Cartels Making Less Money Due to Legal Weed
It’s nice to be right. We started WeedUpdate to educate individuals about the benefits of legalizing cannabis. One of the reasons we mention for legalization was to divert money away from the cartels and put it into our state treasuries. And while common sense told us it will happen, we now have data backing up the claim.
According to the US Customs and Border Protection, cannabis seizures at the borders plummeted by 60% in 2018 compared to 2012. This statistic is a complete blow to the bottom line of the drug cartels– at least as marijuana is concerned. That data can be entirely attributed to the fact many states have either legalized medical or recreational marijuana, driving down the price and increasing local supply. It’s getting more difficult to argue against legalization.
Federal WeedUpdate
A new bill was introduced on July 26th, 2018 that would protect federal employees from being fired for consuming legal weed, as in, legal in states where they reside. It has not gone past the stage of introduction. Speaking of bills not moving, Senator “Chuck” Schumer’s Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act also has not moved from the stage of introduction, even though it was introduced on June 28th, 2018.
On a positive note, this is a great sign that the federal government is inching towards full legalization of cannabis. We can all take pride in the hard work done educating the population and our lawmakers. Even Jeff Session recently commented in Boston that States have the right to make their own laws regarding marijuana.
The Senate will hear Senator Gardner’s the STATES Act, which stops the feds from interfering with States that legalized cannabis. The language is strong with provisions such as amending the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) to include language that makes the consumption of marijuana legal if done in a state that allows it. Other provisions such as removing Hemp from the CSA and allowing banks to do business with dispensaries are very welcome.
WeedUpdate from Around the Country
Arkansas
Back in March of this year (2018), we reported that Arkansas awarded five companies medical marijuana licenses. However, the state was sued by an unsuccessful applicant, who claimed that the commissioner that graded the applications had a conflict of interest. The AG agreed with the applicant and stated that a member of the commission was offered a bribe.
That said, the commission recently voted to outsource the award process to an outside and independent company. Let’s hope this decision will be able to keep the process fair.
Illinois
Governor Rauner signs a bill to allow the administration of medical marijuana to kids in schools. The initial push for the legalization of cannabis began to happen because of the drastic effects it has at stopping epilepsy attacks in children. More research has shown that it helps much more than that, but this new bill passed in Illinois is proof that cannabis is now a legitimate medicinal alternative to big pharma
Maine
For the second time this year, lawmakers in Maine overturned Governor LePage’s veto of a bill expanding the medical marijuana program. Some provisions include deducting marijuana-related business expenses for dispensaries and caregivers. You can read more about the law here
Missouri
Missouri might be legalizing medical marijuana. If you are a resident of Missouri and want to see medical marijuana legalized, register to vote, and don’t forget to vote this November! Missouri already has decriminalized marijuana, but let’s change its color on our States with Legal Weed Map
New York
Cuomo takes another step in legalizing cannabis in New York by appointing a 20 person committee to draft legislation regulating and taxing marijuana like alcohol. This such great new for legalization. Another reason why we see that 2018 could be the year the feds legalize cannabis
Oklahoma
A political activist group, called Green the Vote, announced that they have garnered enough signatures to put recreational marijuana on the ballot in November. Last week we reported that lawmakers in Oklahoma put ridiculous new laws for the medical marijuana industry. Most notably, no smoke and no strong marijuana. But they just passed a bill revoking those new regulations. Win!
Wisconsin
The city of Racine is planning on asking its voters what their opinion is regarding cannabis legalization. The question asked will be,
To be clear, this is just an advisory referendum, which gives lawmakers a guide on what voters are thinking.
As we have been saying all along, legalization is the only way. The cartels are going to have to find some other way to make money, and they will. They just won’t do it with a plant that we can cultivate on our own without requiring criminal activity to support it.
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