Meet first-ever DEA official to defect to cannabis industry

Cannabist Q&A with ex-DEA agent Patrick Moen: 'The overwhelming majority of my (DEA) colleagues shared my view' that marijuana prohibition is 'a wasteful policy.'

Gun-Sale-Ban-Ruling for MMJ Patients Could Affect Coloradans, Attorney Says

Last month, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the federal ban on gun sales to medical marijuana patients was constitutional. But since the court's jurisdiction doesn't include Colorado, local patients aren't affected, right? Not so fast, says marijuana attorney Rob Corry. When asked if the ruling could eventually lead to greater limitations on [...]

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Colorado Will Use Marijuana Taxes to Fund Bully Prevention Grants

Colorado Will Use Marijuana Taxes to Fund Bully Prevention Grants | Scott Gacek

Opponents to marijuana legalization often tout the archaic question, “what about the children?”, despite numerous studies that have shown that marijuana reform generally reduces teen use. Well, Colorado has the answer.  Ever since the state began taxing retail cannabis sales, schools in the state have benefited, with $40 million already being used to fund new […]

Colorado Will Use Marijuana Taxes to Fund Bully Prevention Grants | The Daily Chronic

Meet Patrick Moen, the first-ever DEA official to defect to the marijuana industry

Despite the nation's ever-increasing battle against widespread opioid addiction, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration still said no to rescheduling marijuana in August. Perhaps the unlikeliest champion of the decision? Privateer Holdings' managing director and general counsel Patrick Moen. For a high-ranking cannabis industry executive, Moen also has the unlikeliest of…

DES Director E-Mails Anti-Prop 205 Campaign Propaganda to Entire Staff

Tim Jeffries, the outspoken director of the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), wants people to vote no this November on Proposition 205, the ballot measure that seeks to legalize recreational use of marijuana in the state. Jeffries has donated a total of $1,500 personally to the opposition group,Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy (ARDP), and spoke [...]

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Cannabist Show: He's Colorado's chief medical officer; He oversees the state's Marijuana Enforcement Division

Guests: Dr. Larry Wolk, Colorado's top medical official, and Ron Kammerzell, who oversees the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division. Talking about the rules of legalization, underage stings on shops, teen use and more.

Feds launch major raid on illegal marijuana operations in southeast Colorado

Federal agents and local law enforcement are conducting operations targeting suspected illegal marijuana grows across southeast Colorado on Wednesday.

Support for Marijuana Legalization Growing in Massachusetts

Support for Marijuana Legalization Growing in Massachusetts | Scott Gacek

BOSTON, MA - Support for a proposed ballot question to legalize, tax and regulate recreational marijuana for adults in Massachusetts continues to grow, according to recent polling data. A new WBZ-UMass Amherst poll released Wednesday found 53% of Bay State voters favor Question 4, while only 40% were opposed to the measure.  Seven percent remain […]

Support for Marijuana Legalization Growing in Massachusetts | The Daily Chronic

Female Pot Farmers Arrested For Forcibly Detaining Workers

The state's growing regions can be dangerous. Here's your daily round-up of pot-news, excerpted from the newsletter WeedWeek. Download WeedWeek's free 2016 election guide here. Two women were arrested for detaining four brothers on a California pot farm and forcing them to work for six months. In Colorado, 14 Chinese nationals were arrested at an [...]

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Former NFLer Eugene Monroe Suing Maryland Over Weed Licenses

After retiring from the league he joined the industry. Here's your daily round-up of pot-news, excerpted from the newsletter WeedWeek. Download WeedWeek's free 2016 election guide here. Cannabis activist and former NFL-player Eugene Monroe is part of a company suing Maryland regulatorsfor rejecting its permit application. Maryland lawmaker Dr. Dan K. Morhain faces an ethics [...]

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Arizona: Yes on 205 Marijuana Legalization Campaign Launches TV Ads

Arizona: Yes on 205 Marijuana Legalization Campaign Launches TV Ads | Barrett Marson

PHOENIX, AZ - The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol launched a statewide TV ad campaign Tuesday in support of Prop. 205. The ad, “Regulation Works,” highlights some of the benefits of regulating and taxing marijuana and sets the record straight about the impact a similar ballot initiative has had in Colorado. The ad begins by […]

Arizona: Yes on 205 Marijuana Legalization Campaign Launches TV Ads | The Daily Chronic

Embattled weed tech company MassRoots cuts jobs amid debt default

MassRoots Inc. has cut more than 40 percent of its workforce and recently defaulted on debt payments, the Denver-based firm disclosed.

