a nice upswing tomorrow, good news from LA!
Congressman Heck Introduces Marijuana Banking Amendments
September 2, 2017
Marijuana ScienceCongressman Denny Heck (WA-10) with Representatives Perlmutter (CO-07), Lee (CA-13), and Titus (NV-01) have submitted two amendments to the financial services division to be included in the House appropriations bill. Both of these amendments focus on banking services for legal marijuana-related businesses and would be a temporary fix until the current legislation, the SAFE Banking Act, is passed into law.
The first amendment prohibits any funds in the bill from being used to punish banks for serving marijuana businesses that are legal under state law. The second amendment prohibits the Treasury from altering FinCEN’s guidance to financial institutions on providing banking services to legitimate marijuana businesses. These amendments, if included, would allow for legal marijuana-related business to operate according to state laws and enjoy access to the banking system.
Currently, hundreds of licensed and regulated businesses do not have access to the banking industry and are unable to accept credit cards, deposit revenues, or write checks to meet payroll or pay taxes. This situation is untenable. No industry can operate safely, transparently, or effectively without access to banks or other financial institutions.
Eight states and the District of Columbia have legalized adult use of marijuana and more than half the states have implemented medical marijuana laws, so it is both sensible and necessary to include these proposed amendments so that these growing number of state-compliant businesses, and their consumers, may operate in a manner that is similar to other legal commercial entities.
You can click here to send an email in support of the SAFE Banking Act to your federal elected officials now.
Posted in : ACTIVISM, Advocacy, Business, ECONOMICS, GOVERNMENT, Legalization, Policy
Add Your Comment
6 Responses to “Congressman Heck Introduces Marijuana Banking Amendments”
Cat48661 says:
September 2, 2017 at 2:13 pm
Thank you Congressman, for all that you’re trying to do! Whoever actually legalizes marijuana, will be a hero. Millions for states. Thousands of jobs, taxes for infrastructure and so many other things and of course jails will be freed up for real criminals. Opioids and booze are poison. Marijuana is a God given plant that helps millions of people. No addiction. No horrendous side effects, like pain Med’s.
Reply
Templewood says:
September 3, 2017 at 12:32 am
That’s my home representative.. :) Go Denny Go!
Reply
Mark Mitcham says:
September 3, 2017 at 8:26 am
I’m no fan of corporate America; it supports marijuana prohibition politically, and it personally abuses it’s employees with invasive and degrading urinalysis.
Marijuana legalization is a social justice issue. So, business banking practices are a non-issue to me, at best. We need to make a clear distinction between those who seek to make money, and those who seek to legalize marijuana for the good of the people of society.
Yet, I support the amendments; not for the sake of the dispensaries, but for the sake of the medical patients who depend on them. Many of these patients cannot navigate the black market, nor should they be expected to do so.
And, there is something to be said for basic fairness! Why not dispensaries? For as long a period as McDonald’s continues to be legal, dispensaries should have access to the same financial tools as any other business, if only from a public health perspective!
Signed and sent, thank you NORML…
Congressman Heck Introduces Marijuana Banking Amendments
by NORML
September 2, 2017
Comments
Marijuana ScienceCongressman Denny Heck (WA-10) with Representatives Perlmutter (CO-07), Lee (CA-13), and Titus (NV-01) have submitted two amendments to the financial services division to be included in the House appropriations bill. Both of these amendments focus on banking services for legal marijuana-related businesses and would be a temporary fix until the current legislation, the SAFE Banking Act, is passed into law.
The first amendment prohibits any funds in the bill from being used to punish banks for serving marijuana businesses that are legal under state law. The second amendment prohibits the Treasury from altering FinCEN’s guidance to financial institutions on providing banking services to legitimate marijuana businesses. These amendments, if included, would allow for legal marijuana-related business to operate according to state laws and enjoy access to the banking system.
Currently, hundreds of licensed and regulated businesses do not have access to the banking industry and are unable to accept credit cards, deposit revenues, or write checks to meet payroll or pay taxes. This situation is untenable. No industry can operate safely, transparently, or effectively without access to banks or other financial institutions.
Eight states and the District of Columbia have legalized adult use of marijuana and more than half the states have implemented medical marijuana laws, so it is both sensible and necessary to include these proposed amendments so that these growing number of state-compliant businesses, and their consumers, may operate in a manner that is similar to other legal commercial entities.
