420 with CNW – Federal Data Reveals Underage Marijuana Use Isn’t Increasing After Legalization

While marijuana legalization opponents often claim that legalizing the drug will cause underage use of marijuana to skyrocket, the data seems to contradict this view. The latest proof that the fears of those opposed to legalization are unfounded is survey data released by the Substances Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration-SAMHSA on Tuesday.

SAMHSA released the results of the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showing that the proportion of youth who have used marijuana within the last 30 days was less than the percentage of those who had used the drug according to the survey results of 2002-2004 and 2009-2013. Instead the teen marijuana use rates where similar to those recorded during the surveys done 2014-2017.

Nationally, the survey results show that the rates of teen marijuana use have been showing a downward trend from the time states started legalizing recreational marijuana. For example, the kids aged 12-17 who admitted to using marijuana were 13.5 percent of the respondents in 2012 but that number dropped to 12.5 percent during the 2018 survey.

The highest rate of teen marijuana use was recorded in 2002 when 15.8 percent reported that they used cannabis in the past month.

It should be remembered that Washington State and Colorado were the first to vote to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012, and commercial sales started in 2014.

The 2018 survey also shows that cases of cannabis use disorder declined among children aged 12-17. This is the seventh straight year of dropping cannabis misuse by teens.

What makes the findings of this survey interesting is the fact that there is a growing reduction in the number of people who think that the recreational use of marijuana is risky. This flies counter to the view held by legalization opponents that when recreational pot becomes legal, the drug will be normalized and its abuse will skyrocket.

In all, the survey found that there was a general increase in the number of people who use marijuana in all age groups. Individuals who are older than 26 accounted for the largest increase in marijuana consumption with the rate going up to 13.3 in 2018 from 12.2 percent the previous year.

It is believed that the latest federal data may not have come as a surprise to cannabis industry players like Sproutly Canada Inc. (CSE: SPR) (OTCQB: SRUTF) (FRA: 38G) and Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) since the industry has always maintained that adult-use marijuana could actually deter underage use since the market of the drug will be regulated.

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

420 with CNW – Maryland Court Rules Marijuana Smell Not Enough to Warrant a Body Search

The winds of change regarding marijuana laws around the country have evoked the lyrics of Bob Dylan when he wrote “The Times They Are a-Changin’” nearly 60 years ago. In fact, a court of law in Maryland quoted those very lyrics during its landmark ruling in a marijuana case in which the police was told they didn’t have “probable cause” to search the appellant just because the officers could smell pot.

This landmark ruling traces its roots to the arrest of Michael Pacheco back in 2016. The 26-year old had been found in his parked car in Montgomery County. The arresting officers testified that they were prompted to act when they sensed the smell of freshly combusted marijuana and they saw a cannabis joint on the car’s console.

These officers then ordered Pacheco out of his car and proceeded to search it. A subsequent body search unearthed some cocaine concealed in one of his pockets.

Pacheco’s legal team argued that the cocaine was found during an illegal search since there was no probable cause to justify the body search. This matter went to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals where Pacheco lost the case and was convicted.

His legal team filed an appeal with the Maryland Court of Appeals and this higher court quoted Bob Dilan as they quashed his conviction. The judges were unanimous (7-0) in their decision to reverse the conviction.

In their ruling, the judges observed that the laws governing marijuana had changed in different jurisdictions. For example, the possession and use of less than 10grams of marijuana has been legal for five years in Maryland. Consequently, the officers needed probable cause to suspect that Pacheco had more than 10grams before they could legally search him or his vehicle. This wasn’t available in this case, the judges observed.

The judges also pointed out that the circumstances that can warrant the search of a car may not be sufficient for the police to conduct a body search. This is because someone’s body enjoys a higher expectation of privacy when compared to when that person is in a vehicle.

Another judge on the panel that overturned Pacheco’s conviction noted that their ruling was limited in nature. He explained that driving under the influence of marijuana is a big concern and this ruling shouldn’t be interpreted to mean that the police cannot arrest an individual that they find sitting in the driver’s seat of a car in which there is no other occupant and that individual is smoking marijuana. In such a case, the police may pick interest in that individual under the presumption that he or she may drive under the influence.

Analysts think that this ruling will be welcomed by the marijuana industry fraternity, including participants like Plus Products Inc. (CSE: PLUS) (OTCQB: PLPRF) and SinglePoint Inc. (OTCQB: SING). Similar rulings are likely to be made in jurisdictions where marijuana is legal.

