We are proud of our talented bloggers here at Marijuana Politics and it is great to see their activism and hard work recognized. Cyd Maurer was already named a finalist for The Oregonian’s 2015 Oregon Person of the Year and now she has been recognized by the Tokin Woman blog as the 2015 “Outing of the Year”, along with outings that included Joan Jett, Whoopi Goldberg and Susan Sarandon. From the 2015 Tokin Woman Tokey Awards:

When Oregon TV news anchor Cyd Maurer was fired this year after a post-fender-bender drug test revealed that she smoked marijuana, it highlighted the injustice of employment drug testing and of the prohibition on pot. Maurer, 25, released a video explaining how she was fired by a corporate attorney who never met her, coming out as a “normal and responsible marijuana user” whose only stereotyping has been as “an overachieving goody-goody.” She’s now started a website,http://askmeaboutmarijuana.com/ to keep the dialogue going.

Cyd’s story made waves around the world and helped illustrate the obstacles still placed in front of the cannabis community, even in a progressive state like Oregon. Sincer her unjust termination, Ms. Maurer has remained positive and a great example of how good people can be caught up in the harmful consequences of the Drug War, even without suffering an arrest or even committing any crime. We have really enjoyed working with Cyd and know that she will continue to be a great advocate for our fight for freedom.

Cyd Maurer joins fellow Marijuana Politics blogger Russ Belville in 2015 accolades as Belville was named The Weed Blog’s Co-Online Activist of the Year. Our editor, Anthony Johnson was named  by GoLocalPDX as “the Oregonian who made the biggest difference in 2014” (although, seriously Anthony, what have you done for us lately?), so we are pleased to be a blogging spot for activists making positive impacts for the cannabis community. Cyd and our other award-winning bloggers helped make 2015 a great first year for Marijuana Politics and we look forward to an even bigger and better 2016.

California’s importance to the cannabis community almost cannot be overstated. Representing greater than 10% of the the United States’ population and economy, California’s economic impact really dwarfs other states, accounting for a greater gross state product than Texas and Illinois combined, as well as New York and Florida put together. The Golden State’s economy ranks 9th in the world, just ahead of 10th place Russia.

California’s economic impact translates to cannabis commerce as well. It has been estimated that nearly half of the regulated marijuana sales occur in California as the state has already generated billions of dollars in sales and collected millions of dollars in tax revenue. The sheer size of the California marijuana market thus far is even more impressive considering the fact that the state has only legalized medical use, albeit a very progressive medicinal law; legalization for all adults will take sales to unprecedented levels.

In addition to just dollars and cents, California’s importance to our culture is also extremely significant.  Major media markets covering all things cannabis, particularly the fact that legalization doesn’t cause the downfall of civilization, helps continue the momentum for sensible regulations and Hollywood influences societies around the world.

Reason TV recently traveled to California to discuss legalization with activists on the ground, including Oaksterdam University Chancellor Dale Sky Jones. Jones notes the importance of California, stating,”So goes California, so goes the rest of the nation, and likely the rest of the world.” We look forward to covering California’s march to legalization over the next year, particularly at the International Cannabis Business Conference, where activists and entrepreneurs from across the globe converge upon San Francisco as the state charts its own path on cannabis, a path that will have outsized repercussions well beyond state border lines.

The entire Reason TV video detailing California is worth viewing:

It has been a tremendous year here at Marijuana Politics and it feels good to celebrate the holiday season with family, friends and our readers. The cannabis community continues to gain momentum across the globe politically and culturally and we are pleased to get to cover all things marijuana each and everyday. It is easy to see that 2016 will be a banner year for marijuana, as we will undoubtedly see a few more states legalize marijuana for all adults, as well as liberalize medicinal laws as well.

The political success is great, but the personal stories are what are really important. Our hearts are filled with joy when good people like Jeff Mizanskey are released from prison, but we know that more work to be done when we know that people are still in prison for marijuana and unjust consequences are threatened against good people. We will continue to share these important stories next year and beyond and hope that we get to cover more Jeff Mizanskeys and fewer heartbreaking stories.

In addition to political and personal stories, cultural issues are also very important to the cannabis community. The more that people “come out of the cannabis closet” and share their responsible use of cannabis, the closer we get to true freedom and equality as we change hearts and minds one person at a time. We hope that you have a great Christmas and holiday season and if this time with friends and family gets a little too stressful, we hope that you can find the time to relax and enjoy this gift from Stephen Colbert and Willie Nelson:

“Business, science, social justice and human rights – this conference has it all.” —Dr. Carl Hart, Scientist, Activist, Educator

The opportunities to end cannabis prohibition and establish an industry that we can all be proud of are very exciting. While the cannabis community and general public is better off now that marijuana has been legalized in four states, industry participants know firsthand that many hurdles can be placed in front of marijuana businesses. California, fresh off of the heels of passing statewide commercial medical marijuana regulations for the first time, won’t be any different. The International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC), being held on February 13-14 in San Francisco, will provide California cannabis industry participants with a great opportunity to be prepared for upcoming regulations.

In addition to the upcoming medical regulations that must be navigated, California cannabis businesses will likely need to get a handle on recreational regulations as the Golden State is likely to pass marijuana legalization for all adults in 2016. The ICBC will help prepare California attendees for the upcoming recreational market and give guidance on how to impact the rules and regulations in a way that works for the entire cannabis community and the state.

While the ICBC in San Francisco will certainly have a strong emphasis on California, the conference will bring in successful activists and entrepreneurs from around the world. The first 500 ticket purchasers get exclusive access to a VIP party with Tommy Chong and Del the Funky Homosapien. For tickets and more information, check out the ICBC website. On social media, check out #ICBCSF. Below is a press release just sent out by the ICBC. Full disclosure: Marijuana Politics is proud to help organize the ICBC.

