The federal government has graciously granted America’s corner-store gummy peddlers an extra twenty-nine days to get their affairs in order. Thanks to a stopgap funding bill signed by President Donald Trump, the looming federal extinction event for hemp-derived cannabinoids has been kicked down the road from November 12 to December 11. It’s less of a regulatory rescue and more … [Read more...] about Buzzkill on Backorder: Congress Grants the Hemp Industry a 29-Day Stay of Execution
Congress
Congress Isn’t Standing in the Way: The Latest on Federal Cannabis Rescheduling
As a critical administrative hearing on federal cannabis reform kicks off this week, the political winds in Washington appear to be blowing in favor of change. Despite a recent attempt by the House Appropriations Committee to include language that would defund and block the Trump administration’s rescheduling efforts, bipartisan lawmakers are signaling that these efforts are … [Read more...] about Congress Isn’t Standing in the Way: The Latest on Federal Cannabis Rescheduling
CASH, COFFEE, AND CONGRESS: Why Big Cannabis Is Still Begging for Normal Banks
There is a massive, high-energy shift happening with marijuana laws in Washington right now. Bipartisan lawmakers (which just means politicians from both sides, Republicans and Democrats) have officially re-filed a major bill called the SAFE Banking Act. They are trying to fix a massive problem: even where marijuana is totally legal, most weed businesses are still banned … [Read more...] about CASH, COFFEE, AND CONGRESS: Why Big Cannabis Is Still Begging for Normal Banks
THC Drinks Get An Unexpected Ally In Congress
A new bill from a Republican lawmaker could throw a lifeline to one of the fastest-growing parts of the hemp industry: THC drinks.According to Marijuana Moment, the proposal would keep hemp-derived THC beverages legal under federal law, even as a broader crackdown on intoxicating hemp products is expected later this year. The bill would create a special exception for drinks, … [Read more...] about THC Drinks Get An Unexpected Ally In Congress
Congress Wants a Weed Breathalyzer So Bad They Can Taste It
Washington is back at it again. This time, Congress isn’t arguing about legalization, banking, or fixing the disaster of federal cannabis laws. Nope. They’re trying to figure out how to tell if somebody is “too high” to drive.A congressional transportation committee just approved a bill that would force federal agencies to study cannabis impairment and create what they’re … [Read more...] about Congress Wants a Weed Breathalyzer So Bad They Can Taste It
Congress Has Probably Been Hotboxing Hypocrisy for Years
Rep. Ilhan Omar recently said something cannabis consumers have suspected for years: “There are a lot of people who smoke cannabis in Congress.”And honestly, that makes the last several decades look even more ridiculous.Because while lawmakers and political insiders were apparently passing joints around behind closed doors, ordinary Americans were getting arrested, losing jobs, … [Read more...] about Congress Has Probably Been Hotboxing Hypocrisy for Years
Hemp Industry: ‘Can We Get a Delay?’ Congress: ‘That’s Adorable.’
If you were hoping Congress might pump the brakes on the coming hemp THC ban, don’t hold your breath.A proposal to delay the federal crackdown by one year appears dead on arrival after the chair of the House Agriculture Committee signaled it won’t even receive a vote during the upcoming Farm Bill markup. In other words, the industry may not get so much as a courtesy … [Read more...] about Hemp Industry: ‘Can We Get a Delay?’ Congress: ‘That’s Adorable.’
Hemp’s ‘Oh Crap’ Moment: Congress Hits the Snooze Button on a THC Ban
Washington is about to decide whether the booming hemp THC market gets shut down—or gets a little more time to breathe. Next week, members of Congress will consider a proposal to delay a federal ban on hemp-derived THC products that’s currently scheduled to take effect later this year. The restriction stems from language tucked into a federal spending bill that tightens the … [Read more...] about Hemp’s ‘Oh Crap’ Moment: Congress Hits the Snooze Button on a THC Ban
Hemp, Hops, and Hold On: Liquor Stores are Asking Congress to Pump the Brakes
A coalition of major alcohol retailers is calling on Congress to postpone enforcement of a new federal ban on hemp-derived THC products while a formal regulatory system is developed.The group, operating as the Beverage Alcohol Merchants Coalition (BAMCO), argues that immediate prohibition would disrupt a rapidly growing market and create uncertainty for both businesses and … [Read more...] about Hemp, Hops, and Hold On: Liquor Stores are Asking Congress to Pump the Brakes
Congress Gives Medical Cannabis the Official ‘Do Not Disturb’ Sign
Big news for patients and pot enthusiasts: Congress just rolled out federal protections for state medical marijuana programs. That means people using medical cannabis can keep taking their medicine without worrying about Uncle Sam barging in. Think of it as the government officially saying, “Hands off, we got this.”While the bill doesn’t force the feds to reschedule weed … [Read more...] about Congress Gives Medical Cannabis the Official ‘Do Not Disturb’ Sign