You can click here to send an email in support of the SAFE Banking Act to your federal elected officials now.
Posted in : ACTIVISM, Advocacy, Business, ECONOMICS, GOVERNMENT, Legalization, Policy
Add Your Comment
6 Responses to “Congressman Heck Introduces Marijuana Banking Amendments”
Cat48661 says:
September 2, 2017 at 2:13 pm
Thank you Congressman, for all that you’re trying to do! Whoever actually legalizes marijuana, will be a hero. Millions for states. Thousands of jobs, taxes for infrastructure and so many other things and of course jails will be freed up for real criminals. Opioids and booze are poison. Marijuana is a God given plant that helps millions of people. No addiction. No horrendous side effects, like pain Med’s.
Reply
Templewood says:
September 3, 2017 at 12:32 am
That’s my home representative.. :) Go Denny Go!
Reply
Mark Mitcham says:
September 3, 2017 at 8:26 am
I’m no fan of corporate America; it supports marijuana prohibition politically, and it personally abuses it’s employees with invasive and degrading urinalysis.
Marijuana legalization is a social justice issue. So, business banking practices are a non-issue to me, at best. We need to make a clear distinction between those who seek to make money, and those who seek to legalize marijuana for the good of the people of society.
Yet, I support the amendments; not for the sake of the dispensaries, but for the sake of the medical patients who depend on them. Many of these patients cannot navigate the black market, nor should they be expected to do so.
And, there is something to be said for basic fairness! Why not dispensaries? For as long a period as McDonald’s continues to be legal, dispensaries should have access to the same financial tools as any other business, if only from a public health perspective!
Signed and sent, thank you NORML…
mux-investor aka porkypiggy, thank you for sharing your desires!
Pot Permits Gain Ground in Riverside County
Riverside County is now set to begin ironing out provisions for marijuana sales transactions and farming, all of which would be taxed.
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Pot Permits Gain Ground in Riverside County
NBC 7
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday directed the Office of County Counsel and other agencies to draft an ordinance that will create a permitting process for the sale and commercial cultivation of marijuana in Riverside County's unincorporated communities.
"We have lost the war on cannabis in Riverside County," Supervisor Kevin Jeffries said. "You knock one dispensary down, and another pops up. We need to develop a comprehensive licensing and taxation package. It's a complicated issue. Somewhat emotional. But with the appropriate regulations, marijuana businesses will be less impactful than they are today."
The board voted 3-0 -- with Supervisor John Tavaglione absent and Supervisor Marion Ashley abstaining -- to follow the recommendations of the Cannabis Ad-Hoc Committee and begin ironing out provisions for marijuana sales transactions and farming, all of which would be taxed.
The framework will require input from a number of departments, including code enforcement and the tax collector's office, before it can be formally submitted to voters countywide for approval, which Jeffries and Supervisor Chuck Washington, the co-head of the committee, predicted would be possible no earlier than November 2018.
2017 Southern California Images in the News[2017 UPDATED 8/22] 2017 Southern California Images in the NewsAP
"Whether we ban marijuana (sales and distribution) or make it legal, it will require about the same level of staffing," Washington said. "Illegal marijuana cultivation and dispensing is happening already."
Supervisor V. Manuel Perez said successful implementation of marijuana regulations by municipalities in his Fourth District, including Cathedral City and Coachella, should prove instructive as the county moves forward.
"Do we want open-air farming of marijuana or greenhouses? How do we ensure there's no high-cost barrier to entry?" he said. "Do we want big corporations doing this or small farmers?"
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Supervisor Marion Ashley emphasized his dislike of marijuana use, calling it a "moral issue." He also pointed out that most of the cities within his Fifth District -- with the exception of Perris -- were against legitimizing marijuana sales activity.
"I think this is wrong," Ashley said. "On the other hand, if we don't do anything at all, it's going to be worse. I feel conflicted. Maybe this is the best we can do, but I don't feel happy about it."
All speakers who addressed the board expressed support for dropping prohibitions against marijuana activity.
2 Brothers, One of Them Naked, Arrested in Church Break-In
"I would ask you to accelerate this ordinance as quickly as possible," said Nicholas Ortega of Riverside. "Further delays will only allow the gray and black markets to continue to flourish."
The committee focused on adapting the county to new realities stemming from the approval of Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, last November.
