Norma Pence

Three dozen members of the House of Representatives introduced a resolution on Tuesday calling for an inquiry into the possible impeachment of Attorney General William Barr because he “abused the power of his office” to improperly investigate marijuana businesses and allegedly engaged in other unlawful conduct. The resolution, which is being led by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), states that the attorney general “has taken deliberate actions that violate the rights of the American people, assault the principle of impartial administration of justice, and undermine the constitutional structure of separation of powers across three co-equal branches of Government.” It says that Barr “abused the power of his office to initiate pretextual antitrust investigations into ‘unpopular’ American corporations in the cannabis, automobile, and technology industries.” That allegation comes from a Justice Department whistleblower who publicly revealed this month that 10 antitrust investigations targeting c

Three dozen members of the House of Representatives introduced a resolution on Tuesday calling for an inquiry into the possible impeachment of Attorney General William Barr because he “abused the power of his office” to improperly investigate marijuana businesses and allegedly engaged in other unlawful conduct. The resolution, which is being led by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), states that the attorney general “has taken deliberate actions that violate the rights of the American people, assault the principle of impartial administration of justice, and undermine the constitutional structure of separation of powers across three co-equal branches of Government.” It says that Barr “abused the power of his office to initiate pretextual antitrust investigations into ‘unpopular’ American corporations in the cannabis, automobile, and technology industries.” That allegation comes from a Justice Department whistleblower who publicly revealed this month that 10 antitrust investigations targeting c

Oregon activists behind an initiative to legalize psilocybin mushrooms for therapeutic purposes announced on Monday that they have secured more than enough valid signatures to qualify for the November ballot. While the secretary of state’s office hasn’t yet verified all of the signatures, the Yes On IP34 campaign said it has independently determined that they’ve gathered enough to make the cut ahead of a July 2 submission deadline . Last week, the state verified that the team had turned in 106,908 of the 112,020 needed signatures to make the ballot. At a virtual press conference, the campaign revealed it has collected a new total of 164,782 signatures, and will submit the additional petitions on Monday, giving them “great confidence that Oregon’s psilocybin therapy initiative will qualify for the statewide ballot.” “Now, we’ll get the official word from the secretary of state sometime next month, but our submission of signatures today will put us comfortably above those requirement

Members of a criminal justice task force created to inform presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s campaign have been discussing marijuana legalization—a policy the former vice president continues to oppose. Most of the group—which consists of advisors appointed by both Biden and former primary rival Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)— support ending cannabis prohibition , and advocates have held out hope that they would recommend that Biden adopt the policy platform in the run-up to the November election. While some members have publicly talked about the issue since joining the task force, including Linn County, Iowa Supervisor Stacey Walker, who recently commented on the need for reform in light of racial disparities in marijuana criminalization, a new report from Politico appears to be the first confirmation that the group itself is actively considering a formal recommendation on the policy change. “Multiple people said marijuana policy has been discussed on the criminal

The founder of the popular Christian-themed children’s show VeggieTales recently gave a thorough lecture on the role of the war on drugs in the racial injustices fueling protests across the country. Phil Vischer, whose voice many could recognize as Bob the Tomato from the animated biblical series, hosted a 17-minute “Holy Post” video that examines the history of policies in the U.S. that have marginalized and disenfranchised black Americans. It includes an analysis of how communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by anti-drug laws that criminalize substance use, despite the fact that white people use drugs at comparable rates. While numerous advocates and policymakers have been stressing the need to end drug criminalization as a means to promote racial equity , it’s notable coming from a figure most commonly associated with a show that generally puts biblical stories in a context palatable for a younger audience. In the video, Vischer makes clear that Republicans

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is trying to attach marijuana and CBD research language to a large-scale defense spending bill that’s on the Senate floor this week. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the amendment, which would promote studies into cannabis and its derivatives, provide protections for doctors that discuss marijuana with their patients and encourage the development of Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs based on cannabinoids. The senators are seeking to include the proposal—titled the Cannabidiol and Marihuana Research Expansion Act—in the annual renewal of the National Defense Authorization Act. The amendment, which is mostly identical to a standalone bill of the same name that the Senate trio introduced last year , would streamline the process of applying to become a federally authorized marijuana manufacturer for research purposes or becoming registered to study cannabis. The attorney general would be gi