For immediate release

Contact: Dan Mahr; 503-593-5497

What to do if California’s marijuana regulations suck

Business and politics: At San Francisco’s International Cannabis Business Conference in February, entrepreneurs will learn about California’s new marijuana policies — and how to change the bad ones.

California is on the verge of becoming the world’s largest marijuana market, and the newly-passed medical regulations will make or break businesses. If legalization passes, the market will transform even more.

That’s why business and politics are the themes of February’s International Cannabis Business Conference in San Francisco. Entrepreneurs will  learn about California’s new policies, how they can prepare their businesses for future policy changes and how to back fight back against policies that don’t make sense.

“California’s industry is in the washing machine,” said Alex Rogers, producer of the conference. “Businesses better buckle up because some of the new rules will suck. ”

The conference is about more than simply featuring the biggest names in the business. “The industry is constantly getting more sophisticated, and just educating people on policies is no longer enough,” said Debby Goldsberry, a conference organizer and the executive director of Magnolia Wellness, a medical cannabis collective. “Now business leaders want to influence policies, lead the movement and make history.”

The reasons for this are simple. It’s good for business, said Anthony Johnson, executive director of Oregon’s successful legalization campaign. “We’re not just an industry,” he said. “We’re a movement, and the entrepreneurs who take the lead are loved by their customers for doing the right thing. ”

The International Cannabis Business Conference has attracted thousands of conference-goers from around the world, and it’s one of the largest and most successful cannabis business conferences.

What/When/Where:

International Cannabis Business Conference, Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, 2016 at the Downtown Hyatt Regency, 5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, Calif., 94111. ww.internationalcbc.com/tickets or 1-888-920-6076.

Praise for the International Cannabis Business Conference

“Business, science, social justice and human rights – this conference has it all.” —Dr. Carl Hart, Scientist, Activist, Educator

“Truly unique. The ICBC thinks globally and acts locally.” —Ed Rosenthal, executive director of Green Aid and leading cannabis cultivation expert

“A high-class event with a lot of heart.  Top-notch speakers, well-organized, and a passionate group of attendees.” —Troy Dayton, ArcView Group

Selected Speakers

Andrew Sullivan is a pioneering blogger, journalist, best-selling author, and leading advocate on drug law reform, civil liberties, and human rights. He is a regular panelist on The Chris Matthews Show and Real Time with Bill Maher.

Arjan Roskam founded the Green House coffee shops and the Green House Seed Company in Amsterdam. He started a series of documentaries called the Strain Hunters, whose mission is to identify, locate and retrieve cannabis landraces that have not yet been studied, to give scientists and doctors the possibility to further enhance medical understanding of the cannabis plant.

Ed Rosenthal, widely known as  the “Guru of Ganja”, is the world’s leading expert on cannabis cultivation. He currently serves as the executive director of Green Aid: The Medical Marijuana Legal Defense Fund.

Debbie Goldsberry, an established leader in the marijuana movement for over 25 years, co-founded Berkeley Patients’ Group and is the current executive director of Magnolia Wellness Collective. She is an expert in cannabis business development and teaches at Oaksterdam University.

Raul Del Pino has long been at the leading edge of drug policy in the Spanish-speaking world. In 1996 he created the first Spanish language website dedicated to information about drugs. He has served as chief editor of Cannabis Magazine and is an expert on digital resource and content development. Raul is now in charge of project direction and management for Spannabis, Europe’s largest cannabis fair and expo.

Program Highlights

California’s new regulations: What happened, what it means to your business

What’s next in full legalization: How to prepare for a transforming market

Celebrity interview with Tommy Chong

Keynote speech by Andrew Sullivan

Successful cannabis business strategies: Why advocacy is strategic

How to pitch your cannabiz and land big investors

Thinking bigger: Taking cannabis nationally and internationally

Background information:

• Politics and advocacy are the themes of February’s International Cannabis Business Conference. Entrepreneurs will learn about California’s new policies, how they can prepare their businesses for future policy changes and how to back fight back against bad policies.
• California’s medical marijuana industry is transforming. Growers will need permits and may face fees as high as $10,000. The state is requiring seed-to-sale tracking. Flowers have to be tested in labs for pesticides. State agencies to police production.

• Legalization will be on the ballot. At least 10 proposals have been filed with state regulators, and San Francisco has already created a task force to draft recreational marijuana regulations.

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Marijuana is big news for the media these days and 2015 was no different. After 56% of Oregon voters chose to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana by passing Measure 91 last November, the Beaver State officially became the fourth state to legalize marijuana possession on July 1st. Since Washington State doesn’t allow home cultivation, Oregon became the third state to legalize cannabis cultivation. Thanks to Oregon legislators wisely deciding that adults over the age of 21 could legally purchase marijuana flowers from existing medical marijuana dispensaries, the state became the third to regulate cannabis sales.

While 2015 was a year of milestones, there is also uncertainty. While the Oregon Legislature made some positive policy decisions, such as ending most marijuana felony offenses, some bad decisions will end up hurting patients.  Cities and counties across the state, especially in Eastern Oregon, have banned marijuana businesses and various rules and regulations have plenty of industry participants nervous. Of course, The Oregonian was covering all things cannabis and has a rundown of the paper’s biggest marijuana stories of 2015:

How potent are marijuana edibles? Lab tests yield surprising results: Oregon assures consumers that medical cannabis and cannabis-infused products undergo a battery of lab tests for everything from pesticides to potency before landing on dispensary shelves. Yet when it comes to potency that promise is largely an empty one, a three-month investigation by The Oregonian/OregonLive found.