The act made it legal for individuals 21 years and over to use marijuana recreationally -- not just as a medical remedy for various conditions. It also legalized personal marijuana grows limited to six plants per individual within enclosed structures, as well as the possession of 28.5 grams of raw product and eight grams of concentrated cannabis.
Mother Shops at Target, Leaves Child in Car During Heat Wave
The state law that laid the groundwork for the proposition, the Medical Cannabis Regulation & Safety Act of 2015, was clarified and streamlined under a unified regulatory structure established by Senate Bill 94, which the governor signed into law on June 27. The new regulatory scheme is now operative under the Medicinal & Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation & Safety Act.
The committee took those facts into consideration in coming up with an outline for how the county might successfully regulate cannabis sellers and collect taxes from them.
Jeffries and Washington said a licensing regime for commercial activity would mean prospective vendors being closely vetted and the "illegal market" might dry up, with sales no longer part of the "underground" economy.
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They acknowledged, however, that the legal retail market may suffer if taxes are too high. Under Prop 64, there's a 15 percent statewide excise tax on all cannabis-related retail sales transactions -- on top of existing general sales and use taxes -- as well as a $9.25 per ounce cultivation tax for cannabis flowers and $2.75 per ounce tax for dried cannabis leaves.
Tentative estimates put county revenue generation from cannabis taxation at between $10 million and $25 million annually.
Five cities within Riverside County have established a permitting process for commercial grows -- Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs and Perris, according to the Office of County Counsel.
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Attorneys said most of the county's existing regulations prohibiting the cultivation and use of marijuana were not automatically undone by Prop 64.
County Ordinance No. 928 does not permit mobile or stationary marijuana dispensaries to operate in unincorporated areas, and Ordinance No. 925 permits medical marijuana patients and their caregivers to cultivate up to 24 cannabis plants on private property, though all cultivation is prohibited within 1,000 feet of schools, parks and daycare centers. Growers are also required to have their pot plants hidden from view, in secure locations.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration still views marijuana as a Schedule 1 narcotic prohibited under the federal Controlled Substances Act.
Published at 2:19 PM PDT on Aug 29, 2017 | Updated at 8:03 PM PDT on Aug 29, 2017
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On Tuesday, a U.S. District Court blocked federal prosecutors from moving forward with a criminal conspiracy case against two cannabis cultivators in Humboldt County because, even though #$%$ is illegal under federal statute, the pair was found to be compliant with California law. Needless to say, the implications from this case could be huge.In making his decision, Judge Richard Seeborg cited United States v. McIntosh, which barred the Department of Justice from prosecuting certain marijuana growers. At the heart of both decisions is a 2014 rider to a congressional spending bill, known as the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment, which prohibits the DOJ from using funds to interfere with state #$%$ laws."This is the first time in my 23-year career I've had a case stopped because of an appropriations rider,? said the defendants? attorney Ronald Richards. "What the court did in this case may be used as a blueprint for other cases. It opens the door for people not to get scared."NORML?s California director Dale Gieringer similarly said it was the first case he is aware of in which McIntosh ?was cited and used to full effect."U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has been vehemently opposed to the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment from the get-go. It?s easy to see why.
How to get a job in the marijuana industry
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For anyone curious about working in the world of weed, a new resource makes job-hunting easier.
A recruiting agency for legal cannabis firms has launched a website that aims to serve as a one-stop shop for employers and job seekers. The site, Vangsters, allows hopefuls to apply to jobs and crate employee profiles, with a focus on marijuana-specific skills and software.
With eight U.S. states having legalized recreational marijuana, and 20 more allowing it for medical use, it's clear the field is set to only keep growing. And with that growth potential, many workers -- particularly those in other professions yet to see much in the way of raises -- might be looking over at a rapidly expanding industry offering a range of career opportunities.
But how should someone intrigued by the idea of working in the cannabis sector start searching, and what ind of jobs are available? Read on if you're thinking of taking a leap into the burgeoning new industry.
It's competitive
First, the good news. The legal marijuana business is set to add some 80,000 jobs in the U.S. over the next few years. By 2021, the direct and indirect effect of recreational and medical cannabis, including jobs at businesses that service the pot industry, will create an estimated 400,000 jobs, according to industry analysts Arcview Market Research.