FBI: Marijuana Arrests Decline Significantly In 2015

FBI: Marijuana Arrests Decline Significantly In 2015 | Paul Armentano

Marijuana-related arrests in the United States have fallen to their lowest levels since the mid-1990s, according to data released today by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, police made 643,122 arrests for marijuana-related offenses in 2015. Of those arrested, 574,641 (89 percent of all drug-related arrests) were charged with marijuana […]

FBI: Marijuana Arrests Decline Significantly In 2015 | The Daily Chronic

Republican Stalwart Sen. Lindsey Graham Warms to Weed

He held a hearing on how its classified by the Federal Government. Here's your daily round-up of pot-news, excerpted from the newsletter WeedWeek. Download WeedWeek's free 2016 election guide here. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham is the latest high-profile Republication to show hints of evolving on cannabis policy. He's a cosponsor of the CARERS Act [...]

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Pennywise (marijuana review)

Our reviewer's heart belongs to Pennywise the punk band, and now maybe the high-CBD strain of the same name.

Report: Canada health officials did not take action on contaminated pot

A Globe and Mail investigation revealed that government officials did not act after receiving tests showing tainted retail pot being sold.

After Nearly 80 Years of Marijuana Prohibition, the Tide is Turning

After Nearly 80 Years of Marijuana Prohibition, the Tide is Turning | Terry Franklin

As marijuana legalization gains traction across the country, some ask “Why now?” A better question perhaps is “How did this prohibition ever last so long?” People have always suffered the compulsion to hunt scapegoats, and politicians are more than happy to pander to our harshest instincts. With two world wars and the Cold War, the […]

After Nearly 80 Years of Marijuana Prohibition, the Tide is Turning | The Daily Chronic

Why Colorado Tokers Love Kandy Kush

I like to consider myself a manly man in most regards - I drink my coffee black, like my beers strong and consider V-necks a stain upon society. But when it comes to marijuana, I'm pretty much a yoga-pants-wearing wimp holding a pumpkin-spice latte: I like my strains sweet, sugary and rich. Seeing a jar labeled [...]

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Tennessee: Nashville Decriminalizes Marijuana Possession

Tennessee: Nashville Decriminalizes Marijuana Possession | Thomas H. Clarke

NASHVILLE, TN - Music City, USA has become the first city in Tennessee to remove criminal penalties for marijuana possession. On Tuesday, the Nashville Metro Council gave final approval to an ordinance that will keep those caught possessing up to half an ounce of marijuana out of jail. The ordinance gives police officers the discretion to […]

Tennessee: Nashville Decriminalizes Marijuana Possession | The Daily Chronic

Bob Marley's youngest son opens Stony Hill, his own Jamaica-inspired marijuana shop

Wiz Khalifa has his own marijuana strain. Snoop Dogg has an entire line of edibles, concentrates and flower. Willie Nelson's company is actually growing its own cannabis plants. And now Bob Marley's youngest son has a pot shop branded with his name and aesthetics.

Police: 4 men held captive at California pot farm, forced to work for months

Two women have been arrested on charges of holding four brothers captive at an illegal marijuana farm in Northern California and forcing them to work there for six months, police said Wednesday.

The NFL's top advocate for medical marijuana takes Maryland regulators to court

The NFL's foremost medical pot advocate is now a partner in a company suing Maryland marijuana regulators for rejecting its application to grow cannabis.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey Battles AZ Pot Legalization With Behind-the-Scenes Fundraising

Governor Doug Ducey's work to defeat marijuana legalization in Arizona has included a lot of behind-the-scenes fundraising, including a pricey propaganda talk this week at a posh hotel. Ducey's the headlining special guest for the “roundtable discussion” and reception that begins at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Sanctuary on Camelback, 5700 East McDonald Drive, [...]

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Major Report from U.K. Lawmakers Calls Marijuana Prohibition “Irrational”

It received the British equivalent of bipartisan support.  Here's your daily round-up of pot-news, excerpted from the newsletter WeedWeek. Download WeedWeek's free 2016 election guide here. In the U.K., a group representing MPs and Peers from concluded that banning MED is “ irrational.” It is being touted as a major step towards legalization. Cannabis is an [...]