An investigation by The Oregonian/OregonLive finds lax state rules, inconsistent lab practices and inaccurate test results put pesticide-contaminated marijuana concentrates onto dispensary shelves.

***

Southern Oregon pot harvest got underway, but some growers wary of new market: One year after Oregonians voted to legalize recreational marijuana, the landscape has shifted dramatically in rural southern Oregon, center stage for the state’s outdoor marijuana economy. The number of large-scale medical marijuana grow sites has skyrocketed in Josephine and Jackson counties in the past year, far outpacing the rest of the state, an analysis by The Oregonian/OregonLive shows. Many of the region’s outdoor growers hustled to plant the hottest strains to supply dispensaries in Portland, where marijuana grown indoors has traditionally dominated the market.

(Check out the full article.)

The testing of marijuana will likely continue to be a big story as we move into the new year, impacting not only Oregon cannabis consumers, but also other states looking to legalize cannabis in 2016 and beyond. Our own investigation of marijuana products unfortunately found some rather alarming results in CO2 products and some in the industry are pushing for increased testing standards immediately.  The potential closure of private cannabis clubs has already become a serious issue for the cannabis community and advocates will be looking for a legislative fix. Activists will also be working hard to try and stave off new regulations that will force patients to lose their grower. While 2016 is full of uncertainties, we can certainly expect for the cannabis community to continue fighting for freedom and equality.

Anyone paying attention to the California cannabis legalization effort knows that competing measures have been vying for support and the resources necessary to pass a successful statewide measure. While California has the proper voting demographics to end marijuana prohibition at the ballot box, various factors, including just the sheer size of the state, pose serious difficulties that must be overcome. Uniting around one legalization initiative will greatly enhance the chances of success.

While it is naive to think that there will be complete unity, a press release issued today seems to point to a growing consensus to rally behind the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, supported by billionaire entrepreneur Sean Parker. Reportedly, several board members of the Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform, who have backed the ReformCA measure, have switched their endorsement. Of course, we’ll have more as news develops in California. The press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                      FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:  Tuesday, December 8, 2015                                             Jason Kinney (916) 806-2719

SIX BOARD MEMBERS OF COALITION FOR CANNABIS POLICY REFORM OFFICIALLY ENDORSE THE CONSENSUS “ADULT USE OF MARIJUANA ACT” 

Dr. Larry Bedard, MD, withdraws as official co-proponent of the Reform CA measure & joins growing coalition in support of Adult Use Act   

SACRAMENTO – Today, in the wake of a majority of the Board of Directors for the Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform (CCPR) agreeing to vote to withdraw its own measure (known as “ReformCA”), six members of the CCPR Board immediately announced their endorsement of the recently-amended statewide ballot measure known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA) to control, regulate and tax marijuana.

They include:

• David Bronner, CEO of North America’s top-selling brand of natural soaps
• Nate Bradley, Executive Director, California Cannabis Industry Association
• Stacia Cosner, Deputy Director, Students for Sensible Drug Policy
• Neill Franklin, Executive Director, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP)
• Antonio Gonzalez, President of the Latino Voters League and the William C. Velasquez Institute in Los Angeles AND
• Richard Lee, founder of Oaksterdam University in Oakland

In addition, Dr. Larry Bedard, former President of the American College of Emergency Physicians, has agreed to withdraw as an official co-proponent of the ReformCA measure and instead support AUMA.

Over the weekend, a majority of the CCPR Board formally agreed to vote to withdraw the ReformCA measure from the ballot qualification process.

“We have carefully reviewed amendments submitted by the proponents of the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, and we’re convinced it’s time to endorse that initiative and unite everyone behind a single, consensus measure to achieve a legal, regulated system, which a majority of voters have consistently said they want,” said Bronner.

“This amended measure strikes a thoughtful balance between civil liberties and protecting public safety and the safety and health of our children,” said Franklin.  “I’m pleased to endorse it and have every confidence it will pass in November.”

“As amended, this measure reflects the voices and vision of communities all across California,” said Gonzalez.  “This represents best practices and the best chance California has to replace a failed system of prohibition with an effective, legal and regulated system that protects children, workers and small businesses.”

This follows last week’s announcement by Lee, an award-winning founding father of California’s marijuana reform movement, the founder and former President of Oaksterdam, and the lead proponent of Proposition 19, that he was supporting the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (or AUMA), saying “It’s important that we all get together to support one initiative.”

The Adult Use measure is based on the collaborative input of hundreds of state and local stakeholders and the recommendations of the Lieutenant Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Marijuana Policy – and it builds on the landmark regulatory structure for medical marijuana recently passed by a bipartisan majority of the Legislature and signed by Governor Brown (SB 643, AB 266 and AB 243).

It includes strict safeguards to protect children, explicit provisions preventing marijuana monopolies, and unprecedented new investments in teen drug prevention and treatment programs and environmental and water restoration.

-# # #-

Yesterday’s press release announcing recent amendments to the Adult Use Measure:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                       FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:  Monday, December 7, 2015                                              Jason Kinney (916) 806-2719

PROPONENTS OF LEADING MARIJUANA INITIATIVE AMEND TO STRENGTHEN SAFEGUARDS FOR CHILDREN, WORKERS & SMALL BUSINESS – ALONG WITH STRICT LOCAL CONTROL & ANTI-MONOPOLY PROVISIONS   

Informed by input from hundreds of stakeholders – including local officials, health and policy experts, environmental leaders, small business owners, worker representatives and social justice advocates – amendments bring measure closer in line with recently-passed bipartisan legislation 

SACRAMENTO – Proponents of the leading statewide ballot measure to control, regulate and tax adult use of marijuana announced today that they have filed consensus amendments to significantly strengthen safeguards for children, workers, local governments and small businesses and include even stricter anti-monopoly provisions and the toughest warning label and marketing-to-kids laws in the nation.

