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Can Decriminalizing Marijuana Lead to Higher Wages? Study Says Yes.

(Flickr/neetalparekh)

IRVINE, CA — Reducing criminal penalties for marijuana offenses is associated with greater overall employment and higher wages, according to data compiled by economists at the University of California.

Researchers at the Economic Self-Sufficiency Research Policy Institute at the University of California at Irvine assessed the relationship between statewide marijuana decriminalization laws and labor outcomes.

Authors reported that decriminalization is…

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Jeff Sessions Won’t Rule Out Using Mafia Law to Go After Legal Marijuana

On conservative radio talker Hugh Hewitt’s program Thursday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions continued to bad mouth marijuana and suggested he might use laws enacted to go after the Mafia against the legal marijuana industry.

“I think it’s a more dangerous drug than a lot of people realize. I don’t think we’re going to be a better community if marijuana is sold in every corner grocery store,” the attorney general told Hewitt.

The conservative talker then helpfully…

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Report: Consumers Spend $53 Billion On Marijuana In 2016

OAKLAND, CA — Cannabis consumers spent over $53 billion on marijuana-related purchases in 2016, according to a report released this week by Arcview Market Research. The total includes sales of cannabis in both legal and illegal markets.

In jurisdictions where marijuana is legally regulated, sales totaled an estimated $6.9 billion in 2016 – a 34 percent increase over 2015 totals. Authors estimate that legal sales will total nearly $22 billion nationwide by the year…

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Colorado: Marijuana Sales Surpass $1 Billion in 2016

DENVER, CO — Retail sales of marijuana in Colorado totaled well over $1 billion in the first ten months of 2016 and are estimated to reach $1.3 billion by year’s end, according to data provided by the state’s Department of Revenue.

The sales totals are an increase over last year, when retailers sold $996,184,788 in marijuana-related products.

Cannabis sales in 2016 have yielded an estimated $151 million in tax revenue to date, $40 million of which will be directed…

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Report: Legal Marijuana Industry Has Created 123,00 Full-Time Jobs

A woman examines cannabis products at a medical marijuana dispensary. (Sonya Yruel/Drug Policy Alliance)

SEATTLE, WA — The legal cannabis industry is responsible for the creation of an estimated 123,000 full-time jobs in the United States, according to data provided by the online content provider Leafly.com.

Authors analyzed state-by-state economic data to draw their extrapolations. They estimated some 58,000 full-time jobs in states where both the medical and social use…

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Pennsylvania Department of Health Wants Public Input on Medical Marijuana Application Process

Pennsylvania flag flying

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy today encouraged individuals interested in applying for a medical marijuana grower/processor and/or dispensary permit to complete a brief survey on the department’s website.

“One of our primary focuses as we continue to develop this program is to make sure that patients with serious medical conditions have access to facilities to obtain medical marijuana.” said Secretary Murphy. “As we…

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Colorado: Legal Marijuana Sales Total Nearly $1 Billion in 2015

DENVER, CO — Colorado’s licensed sales of marijuana totaled nearly one billion dollars in 2015, according to economic data provided by the state Department of Revenue.

Licensed retail stores sold $996,184,788 worth of cannabis in the past year, resulting in $135 million in new tax revenue.

As mandated by state law, $35 million in tax revenue was earmarked for public school construction projects.

Total sales in 2015 far exceeded those of 2014, during which time retailers sold just under $700 million in cannabis-related products.

Legal…

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Snoop Dogg Partners with Canadian Cannabis Company Tweed Inc.

“Our team is proud to bring Snoop into the fold.” says Tweed Inc’s president Mark Zekulin.

Snoop Dogg made it official on his very own cannabis media site merryjane.com, he is partnering up with Tweed, Canada’s largest medical marijuana supplier.

Legalizing cannabis was one of the definite promises of PM Justin Trudeau. Who knows what the timeline for that will be, but you can bet that Tweed will be ready. The estimated recreational cannabis market in Canada is said to be $5 billion annually, partnering up with the grandfather of…

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$6.7 Billion in Legal Marijuana Sales Projected for 2016

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Legal retail sales of marijuana to adults are anticipated to total $6.7 billion by year’s end, according to projections reported this week by ArcView Market Research.

