After President Biden’s Cannabis pardon announcment on Thursday, the different branches of government responsible for carrying out his requests spoke on their support and plans to get those items accomplished as soon as they can.

A spokesperson for the Depratment of Justice said they will be working quickly to create a plan for issuing the pardons as directed by President Biden.

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh spoke with Yahoo Finance. He said the Labor Department will, ”work with [those who were pardoned] to make sure that they can get into good employment—that this is not an impediment to their ability to get into the middle class and get a good-paying job.”

And regarding the status of Cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug on the Controlled Substances Act, Xavier Becerra, the Secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said they will “work as quickly as [they] can” on this. And Becerra added that he’s already spoken to the Food and Drug Administation Commissioner about beginning the review process.

Many Governors have already weighed in on the President’s request to the states to also issue similar pardons. Governors who support cannabis legalization were quick to praise the Presidential announcment.

The Governor of Colorado, Democrat Jared Polis, said that he’s “thrilled” with the president’s cannabis announcement, and added, “Today’s federal action will change people’s lives and not block their success.” Some states, like Colorado and Illinois, had already begun expunging records.

Regarding the Presidents pardon statement, Illinois’ Governor, Democrat J.B. Pritzker said, “I’m proud to have taken action and I hope to see other states follow our lead.”

On the other end of the spectrum, Idaho’s Governor, Republican Brad Little, issued a statement bashing Biden’s cannabis announcement. Little said, “…what’s not clear is whether Biden really understands that individuals incarcerated for possession of small amounts of marijuana almost always have accompanying offenses, making his blanket pardon basically pointless. Here in Idaho, we will continue to fight for a secure border and make our correctional system fair, with a focus on keeping dangerous people off the street.”

While Governor Little said Biden’s Pardons were “basically pointless,” there are 6,500 people who qualify to be pardoned who would certainly dissagree.

For more information on each state Governor’s responses thus far, please see:
​Will Governors Issue Marijuana Pardons Following Biden's Call To Action? Dozens Are Already Weighing In - Marijuana Moment

​A high ranking US official said he is “cautiously optimistic” that WNBA star Brittney Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan could be home by the end of this year.

Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Bill Richardson spoke with CNN on Sunday. He said that during his trip to Russia last month he met with “senior Russian officials, individuals close to President (Vladimir) Putin” to secure the release of Griner and Whelan.

During the interview, Richardson was asked if he thought Griner and Whelen would be freed by the end of this year. Richardson sounded confident and said, “I do think so. Now, I hate making predictions, but yes.”

​The White House said last week that it has yet to receive a "serious counter-offer" from Moscow. But Richardson, who has a long history of working to free Americans detained overseas, said in his interview that he sensed from the Russian officials he met that Moscow is "ready to talk,” and he added, “I am cautiously optimistic on the Griner (and) Whelan negotiations.”   

Earlier this year, the Mayor of the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands announced that she wanted to ban tourists from accessing cannabis cafes in the city.

Last week, the city Council voted against this, leaving access still open for tourists to visit and partake in cannabis cafes in the city of Amsterdam.

The Mayor had argued that tourists coming for cannabis caused crimes and creaked havoc. The city’s council feared that banning tourists wouled increase illegal street trading, and cause even more problems.

No doubt the tourism money brought to the city was on their minds as well. Millions of dollars a year in tourism comes from cannabis fans flocking to the city’s cannabis cafes, and the whole city benefits from those tourists, not just the 167 cannabis cafes. There are also restaurants, hotels, retail stores and more who benefit from the countless cannabis tourists.

​No doublt those businesses that rely on tourism are pleased that cannabis cafes will remain accessible to tourists for the foreseable future. 

​Benzinga Staff Writer, Joana Scopel, reported on a 156 member Republican Study Committee and their anti-cannabis stance. This Republican study Committee was founded in 1973 by conservative activists to keep a watch on the House Republican leadership, which they saw at the time as too moderate. There are currently nearly three out of four House Republicans who are members of this committee.

The Committee recently wrote what they call a “Family Policy Agenda.” In it, they detail 10 ideological principles and more than 80 legislative recommendations for their Republican congressmen to follow. They write that their objective with these principles and recommendations are “to guide conservatives’ work to restore the American family.” 

