Susan Duggan

The chair of a critical House committee said on Wednesday that his panel and the larger body will take up legislation to protect states with legal marijuana from federal intervention “in a relatively short time, within the next several weeks, and I think we will have a very strong vote.” “We will guide it to the House floor for a vote, which I think it will pass with an overwhelming vote—Democrats and I think a lot of Republicans as well,” said Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), whose Rules Committee decides how legislation is handled on the chamber’s floor. “If we have a strong bipartisan vote that will increase the pressure on the Senate to do something.” In the interview with Boston Herald Radio, McGovern said he wasn’t familiar with President Trump’s position on cannabis. “I hope he will sign whatever the House and Senate put together but I’m confident he will get a bill.” he said. McGovern was answering a question about the the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entru...

Talking to your doctor before you explore what CBD can do for you is smart, safe, and can help you gain a more positive and effective experience from this natural supplement. In the case of CBD though, it can be difficult to broach the subject with your primary care provider or a specialist. Some patients may fear their doctor won’t take their interest seriously, that such a treatment option will be dismissed, or that there may be some risk in mentioning a supplement derived from cannabis as a possible health aid, particularly if you live in an area that does not permit the use of medical marijuana. These concerns are not unfounded. Researchers are still determining how cannabidiol measures up to many health claims that have come about due to anecdotal support. The fact is that clinically controlled human-based studies of CBD medicine are quite limited and many doctors do not yet feel comfortable recommending such treatments to their patients. While preliminary examinat...

Another California cannabis testing lab has been accused by a former employee of misrepresenting marijuana potency numbers. The allegation emerged because of a legal dispute between Oregon-based Green Leaf Lab, which also has a facility in Sacramento, and competitor 2 River Labs, according to the Sacramento Business Journal. Only three months earlier, a different Sacramento marijuana testing lab, Sequoia Analytical, was shuttered  after it came to light the company had falsified test results for hundreds of cannabis products. Green Leaf sued 2 River Labs in January, alleging that Sacramento-based 2 River Labs’ former director, Renee Engle-Goodner, stole trade secrets and delivered them to that company, where she now works. In a cross-complaint filed recently, Engle-Goodner claimed that at Green Leaf’s Portland, Oregon lab, she was asked “whether she would be comfortable ‘fudging’ potency numbers in cannabis products,” the Business Journal reported. Engle-Goodner alle...

Lawmakers in Guam voted in favor of a bill to legalize marijuana on Wednesday, which means the island territory could become the first place in the U.S. to end cannabis prohibition in 2019. The legislation, which would permit adults 21 and older to possess, consume, cultivate and purchase certain amounts of marijuana from licensed retailers, now heads to the desk of the Guam’s pro-reform governor. Cannabis sales would be subject to a 15 percent excise tax, with revenue helping to fund law enforcement, substance use disorder treatment and agriculture programs. The bill needed eight “yes” votes in the Senate to pass and received exactly that many, with seven senators voting against the legislation. Those “yes” votes include the bill’s six cosponsors, one of whom is a Republican. [embedded content] “The people of Guam can be proud that their elected officials are willing to do the right thing in regards to cannabis policy,” Justin Strekal, political director for NORML , told Mariju...

Washington state’s recreational cannabis cultivators are using less than half their allotted licensed canopy, according to a report conducted by the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB), which could open the door for the state to step down their licenses to a lower tier. “Licensees were generally concerned that the (LCB) may decrease their canopy due to under use,” the report notes. Current rules state that licensees must produce 50% of their licensed canopy or the LCB may reduce the licensed tier. The survey found that many businesses wouldn’t reach the 50% mark. According to the report, however, “enforcing this … would be difficult due to the prevalence of underutilization of canopy and likely produce unintended effects on the market.” The Year One Canopy Report consisted of 792 surveys – 778 staff surveys and 14 drone surveys – that found, “on average, both indoor and outdoor canopy space is underutilized.” Indoor and outdoor Tier 3 producers represent roughly ...

Ontario-based Canopy Growth is partnering with a Toronto cannabis company created by celebrities Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg to sell branded flower, softgels and pre-rolled marijuana formats in the coming months. Canopy said the partnership with Houseplant – founded by Rogen, Goldberg and their partners, including United Talent Agency – was almost two years in the making. No financial terms were disclosed. Houseplant is owned in partnership with Canopy, which trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol  CGC  and on the Toronto Stock Exchange as  WEED . While Canada strictly prohibits “the use of testimonials and endorsements in promotions and on any promotion that invokes a specific way of life” to sell cannabis, licensed marijuana companies are allowed to enter into business relationships with celebrities. One month ago,  Canopy enlisted celebrity lifestyle guru Martha Stewart to advise the Canadian cannabis company in developing a new l...