About CNW420

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

420 with CNW – New Zealand Study Concludes Teens Are Losing Interest in Marijuana

A study whose findings were published in the New Zealand Medical Journal on Friday suggests that marijuana use among high school students is exhibiting a downward trend. This study comes to the same conclusion as another study that was conducted in the U.S.

According to the New Zealand study, the proportion of high school students who admitted that they tried using marijuana dropped to 23 percent in 2012 from the 38 percent recorded in 2001. The proportion of students who admitted to using marijuana on a weekly basis also reduced from approximately 6 percent in 2001 to 3.1 percent in the figures for 2012.

The data used to arrive at these findings was taken from a total of 2,000 national surveys done in 2001, 2007 and 2012.

Jude Ball, the lead author of the study, admitted that while his team’s findings were five years old, they were still a valuable indicator of teen behavior with regard to marijuana use.

Brad Olsen, a 22-year old New Zealander, talked about his age cohort in response to questions about marijuana use among teens and young adults. Olsen revealed that social media has increased teens’ awareness about different global issues, such as alcohol and drugs. This has made young people to become more careful regarding what they do, and most had resorted to seeking out better experiences (travel and concerts, for example).

Olsen’s views seem to hold water given how often posts and images about travel show up on the social media accounts of teens and young adults.

It is also possible that as people start joining the workforce earlier in life, their priorities change and they are less inclined to get involved in risky behavior that can jeopardize their day-to-day pursuits.

The findings of this study in New Zealand have come at a critical time when the country is gearing up to vote (during the 2020 general election) on whether recreational marijuana should be legalized in the country.

The study findings almost mirror the results of a similar study that was conducted this year in the U.S. The researchers found that there was an 8 percent reduction in the number of high school students who use marijuana ever since the drug was legalized for medical use.

The authors of that study concluded that there was no proof to show that when marijuana is legalized, more teens use the drug.

Analysts believe that industry players like Neutra Corp. (OTCQB: NTRR) and Organigram Holdings Inc. (TSX.V: OGI) (NASDAQ: OGI) may feel vindicated by these research findings since the industry has always insisted that legalizing marijuana doesn’t trigger a rise in teen use of the substance.

About CNW420

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

420 with CNW – Canadian Startup Makes Headway in Developing Marijuana Breathalyzer for US Police

Y-Combinator, a startup accelerator based in California, has picked interest in an Ontario-based startup which is developing a breathalyzer that can detect both alcohol and marijuana on the breath of drivers. Y-Combinator is known for having worked with Airbnb, Dropbox and Reddit, so the Canadian startup should be given ample attention if it has caught the eye of this startup accelerator.

SannTek Labs Inc. is the company behind the breathalyzer. This company was founded by two engineering graduate students at the University of Waterloo. The duo plan to develop a testing device which is more robust, more accurate and less invasive than what is currently available on the market. The current THC testing equipment on the market requires a saliva or blood sample.

According to survey data released by Statistics Canada, the Canadian federal government agency responsible for collecting data, approximately 1.4 million Canadian residents in 2018 reported that they had ever travelled in a car driven by someone who had used cannabis within the previous two hours. Such statistics underscore how important roadside marijuana testing equipment is, and the nanotechnology-driven SannTek 315 breathalyzer is an answer to that need.

However, the authorities have to contend with the reality that while it is easy to detect alcohol, marijuana presents numerous challenges since it is fat-soluble. The THC in marijuana may remain in someone’s muscle tissues without that individual showing any sign that they are intoxicated by the drug.

Consequently, it is harder to prove cannabis intoxication when compared to proving that someone is intoxicated/impaired by alcohol.

This is where the SannTek 315 device comes in. The makers of this device claim that their invention has the capability of making an accurate determination of how much THC a person consumed within the past 3-4 hours. Based on these findings, the police can decide whether the person can be prosecuted or not.

This claim may be questionable, given that the scientific community is yet to agree on how much THC can impair a person. To compound matters further, tolerance levels vary, so what can impair one person may not have any effect on another person who uses marijuana more regularly or heavily.

Nevertheless, the innovators at SannTek Labs Inc. hope that their device will attract the attention (and money) of police departments in the U.S. For that to happen, the U.S. NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has to first test and approve the products for use. Each device is estimated to cost between $800 and $1,000 although the products aren’t on sale as yet.

Industry watchers are of the view that the cannabis industry, including actors like MustGrow Biologics Corp. (CSE: MGRO) and Nabis Holdings (CSE: NAB) (OTC: NABIF) (FRA: 71P), may be looking to innovators like the ones at SannTek Labs Inc. for solutions to some of the nagging questions about cannabis use by drivers.

