Washington’s retail cannabis industry had a bumpy launch in July. New businesses launched to much fanfare, but faced statewide product shortages and rules prohibiting imports. A new report, however, suggests the fledgling industry is soaring. Washington’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council issued their November forecast Wednesday. The report says tax receipts from the state’s marijuana industry will be moreContinue reading “High Times In Washington: Marijuana taxes exceed forecast”
Author Archives: Aiden Hunt
Show-Me Cannabis: Skip medical phase, enact legalization
Citizens or lawmakers enacted medical marijuana programs in Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska long before voters legalized the plant for adult use. Many prominent targets for legalization in the next election cycle, such as California, Nevada, Arizona, Maine and Vermont, also allow medical marijuana. In a move that may be seen more often in coming years,Continue reading “Show-Me Cannabis: Skip medical phase, enact legalization”
Vermont holds public hearing on legalizing marijuana
“Vermonters know that prohibition isn’t working.” Laura Subin testified. “Marijuana is easy to get and widely used.” As director for the Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana, Subin opposes prohibition. She spoke Wednesday during a public forum on taxing and regulating the plant. The hearing signals a major step for marijuana policy change in Vermont. SecretaryContinue reading “Vermont holds public hearing on legalizing marijuana”
Election leads judge to delay sentencing in Oregon case
Bounlith “Bong” Bouasykeo appeared in a Portland courtroom expecting to be sentenced for smuggling marijuana. The man had been convicted and now he would hear his fate. Then the judge entered and things began to change. U.S. District Court Judge Michael Mosman delayed Bouasukeo’s sentencing on November 6 to weigh the effect of Oregon legalizing marijuanaContinue reading “Election leads judge to delay sentencing in Oregon case”
Proposed bill would decriminalize marijuana in Virginia
The District of Columbia may have legalized marijuana, but be careful when straying into neighboring Virginia. The state has some tough penalties for marijuana offenders. Never mind the fact that distribution of half an ounce triggers a mandatory one-year prison sentence, just being in possession of that much makes you a drug dealer under Virginia law. If youContinue reading “Proposed bill would decriminalize marijuana in Virginia”
NYPD told to ticket instead of arrest for marijuana
The NYPD arrests tens of thousands of people a year for marijuana possession. The person is stopped, forced by police to empty their pockets, patted down and handcuffed. Police remove the cuffs after a ride to the police station to be processed and fingerprinted, putting the person in America’s criminal justice system. They hold the personContinue reading “NYPD told to ticket instead of arrest for marijuana”
Did De Blasio end NYPD’s ‘buy and bust’ marijuana policy?
Bill de Blasio called the high number of marijuana arrests in New York City ridiculous when running for mayor, concluding, “This policy is unjust and wrong.” After being elected, the mayor took a slightly different approach: he did nothing. An October report from the Drug Policy Alliance and Marijuana Arrest Research Project, however, provided the pushneeded. Pressured to live up toContinue reading “Did De Blasio end NYPD’s ‘buy and bust’ marijuana policy?”
Pot poisoning lawsuit defendant alleges sabotage
LivWell, a Colorado medical marijuana dispensary targeted in a class-action lawsuit by people who claim they ate marijuana-infused chocolate bars without their knowledge, has filed a motion claiming someone else is responsible for the poisoning. One of the featured attractions at the inaugural Denver County Fair in August was a Pot Pavilion, but the pre-eventContinue reading “Pot poisoning lawsuit defendant alleges sabotage”
Pot-laced Halloween candy warnings unfounded
Yet another dire prediction of the consequences of legal marijuana failed to materialize last weekend. Denver police caused a stir last month when they warned parents about children being given marijuana-infused edibles for Halloween. Predictably, local news outlets jumped on this to sensationalize the threat. CBS News pointed to an arrest for marijuana edibles in Maryland as aContinue reading “Pot-laced Halloween candy warnings unfounded”
Arizona to be next legalization battleground
As voters decide on marijuana legalization in two states and the nation’s capitol tomorrow, advocates draw new battle lines for the 2016 election cycle. Many states have the popular will for legalization, but it takes strong organization and financial backing that push legalization through. The group behind legalization in Colorado indicates that Arizona is the next state to receiveContinue reading “Arizona to be next legalization battleground”
P. Aiden Hunt 