Congress urged to fully open banks to marijuana industry
LOS ANGELES — Banking officials are urging Congress to fully open the doors of the U.S. bank system to the legal marijuana industry.Most Americans live in states where marijuana is legal in some form.But most banks don't want anything to do with pot money for fear it could expose them to legal trouble from the federal government, which still considers marijuana illegal.That conflict forces many businesses to operate only in cash, making them targets for crime and creating problems with paying taxes.A proposal in Congress would allow pot businesses to access banking services, while sheltering banks from prosecution for handling pot money.Some banking officials urged lawmakers at a House committee hearing Wednesday to pass the measure.
LOS ANGELES — Banking officials are urging Congress to fully open the doors of the U.S. bank system to the legal marijuana industry.Most Americans live in states where marijuana is legal in some form.But most banks don't want anything to do with pot money for fear it could expose them to legal trouble from the federal government, which still considers marijuana illegal.That conflict forces many businesses to operate only in cash, making them targets for crime and creating problems with paying taxes.A proposal in Congress would allow pot businesses to access banking services, while sheltering banks from prosecution for handling pot money.Some banking officials urged lawmakers at a House committee hearing Wednesday to pass the measure.
Football legend Joe Montana looking to score with marijuana
SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco 49er legend Joe Montana is looking to hit pay dirt in the legal marijuana industry.San Jose, California-based Caliva announced Thursday that the Hall of Fame quarterback's venture capital firm was taking part in a $75 million investment in the company.
SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco 49er legend Joe Montana is looking to hit pay dirt in the legal marijuana industry.San Jose, California-based Caliva announced Thursday that the Hall of Fame quarterback's venture capital firm was taking part in a $75 million investment in the company.
Higher percentage of California pot passing safety tests
LOS ANGELES — California marijuana producers are seeing a higher percentage of buds, oils and other products clear strict safety tests.Testing started in July saw about a 20 percent failure rate after the first two months.Now it's down to 14 percent.
LOS ANGELES — California marijuana producers are seeing a higher percentage of buds, oils and other products clear strict safety tests.Testing started in July saw about a 20 percent failure rate after the first two months.Now it's down to 14 percent.
Marlboro producer places $1.8 billion bet on marijuana
NEW YORK — One of the world's biggest tobacco companies is diving into the cannabis market with a $1.8 billion buy-in.Marlboro maker Altria Group Inc.
NEW YORK — One of the world's biggest tobacco companies is diving into the cannabis market with a $1.8 billion buy-in.Marlboro maker Altria Group Inc.
Michigan to be 1st Midwest state to allow recreational pot
DETROIT — Michigan clears a threshold this week as the first state in the Midwest to allow marijuana for more than just medical purposes.In the Nov. 6 election, voters by a wide margin endorsed recreational use by adults who are at least 21.
DETROIT — Michigan clears a threshold this week as the first state in the Midwest to allow marijuana for more than just medical purposes.In the Nov. 6 election, voters by a wide margin endorsed recreational use by adults who are at least 21.
Voters in Milwaukee, Dane counties want marijuana legalized
MILWAUKEE — A large majority of voters in Milwaukee and Dane counties favor legalizing marijuana for recreational use by adults.Unofficial returns from Milwaukee County show 70 percent of voters say the state's prohibition on marijuana should end and that its sales should be taxed.
MILWAUKEE — A large majority of voters in Milwaukee and Dane counties favor legalizing marijuana for recreational use by adults.Unofficial returns from Milwaukee County show 70 percent of voters say the state's prohibition on marijuana should end and that its sales should be taxed.
Canada prepares for legalized marijuana
DELTA, British Columbia — Mat Beren and his friends used to drive by the vast greenhouses of southern British Columbia and joke about how much weed they could grow there.Years later, it's no joke.
DELTA, British Columbia — Mat Beren and his friends used to drive by the vast greenhouses of southern British Columbia and joke about how much weed they could grow there.Years later, it's no joke.
Marijuana backers look for Midwest breakthrough in November
LANSING, Mich. — Backers of broad marijuana legalization are looking to break through a geographic barrier in November and get their first foothold in the Midwest after a string of election victories in Northeastern and Western states.Michigan and North Dakota, where voters previously authorized medical marijuana, will decide if the drug should be legal for any adult 21 and older.
LANSING, Mich. — Backers of broad marijuana legalization are looking to break through a geographic barrier in November and get their first foothold in the Midwest after a string of election victories in Northeastern and Western states.Michigan and North Dakota, where voters previously authorized medical marijuana, will decide if the drug should be legal for any adult 21 and older.