Sales in 2015 totaled $998 million, the report found, an increase of 184 percent over 2014 figures.

As additional states enact regulations legalizing adult cannabis sales, ArcView estimates that retail sales could total as high as $21.8 billion annually by the year 2020.

NORML

NORML’s mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to legalize the…

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Kush Bottles Begins Trading on Public Markets

SANTA ANA, CA — Kush Bottles, Inc. (OTC Markets: KSHB), a premier supplier of packaging solutions and accessories for the legal cannabis industry, announced today that its stock has begun trading on the open markets.

“We are pleased to be a publicly traded company, and look forward to the responsibilities and opportunities this listing provides,” said Nicholas Kovacevich, Co-Founder and CEO of Kush Bottles, Inc. “As we head into 2016, we strive to continue to build a strong organization that is known and respected for its quality,…

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New York City’s First Medical Marijuana Dispensary to Open in Union Square

Manhattan Dispensary will be the First of Four Columbia Care Dispensaries to Open in New York State

NEW YORK, NY — Columbia Care LLC announced Tuesday that its first dispensary in New York State, located at 212 East 14th Street in Manhattan’s Union Square, will open to qualifying patients on Thursday, January 7, 2016.

As one of five companies licensed as a Registered Organization by the New York State Department of Health, Columbia Care will open three additional dispensaries throughout New York State later this month.  New York’s…

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BioTrackTHC’s Enterprise Seed-to-Sale Cannabis Tracking System Surpasses 1,500 Commercial Locations in the U.S. and Abroad

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL — BioTrackTHC, a provider of seed-to-sale cannabis tracking software solutions for state governments and the private sector, today announced that its Enterprise System for businesses is now deployed in more than 1,500 medical and recreational cannabis business facilities in 23 states, Washington D.C., Canada, Jamaica and South America.

“Eclipsing 1,500 locations is a major milestone that reflects the value of our software and the quality of our people,” said Patrick Vo, CEO, BioTrackTHC. “We could not be more…

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CA: Judge Tosses Claims of a Berkeley Marijuana Monopoly

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A federal judge has thrown out claims that the city of Berkeley and three dispensaries conspired to corner the market on medical marijuana.

Private dispenser Christopher Smith sued Berkeley, its city council and Medical Cannabis Commission, and dispensers Berkeley Patients Group, Berkeley Patients Care Collective and Cannabis Buyers Club of Berkeley under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Practices Act, known as RICO.

Smith said in a September 2015 complaint that the city imposed a three-dispensary cap and has…

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Award-Winning Pastry Chef Launches Marijuana Edible Company

James Beard Foundation’s Best Pastry Chef in America Mindy Segal Announces Launch of Marijuana Edible Product line in Illinois.

CHICAGO, IL — Illinois medical marijuana patients will soon have a line of decadent chef-crafted products to choose from with the announcement of James Beard Award-Winning Chef Mindy Segal’s new edible line.  Segal, owner of Chicago’s acclaimed Hot Chocolate Restaurant, is the first high profile, award-winning celebrity chef to attach her personal brand to products in the cannabis industry.

Segal is…

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Snoop Dogg Launches Leafs By Snoop – A Premium Cannabis Product Line

There are a few love stories that transcend time, Romeo & Juliet, Cleopatra and Mark Antony, and Snoop Dogg and Trees. On Monday, Snoop Dogg launched his personal brand of cannabis products called Leafs By Snoop.

Leafs By Snoop Launches in Colorado

Leafs By Snoop (LBS) is a premium cannabis product line that offers hand-weighed flowers, concentrates and edibles. At the moment the Leafs By Snoop products are available in a few dispensaries in Colorado, but as legalization efforts forge ahead, expect to see LBS products everywhere marijuana is…

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Canada’s $5 Billion Marijuana Market and the Potential Problems

Canadians Want Cannabis Legalized and Regulated

The latest Forum Research survey found that 18% of the 1,256 respondents had used marijuana in the past year. Another 13% of respondents said they would have if it were legal. This equates to a potential recreational cannabis market of over 7 million Canadians.