The chairman of the committee is Republican Congressman Jim Banks, from Indiana. He is highly conservative and does not personally support any form of cannabis. Banks’ state of Indiana is one of only 9 states where no form of cannabis is legalized or decriminalized. Banks wrote in a press release about the committee’s agenda. He said that families “have lost control… over childrearing” and that “Republican leaders need to position themselves as the party of families.” 

One section of the agenda titled, “Protecting Children from Dangers of Drugs,”in the report referenced states where cannabis has been legalized. They wrote, “This has led to an explosion of marijuana use among children, which is having a hugely negative impact on their health … Congress should not legalize marijuana, while also taking steps to constrain this new industry’s ability to harm children.” 

Their agenda also strongly insinuated that cannabis has a connection to violent crimes and suicides. They wrote that studies should be done on THC use in “adolescence with a special focus on deaths by suicide and those involved in violent crime to provide Congress and the public with further information about these dangers.” 

Studies actually have already been done on suicide and cannabis. Experts at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Yale Law School, Cato Institute and the Reason Foundation found that there is no correlation between cannabis use and suicide. 

Despite the majority of Republican congressmen backing this written agenda, their consituents don’t agree. Very recent polls have shown thar a majority of Republican voters support cannabis legalization, so in this case it does not appear that their leaders are actually representing them. 

It’s worth remembering that the pressure to go along with your party, to keep your job, or stay in favor of those with more power, can be strong. So, despite what constituents may want, a politician may feel their own personal need to go along with the committee, or committee’s leader. 

Our representatives are supposed to represent us! Make sure you’re letting yours know how you feel about cannabis and how you want to be represented. And more importantly, make sure you’re voting for people who actually will represent you in government.  

​President Biden’s issued his suprise announcement last week on pardoning all federal cannabis posession convictions, urging state Governors to do the same, and directing the review of cannabis’ status as a Schedule 1 drug.

His announcement got everyone talking about it. Political analysts discussed the potential ramifications this could have on November elections. There was no one clear consensus on what that may be, though.

Some say the action could stir opponents to cannabis legalization who say this is a step towards more crime. Tom Cotton, who is a Republican Senator from Arkansas, and a self proclaimed “tough-on-crime” conservative, condemed the President’s announcement. Cotton said , “In the midst of a crime wave and on the brink of a recession, Joe Biden is giving blanket pardons to drug offenders—many of whom pled down from more serious charges.”

But on the other hand, it seems that Biden’s announcement is something that most of the country will agree with and support. Last year, a Gallup poll found that a record-high 68% of Americans are in favor of legalizing marijuana for recreational use, and subsequent polls have also had similar results.

Talk show host, political commentator, and comedian, Bill Maher said, “This is very smart because a lot of people in this country, I don’t know who they are, I don’t know any of them, but a lot of people do smoke pot, and they do show up to vote. Not on the right day, but they do show.” He noted that while some say Biden is too old to be President, he’s the first to take this positive step for cannabis. Maher jokeed, “Yes. The old president. Credit to him because Joe really doesn’t know anything about pot. He thinks THC is that channel that shows the old movies.”

Another area that reacted swiftly to the President’s announcement was in the financial markets. Cannabis stocks surged on the announcment. Two of the largest publicly traded cannabis companies posted strong gains, with Tilray shares up 22% and the stock price of Canopy Growth jumping 31%. Those have leveled a bit from their initial jump, but they are still up much higher than before the announcement.

​The Justice Department’s Office of the Pardon Attorney, who is responsible for administering the pardons is planning to implement a formal process and application for those eligible within the coming days.

On Thursday, October 6th, President Joe Biden gave cannabis advocates a huge suprise.

The President released a statement on Marijuana Reform and announced that he is ordering the pardoning of simple cannabis offenses at the federal level.

He is also urging states to do the same at the state level.

And most importantly, he has direct the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to officially review the Schedule 1 classification of cannabis, and not just review it, but to come to an answer quickly.

Here is the full text of his official announcement:
As I often said during my campaign for President, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.  Sending people to prison for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit. Criminal records for marijuana possession have also imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities. And while white and Black and brown people use marijuana at similar rates, Black and brown people have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted at disproportionate rates.  

Today, I am announcing three steps that I am taking to end this failed approach.  