Now the bad news. With legal marijuana hailed as the new "gold rush," competition for work is fierce as people from other industries try to break into the sector.
"There are more people who are interested in getting into the space than there are jobs," said Karson Humiston, CEO of recruiting agency Vangst, which is behind Vangsters. About 5,500 job-seekers have filled out profiles on the site since it went online in January, she said.
Where to look
marijuana-laws.png
SOURCE: MARIJUANA POLICY PROJECT
Pick your sector
The legal marijuana industry breaks down into a few major areas: growing, retailing, infused products and ancillary services (think software development, business-to-business sales and so forth). If you're unsure where to look, thinking about these sectors and their mainstream analogs can help you figure out where to focus your efforts.
Do you have experience in hospitality, restaurants or high-end retail? Workers who've been in high-volume, customer-facing industries are in demand at marijuana dispensaries, the largest subsector in the cannabis field.
"They tend to be high-end, well-paid retail jobs," said Tom Adams, ArcView's editor-in-chief. "The cannabis industry is the classic mom-and-pop scenario. It's very labor intensive, and those mom-and-pop operators tend to pay very well to get people who are knowledgeable about cannabis and very good at interacting with a range of consumers."
Higher-end cannabis shops are luring managers away from designer apparel stores, according to Vangst's Humiston.
On the technical side, labs working on infused products, such as sweets, pizza or even gourmet food, need scientists and technicians who can help with product development and test the finished products. Then there's all the other functions that support a business: software engineers, accountants, sales reps.
"Every one of those companies needs an accountant and an executive assistant. The rules of traditional industries apply to this industry," Humiston said.
It works in "dog years"
Why would someone want to move from, say, a conventional tomato farming job to one with a cannabis grower? While the entry-level jobs aren't necessarily better, the pace at which the industry is growing means there is a much better chance of moving up quickly that a worker might have in an established industry.
The challenge for many cannabis companies in the coming years is scaling up -- growing from a customer base of a few hundred to a few thousand, or how to move from having one location to five. "When you're looking at an industry with 25-plus percent growth, the demand [for workers] is going to outstrip supply," Adams said.
On the cultivation side, someone who comes in as a plant trimmer or packager and works hard can hope for a promotion in six to 12 months, according to Vangst. One of the firm's clients worked his way up from trimming to directing a large growth operation in three years.
"It's so new, it's like you're working in dog years," said Kyle Arfsten, Vangst's head of business development. "If you have one year of experience, that counts for a lot."
Marijuana jobs by sector
marijuana-jobs-sector-2016.png
SOURCE: MARIJUANA BUSINESS DAILY; 2016 DATA
Look extra-professional
Dressing the part is important for job-seekers in nearly every industry, but it's especially salient in the legal marijuana trade, where companies are eager to show they can be professional and law-abiding while distancing themselves from "stoner hippie" stereotypes.
Vangst surveyed recruiters at a job fair this year and found that they overwhelmingly judged casually dressed prospects to be less responsible, less qualified and lazier than those wearing formal clothes. So dress like you'd dress for any other job interview, which is to say, overdress.
You don't need to be a user
Obviously, familiarity with any product can help a job selling or marketing it. But that's far from a requirement in the weed business. "We're hiring people out of lots of other industries whether they're cannabis users or not," Adams said.
Some jobs, like working as a patient counselor or a budtender in a dispensary, do require a worker to know the properties of various marijuana strains and to recommend products. "You have to have some knowledge to talk to the customers, but that's just knowledge -- it doesn't have to be firsthand," he said.
Education counts
The view that companies want workers with experience, but are reluctant hire people to gain that experience, applies here as well. So in the absence of applicable experience, "The best thing is doing a class," Humiston said. These can teach you more about the laws in your particular state and how to get certified in the area that interests you.
"If you take the extra step to take a compliance course, that's one less training [for your employer]," she said. "Putting yourself out there, learning and educating yourself will set someone apart."
Within the cannabis sector, cultivators are looking for people with experience in other large-scale agricultural operations, like growing tulips or tomatoes. On the retail side, people who have worked in high-volume stores or restaurants would find themselves with a leg up. That's true at all levels. For instance, managers at high-end clothing stores or restaurants are being tapped to run dispensaries, Humiston said.
It's good to be green
It's not hard to see parallels between cannabusiness and another green industry.