Currently the medical marijuana market in Canada is worth around $80-$100 million per year, serving approximately 45,000 patients. Industry analysts say this could top $5 billion per year when weed is legalized in Canada.

Assuming Canada…

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Are You Prepared to Meet Maryland’s Medical Marijuana Regulatory Requirements?

Nearly two and half years after the passage of Maryland’s medical cannabis law, the Maryland Cannabis Commission is now accepting applications for those seeking licenses to operate as a medical cannabis grower, processor or dispenser in Maryland. The deadline for applications is November 6th and the commission will issue 15 licenses for cultivation, up to 92 for dispensaries, and an unlimited number for processors.

ARE YOU PREPARED TO MEET MARYLAND’S REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS?

Maryland has adopted the AHPA’s recommendations to regulators, which requires business to meet extensive staff training requirements, the most robust product safety protocols in the country and require local zoning sign-off.  Don’t go through the application process alone. Let PFC help you adequately…

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Oregon: Legal Recreational Marijuana Sales Start Thursday

PORTLAND, OR — Limited retail sales of marijuana to adults 21 or older will begin in Oregon on Thursday, October 1st, making Oregon the third US state to allow for the legal sale of marijuana to adults without a medical marijuana card.

With the early start to legal retail marijuana sales, Oregon will have the quickest start of lawful marijuana sales out of the four states that have approved legalization, doing so less than a year after voters approved Measure 91.

Under the voter-approved Measure 91, possession of marijuana by adults 21 or older became legal in Oregon on July 1.  But the law gave the Oregon Liquor Control Commission until January 1, 2016 to implement regulations on production, processing, and commercial sale of marijuana.

The Oregon legislature took the unusual…

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Strategic Water Resources Chooses Maine-based Vista Green Group to Represent SWR 50 Water Filtration and Conservation System to US & Canadian Cannabis Markets

SWR 50: Efficient water solution for growers

PORTLAND, ME – Strategic Water Resources of Mystic, CT has partnered with Portland, Maine-based Vista Green Grooup to introduce its advanced water purification, oxygenation, and conservation system—SWR 50—to US and Canadian cannabis growers and producers.

The SWR 50 provides a solution for growers needing to implement more effective and efficient water management practices due to water shortages caused by extreme weather, including drought, and increasing global demand.

SWR 50, a custom-engineered water treatment solution that uses only 20% of the electrical energy of the nearest competing device per volume of water treated, is designed for each customer’s exact output purity needs and aims to maximize efficiency while minimizing…

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Federal Regulators Reject Application for Colorado Marijuana Bank

DENVER, CO — A Colorado credit union is hoping a federal judge will intervene to let the booming marijuana industry move its finances from cash-stuffed suitcases to the regulated banking system.

A pair of lawsuits filed in Denver this week challenge recent decisions by the U.S. Federal Reserve and the National Credit Union Administration to deny applications from Fourth Corner Credit Union.

The credit union was set up last year to serve Colorado’s marijuana industry, but it needed permission from federal insurers and regulators before opening for business.

The Federal Reserve rejected Fourth Corner’s application earlier this month.

The decision means many pot businesses still use elaborate banking workarounds – from paying the power bill with money orders to spritzing skunky cash…

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New York Announces Five Medical Marijuana Producers

NEW YORK, NY — The New York State Department of Health (DOH) on Friday announced the five companies that have been awarded the coveted licenses to grow and dispense medical marijuana in New York.

The announcement came after a competitive bidding process through which forty-three industry groups contended for the five licenses.

The five companies awarded licences are PharmaCann LLC; Empire State Health Solutions LLC; Columbia Care NY LLC; Etain, LLC; and Bloomfield Industries Inc.

Each producer is restricted to opening only four dispensaries each, they will only be allowed to produce five strains or brands of medical marijuana, and all products must be in pill, oil or tincture form.

The price of the medicine will be set by the Commissioner of Health.

DOH has said that New York’s medical…

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Harborside Health Center Outlasts California’s US Attorney Melinda Haag Era

OAKLAND, CA — On Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag from Northern California announced her departure, effective September 1.