About CNW420

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

420 with CNW – Marijuana Legalization Takes a Step Forward in South Dakota

South Dakota is one of the few states in the U.S. that hasn’t legalized marijuana for either recreational or medicinal use. However, this may change if the recent flurry of activity to certify legalization measures eventually bears fruit on voting day in 2020. One particular ballot measure has recently earned an official explanation written by the state’s attorney general.

This measure is a rather ambitious one because it seeks to legalize medical marijuana, recreational marijuana and industrial hemp, all in one fell swoop.

The recreational use of marijuana would be legalized through an amendment to the state constitution while the state legislature would be mandated to debate and pass laws regulating medical marijuana and hemp.

In his explanation of the measure, Jason Ravnsborg, the South Dakota Attorney General, wrote that the measure seeks to legalize the use, possession, transport and distribution of cannabis by adults who are 21 years old or older. He added that cannabis plants and products produced from those plants may also be permitted under clearly defined circumstances.

Additionally, the department of revenue in the state would issue licenses to businesses that wished to cultivate, manufacture, test or distribute marijuana. Local authorities may opt out of allowing marijuana businesses to operate within their jurisdictions, according to the ballot initiative.

The AG’s explanation also emphasizes that the marijuana measure doesn’t make industrial hemp legal. Hemp can only be legalized once the legislature enacts an enabling law.

The initiative proposes that an excise tax of 15 percent should be levied on all sales of marijuana. This revenue will be used to fund the activities related to regulating the marijuana industry, and what remains will go to education and the general fund from which other state activities or programs are funded.

This explanation is similar to the one that the AG issued with respect to another proposed amendment to legalize medical cannabis in South Dakota.

The attorney general’s office also revealed that a few more measures are awaiting certification by his office. For any of those measures to make it onto the state ballot, the activists behind it must gather at least 33,921 verifiable signatures from voters in the state.

For now, it isn’t yet clear whether the campaigners will rally around one initiative rather than each group of advocates going it alone. Industry experts believe that it would be in the interest of the entire cannabis industry, including players like Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) and Marijuana Company of America Inc. (OTCQB: MCOA), to combine forces and promote one initiative so that the chances of success can be increased in this largely conservative state.

About CNW420

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

420 with CNW – Female Legislators from Across the US Hold Marijuana Conference in Colorado

A total of thirty female state legislators from across the country have converged in Denver, Colorado to attend a marijuana policy summit. This summit is organized by the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL).

The female lawmakers who attend this event will learn about the way in which marijuana laws have been evolving, how the industry is licensed and taxed, the available science on the public health concerns regarding marijuana, and many other topics.

The participants in this summit will also be given an opportunity to tour a facility where marijuana is dispensed so that the lawmakers can witness the process and interact with the people working at that dispensary.

The website of the event states that NFWL is bringing together female lawmakers from states where cannabis is already legal or is in the process of being legalized so that the legislators can learn from one another. This two-day summit ends today and we shall be bringing you the details of what transpired.

Nine foundation members are scheduled to address the summit. The most notable of this group includes Rep. Kimberly Dudik (D) from Montana who is planning to contest to become the attorney general of the state. Others are Sen. Donna Kim (D) from Hawaii, Rep. Lois Landgraf (R) from Colorado and Rep. Karen Camper (D) from Tennessee.

In total, eight marijuana panels are planned for the event. The first panel will focus on the marijuana policies in different states, starting with Colorado which legalized marijuana first. The policies of the states that legalized later on will also be discussed to give the summit its proper legal context.

The second panel will focus on commercial marijuana operations. Here, the different marijuana products and their potency will be discussed, followed by an overview of the different categories into which these products are bunched together for licensing purposes. Other licenses in the industry will also be covered.

Another panel will look at marijuana and human health. The focus of this particular panel discussion will be on CBD and the need for clinical trials to be done so that more information can be availed regarding the potential of this compound. There will be a discussion of how the healthcare system is working in the wake of the marijuana industry.

Another panel at the summit will look at the importance of public safety. Here, the experience of cannabis legalization in Colorado will be looked at as a case study of the different law enforcement challenges that emerged after legalization and the lessons learned from the expected and unexpected public health consequences of marijuana legalization.

In short, the panels will cover the entire gamut of issues connected to marijuana legalization so that participants can leave when they are better equipped to make the right decisions when these issues come up for debate in their jurisdictions.

Experts are convinced that summits like this one held in Colorado are good news to industry players like Hemptown USA and IONIC Brands Corp. (CSE: IONC) (OTC: IONKF) because the events normalize conversations about marijuana and result in rational decisions about the substance.