"We're pulling a lot of people from the solar industry," said Vangst's Arfsten. "That industry grew nearly as quickly as this one. People from that growth environment understand the need to scale, and what's required to make that happen." Experience working in startups is also valuable.
Finally, there's no shortage of professional help, with a slew of staffing and recruitment firms dedicated to helping those looking for jobs in legal weed at all levels (here's one list).
Big-name tech investors pour millions into marijuana — both medicinal and not
By CHARLES PILLER @cpiller AUGUST 28, 2017
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AKLAND, Calif. — The storied Silicon Valley venture firm Benchmark Capital has launched a slew of tech companies: Twitter, Uber, Snapchat, Instagram. Now its search for the next big thing has led it to … pot.
Benchmark recently invested $8 million in Hound Labs, a startup here in Oakland that’s developing a device for drivers — and law enforcement — to test whether they’re too buzzed to take the wheel.
And that’s just the start. Wealthy investors are pouring tens of millions into the cannabis industry in a bid to capitalize on the gold rush that’s expected when California legalizes recreational marijuana on Jan. 1. They’re backing development of new medicinal products, such as cannabis-infused skin patches; new methods for vaporizing and inhaling; and “budtender” apps like PotBot, which promises to scour 750 strains of cannabis and use lab research, including DNA analysis of each strain, to help customers find the perfect match.
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Among the noted investors: tech and biotech mogul Peter Thiel, who co-founded PayPal and made a fortune with the cancer drug startup Stemcentrx. Thiel contributed $300,000 to the California ballot campaign that paved the way for legalization. And in the first public endorsement of the industry from a major biotech investor, Thiel’s Founders Fund has sent millions to Privateer Holdings, a Seattle private equity firm that backs research into medical marijuana products, among other cannabis-related ventures.
Netflix releases its own marijuana strains in line with 'Disjointed' premiere!!
Why Marijuana Compounds Could Eventually Replace Anti-Anxiety Meds
David DiSalvo , CONTRIBUTOR
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
Shutterstock
Research into the potential medical uses of marijuana compounds continues apace. Among the most recent, a study delved into why marijuana is an effective stress reducer. While not conclusive on their own, the results contribute to a longer-term possibility – that marijuana compounds may turn out to be more effective and safer in alleviating anxiety than prescription anxiety meds.
The recent study focused on marijuana’s potency in reducing the stress response in regular users. Stress was measured by tracking cortisol amounts in study participants’ saliva. Cortisol, the “stress hormone,” is a reliable indicator of stress; higher or lower amounts correlate closely with a person’s response to stressful situations.
The study compared the stress responses of a group of daily marijuana users to a group of non-users. The results were consistent: regular users had a “blunted” response to acute stress. In effect, their internal stress engines had been tuned down by regular exposure to marijuana.
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“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the effects of acute stress on salivary cortisol levels in chronic cannabis users compared to non-users,” said Carrie Cuttler, study co-author and clinical assistant professor of psychology. “While we are not at a point where we are comfortable saying whether this muted stress response is a good thing or a bad thing, our work is an important first step in investigating potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis at a time when its use is spreading faster than ever before.”
The comment that this result is too preliminary to be called “a good or a bad thing” is well-taken (tuning down the stress response too much is likely to have both negatives and positives), but it does point to the potential for harnessing a modified version of this effect down the road.
These results pair well with findings from research showing that marijuana compounds have a distinct effect on levels of the neurotransmitter GABA, which plays a key role in the anxiety response. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that acts as a brake on anxiety, counterbalancing the effects of excitatory brain chemicals like glutamate. Early research suggests that compounds in marijuana, particularly cannabidiol (CBD), enhance GABA’s effects with moderate downsides. (CBD has an impressive research profile in several areas, anxiety among them.)
Benzodiazepines, the mostly commonly used prescription anxiety meds, also affect GABA levels. The meds are effective at quickly delivering what users are seeking – an anxiety extinguishing calmness.
But that benefit comes at a cost. Tolerance to benzodiazepines, including Xanax and Klonopin, builds rapidly, requiring a user to take more and more of the meds to get the same effect. It doesn’t take long to develop a dependency that may not end. Instead of going through the well-documented hell of getting off the meds, many users choose to stay on them indefinitely. In addition, benzo side effects—fatigue, disorientation and mental fogginess, among others—are notoriously difficult to manage while trying to make it through the day. Overdose potential for benzos is also high, accounting for thousands of deaths in the U.S. every year.