Since 2011 Ms. Haag shuttered more than 600 state-compliant medical cannabis dispensaries by threatening to seize their leased properties from landlords. Haag claimed she launched her actions because the properties were less than 1000 feet from a school, park or playground.

Haag’s crusade largely ended in July of 2012 after she targeted Harborside Health Center, which she admitted was not close to a sensitive site. Harborside fought back in state and local court, and won multiple decisions that have allowed it and other state-compliant dispensaries to remain open ever since.

The City of Oakland subsequently filed suit against Haag and the Department of…

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Recreational Marijuana Sales to Begin October 1 in Oregon

Oregon will have the quickest start of lawful marijuana sales out of the four states that have approved legalization, doing so less than a year after voters approved Measure 91. The bill, Senate Bill 460, was overwhelmingly approved by the legislature at the beginning of July, as possession and limited cultivation of marijuana became legal for adults 21 and older with parts of 2014’s Measure 91 taking effect. The new law is intended to provide adults with legal access to marijuana…

Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed into law Tuesday legislation allowing medical marijuana dispensaries in the state sell recreational cannabis to adults beginning October 1.

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Pierce County, WA to Dispensaries: Get Licensed or Get Out

TACOMA, WA — All unlicensed marijuana retailers — medical or recreational — in unincorporated areas of Pierce County, Washington, must obtain licensing by July 1, 2016 or close, officials said Monday.

“It’s important that these individuals know that after a certain date they will no longer be allowed to operate,” said Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy in a statement Monday.

Pierce County, WACounty officials estimate approximately 60 marijuana retailers — mostly medical marijuana dispensaries — are currently operating in unincorporated parts of the county, and could be effected.

McCarthy added that it is not the County’s intention to force these retailers out of bushiness.  Instead, the county will work with dispensaries to obtain licencing before the July 2016 deadline.

“It is…

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mCig Announces Financing Programs for Cannabis Growers & Dispensaries

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — mCig, Inc. (OTCQB: MCIG), a leading provider of technology, products, and services for the global medical and legal recreational cannabis industry, announced today that the Company is now offering a complete range of financing services for marijuana growers and dispensaries.

This program is designed to provide cannabis entrepreneurs with easy access to much needed startup and operational capital necessary to develop their business and underscores mCig’s commitment to not only seek out innovative products and distribute them, but now even help the industry to buy them.

mCig’s flexible loan programs are designed for businesses that have been turned down for conventional bank loans due to banks’ refusal to loan to cannabis companies and ensures investment…

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Senate Committee Approves Measure to Ensure Marijuana Businesses Have Access to Banking Services

Amendment to appropriations bill would prohibit the Treasury Department from using funds to punish banks that provide financial services to state-legal marijuana businesses

WASHINGTON, DC — The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a measure Thursday (16-14) that is intended to ensure marijuana businesses have access to banking services.

The amendment, offered by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) to the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill, would prohibit the Treasury Department and its enforcement arm, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network or FinCEN, from using federal funds to punish banks that provide financial services to marijuana businesses that are operating legally under state laws.

Many banks are currently unwilling to provide depository and other basic…

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US Senate Committee Votes In Favor of Marijuana Banking Bill

WASHINGTON, DC — Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee voted 16-14 Thursday in favor of an amendment to allow state-compliant marijuana businesses to engage in relationships with financial institutions.

Sponsored by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D) of Oregon and Patty Murray (D) of Washington, the amendment to the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill prohibits the US Treasury Department from using federal funds to take punitive actions against banks that provide financial services to marijuana-related businesses that are operating legally under state laws.

Presently, most major financial institutions refuse to provide services to state-compliant operators in the marijuana industry out of fear of federal repercussions. Their refusal to do so presents an…

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Where’s Weed Launches Marijuana Pre-Ordering Service with New Apps

Where’s Weed allows consumers to pre-order legal marijuana purchases through new online apps

DENVER, CO — Where’s Weed, the largest online source for finding legal marijuana businesses, has announced the release of a new online pre-ordering platform through the website and newly launched mobile applications.