Members of a criminal justice task force created to inform presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s campaign have been discussing marijuana legalization—a policy the former vice president continues to oppose. Most of the group—which consists of advisors appointed by both Biden and former primary rival Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)— support ending cannabis prohibition , and advocates have held out hope that they would recommend that Biden adopt the policy platform in the run-up to the November election. While some members have publicly talked about the issue since joining the task force, including Linn County, Iowa Supervisor Stacey Walker, who recently commented on the need for reform in light of racial disparities in marijuana criminalization, a new report from Politico appears to be the first confirmation that the group itself is actively considering a formal recommendation on the policy change. “Multiple people said marijuana policy has been discussed on the criminal

U.S. Attorney General William Barr ordered investigations into 10 proposed marijuana industry mergers – a move that a career Justice Department prosecutor charged was “not even close to meeting established criteria” for such reviews. That prosecutor, John Elias, agreed the reviews amounted to industry “harassment.” MJBizDaily takeaway: The episode stands as a warning to the U.S. […] Week in Review: AG Barr blasted for marijuana merger reviews, more M&A deals altered, L.A. shifts course & more is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs Original Article Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/week-in-review-attorney-general-william-barr-blasted-for-marijuana-merger-reviews-los-angeles-shifts-course-more/

The cannabis industry is gathering digitally next week for Marijuana Business Daily‘s first virtual conference – MJBizConNEXT Direct and Hemp Industry Daily Conference Direct – as businesses adapt to the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic. Previously scheduled to take place in New Orleans, the three-day, immersive and interactive event begins June 29 with keynote […] MJBizConNEXT goes virtual for marijuana, hemp business conference is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs Original Article Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/mjbizconnext-goes-virtual-for-marijuana-hemp-business-conference/

New Jersey’s 11 medical marijuana dispensaries are now allowed to deliver products to patients at home, provided they fill out a state waiver. According to NJ.com, the state department of health has issued paperwork for MMJ shops to fill out so their employees can begin performing home deliveries. That options may well result in a […] New Jersey medical marijuana dispensaries can now deliver is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs Original Article Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/new-jersey-medical-marijuana-dispensaries-can-now-deliver/

The Los Angeles City Council gave its initial approval to sweeping changes to the city’s marijuana business licensing and social equity program, ending months of delays that had held up the permitting process and sparked widespread frustration among stakeholders. The proposals – which range from minor tweaks to major changes such as awarding retail licenses […] Los Angeles City Council backs major changes to marijuana licensing, social equity is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs Original Article Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/los-angeles-city-council-backs-major-changes-to-marijuana-licensing-social-equity/

If Kentucky Rep. Charles Booker (D) wins his primary race for U.S. Senate—and initial voting returns from Tuesday’s election put him in the lead so far—the general election matchup heading up to November will see the pro-marijuana legalization candidate face off against one of the most powerful obstacles to reform in Congress: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). The primary election hasn’t been called yet, but, as votes are being counted, Booker is currently ahead by about four percentage points against competitor Amy McGrath, a military veteran who supports medical cannabis legalization but is calling for additional studies before she backs broader reform. Booker, who also supports more broadly decriminalizing drug possession, made clear in a speech on election night that he would prioritize marijuana reform in the Senate if he defeats the body’s GOP leader on Election Day. “We deserve a commonwealth where we don’t criminalize a plant, where we don’t throw people away th

If Kentucky Rep. Charles Booker (D) wins his primary race for U.S. Senate—and initial voting returns from Tuesday’s election put him in the lead so far—the general election matchup heading up to November will see the pro-marijuana legalization candidate face off against one of the most powerful obstacles to reform in Congress: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). The primary election hasn’t been called yet, but, as votes are being counted, Booker is currently ahead by about four percentage points against competitor Amy McGrath, a military veteran who supports medical cannabis legalization but is calling for additional studies before she backs broader reform. Booker, who also supports more broadly decriminalizing drug possession, made clear in a speech on election night that he would prioritize marijuana reform in the Senate if he defeats the body’s GOP leader on Election Day. “We deserve a commonwealth where we don’t criminalize a plant, where we don’t throw people away th