Baked before boiled: Maine restaurant treats lobsters with marijuana to ease pain before cooking
SOUTHWEST HARBOR, Maine — A Maine lobster pound is experimenting with getting lobsters high off marijuana smoke before killing and cooking them, believing it is “more humane.”In an experiment, Charlotte Gill owner of Charlotte’s Legendary Lobster Pound, put a lobster into a box with a few inches of water and then marijuana smoke was blown into the box, WMTW reports.Gill, who is a licensed medical marijuana caregiver in the state of Maine, claimed that the lobster was calmer for the next three weeks and that she even released it back into the ocean.“I feel bad that when lobsters come here there is no exit strategy,” Gill told the Mount Desert Islander. “It’s a unique place and you get to do such unique things but at the expense of this little creature.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR, Maine — A Maine lobster pound is experimenting with getting lobsters high off marijuana smoke before killing and cooking them, believing it is “more humane.”In an experiment, Charlotte Gill owner of Charlotte’s Legendary Lobster Pound, put a lobster into a box with a few inches of water and then marijuana smoke was blown into the box, WMTW reports.Gill, who is a licensed medical marijuana caregiver in the state of Maine, claimed that the lobster was calmer for the next three weeks and that she even released it back into the ocean.“I feel bad that when lobsters come here there is no exit strategy,” Gill told the Mount Desert Islander. “It’s a unique place and you get to do such unique things but at the expense of this little creature.
Survey finds 2M US teens are vaping marijuana
A school-based survey shows nearly 1 in 11 U.S. students have used marijuana in electronic cigarettes, heightening concern about the new popularity of vaping among teens.E-cigarettes typically contain nicotine, but results published Monday mean 2.1 million middle and high school students have used them to get high.The devices are generally considered a less dangerous alternative to regular cigarettes, despite little research on their long-term effects including whether they help smokers quit.The rise in teenagers using them has alarmed health officials.
A school-based survey shows nearly 1 in 11 U.S. students have used marijuana in electronic cigarettes, heightening concern about the new popularity of vaping among teens.E-cigarettes typically contain nicotine, but results published Monday mean 2.1 million middle and high school students have used them to get high.The devices are generally considered a less dangerous alternative to regular cigarettes, despite little research on their long-term effects including whether they help smokers quit.The rise in teenagers using them has alarmed health officials.
Bill requiring prosecutors to erase old pot convictions awaits governor's signature in California
SAN FRANCISCO— A bill requiring California prosecutors to erase or reduce tens of thousands of marijuana criminal convictions was approved by the state Legislature on Wednesday and now awaits Gov.
SAN FRANCISCO— A bill requiring California prosecutors to erase or reduce tens of thousands of marijuana criminal convictions was approved by the state Legislature on Wednesday and now awaits Gov.
Racine County supervisors propose advisory referendum on legalization of pot for recreational, medicinal use
RACINE -- Two Racine County supervisors have proposed an advisory referendum to call for the legalization of cannabis for recreational and medicinal use.According to a news release from Supervisor Nick Demske (1st District) and Supervisor Fabi Maldonado (2nd District) the advisory referendum would call for the legalization for people who are over the age of 21.
RACINE -- Two Racine County supervisors have proposed an advisory referendum to call for the legalization of cannabis for recreational and medicinal use.According to a news release from Supervisor Nick Demske (1st District) and Supervisor Fabi Maldonado (2nd District) the advisory referendum would call for the legalization for people who are over the age of 21.
O Canna-bis! US marijuana companies go public in Canada
PORTLAND, Ore. — Green Thumb Industries had a business plan, expertise and plenty of ambition to grow its marijuana business.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Green Thumb Industries had a business plan, expertise and plenty of ambition to grow its marijuana business.
Pranksters plant marijuana plants in city-owned flower pots in Wyoming
POWELL, Wyo. — A Wyoming city has discovered its potted plants have literally gone to pot.Officials in Powell believe pranksters planted marijuana seeds in city-owned flower pots this spring, leading unsuspecting city workers to water and care for them.The Powell Tribune reports city Parks and Recreation staff noticed the unauthorized greenery late last month while watering the pots, including one not far from the police station.Parks Superintendent Del Barton says workers pulled two plants on June 29 and took them to police.
POWELL, Wyo. — A Wyoming city has discovered its potted plants have literally gone to pot.Officials in Powell believe pranksters planted marijuana seeds in city-owned flower pots this spring, leading unsuspecting city workers to water and care for them.The Powell Tribune reports city Parks and Recreation staff noticed the unauthorized greenery late last month while watering the pots, including one not far from the police station.Parks Superintendent Del Barton says workers pulled two plants on June 29 and took them to police.