With the new platform, customers can quickly and safely pre-order legal marijuana with trusted businesses in their community. Within 60 seconds, customers can select products, upload medical verification and schedule a pick-up at their convenience.

On a small scale beta test across three states, Where’s Weed recorded hundreds of pre-orders in the first 30 days, amounting to tens of thousands of dollars in business to consumer transactions.

A large portion of the pre-orders…

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Introducing Marijuana-Infused Single-Serve Coffee, Tea and Cocoa

Pot-O-Coffee aims to become nation’s first national cannabis and CBD-infused single-serve coffee line featuring coffee, tea and cocoa.

LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, Equvest LLC, a California-based beverage company, announces the launch of Pot-O-Coffee, a product line of cannabis-infused beverages consisting of single-serve coffee, tea and cocoa, for multiple state distribution.

Designed for new and experienced cannabis users, the Pot-O-Coffee product line consists of two variants for cannabis infusion; one infused with cannabis plant-extracted tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oil, while the other is infused with non-psychotropic cannabidiol (CBD) derived from agricultural based Hemp Oil.

In an effort to create the first national medical and recreational consumer-friendly cannabis and…

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Google Boots Medical Marijuana Delivery App from Play Store

Loud Cannabis Awarded Top New Marijuana App, then Booted off Google Play; Users can still access popular farm-to-table marijuana delivery service through mobile-compatible website

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The Green Exchange, Inc., the developers of “Loud Cannabis” (www.tryloud.com), the world’s first HIPAA compliant mobile app that connects marijuana growers directly to patients, announced today that their app was removed from Google Play – the tech giant’s app download center.

The expulsion from Google came just days after Loud Cannabis received an award for “Best New Marijuana App” from CannaNews.

The app had a flurry of new downloads after the award was announced, and company executives believe that the increased activity may have stimulated Google’s scrutiny. The app was…

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Canary App Permits Marijuana Consumers to Gauge Their Personal Performance

WASHINGTON, DC — Representatives of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) on Wednesday endorsed Canary, the first-ever mobile app that quickly and accurately measures one’s personal performance to determine whether or not a subject may be under the influence of marijuana.

Available for iPhone® and iPad®, Canary combines decades of research and experience, specialized mental and physical performance tests, and advanced modeling and analysis to accurately measure behavioral or cognitive impairment.

“NORML’s purpose is to influence public opinion to legalize the responsible use of marijuana,” said Allen St. Pierre, Executive Director of NORML. “Canary is the first app to provide consumers with the scientific information they need to accurately…

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Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Federal Marijuana Banking Bill

Marijuana Businesses Currently Operate as Cash-only Causing Huge Public Safety Concerns; Legislation Would Allow Marijuana Businesses Access to Financial Services

WASHINGTON, DC — Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) on Thursday introduced the Marijuana Business Access to Banking Act, a bill that would allow banks to provide depository and other financial services to state-legal marijuana businesses.

Currently, because marijuana is illegal under federal law, both medical and non-medical marijuana businesses are unable to access banking services like any other business.

Consequently, many marijuana businesses operate on a cash-only basis, leading to huge public safety issues as businesses become the target of…

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Federal Marijuana Banking Bill Introduced in U.S. Senate

WASHINGTON, DC – In a much-needed move to allow legitimate marijuana businesses to conduct legal financial operations, US Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the Marijuana Business Access to Banking Act on Thursday.

While the move sounds like a minor regulatory matter, the lack of clear financial guidelines represents the single greatest obstacle to state-legal marijuana businesses operating safely and profitably.

Currently, dispensaries and other businesses in states that have legalized medical marijuana or that allow adult use must operate cash-only businesses because banking services fall under federal, rather than state law.

“Right now, it’s the Wild West for marijuana businesses,” said…

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Marijuana Users Can Counteract High With THC Buzzkill

A patent-pending cannabidiol blend, THC Buzzkill is a supplement designed to alleviate the psychoactive effects of marijuana

CARLSBAD, CA — Hemp Health Inc., maker of cannabidiol (CBD) products, announced “THC Buzzkill” on Tuesday, a patent-pending CBD supplement that counteracts the ‘high’ of marijuana.