Amendments to the measure (known as “the Adult Use of Marijuana Act”) were developed based on input and recommendations received over the last 35 days from hundreds of engaged citizens and organizations representing local government, health and policy experts, environmental leaders, small farmers and business owners, worker representatives and social justice advocates.

The amendments bring the measure even closer in line with the Lieutenant Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Marijuana Policy and the new medical marijuana laws recently passed by a bipartisan majority of the Legislature and signed by Governor Brown (SB 643, AB 266 and AB 243).

The amendments specifically strengthen and clarify four central objectives of the AUMA measure:

1. To protect children and discourage teen drug use;
2. To maintain local control and local government authority over marijuana commercial activity;
3. To implement strong worker and labor protections for those employed in this growing industry;
4. To protect small businesses and ensure state regulators have the authority to prevent monopolies and anti-competitive practices.

“These amendments reflect a collaborative process of public and expert engagement and make an extremely strong measure even stronger,” said Dr. Donald O. Lyman, MD, award-winning physician and former Chief of the Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Control at the California Department of Public Health, who is the measure’s lead proponent.  “This measure now includes even more protections for children, workers, small business, and local governments while ensuring strict prohibitions on marketing to kids and monopoly practices.”

New amendments to AUMA include:

Safeguarding California’s Children

• Mandates the toughest and most explicit warning labels on marijuana products, including an American Medical Association-recommended message that marijuana use during pregnancy or breastfeeding may be harmful.
• Enhances the strict ban on advertising to minors to clarify that marketing to minors is also strictly prohibited, as is all health-related advertising for non-medical marijuana.
• Requires a comprehensive study to determine effectiveness of the packaging and labeling requirements and advertising and marketing restrictions on preventing underage access to non-medical marijuana.
• Provides funding for a public information campaign, emphasizing that marijuana remains illegal for anyone under the age of 21.
• Accelerates funding for expert outcome research on the effects of the new law, including its impact on minors and whether teen use decreases (as it has in other states with legal, regulated systems such as Colorado).

Maintaining Local Control

• Aligns with the bipartisan medical marijuana legislation to provide complete local control over non-medical marijuana businesses within their jurisdiction, including the authority to ban commercial marijuana activity by ordinance.
• Ensures that local governments which allow commercial marijuana businesses to operate have the authority to determine the time, manner and location of those businesses within their jurisdiction.
• Ensures that local governments have the authority to establish their own taxes on medical and non-medical marijuana consistent with existing state law.  Explicit authority to do so is granted to counties.
• Requires state licensing authorities to take action to suspend or revoke a state marijuana business license when notified that a corresponding local license has been revoked, ensuring businesses must remain in compliance with local laws to operate.

Protecting Workers in an Expanding Industry

• Requires state regulators to set specific safety standards for drivers and vehicles that are employed in the legal commercial distribution of marijuana.
• Clarifies that the labor peace agreements included in the medical marijuana legislation will also extend to this new law.
• Clarifies that labor violations are grounds for disciplinary action against a marijuana business licensee, including potential suspension or revocation.
• Clarifies that all administrative costs of the new law must be fully funded, including reasonable costs for state agencies to oversee workplace safety.
• Mandates the state comprehensively study which workplace safety standards are necessary to fully protect marijuana workers, including against risks unique to the industry. 

Preventing Monopolies and Encouraging Small Business Growth

• To allow smaller growers to establish themselves in a legal, regulated market, large cultivation licenses (as defined by the medical marijuana legislation) for non-medical marijuana will not be issued for the first five years the new law is in effect.
• Only after those first five years can large cultivation licenses be issued at the discretion of state regulators but they must include the same restrictions on vertical integration that are contained in the medical marijuana legislation.
• Strengthens opportunities for minority-owned businesses to enter the legal, regulated marijuana market.
• Sets a September 1, 2016 deadline for existing medical marijuana businesses to come into compliance with current law and qualify for priority licensing under AUMA, providing greater access for existing small businesses to enter the legal, regulated market.
• Requires public universities in California to conduct a study and issue recommendations on whether additional protections are needed to prevent unlawful monopolies or anti-competitive behavior.  Additional technical amendments and suggested changes were included to provide increased clarity to state regulators.

-# # #-

 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration has reiterated Canada’s commitment to legalizing cannabis, reaffirming the government’s intention to end the failed and harmful policy of prohibition. Canada has had a long history of progressive marijuana policies, particularly before the decade long reign of the Conservative Stephen Harper-led government, but the landslide election of the Liberal Party has ushered in a new era of progressive cannabis reform, along with greater criminal justice policy changes.

The Guardian reported:

A speech delivered by governor general David Johnston reiterated new prime minister Justin Trudeau’s plan to legalize and regulate the recreational use of marijuana. It is a position Trudeau has held since becoming leader of the Liberal party in 2013. However, for the first time, the government said it will restrict access to marijuana but did not elaborate.

Trudeau has said that legalizing marijuana would fix a “failed system” and help remove the “criminal element” linked to the drug. He also has said Canadians would benefit from analyzing the experiences of Colorado and Washington state, which recently legalized pot.

The speech also expanded on five themes that were central to the Liberals’ election victory, which ended the near-decade-long Conservation party’s reign.

The fact that the Liberal Party won such a strong victory with marijuana legalization as a part of the party’s platform, has energized cannabis law reformers across the globe as advocates are hopeful that successful implementation in Canada will help move forward positive reforms in other nations around the world. Since politicians don’t always stick to their campaign promises (GASP!), it was great to hear directly from Trudeau’s administration that Canada plans to move full-speed ahead with legalization.