About CNW420

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

420 with CNW – NIDA Unveils Cannabis Research Priority List

In a notice that was published on Wednesday, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provided a list of the areas that it considers a priority for marijuana research to focus on. These research objectives show that the federal government is taking note of the increasing levels of success that are being registered by advocates who want to see U.S. marijuana law reform.

NIDA observes that the pace at which marijuana policy reform is taking place outpaces the rate at which knowledge is becoming available to help countries around the world to ascertain how the public health effects of the marijuana policy changes can be assessed.

When the list of 13 priorities is analyzed, it is apparent that the federal agency has decided to be broad-minded as it seeks to understand the wave of cannabis legalization across the country. For example, the agency doesn’t just want to know what effects cannabis has, but also wants to learn why people take to medical marijuana and continue using it.

Some of the other objectives listed in the notice of special interest include developing standards that can be followed while measuring the dosage, impairment and intoxication by cannabis.

Another objective seeks to understand how using marijuana alongside or in substitution of other substances, such as alcohol, prescription and non-prescription drugs, tobacco affects health outcomes. The NIDA notice calls this “polysubstance use.”

The federal agency also wants to know how marijuana industry practices, such as marketing, taxes and product prices impact the health outcomes of cannabis use. From this research objective, one can read that NIDA wants to find out whether cannabis industry players are doing anything to make access to marijuana easier, and whether anything can be done (through taxes, for example) to make the drug less accessible.

Of interest to NIDA are the different policies and systems under which marijuana distribution is done in various jurisdictions across the U.S. Which combination of policies and practices offers the best ways to minimize the potential harms of marijuana to the public?

The recent months have seen a number of federal agencies publish notices of marijuana research funding opportunities. In fact, in May this year NIDA advertised a position which to all intents and purposes required someone who would prepare and analyze cannabis rolls/joints for research purposes.

Industry watchers believe that marijuana industry actors like Green Growth Brands Inc. (CSE: GGB) (OTCQB: GGBXF) and Green Hygienics Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: GRYN) will view this newly published notice authored by NIDA as a sign that the federal government may be considering how to reform its marijuana policies without taking too many chances on matters of public health.

About CNW420

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

420 with CNW – Illinois Governor Signs Two Bills Expanding Medical Marijuana Program

As another sign of his pledge to make marijuana accessible to Illinois residents, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed two more bills on Monday expanding the medical marijuana program of the state. He stated that the signing ceremony was a message to all medical marijuana users in the state that the state government was on their side.

Senate Bill 2023 was intended to make the medical marijuana program permanent in Illinois. Under the law which legalized medical marijuana back in 2013, the program was transitional and had been given a lifespan of four years.

This particular bill also added 11 conditions to the list of qualifying conditions for which patients can get a recommendation from a doctor to use medical marijuana. The additional conditions include migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pain, polycystic kidney disease and several other conditions.

Starting in January next year, patients on the medical marijuana program will also be allowed to grow a maximum of five cannabis plants. These plants should be in locked areas that are far from public view.

As soon as Senate Bill 2023 was signed, physicians’ assistants and nurse practitioners were allowed to start certifying patients who wished to enroll on the medical marijuana program.

Senate Bill 455 was also signed on Monday. Under this law, kids who are registered to use medical cannabis can now starting getting their treatment on school premises as long as the administration of the medical marijuana is supervised by a member of staff at the school.

The bill also emphasizes that no one who hasn’t attained the age of 21 will be allowed to legally buy marijuana that can be smoked.

The medical marijuana program has seen many modifications from the original program of 2013 which was variously described as too restrictive. For example, under that law, patients had to get a written recommendation from a doctor before being certified to use medical marijuana and they could only buy 2.5 ounces every fortnight. The patients also had to make a pledge that they would never use medical marijuana in the presence of kids or in public. The number of qualifying conditions was also smaller, but most of these restrictions have gradually been eased.

Additionally, the state instituted an Opioid Alternative Pilot Program in February. Under this program, Illinois residents who have opioid abuse problems can have an accelerated path to temporary access to medical cannabis.

As the country counts down to next year when recreational marijuana will become available to residents, experts believe that marijuana industry participants like Golden Developing Solutions Inc. (OTC: DVLP) and Grapefruit Boulevard Investments Inc. (OTCQB: IGNG) are pleased by the progressive way in which matters of the cannabis industry are being handled in Illinois.