Sold as an oral spray,THC Buzzkill absorbs into the bloodstream rapidly and lessens the psychoactive effects of THC using all-natural ingredients. THC Buzzkill is the first supplement designed for marijuana users who need to sober up quickly.

“When you have things to do and places to be, being stoned usually doesn’t help you get it all done,” said Katarina Maloney, President of Hemp Health Inc. “For marijuana users who smoke too much, react strangely to a new strain, or…

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Oregon Passes Bill to Allow Recreational Marijuana Sales by Medical Dispensaries Starting Oct. 1

SALEM, OR — Lawmakers in both chambers of the Oregon legislature voted this week to approve a bill that will allow medical marijuana dispensaries to sell marijuana to anyone 21 or older starting October 1st.

The bill, Senate Bill 460, was passed 23-6 by the Senate on Tuesday, followed by a 40-19 approval in the House on Thursday.  On Wednesday, possession and limited cultivation of marijuana became legal for adults 21 and older, as 2014’s Measure 91 took effect.

Senate Bill 460 is intended to provide legal access for adults while the state crafts the rules and regulations for recreational marijuana sales to adults, which are expected to begin in the summer of 2016.

Meanwhile, the bill will allow adults 21 and older to purchase up to a quarter ounce of marijuana per day (dried…

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Plans for Colorado’s Cannabis Camp Resort Fall Through

DURANGO, CO — A planned pot-friendly ranch resort in southwest Colorado has been snuffed before it opened. The 170-acre CannaCamp resort touted weed-friendly activities such as hiking and fishing.

But a deal with the landowner fell through, and the marijuana-tourism company promoting CannaCamp announced Thursday that the resort won’t open after all.

The MaryJane Group, which runs marijuana-friendly inns in Denver and Silverthorne, announced that it hopes to find a new home for CannaCamp by 2016. Guests who already booked stays starting at $395 per person per night are being offered stays in the bed-and-breakfasts instead.

CannaCamp had a tentative agreement to operate on an existing ranch just outside Durango. But the deal fell through after the CannaCamp announcement last month made…

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Connecticut Seeks to Add More Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

HARTFORD, CT — With Connecticut’s medical marijuana program seeing significant growth since the first dispensaries opened last year, the state is now accepting applications for up to three additional medical marijuana dispensaries in the state.

The Department of Consumer Protection, who oversees the state’s medical marijuana program, made the announcement Thursday.

“Connecticut was the first state to adopt a true pharmaceutical model for its medical marijuana program; as a result, Connecticut patients are able to purchase safe, pharmaceutical grade products from pharmacists at licensed dispensary facilities in this state,” Commissioner Jonathan A. Harris said in a press release Thursday.

Since September 2014, the number of patients registered for the medical marijuana program…

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The Travel Joint Wants to Help Fund Cannabis Refugees

Cannabis travel-booking source looks to help relocate patients to states with legal medical cannabis

LAS VEGAS, NV — The Travel Joint, a cannabis travel-booking source and leisure website, is on a mission to assist those who can be helped by medical cannabis but aren’t receiving the medicine they need because of outdated laws in their home state.

Dubbed “The Cannabis Refugee Program,” The Travel Joint is now accepting applications from families that need financial assistance to relocate.

“Uprooting a family and moving to a new state is never an easy task, which is why we want to help Cannabis Refugees as much as we can,” said The Travel Joint CEO Brannon Zimbelman. “Families should never have to choose between the health of their children and a job in a state where access…

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Marijuana Testing Facility Opens for Business in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NV — DigiPath Labs, the cannabis testing subsidiary of DigiPath, Inc. (OTCQB: DIGP, temporarily changed to: DIGPD) opened the doors of its Las Vegas marijuana analytical testing laboratory for business Wednesday.

DigiPath logoEquipped with state of the art analytical instrumentation and operated under the direction of Cindy Orser, PhD, DigiPath Lab’s flagship facility offers cannabis growers and marijuana-based product-makers fast and reliable results.