While preliminary, the latest research suggests that the compounds in marijuana could eventually be harnessed to deliver anxiety relief with decreased dependency, fewer side effects and less overdose potential.
The early signs are promising, but this, like all possibilities for future medical uses of marijuana compounds, depends on the research continuing.
The latest study was published in journal Psychopharmacology.
See Ya later, PORKYpiggy. the Oracle!
Who knows, it could 25cents in September! But who knows again!
Does the Marijuana Justice Act Have a Chance?
S
Zack RuskinThu Aug 24th, 2017 8:34amChem Tales
When New Jersey Senator Cory Booker introduced the Marijuana Justice Act on Aug. 1, he knew its odds of becoming law were slim to none.
From a practical perspective, the bill — which would remove cannabis from the Drug Enforcement Agency’s scheduling system — is likely to fare no better (and possibly worse) than similar legislation introduced in past years, by the likes of Sen. Bernie Sanders, Reps. Tom Garrett and Tulsi Gabbard, and Rep. Jared Polis. However, pushing the bill into law may not truly have been Sen. Booker’s intention.
Rather, it is quite possible that, with the Marijuana Justice Act, Sen. Booker instead seeks to make public his solution to the rift between state and federal stances on cannabis. While first and foremost calling for the de-scheduling of cannabis as other legislation has done, this new bill takes things a step further by incentivizing states that have not legalized marijuana to do so.
In an opinion piece for the Los Angeles Times, Kerry Cavanaugh writes that “under Booker’s proposal, states that choose not to legalize marijuana would lose federal criminal-justice funding if their enforcement has a disproportionate effect on poor and minority individuals.” In essence, the bill would work to bridge the racial disparity over marijuana arrests, where according to the ACLU, Blacks are four times more likely to be arrested for possession.
Furthermore, as Politico notes, the bill would empower individuals with the right to sue if they feel they are the victims of a “disproportionate arrest or imprisonment rate.” The bill would also establish a community reinvestment fund to bring resources back into the communities “most affected by the war on drugs.”
Many in the cannabis industry have applauded Sen. Booker’s approach.
“This new bill is the first of what I imagine will be many proposed legislations to help curb the unjust war on drugs, and the resulting disproportionate arrest rates for people of color,” says High Times CEO Adam Levin.
Terra Tech CEO Derek Peterson is another industry leader who feels the Marijuana Justice Act addresses issues that other legislation has not.
“One of the most important factors that often get overlooked is the drug war casualties,” he says. “While many begin to monetize the blossoming industry, there are countless lives and families that have been ruined for non-violent drug offenses, the very same activities which are being organized and permitted at a state level across the country. This is by far the most responsible and proactive piece of legislation that we’ve seen, and we’re thrilled that the conversation for full federal legalization is now starting.”
Given that Republicans control Congress and that President Donald Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions are both seen as foes of the cannabis movement, there is little reason to think Sen. Booker’s bill can find its way to passage. But by introducing something that comprehensively and directly addresses the targeting of minority populations by local law enforcement in relation to drug policy, it has brought to the forefront an issue that may ultimately prove to be the most pivotal in the fight to legalize cannabis on a national scale.
Krista Whitley, founder of the cannabis public relations firm Social Media Unicorn, sees the message within the Marijuana Justice Act as one that can ultimately serve to bring people together, within and beyond the cannabis space.
“I grew up in a small town as an enthusiastic prohibitionist for 30 years before becoming a cannabis activist,” she says. “I appreciate how hard it can be for non-cannabis consumers to appreciate why the end of the failed drug war is such a pivotal turning point for America. Sen. Booker’s leadership isn’t just leadership for the cannabis community, but it is the leadership for all Americans who believe in equality.”
With Sen. Booker considered a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, the idea of a major candidate who sees drug policy reform as a gateway to reducing the disproportionate and predatory tactics of law enforcement toward minorities is a groundbreaking concept with vast implications.
While introducing the Marijuana Justice Act in a Facebook video, Sen. Booker noted that current U.S. drug laws “don’t make our communities any safer.”
Convectium managing partner Danny Davis agrees. “The government should not be incarcerating people by comparing cannabis to the dangers of legitimate Schedule I drugs,” he says. “Without this criminal element, and the negative externalities that come with it, widespread acceptance and legalization are the next logical steps. I have never heard a logical argument for listing cannabis as a Schedule I drug, so we thank Mr. Booker for giving us several logical ways to change it.”