Vermont becomes 9th state with legal recreational marijuana
MONTPELIER, Vt. — Recreational marijuana is now legal in Vermont, the ninth state to legalize it.Adults over age 21 will be able to possess up to 1 ounce (28 grams) of marijuana, two mature marijuana plants and four immature plants.The new law went into effect Sunday and does not set up a system to tax or regulate the production of marijuana.
MONTPELIER, Vt. — Recreational marijuana is now legal in Vermont, the ninth state to legalize it.Adults over age 21 will be able to possess up to 1 ounce (28 grams) of marijuana, two mature marijuana plants and four immature plants.The new law went into effect Sunday and does not set up a system to tax or regulate the production of marijuana.
Medical milestone: US OKs marijuana-based drug for seizures
WASHINGTON — U.S. health regulators on Monday approved the first prescription drug made from marijuana, a milestone that could spur more research into a drug that remains illegal under federal law, despite growing legalization for recreational and medical use.The Food and Drug Administration approved the medication, called Epidiolex, to treat two rare forms of epilepsy that begin in childhood.
WASHINGTON — U.S. health regulators on Monday approved the first prescription drug made from marijuana, a milestone that could spur more research into a drug that remains illegal under federal law, despite growing legalization for recreational and medical use.The Food and Drug Administration approved the medication, called Epidiolex, to treat two rare forms of epilepsy that begin in childhood.
Argentina: cocaine seized in World Cup trophy replicas
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Some Argentines are taking advantage of World Cup fervor.The security minister of Buenos Aires province said Friday that police have broken up an organization that trafficked marijuana and cocaine in fake World Cup trophies.The so-called "Narcos de la Copa" took advantage of the global merchandising boom generated by the soccer tournament to move the drug without raising suspicions."These merchants of death have endless ingenuity, but don't be fooled.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Some Argentines are taking advantage of World Cup fervor.The security minister of Buenos Aires province said Friday that police have broken up an organization that trafficked marijuana and cocaine in fake World Cup trophies.The so-called "Narcos de la Copa" took advantage of the global merchandising boom generated by the soccer tournament to move the drug without raising suspicions."These merchants of death have endless ingenuity, but don't be fooled.
Canada to legalize marijuana on Oct. 17
TORONTO — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday marijuana will be legal nationwide on October 17.Trudeau said in Parliament that the government is committed to better protecting Canada's youth and hopes to take money away from organized crime.The Senate gave final passage to Trudeau's bill to legalize cannabis on Tuesday.
TORONTO — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday marijuana will be legal nationwide on October 17.Trudeau said in Parliament that the government is committed to better protecting Canada's youth and hopes to take money away from organized crime.The Senate gave final passage to Trudeau's bill to legalize cannabis on Tuesday.
Canada Senate passes bill legalizing recreational marijuana
TORONTO -- Canada's Senate gave final passage Tuesday to the federal government's bill to legalize cannabis, though Canadians will have to wait at least a couple of months to legally buy marijuana as their country becomes the second in the world to make pot legal nationwide.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government had hoped to make pot legal by July 1, but the government has said provincial and territorial governments will need eight to 12 weeks following Senate passage and royal assent to prepare for retail sales.
TORONTO -- Canada's Senate gave final passage Tuesday to the federal government's bill to legalize cannabis, though Canadians will have to wait at least a couple of months to legally buy marijuana as their country becomes the second in the world to make pot legal nationwide.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government had hoped to make pot legal by July 1, but the government has said provincial and territorial governments will need eight to 12 weeks following Senate passage and royal assent to prepare for retail sales.
NYPD will start using summonses, not arrests, for marijuana
NEW YORK — The New York Police Department will issue criminal summonses to most people caught smoking marijuana in public instead of arresting them starting Sept. 1.Officers will still arrest people with prior arrests for violent crimes, parolees, drivers and some others under the policy Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner James O'Neill announced Tuesday.People with summonses will have to go to court and pay a $100 fine.Manhattan's district attorney had already announced his office will stop prosecuting most low-level marijuana cases Aug. 1.The state's top health official said Monday that a report on marijuana will recommend legalization.Lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn for the year this week, suggesting it'll be 2019 at the earliest before the issue is considered.
NEW YORK — The New York Police Department will issue criminal summonses to most people caught smoking marijuana in public instead of arresting them starting Sept. 1.Officers will still arrest people with prior arrests for violent crimes, parolees, drivers and some others under the policy Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner James O'Neill announced Tuesday.People with summonses will have to go to court and pay a $100 fine.Manhattan's district attorney had already announced his office will stop prosecuting most low-level marijuana cases Aug. 1.The state's top health official said Monday that a report on marijuana will recommend legalization.Lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn for the year this week, suggesting it'll be 2019 at the earliest before the issue is considered.