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SneakGuard keeps cannabis away from kids (or maybe your roommate)

A marijuana storage option: The lockable, portable, vacuum-sealing Sneakguard keeps flower, edibles and concentrates out of reach.

Study: Opioid Prevalence Falls Following Medical Cannabis Legalization

Study: Opioid Prevalence Falls Following Medical Cannabis Legalization | Paul Armentano

The implementation of medical marijuana programs is associated with a decrease in the prevalence of opioids detected among fatally injured drivers, according to data published in the American Journal of Public Health. Researchers at Columbia University in New York and the University of California at Davis performed a between-state comparison of opioid positivity rates in […]

Study: Opioid Prevalence Falls Following Medical Cannabis Legalization | The Daily Chronic

Tommy Chong wants White House pardon for selling bongs

In an unprecedented late-term clemency push, President Obama has commuted the sentences of 673 offenders and pardoned 70 more. Now Tommy Chong, of Cheech and Chong fame, hopes to be one of them.

Anti-Legal Pot Pharma Company is Developing a Cannabis Product

It currently sells a powerful opiate. Here's your daily round-up of pot-news, excerpted from the newsletter WeedWeek.  The Intercept reports that Insys Therapeutics, the company that donated $500,000 to oppose REC in Arizona, is about to release a synthetic THC spray to relieve side effects associated with chemotherapy that would compete directly with MED. It's [...]

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Colorado's tourism office will soon start educating visitors about marijuana laws

Colorado tourism officials are not actively going to promote the state's legal marijuana industry any time soon, but they are ramping up educational and informational efforts around the issue, the state's tourism director said Friday.

Marijuana Is Legal in Colorado - But Only If You're a U.S. Citizen

Claudia didn't think anything was wrong when United States Customs and Border Protection agents flagged her for an in-depth security screening after the early-morning flight from her native Chile landed at Los Angeles International Airport early on October 8, 2015. “It's normal,” she says. “Sometimes the officers review people.” Besides, Claudia had never been in [...]

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Poll: Massachusetts Voters Likely to Approve Legalizing Marijuana

Poll: Massachusetts Voters Likely to Approve Legalizing Marijuana | Thomas H. Clarke

BOSTON, MA - A new poll released this week finds enough support among Bay State voters to legalize marijuana in Massachusetts this November. According to a WBUR Poll released Tuesday, Massachusetts voters support Question 4 by a margin of 50% to 45%. Democrats were more likely to support legalization, with 53% in favor and 41% opposed. […]

Poll: Massachusetts Voters Likely to Approve Legalizing Marijuana | The Daily Chronic

Maintaining with Ben Sinclair and Katja Blichfeld, the creators of 'High Maintenance'

'High Maintenance' creators Ben Sinclair and Katja Blichfeld describe marijuana's role in their creative process as 'expansive'.

Why beer distributors, alcohol trade groups are fighting legal marijuana with lots of cash

In Massachusetts, a group of beer distributors tossed in $25,000 to anti-legalization efforts, the Intercept reported this week.

Texas officials find nearly 5,000 pot plants in wooded area

Authorities say a 31-year-old man from Mexico who was captured near the site was detained on a federal immigration hold as part of the investigation.

Watch Jay Z's powerful New York Times visual op-ed: 'The war on drugs is an epic fail'

The question: 'Why were white men poised to get rich doing the very same thing that African-American boys and men had long been going to prison for?'

Big news: Bayer buys Monsanto in $66B deal

Seed and chemical giants Bayer and Monsanto said Wednesday that they will merge to become one of the world's biggest agriculture giants, a $66 billion mega-deal that could reshape the future of farming.

NFL Keeps Weed at Arm's Length

The league and the plant appear to be on a collision course.  Here's your daily round-up of pot-news, excerpted from the newsletter WeedWeek.  Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson will serve a four-game suspension after testing positive for marijuana. Seantrel suffers from Crohn's Disease and had bowel surgery early this year. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry [...]

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Study: Pot Use Growing Fast Among Older Americans

The big question is which pharmaceuticals it could replace. Here's your daily round-up of pot news, excerpted from the newsletter WeedWeek. A CDC study confirms that older Americans are the fastest growing group of users in the country.  Use by Americans over 65 climbed 333% between 2002 and 2014. For those 55 to 64, it [...]