From Around The Web
They eventually will and dramatic increase in revenues is very POSITIVE!
Shawking like I said yesterday, quartner over quarter 1000% up, YTD almost 500% up! Sweet!
1000% quarterly Revenues increase and 500% year to date in revenues increase would be undoubtedly a great headline!
Last Quarter, 2nd Q of 2017, 10times better than last years, or 1000% better!
See you tomorrow and see report posted today by the GRNH!
10 States Most Likely to Pass Recreational Marijuana Next
By Joseph Misulonas | Aug 21, 2017 | Dispense, Politics
Every week's there's a new story about how well recreational marijuana legalization has helped states such as Colorado, Washington and Oregon. And now several other states, such as California, Nevada and Massachusetts, have jumped on the train to reap the benefits of legalization. As the trend continues of states generating success from cannabis, where could we see future expansion of recreational use? Here's a list of 10 states most likely to pass recreational marijuana next.
10. New York
New York is one of the most liberal states in America. And yet, it continues to keep recreational marijuana illegal. Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, has expressed concern about smoking marijuana. Smokeable and edible marijuana are not available in the state's medical program. However, there remains strong support within the state to expand both the medical marijuana program and allow recreational use. Considering how powerful liberal voices are in the state, Cuomo may not be able to resist the legalization movement for long.
9. Rhode Island
Unlike many states that have legalized recreational marijuana, Rhode Island has no ballot initiative process where voters can pass laws through referendums. But, there have been several legislative attempts to legalize marijuana, and polls show that 59 percent of the state supports recreational use legalization.
8. Delaware
Delaware has an unusual relationship with marijuana. Despite allowing medicinal use, the state only has one dispensary. But the 2016 gubernatorial race seemed to indicate a changing relationship with cannabis. The Republican candidate openly supported legalization, and the Democratic candidate and eventual victor says he wants to see how legalization affected more states. That may not be a ringing endorsement, but it's definitely not a hard no to future legalization efforts.
7. Maryland
Earlier this year, a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Maryland failed to pass the state's legislature. But this was still a positive sign for pro-marijuana groups in the state. The medical marijuana industry in the state hasn't even begun to operate yet, and already there's momentum for recreational legalization. If the rollout for medicinal cannabis is successful, that would only mean better chances for recreational use.
6. Connecticut
Connecticut's had multiple attempts to legalize marijuana for recreational use, but so far nothing has come of it. But the support is present. The state is also facing budget problems, and if those become serious enough, marijuana legalization may result simply as a matter of fiscal responsibility.
5. Illinois
The state of Illinois has been facing major budget concerns for...well...a long time. The debate is constantly raging in Springfield about how to solve the latest deficit. Marijuana has often been proposed as a possible revenue generator for the state, but it's largely been shot down, mainly due to Republican Governor Bruce Rauner's opposition. But most experts believe Rauner is facing an uphill battle for re-election in 2018, which means a new Democratic governor could take his place. And he may be more open to marijuana.
4. Missouri
Last spring, the state of Missouri allowed marijuana advocacy groups to begin collecting signatures for a bill that would both legalize recreational use of cannabis and also expand the state's current medicinal program as well. While previous signature collections have failed, advocacy groups have until May 2018 to produce enough signatures to qualify for the November 2018 elections.
3. Michigan
Marijuana advocacy groups in Michigan have tried to get recreational use on the ballot for years, but failed to collect enough signatures every time. However, this year may be different. According to state law, ballot initiatives need to collect 252,523 signatures within a 180-day window to be considered. Last month, a ballot initiative for recreational marijuana reached 100,000 signatures ahead of the advocacy group's schedule. If that trend continues you, it's 2018 may be the year Michigan legalizes recreational marijuana.
2. Vermont
Vermont has nearly made history on a few occasions by becoming the first state to legalize recreational marijuana through the state legislature rather than ballot initiative. However, every bill that's been passed ended up getting vetoed by the state's governor. After the most recent veto, the governor sent the bill back to the legislature asking for more protections on stoned driving and kids' access to marijuana. The legislature is re-working the bill, and people seem optimistic that a revised version will not get vetoed.