The United States Postal Service sent shockwaves through the publishing world with an announcement warning publications that mailing advertisements for marijuana businesses, even if legal under state law, can result in felony charges. As cannabis law reform has made great strides across the nation, this is just the latest outdated policy that demonstrates the hurdles still placed in front of the marijuana industry. The Oregonian reported:

The Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association forwarded the recent federal advisory to its 100 or so members this week. The group’s executive director said the association “strongly discourages” Oregon newspapers that rely on the U.S. mail for delivery from accepting “any type of marijuana advertising.”

“It is against the law,” Laurie Hieb wrote in an email to Oregon newspaper executives this week. “Unfortunately, ONPA cannot do anything about this.”

It’s not clear what prompted the warning, which was hand-delivered Monday by a Washington postal official to the Chinook Observer, a Long Beach, Wash., newspaper. The newspaper and the Daily Astorian distribute a weekly tab called Coast Weekend, which runs advertisements from a Long Beach dispensary and Oregon Coast dispensaries.

This heavy-handed and unnecessary move by the United States Postal Service has prompted an Oregon Democratic congressional delegation to seek answers. More from The Oregonian:

The Oregon officials asked Brennan a range of questions about the directive regarding marijuana advertising, including whether the warning is a “USPS headquarters issued document that has legal effect in all 50 states.”

“If not, is it customary for individual districts to create their own policies that may contradict how other districts are operating?” the officials asked. “What discretion does a regional postmaster have in enforcing or implementing these policies, specifically in states where marijuana is legal?”

***

Small businesses and newspapers, they wrote, “rely on advertising to be successful, and our interest is to ensure that these businesses have a clear understanding of the postal service policies regarding mailed advertisements for marijuana products so as not to violate the law.”

With over half of the United States population living under medical marijuana laws and Congress recently defunding the Drug Enforcement Administration from prosecuting people for medical marijuana acts legal under state law, this directive from the USPS doesn’t seem to adhere to current federal policy. These publications themselves aren’t selling cannabis and are only accepting advertisements for actions legal under state law.

The fact that an Oregon delegation consisting of Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici, along with Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden isn’t a coincidence and it demonstrates the importance of legalizing marijuana at the state level. It is great to see the Oregon congressional delegation seek answers about this misguided directive. Hopefully some congressional scrutiny will help convince the USPS to change course.

We are certainly living in the Golden Age of Drug War reform. After too many decades of ill-fated prohibitionist policies and so-called “tough on crime” laws, more people across the United States and the globe are understanding the need to be “smart” on drug policy, instead of implementing “tough” measures that are proven failures. It is easy to see that support for marijuana law reform is increasing across the nation and world as polling data shows the greatest support for legalization in history and electoral results don’t lie.

While 2015, like other off-year elections, didn’t see the same monumental electoral victories of 2014, there have been some very important Drug War reform events. As the last days and weeks of 2015 fade away, we will have several 2015-related lists, but first out of the gate is Tony Newman of the Drug Policy Alliance, writing about his top 2015 Drug War stories in The Huffington Post, including:

President Obama Visits Prison and Gets Real about Criminal Justice Reform

President Obama spoke out forcefully against mass incarceration and the need for criminal justice reform. He challenged Congress to send him legislation that would end mandatory minimums and reduce sentences for those behind bars and he became the first president to visit a prison in July. The president also used his pardon power in a bigger way by granting 46 clemencies and is helping formerly incarceratedpeople reenter society by “banning the box” for those applying for federal jobs.

58 Percent Support for Legalizing Marijuana

According to an October Gallup poll, 58% of Americans say marijuana use should be legal in the United States. Not only is this a clear majority, but the numbers are increasing post legalization in Colorado, Washington Alaska, Oregon and Washington D.C.. California and others will hit the ballot box in 2016 to hopefully push us past the tipping point on marijuana legalization.

Canada and Mexico Make Major Moves on Marijuana Legalization

In October, Canada voted in Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party. The Liberal Party has promised to legalize marijuana in Canada.

Head on over to The Huffington Post to read Newman’s complete list as it is certainly worth reading. The Drug Policy Alliance has helped move Drug War reform around the world as much as any organization and DPA deserves a lot of praise for getting us to where we are today. After a landmark 2014 and a great 2015, 2016 is poised to potentially be the biggest year ever as California, along with a few other states, will likely end cannabis prohibition and we may even see regulated cannabis commerce implemented in Canada. It is great to live in the Golden Age of Drug War reform, but let’s be vigilant to make each and every year a better one than the next. #NoMoreDrugWar

Minnesota’s medical marijuana law is one of the most restrictive in the country, only allowing cannabis extracts in pill or liquid form for a limited number of conditions. Severe pain has been one of the most common uses of medical cannabis, likely helping medical states see a decrease in the number of patients dying from fatal prescription opioid overdoses. The decision of Minnesota’s Health Commissioner to add intractable pain as a qualifying condition could help tens of thousands of Minnesota medical patients. Hopefully, Minnesota legislators and policymakers will continue to improve the state’s medical cannabis laws, including allowing cannabis to be smoked and vaporized.

From the Star Tribune:

Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger announced Wednesday that the state will add intractable pain to the shortlist of conditions that allow Minnesotans to legally use medical marijuana.

“The existing tools are not working well” to manage pain, said Ehlinger, a physician himself. Adding pain patients to the program was the “right and compassionate” choice.

The first pain patients will be able to legally use medical marijuana on Aug 1, 2016, barring any changes from the Legislature.

The medical cannabis program has struggled with high prices and low enrollment since its launch in July. As of Friday, it had 760 enrolled participants and opening enrollment to pain patients could bring in thousands more.