“This is a great day for the patients of Nevada who will benefit from medical marijuana,” said DigiPath Labs president Todd Denkin. “Our analysis not only helps product producers and dispensaries screen out products with dangerous levels of contaminants, we also quantify the medicinal compounds present in samples, so patients and…

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Four Washington State Marijuana Stores Caught Selling to Minors

Four of 22 stores tested for compliance were caught selling marijuana to underage shoppers

OLYMPIA, WA — Four recreational marijuana stores in Western Washington have failed compliance checks  by selling marijuana to minors.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB), working with investigative aides aged 18-20, checked 22 businesses for sales of marijuana to minors.  The minors are sent into bushiness selling age restricted products, and must either present their true identification, or none at, all if asked by a clerk.

In Washington, marijuana is available for purchase by those 21 or older at state licences retail stores.

This marks the first compliance checks since retail marijuana sales began in the state last year, and resulted in an 82% no-sales-to-minors compliance…

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Doobster: New App for On-Demand Marijuana Delivery

RIVERSIDE, CA — Logistics Trust, Inc. has launched a subsidiary named Doobster (www.Doobster.org), a mobile application and platform (the “Doobster Platform”) that allows a consumer of legal marijuana to order products from their smart phones, tablets or computer and have the products delivered to their physical location. Doobster is launching in 15 states by empowering stakeholders at all levels with its innovative business model.

Started as a logistics and compliance consulting company in January 2013 by Scott Abadjian, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Logistics Trust, Inc. (“Logistics Trust”) now intends to provide consumers with an on-demand mobile (SaaS) platform. The robust and flexible Doobster Platform is very user-friendly. Consumers can register and order…

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Massachusetts Overhauls Medical Marijuana Dispensary Application Process

BOSTON, MA — The process for applying to operate a medical marijuana dispensary in Massachusetts was given a much needed overhaul on Friday, allowing dispensaries to be approved in a format similar to how other health care facilities, such as pharmacies, are licensed.

Officials from the Department of Public Health (DPH) said Friday that the new process for licencing Registered Marijuana Dispensaries would begin next month, aimed at streamlining the process for approval and provide better access for patients.  Previously announced changes to the application process were expected to be in place by May 15.

Massachusetts voters approved medical marijuana in 2012. (file)

Massachusetts voters approved medical marijuana in 2012. (file)

Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure in 2012 to legalize medical marijuana in the Bay State,…

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Best Practices Advocated for Labeling, Manufacturing Marijuana and Hemp Products

Groups convene in Washington, DC for third annual national medical cannabis conference March 27-31

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Cannabis Committee, in coordination with Americans for Safe Access (ASA), and the Hemp Industries Association (HIA), announces the release of a joint statement advocating for implementation of best practices for the regulation of consumable, topical, and inhalant cannabis and hemp-derived products to ensure quality and consumer safety.

These best practices were developed with the input of numerous industry experts and establish common language and defined terms for the transparent and accurate labeling of these products to support responsible commerce and informed use of the cannabis plant.

AHPA, ASA and HIA will be promoting…

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Report: $620 Million in Hemp Products Sold in the U.S. in 2014

Hemp Foods and Body Care Retail Market in U.S. Achieves 21.2% Growth in 2014

WASHINGTON, DC — The Hemp Industries Association (HIA), a non-profit trade association consisting of hundreds of hemp businesses, has released final estimates of the size of the 2014 U.S. retail market for hemp products.

Data from market research supports an estimate of total retail sales of hemp food and body care products in the United States at $200 million.  Sales of popular hemp items like non-dairy milk, shelled seed, soaps and lotions have continued to skyrocket against the backdrop of the new hemp research provision in the Farm Bill, and increasing grassroots pressure to allow hemp to be grown domestically on a commercial scale once again for U.S. processors and manufacturers. The HIA has also…

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FDA Issues Warnings to Makers of ‘Legal’ CBD Hemp Oil Products

Consumers should beware purchasing and using any such products, the FDA says

WASHINGTON, DC — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent letters to several makers of cannabidiol (CBD) oils derived from hemp, telling them to stop making medical claims about their products’ ability to treat disease.