1. Arizona
In 2018, Arizona voters will vote on an initiative to legalize marijuana for recreational use. It's a little too early to tell if it will pass or not, but considering that's already firmly on the ballot and they can already begin generating support is a good sign
Pot Prices Rise 200% In Nevada As Product Flies Off The Shelves!!!
SESSIONS LOOKS SET TO BACK OFF HIS MARIJUANA CRACKDOWN!
Getting closer to 7cents tomorrow!
Yet another study says weed could help solve the opioid crisis!
According to Notice, we could see the record 2ND Q results on Friday.
Stick to your shares!
Good post Pauly!
Besides market cap of SRNA is very low, great point of entry at these levels!
So it will be the 18th of August after notification filed.
This still should be a great Quarter and good news to be announced.
Take it easy, Norfolk, full second week ends on the August 14th and they have till 15h to file it.
Norfolk, "during the second week of August 2017", -- from July 19th PR.
It could be tomorrow, then too
"GRNH expects revenues for its second quarter ending June 30, 2017 to reach a record $830,000, or nearly eight times its revenue during the second quarter of last year. The Company also reported that its pipeline of new contracts has grown to nearly $50 million as of the end of the second quarter, with recurring revenues expected to generate between $2- 5 million in produce sales annually."
From JULY 19th PR
Norfolk, if you don't do your own DD, you should not be investing.
"The Company expects to report its final second quarter and first half 2017 financial results during the second week of August 2017 followed by the Company’s first-ever investor conference call to be hosted by Mr. Haas at 10:00 am PT/1:00 pm ET."
THe above is straight from July 19th PR
Straight from July 19th PR:
"The Company expects to report its final second quarter and first half 2017 financial results during the second week of August 2017 followed by the Company’s first-ever investor conference call to be hosted by Mr. Haas at 10:00 am PT/1:00 pm ET."
CC on Friday! If they decided to do it, it must be really good!
.10 Plus
Neil deGrasse Tyson: ‘No reason’ for marijuana to be illegal!
See how legal marijuana will create new highs for pot lovers and budding entrepreneurs!
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/08/see-how-legal-marijuana-will-create-new-highs-for-pot-lovers-and-budding-entrepreneurs.html
https://seekingalpha.com/instablog/24482903-brandonstocks33328/5008836-terratech-google-marijuana-industry
"Although TerraTech started off somewhat rocky, I believe that no other company in the marijuana space comes close to the position they are currently in. Their corporate governance could be stronger but their accounting practices seem to be solid as they have produced audited quarterly and annual reports. As this is not required of OTC stocks, this is something that I consider outstanding. Having all aspects cornered-off (from cultivation to sale) this company can be a major player in the marijuana industry. If TerraTech can cut its cost of goods sold, cut its administrative expenses, buy back shares/quit selling stock, it is an absolute home-run buying opportunity. Even at these levels it seems like a steal. Once the liabilities are taken care of and expansion is cash-flowed from current operations, they can see substantial gains going forward. Do they have plans in acquiring other dispensaries to REALLY corner-off the market?
To put things into perspective, Apple (adjusted for stock splits) could have been bought for .20/share in 1985 during the industry’s infancy. Monster Energy (currently $49.50) could have been bought for .20/share in the energy drink industry’s infancy; marijuana is an immensely bigger market than the energy drink space, mind you. Imagine if this company turns out to be the Google of the cannabis industry. The potential is certainly there. Time will be the only determining factor. Will management decide to squander this opportunity for short-term gains? Or will they make a commitment to becoming a huge monopoly in this industry and rake in billions?"
Advertise Here
Since GRNH decided to have a Conference Call for the first time, I would expect them to announce some incredibly positive news.
Hopefully, GRNH can triple again or more.......
Sessions’ Task Force Doesn't Recommend Crack Down on Legal Marijuana!
Calif. town may be going to pot: Cannabis firm trying to create marijuana mecca!
There’s a New Bill That Would Legalize Weed in the Whole Country
?Credit New Jersey Senator Cory Booker for the push
Cannabis Grower Buys California Town to Build Pot-Friendly Outpost!
NFL offering to work with Players Association in studying marijuana as pain management tool !
Roger Stone, meets daily with Trump and pushing for MJ legalization!
https://www.marijuanatimes.org/roger-stone-and-john-morgan-partner-up-to-decriminalize-cannabis/