Press release from the Marijuana Policy Project praising the decision:

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Contact
Robert Capecchi
651-4923-1739, rcapecchi@mpp.org

Minnesota Commissioner of Health Adds Intractable Pain as Qualifying Condition for Medical Marijuana

Minnesota will join the majority of states with workable medical marijuana laws by allowing individuals suffering from severe and chronic pain to legally access medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it

* Statement below from the Marijuana Policy Project *

ST. PAUL — Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Ed Ehlinger announced Wednesday that intractable pain, as defined in Minnesota law, will be added to the list of qualifying conditions for which patients can legally access medical marijuana.

The commissioner must notify the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative health and public safety policy committees. Intractable pain will become a qualifying condition for medical marijuana effective August 1, 2016, unless the legislature passes a law stating otherwise.

The vast majority of the 23 states with workable medical marijuana programs allow the use of medical marijuana to treat intractable pain.

Statement from Robert Capecchi of the Marijuana Policy Project:

“This is a sensible and compassionate decision that will help a lot of Minnesotans who suffer every day from intractable pain. The commissioner heard from countless medical professionals, patients, and families from across the state about the benefits of medical marijuana for people suffering from this debilitating condition. We commend Commissioner Ehlinger and everyone else involved in taking this important step toward improving the lives of countless Minnesotans.

“Medical marijuana has been found to be an effective treatment option for people suffering from severe and chronic pain. It is oftentimes more effective than prescription painkillers, and it is undeniably far less addictive and less toxic. Recent research shows that states that allow medical marijuana for severe and chronic pain have lower rates of fatal prescription drug overdoses. The decision to add intractable pain as a qualifying condition in Minnesota will improve not only the health of individual patients, but also the community as a whole.”

# # #

The Marijuana Policy Project is the nation’s largest marijuana policy organization. For more information, visit http://www.MarijuanaPolicy.org.

Massachusetts is on the short list of states likely to legalize cannabis in the near future. With decriminalization and medical already on the books, the Bay State is poised to join the next wave of states that have moved past prohibition and it appears that Massachusetts voters will have their say on the issue as legalization proponents have turned in more than 100,000 signatures to place a legalization measure on the 2016 ballot. Prohibitionists won’t easily give up, so please consider donating to this important campaign; although here’s hoping prohibitionists are as sloppy stopping legalization as they were laughably trying to defeat medical in the state.

From the press release sent out by the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol:

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Contact

Jim Borghesani, Communications Director

617-833-9327, jim@regulatemass.com

Initiative to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Massachusetts Poised for November 2016 Ballot

On Tuesday, initiative backers submitted the last of 103,000+ petition signatures to the Secretary of the Commonwealth; 64,750 valid signatures are required to qualify for the ballot

BOSTON — A proposed initiative to regulate marijuana like alcohol in Massachusetts is poised for the November 2016 ballot after proponents submitted their final petition signatures to the Secretary of the Commonwealth on Tuesday.

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol submitted more than 103,000 total signatures, and 64,750 valid signatures of registered state voters are required to qualify for the November 2016 ballot. The Secretary of the Commonwealth is expected to validate the signatures by mid-December, at which time the petition will be transmitted to the Massachusetts Legislature. If the legislature does not adopt the measure, initiative backers must collect 10,792 additional signatures in June 2016 to place the initiative on the November 2016 ballot.

“This is direct democracy in action,” said campaign manager Will Luzier. “People can see that our current prohibition policy isn’t working, and they’re taking action to replace it with a more sensible system. Based on the level of support and enthusiasm we saw during the petition drive, voters are ready to end prohibition and start treating marijuana more like how our state treats alcohol.”

The proposed initiative would:

• Allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow a limited number of marijuana plants in their homes, similar to home-brewing;

• Create a tightly regulated system of licensed marijuana retail outlets, cultivation facilities, product manufacturing facilities, and testing facilities, which will be overseen by a commission similar to the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission (ABCC);

• Provide local governments with the authority to regulate and limit the number of marijuana establishments in their city or town; and

• Create a 3.75% state excise tax on retail marijuana sales (in addition to the standard state sales tax) and allow local governments to establish an additional local sales tax of up to 2%.[Medical marijuana will NOT be subject to these additional taxes.]

“Most of the voters who signed the petition cited a desire to replace the underground marijuana market with a more controlled system in which marijuana is taxed and regulated,” Luzier said. “There’s a general consensus that we’d be better off if marijuana were produced and sold by licensed businesses instead of cartels and gangs. Also, most people agree that adults should not be punished simply for consuming a product that is less harmful than alcohol.”

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The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol is supporting a 2016 statewide ballot initiative to end marijuana prohibition in Massachusetts. For more information, visit http://www.RegulateMassachusetts.org.

The classification of marijuana as a Schedule I substance, along with heroin, is a national joke that barely has any public supporters these days. Declaring marijuana a drug with a high rate of abuse with no accepted medical value is laughable considering the medicinal benefits that have been shown, the fact that half of the nation’s population now lives under medical marijuana laws and the federal government actually cultivates and distributes marijuana to a handful of federal patients. There seems to be a groundswell of mainstream support to reschedule cannabis and the Las Vegas Review-Journal has joined the chorus:

The DEA currently defines Schedule I drugs as substances “with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” They are “the most dangerous drugs of all the drug schedules with potentially severe psychological or physical dependence.” These drugs include heroin, LSD, ecstasy and marijuana. Since marijuana is now widely used for medicinal purposes, it makes more sense to classify the drug under Schedule II, which as the DEA says, is comprised of drugs that have “less abuse potential than Schedule I drugs,” but “are also considered dangerous.” These include drugs such as methamphetamine, Oxycontin, and Adderall.

Beyond getting the Department of Justice out of the growing legal marijuana industry, reclassifying marijuana will keep more nonviolent offenders out of jail and prison, as well as generate more tax revenue for states and local governments.