About CNW420

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

420 with CNW – Outside Lands Makes News as First US Festival to Sell Weed On-Site

Last weekend saw festival-goers in Northern California treated to the first ever major festival to sell marijuana on-site. This happened during the Outside Lands music festival which was held between August 9 and 11 in San Francisco at the Golden Gate Park.

The event had a cordoned-off area called Grass Lands where marijuana and music lovers were delighted to learn that they could buy different marijuana products. More than 20 cannabis vendors were in this section of the festival grounds to serve customers.

While consuming marijuana in public is still illegal in California, the Outside Lands music festival provided a rare opportunity for people to buy and consume pre-rolled joints, marijuana-infused chocolates and other products. People who wanted to smoke their weed could do so in a clearly marked smoking area.

The Outside Lands festival was also notable because it had another first for California. State law doesn’t permit the sale of weed and alcohol within the same venue, but festival attendees could enjoy both. The only restriction was that no one was allowed to enter Grass Lands with an alcoholic beverage, but alcohol was abundant in the other sections of the festival venue.

Grass Lands made its first appearance at the Outside Lands festival last year. During its maiden appearance, only educational materials were available for festival-goers to learn about marijuana and its numerous benefits.

This year, the organizers of Grass Lands had to wait until August 7 when the San Francisco Office of Cannabis finally approved the application for on-site sale of marijuana during the festival. This approval came just two days before the Outside Lands festival was due to start.

The people who attended the festival were allowed to buy a maximum of 2grams of marijuana concentrates while those who wanted cannabis flower could only buy up to 7grams of pot.

Many of the vendors at Grass Lands, such as Kiva Confections and NUG, revealed that their objective in taking part during this year’s Outside Lands festival was to help in making conversations about cannabis and its use normal in society.

As the first event at which cannabis has been sold and consumed in the state, this year’s Outside Lands could be a pointer of what is yet to come for the cannabis industry.

It is widely believed that the entire cannabis industry, including participants like Earth Science Tech Inc. (OTCQB: ETST) and Geyser Brands Inc. (TSX.V: GYSR), applauded the success of this festival because other jurisdictions could borrow a leaf and ease up on the consumption of marijuana during outdoor events.

About CNW420

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

420 with CNW – The American Bar Association Asks Congress to Pass Legislation Allowing States to Enact Their Own Cannabis Laws

The American Bar Association-ABA passed a resolution on Monday calling on Congress to let states pass and implement their own marijuana laws. The resolution also wants marijuana to be rescheduled or descheduled by the federal government.

This resolution was adopted during this year’s annual general meeting of the ABA held in San Francisco. While the proponents of the resolution waived their time to talk about that resolution, the resolution was passed without any audible opposition to it.

The ABA emphasized that it didn’t favor or disagree with marijuana legalization, but their chief concern was the untenable contradictions between the federal marijuana laws and the marijuana policies of the states that have opted to legalize the drug for medical and/or recreational use.

The members specifically refer to the complications that state-legal marijuana businesses face on a daily basis, such as being targets because of operating in cash alone. The companies also pay very high federal taxes since the tax-deductible expenses that other businesses enjoy aren’t applicable to marijuana businesses.

The association of 411,000 members therefore urged Congress to pass a law that exempts any marijuana cultivation, processing, manufacture, distribution, and use from the Controlled Substances Act as long as such activity complies with state law.

The resolution of ABA also points out that the spending riders and the guidance memos written by the Department of Justice are not enough to address the regulatory uncertainty. For example, the spending riders have to be revisited each year, and it isn’t clear for how long they will keep being approved. A clear example is the uncertainty surrounding the spending rider covering recreational marijuana. The marijuana industry doesn’t know whether the Senate will endorse that DOJ spending rider, so uncertainty remains.

The American Bar Association also wants the federal government to support marijuana research so that states and the federal government make science-based decisions on the drug. ABA points out that while the DEA called for applications from organizations and companies which could provide research-grade marijuana, no action has been taken three years after the applications were submitted.

The resolution indicates that while the body of knowledge about marijuana, such as its medicinal properties, has grown from the time marijuana was placed in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), no step has been taken to adjust the scheduling of the drug and yet other substances, such as alcohol, have been removed. Consequently, the revision of the scheduling of marijuana is overdue, according to the ABA.

Analysts are convinced that industry players like Chemistree Technology Inc. (CSE: CHM) (OTCQB: CHMJF) and ChineseInvestors.com Inc. (OTCQB: CIIX) fully agree with the resolution passed by the American Bar Association, but they also wonder how long it will take lawmakers to finally act on this matter.

About CNW420

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com