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Canada has just approved prescription heroin for addicts

Any physician in Canada can now apply to Health Canada for access to diacetylmorphine, as pharmaceutical-grade heroin is known.

What new federal data shows about teen pot use

'What about the children?': The new federal survey is the latest data showing that so far, an increase in teen marijuana use isn't happening at the national level.

Harris County Gets Judge to Fine Kush Sellers $1.2 Million

Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan, with help from the Texas Attorney General, persuaded a judge to fine a local smoke shop and novelty chain $1.2 million for selling kush, Ryan's office announced Thursday. Katz Boutique and Smoke Shop agreed to pay the fines to settle several lawsuits filed by the state and Harris County against the [...]

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'Modern-day civil rights fight': Lawmakers plan bills for Maryland medical marijuana diversity

Black state lawmakers are planning to propose emergency legislation to address the dearth of minority-owned businesses approved to grow Maryland medical marijuana in the state and may demand scrapping the results of a nine-month application process and starting over. Del. Cheryl D. Glenn (D-Baltimore) announced the plans at a Friday…

Report: Sexual Abuse, Disappearing Persons Common in NorCal Grow Country

“Verifying their stories is as difficult as finding your way through the forest at night.” Here's your daily round up of pot news, excerpted from the newsletter WeedWeek.  A major investigation by The Center for Investigative Reporting's Reveal project found “ dozens of accounts of sexual exploitation, abuse and trafficking” in the northern California grow [...]

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Maker of Deadly Fentanyl Kicks In Half a Million Dollars to Defeat Pot Legalization in Arizona

Maker of Deadly Fentanyl Kicks In Half a Million Dollars to Defeat Pot Legalization in Arizona | Phillip Smith

Marijuana legalization advocates have long argued that pharmaceutical companies, who could lose out if marijuana is legally available, are some of the staunchest supporters of pot prohibition, and now an Arizona company is making their case for them. According to campaign finance reports posted online by the Arizona secretary of state's office, fentanyl manufacturer Insys […]

Maker of Deadly Fentanyl Kicks In Half a Million Dollars to Defeat Pot Legalization in Arizona | The Daily Chronic

In Emerald Triangle, whispers of sexual abuse in pot trade

For decades, the ancient forests of the Emerald Triangle have provided cover for the nation's largest marijuana-growing industry. But the forests also hide secrets, among them women with stories of sexual abuse and exploitation.

Why the Hell Is Spice Big Business in a State With Legal Marijuana?

Why the hell is the faux marijuana known as spice so popular in pot-friendly Colorado? This question was prompted by a 169-count indictment issued by a Jefferson County grand jury against John Swanson and Michael Whitney late last month. As noted by the First Judicial District DA's office, the two men are accused of “manufacturing, [...]

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Imagining a more 420-friendly Denver: What if social pot use becomes a reality?

Social cannabis use backer Kayvan Khalatbari and Cannabist general manager Brad Bogus talk about what Denver would look like if a social use measure passes.

New study reveals what makes marijuana edibles most attractive to young kids

Colorado's new rules for marijuana-infused edibles -- which prohibit products made in animal or fruit shapes -- take an important step to curb edibles' appeal to young children but they also may not go far enough by not regulating color, taste and smell, a recently released study suggests.

Prop. 205 Camp Slams Opposition Group for Taking Huge Big Pharma Donation

Prop. 205 Camp Slams Opposition Group for Taking Huge Big Pharma Donation | Barrett Marson

Yes on 205 campaign says Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy is 'now a complete misnomer,' slams group for accepting a half-million dollar contribution from developer of 'pharmaceutical cannabinoids' PHOENIX, AZ - Supporters of Proposition 205, the initiative to regulate marijuana like alcohol in Arizona, is criticizing the opposition campaign's decision to accept a massive contribution from a […]

Prop. 205 Camp Slams Opposition Group for Taking Huge Big Pharma Donation | The Daily Chronic

CDC: More Americans Use Cannabis, Fewer Abuse It

An interesting finding Here's your daily round up of pot news, excerpted from the newsletter WeedWeek. The Centers for Disease Control found that more Americans are using cannabis but the abuse rate has fallen. For additional details see here. At the L.A. Times, Robin Abcarian looks at the links between cannabis use and psychosis. A [...]