It’s an important — and long overdue — start to changing the costly trajectory of the failed war on drugs.

The Review-Journal notes that the CARERS Act, introduced by Rand Paul on the Republican side and Democrats Corey Booker and Kirsten Gillibrand would reschedule marijuana to Schedule II, a policy supported by Hillary Clinton. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has more wisely called for marijuana to be removed from the list controlled substances, effectively ending federal cannabis prohibition. Rescheduling marijuana is a fine first step and a symbolic victory, but Sen. Sanders is correct in calling for the complete descheduling of cannabis, so marijuana can be regulated by the states, just as they regulate alcohol today.

This holiday season, be sure to remember the cannabis connoisseur (or relative newbie) with legal marijuana or a related product.  With legalization, both medical and recreational, the law of the land in many places, there are more opportunities than ever to satisfy your stoner friends and family with great cannabis and various cannabis products.

Marijuana Politics is here to help you out with some shopping tips that will help you find the perfect gift for your cannabis-loving friends and family. We have compiled some unique businesses that can help you find the perfect gift for the cannabis community members on your shopping list. There is a movement to turn the Black Friday shopping “holiday” into Green Friday, so please consider supporting a marijuana entrepreneur this Friday and throughout the holiday season.

Friendly reminder: Oregon dispensaries can provide up to 7 grams of cannabis flower to adults over the age of 21 while an Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) patient or caregiver card is needed to purchase other marijuana products and items, such as concentrates or cannabis-infused edibles.

Oregon

Portland

Rip City Remedies

Rip City Remedies is one of the longest-running dispensaries in Portland and that experience shows in how they relate to, and care about, the cannabis community. Two doors down from Salt & Straw, this dispensary makes a great location destination as the Division Street area is a happening locale of great food, drink and various attractions.

The folks at Rip City Remedies have been great allies to the Oregon cannabis legalization movement and have long demonstrated compassion for Oregon’s patients. The staff is tremendously friendly and will welcome you warmly into store.

Green Friday specials include: $20 quarters; 2 cannabis joints for $5 from Mindful Organics; specials with Truly Pure and Looking Glass Extracts through dailyleafdeals.com. See the full menu here.

Location:

3325 SE Division St, Portland, OR

Hours:

10 am to 10 pm on Green Friday.

Panacea

Panacea has already garnered tremendous press by giving 10% of proceeds to social justice causes. This type of behavior is not only the right thing to do, but has proven to be good marketing for this great dispensary. Supporting great causes has been a foundation of Panacea’s since its inception and the owners have continued to make supporting important social justice issues a part of the business.

The folks who started Panacea are social justice advocates, growers, and medical cannabis enthusiasts. Dispensing cannabis has been a way to bring their passions together. They are truly committed to racial and economic justice and supporting LGBT elders.

But don’t have to support Panacea just because you want to support social justice causes. You can purchase great strains like Strawberry Satori or Silvertip for the supreme quality of the strain. The fact that your hard-earned dollars support a good cause is just a byproduct.

Location:

6714 NE Sandy Blvd.
Portland, Oregon 97213

Hours:
Sunday & Monday – 11 am – 5 pm
Tuesday – Saturday – 11 am – 8 pm

Eugene

The Greener Side

The Greener Side offers great products, special deals every Tuesday, discounts to veterans and they host vendor days twice a month to allow patients and customers to get key knowledge from the source of the cannabis and products. They even take the time to give to charity as they organize the Oregon Cannabis Classic Golf Tournament to benefit the Oregon Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Chelsea and Joseph, the mom-and-pop owners of this establishment, sought out a way to do good work for a good cause while also representing the cannabis industry in the positive light it deserves and the Oregon Cannabis Classic was born.

This family-owned dispensary treats the entire cannabis community as family and the compassion and care shows. From Blue Magoo to Super Silver Haze, the Greener Side has great strains that will satisfy anyone on your shopping list.

Check out the menu of products here.

Location:

1553 Oak St, Eugene

Hours:
Mon – Sat 10 am to 9 pm
Sun 11 am to 7 pm

Bend:

Oregrown

Living and breathing the farm to table model, Oregrown has proven to be a model dispensary that provides great products and service. The establishment is pure class. A truly great cannabis destination, Oregrown is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Bend, less than two blocks from Deschutes Brewery and Brother Jon’s Alehouse. You can stop by and hop into the Patagonia store close by as well. Always on the cutting edge of the cannabis industry, Oregrown offers cannabis flights that come in custom jars and boxes, allowing you to give a truly unique gift.

In a hurry? You can order ahead and have your products ready for pick-up. Visit Oregrown and you will quickly see why it was voted “Best Marijuana Dispensary” by the readers of Source Weekly. Check out the full menu of products here and cool Oregrown gear here.

What you may not know about Oregrown are that owners are working hard on behalf of the industry to improve cannabis laws and regulations, at all levels of government. The proprietors generously contributed to the Measure 91 legalization campaign and haven’t stopped working towards rules and regulations that will work for Oregon, and the nation, while always remembering the importance of reducing criminal penalties.

Location

1199 NW Wall St.
Bend, Oregon 97701

Hours:
Everyday 9 am to 10 pm

Great products available on the web:

FunkyPiece.com

FunkyPiece.com is a boutique online smoke shop founded on simple principles: the business model is to offer unique products at low prices, with fast shipping and tremendous customer support thrown in. Amazing, American-made glass hand pipes, water pipes and bubblers are available and overall, the selection of glass items is truly incredible. If rolling papers are your thing, or preferred by a buddy on your shopping list, FunkyPiece.com has just about every brand of papers available, from Elements to Raw to Zig Zags, to just about every paper in-between. Grinders, storage devices, and other cannabis paraphernalia products are available. Variety is the spice of life, so FunkyPiece.com strives to have at least one new product available everyday. If you are on a budget, there are always special clearance sale items available as well.