Many sellers of hemp-based cannabidiol products, who advertise their products as “legal in all 50 states” because they are derived from industrial hemp, have been making claims that their products are rich in cannabidiol (CBD) and can be used for “the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of diseases,” according to the FDA.

The FDA, which considers CBD an “unapproved new drug,” says these companies are mis-branding the products and issuing false claims to…

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Washington Town Opens First Government Run Marijuana Store

Cannabis Corner in North Bonneville, home to about 1,000 people on the Columbia River Gorge, will sell a range of marijuana products with all profits going back to the local community

NORTH BONNEVILLE, WA — A small town in southern Washington on Saturday opened the state’s first recreational marijuana store that is both owned and operated by the local government, officials said.

Cannabis Corner in North Bonneville, home to about 1,000 people on the Columbia River Gorge, will sell a range of marijuana products with all profits going back to the local community, city leaders said.

“It’s a really great solution for these small, rural communities that need to raise a little bit of revenue,” said Robyn Legun, general manager of Cannabis Corner.

“I think it’s a really viable option…

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Mary’s Nutritionals, a Line of Supplements with CBD, Launches

DENVER, CO — Mary’s Medicinals announced Friday that it has combined its experience crafting award-winning offerings for the legal-cannabis community with the latest nutritional science to create Mary’s Nutritionals, a nationally available nutritional supplement line enriched with Cannabidiol (CBD) and other plant-based nutrients.

“Patients around the world are looking for accurately dosed, cleanly delivered CBD treatments. Due to prohibition in most areas, we can’t ship our cannabis products out of Colorado. It’s always broken my heart to have to say ‘no’ to those patients in need,” said Nicole Smith, Mary’s Medicinals CEO. “However, by sourcing a unique strain of industrial hemp that is rich in CBD, we are able to create new products with the benefits of whole…

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Colorado Marijuana Sales Total $700 Million in 2014

DENVER, CO — Retail sales of marijuana totaled just under $700 million in Colorado in 2014 – the first full year during which sales of marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes were allowed.

Total sales for the year were $699,198,805, according to data tabulated by the Colorado Department of Revenue. Sales of medicinal cannabis totaled some $386 million for the year, while marijuana sales at recreational outlets totaled $313 million.

Although retail sales of cannabis to anyone age 21 and older began officially on January 1, 2014, few commercial outlets were operational at that time.

Tax revenue from sales of recreational marijuana totaled some $44 million for 2014. That total includes revenues from the imposition of a special 10 percent sales tax and a 15 percent excise tax…

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Poll: No Buyer’s Remorse over Marijuana Legalization in Colorado

DENVER, CO — Nearly six out of ten Coloradans say that they support keeping retail marijuana production and sales legal, according to statewide polling data released Tuesday by Quinnipiac University.

The figure is a five percent increase in support since voters approved the law in November 2012. A September 2014 statewide NBC News/Marist College poll previously reported that 55 percent of Coloradoans favored the law.

Men and younger voters were most likely to support legalization. Voters ages 18 to 34 overwhelmingly favored state law (86 percent to 16 percent) while 50 percent of those ages 55 and older opposed it.

Male voters supported the legalization by a margin of 63 percent to 33 percent, while women only favored the law by a margin of 53 percent to 44 percent.

The gender gap in…

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Oaksterdam University Holding Las Vegas Job Fair to Prepare Candidates to Work in the Legal Cannabis Industry

OAKLAND, CA — To meet a huge demand, Oaksterdam University, known as “America’s first cannabis college,” will be holding an Indoor Horticulture Seminar in Las Vegas from March 6 through March 9.

The event is comprised of four days of intensive instruction covering every aspect on how to grow legal marijuana.

Industry experts are predicting there could be as many as 200,000 jobs related to the legal marijuana industry created in the U.S. this year alone.

Oaksterdam University works with employers in the legal cannabis industry to match them with the growing demand.

Classes will cover everything needed to know from seed to harvest, organizers say.  Attendees at the Las Vegas event will get certified in such subjects as:

  • Cultivation Law
  • Seed to Sale
  • Vegetative Growth
  • Organic…

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