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Cannabist Show: He's campaigning for social pot use; He's GM for The Cannabist

Featured guests: Kayvan Khalatbari of the Neighborhood-Supported Cannabis Consumption Pilot Program, and Cannabist GM Brad Bogus. Talking Denver marijuana laws, Texas THC and more.

Inhalants - The Easy to Acquire but Deadly Drug That Nobody Talks About

Ever since he was a kid, Steven Allen liked to take things apart, see how they worked and put them back together again. “He made a computer for his little brother, just by spare parts that people threw out, one year for Christmas,” recalls Nellie Hencerling, his mom. He was a good kid, she says. [...]

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Head of Ohio medical board recuses self from marijuana rule-making

The head of Ohio's state medical board says he won't participate in establishing rules for certifying doctors under Ohio's new medical marijuana law after taking on lobbying clients associated with the budding industry.

Oklahoma AG's rewrite of MMJ ballot misleads voters, suit alleges

Attorneys for medical marijuana supporters allege in a lawsuit that Republican Attorney General Scott Pruitt rewrote a proposed ballot question to mislead and confuse voters into thinking they were voting to fully legalize marijuana in the state.

Anti-marijuana group challenges Arkansas' other medical pot proposal

A coalition of groups already trying to block a medical marijuana measure from the Arkansas ballot has asked the state's highest court to also disqualify a competing legalization proposal.

California Weed Could be a Windfall for Big Alcohol

Potentially a model for the country as well. Here's your daily round up of pot news, excerpted from the newsletter WeedWeek. Politico explains how California's REC initiative, if passed, will disrupt the existing supply chain and provide a windfall to distributors. No other state has a similar model. A majority of California Latinos oppose legalization, [...]

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Medical Marijuana Could Generate Up to $124 Million in Sales in Miami

In May 2014, Miami-Dade Commissioner Dennis Moss placed a slightly controversial item on that month's agenda. He wanted to investigate how the medical marijuana industry might affect agriculture in the county. At the time, fellow Commissioner Javier Souto wasn't thrilled. “This is an item that's causing a lot of arguments in our society. I think we [...]

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Shopping Tips for Buying Bongs Online

Shopping Tips for Buying Bongs Online | Sam Capone

When shopping for a new bong as a first timer or a die-hard smoker, it can be extremely difficult to know what factors you need to consider to ensure you pick the right store. How do you know if the store is reputable and can be trusted? What should you be looking out for to […]

Shopping Tips for Buying Bongs Online | The Daily Chronic

CDC: Young People Say Marijuana Is Becoming Less Available

CDC: Young People Say Marijuana Is Becoming Less Available | Paul Armentano

Prohibitionists often claim that legalizing and regulating marijuana will increase youth access to the plant. But newly released federal data says just the opposite. Fewer young people are reporting that marijuana is 'easy' to obtain, according to an analysis released this week by the US Centers for Disease Control. Investigators from the Substance Abuse and […]

CDC: Young People Say Marijuana Is Becoming Less Available | The Daily Chronic

Piling on: Second challenge filed over Arkansas medical marijuana proposal

The Arkansas Supreme Court was asked Friday to disqualify an effort to legalize medical marijuana over potentially invalid signatures, the second challenge filed against a ballot measure to make the drug available to some patients.

Neighborhood Supported Cannabis Pilot Program Qualifies for Ballot

Update: Only days after the Denver NORML-sponsored Denver Responsible Use Initiative fell short of qualifying for the November ballot, the Denver Elections Division announced that the Neighborhood Supported Cannabis Consumption Pilot Program has passed muster. Denver voters will now have a chance to weigh in about the proposal, which will allow marijuana use in social settings - [...]

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On the ballot: Denver to vote on allowing social marijuana use in some businesses

The Denver Elections Division on Thursday approved a proposed initiative that would allow the social use of marijuana in some businesses.

What a Marijuana Farmers Market Looks Like

High above the ocean in Malibu at the Sanctuary, a select few gathered for L.A.'s first Emerald Exchange. With a ticket, and a medical MJ card, guests were whisked up in style to a Mary Jane wet dream. After browsing the wares from all over California, guests were treated to an amazing meal prepared by [...]

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