Shipping is just $5 on all orders made anywhere  in the United States! All orders are discreetly packaged and shipped. Of course, all items are for legal use only.

Source Vapes

Las Vegas-based SOURCEvapes has been leader in the industry and bringing high-quality vaporizers to the market since 2013.  The very extensive product line consists of concentrate vaporizers, herb vaporizers, and accessories. To ensure the purest taste SOURCEvapes products are made with the finest materials and are sold at an incredibly competitive price-point.  All of SOURCEvapes products are covered by a no-hassle warranty that allows you to return products within 30 days, but with SOURCEvapes’ expertise, you, or your gift-recipient, will sure to be satisfied by the experience. Enter your email to #ExperienceTrueTaste and get $5 off of your next purchase.

Use coupon “BLACKFRIDAY2015” to receive 40% off of select products this Friday and “CYBERMONDAY2015” for 30% off select products as well as buy one get one free deals on orb slim travel kits.

Zamnesia

Zamnésia, the largest online seedshop, is a bit like stepping into the future, even though the company has been around since 2003. With over 1,000 cannabis seed varieties and more than 3,000 various products on the site, Zamnésia is a testament to how far the cannabis industry has come and provides a glimpse into a new world of personal freedom and liberty across the globe.

Zamnésia’s seedshop carries the top marijuana strain genetics from companies such as Sensi Seeds and Greenhouse seeds while also carrying everything needed to consume the cannabis you produce. With an extensive inventory of bongs, vaporizers, grinders, papers and a huge array of cannabis paraphernalia products, you are sure to find something for that special stoner in your life, including yourself. Of particular interest may just be the Arizer solo vaporizer, a sleek and discreet vaporizer that is one of the best on the market.

Zamnésia is holding a special Black Friday sale and other monthly deals, doing its part to turn the shopping day into Green Friday and you can even get a 5% discount by liking the site on Facebook. To ensure privacy and that you can surprise any recipient of Zamnésia products, the company pledges to take the necessary precautions to protect your personal information and ship discreetly.

O-puff

This holiday season think beyond the typical pipes, stash boxes and weed-scented gifts. Give the stoner in your life something that’ll not only help enhance their high, but also aids in recouping after a big hit, O-puff.

O-puff is a brand of portable, recreational oxygen, which helps smokers relax and unwind and recover from late nights, altitude + pollution and more.

With its super light-weight packaging, O-puff canisters make great stocking stuffers for smokers. Each canister consists of 95% pure oxygen, which can be inhaled through the nose or mouth. It does NOT contain cannabis or any cannabinoid derivatives, but it is a natural pairing for cannabis consumers. Proponents of oxygen swear that some oxygen will increase energy levels, improve endurance during exercise and ease the discomfort of headaches and hangovers.

Just a few hits of O-puff helps top off energy levels and increase focus and mental clarity, when needed. And whether the cannabis consumer on your list is an everyday smoker or just a casual toker, who doesn’t need a boost in focus and mental clarity every now and again?

Check out O-puff’s website, on Twitter @OpuffO2, on Facebook and on Instagram.

Aceso

Therabis

Therabis, an ailment-specific all natural CBD supplement for Dogs, has been developed by Dixie Elixirs through a collaboration with a 30-year veterinarian to alleviate separation anxiety and itching while helping joint mobility and flexibility. The mission of Therabis is to foster the unconditional love between pets and families, which is grounded in the belief that strengthening that bond enhances the human condition. The company urges you to give the gift of health to the canine in your life!

Therabis intends to bring the amazing healing power of hemp to the pet market by combining key cannabinoids with other all-natural ingredients, allowing pet owners to address pet health issues with an all-natural solution. Therabis will come in size and pet-specific pre-measured portions, which can be added to any pet food product. Flavored with a blend of all-natural ingredients, Therabis is designed to deliver benefits from the very first time your beloved dog uses the product.

Therabis has been scheduled for clinical trials at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine as well as field trials in over a dozen hospitals in New York. This is exciting research that has the potential to greatly benefit our furry friends that give us such unconditional love and enriches our lives!

Medical cannabis advocates hopeful that Pennsylvania would finally join the ranks of states allowing the medical use of marijuana were forced to continue their wait as a scheduled vote on a medical cannabis was pulled. It is a travesty that the Pennsylvania Legislature hasn’t passed a medical marijuana yet as a super-majority of state voters support medical use. Unfortunately, elected officials tend to lag several years behind the voters on the issue, as we have seen states with the initiative process have led the way on both passing medical and recreational marijuana legalization laws.

Pennsylvania, tragically for the patients that would benefit from legal cannabis, doesn’t allow for the initiative process. In addition to the lag in time when passing medical measures, politicians also seem inclined to pass reforms that are too-restrictive for many patients. As ABC27.com reports, Pennsylvania officials are likely to add more restrictions to the medical bill originally set for a vote:

Sources told ABC 27 an amendment is expected to be introduced that would “water” down Senate Bill 3 by putting caps on THC and the cannabis plant.

A rally will be held in the Capitol Rotunda at noon. A family who lost their child to Dravet syndrome, a severe seizure disorder, will speak. They believe their child would still be alive if medical cannabis was legal in Pennsylvania.

Those in favor of medical cannabis have been using the battle cry “Still sick, still waiting.”

Hopefully, Pennsylvania legislators adhere to the wishes of their constituents and pass a medical cannabis law that works effectively for the state’s patients. Too many sick and disabled patients have waited far too long for a law supported by more than 85% of Keystone State voters.