First, I am announcing a pardon of all prior Federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana.  I have directed the Attorney General to develop an administrative process for the issuance of certificates of pardon to eligible individuals.  There are thousands of people who have prior Federal convictions for marijuana possession, who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result.  My action will help relieve the collateral consequences arising from these convictions.  

Second, I am urging all Governors to do the same with regard to state offenses.  Just as no one should be in a Federal prison solely due to the possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either.  

Third, I am asking the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to initiate the administrative process to review expeditiously how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.  Federal law currently classifies marijuana in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, the classification meant for the most dangerous substances.  This is the same schedule as for heroin and LSD, and even higher than the classification of fentanyl and methamphetamine – the drugs that are driving our overdose epidemic.   

Finally, even as federal and state regulation of marijuana changes, important limitations on trafficking, marketing, and under-age sales should stay in place. Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana.  It’s time that we right these wrongs. 

At the same time the President released that statement, he also announced his official Proclamation on Granting Pardon for the Offense of Simple Possession of Marijuana. 
(Read his Official Presidential Action Released Statement here)

Immediately after this all was released, there was, of course, a huge reaction. Most people were thrilled by these announcements. But some others were critical.

Cannabis advocates agree this is an enormously positive step in the right direction. But it does leave many questions.

Overall, though, this positive step and the resulting questions will essentially force some movement on the issue.

One of the first things to note is that the President does not have unilateral power over the people. He can only do so much. Out of his three part statement, the only concrete action he can enforce is the pardoning of federal convictions. But, most marijuana cases are prosecuted under state law, not federal law. The President did urge states to also issue pardons for simple offenses at the state level. However, he cannot force them too. Despite that, though, his influence is sure to be strong, and it stands to reason that many, if not all, states will follow his lead.

When we look at those the President can and is pardoning, at the federal level, a senior administration official told reporters that there are 6,500 people expected to qualify for the President’s pardon. None of those are currently in prison, as simple posession alone usually does not receive a federal prison sentence. But, it will still be an incredible relief for those with federal possession convictions to get a clean slate.

And although President Biden said "we should decriminalize marijuana," he does not have the authority to do that on his own. Without new legislation, marijuana use will remain federally illegal, as will cultivation and retail sales. Simple marijuana possession is still punishable by a $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail. And growing or selling marijuana are still federal felonies.

But while the President is not able to create new laws, his pardoning thousands for simple posession puts a great deal of pressure on legislatures to change the laws.

The President’s statement also said that the was directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to begin the process of evaluating how marijuana is classified under federal law, and to do so expeditiously, or in other words: get to a conclusion swiftly.

He pointed out that marijuana’s Schedule 1 classification is harsher than opioids, fentanyl and methamphetamine.

But getting the DEA to change marijuana’s Schedule 1 status comes with a loophole. The DEA demands evidence before they will consider it, but critics point out that it’s highly difficult to conduct the type of research they want while it remains a Schedule 1 drug.

Having the President authorize them the Health and Human Service Secretary and the Attorney General to work on this will help put positive pressure on the DEA to finally move forward with reviewing marijuana’s classification. When and if they do reschedule marijuana, research barriers would be eliminated.

So, although the President can’t offically decriminalize marijuana - only descheduling it can - his pardoning simple posession charges puts all the cannabis opponents into a tail spin, as it will be pointless for them to spend time and money pursing simple cannabis possession charges, knowing that the President will pardon them.

One of the sponsors of the SAFE Banking Act, and one of the most vocal cannabis advocates in congress, Democratic US Representative Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, released his own statement, commending the President’s action. He pointed out that 99% of Americans live in a state where some form of cannabis use is legal. Part of his statement read, “This is a critical important step forward for racial justice in the failed war on drugs that too often targeted people of color, especially Black and Latino men. While this order is welcome and long overdue, it is just the first step of many that this Administration should take."

Blumenauer also spoke about the current pending measures in the House right now. Regarding these initiatives, he said, “The President should embrace and celebrate. It is critical that we put the full force of the federal government behind them."

The President’s declaration will certainly have an effect on the upcoming November elections, in which marijuana will definitely - especially now - have a huge impact.

There is also the time called the “lame duck” period between November elections and the end of the year, where the Senate will have their opportunity to act on the heels of the President’s words. It’s hoped that some cannabis measures will be passed in this period, in particular, the SAFE Banking Plus Act.

What will happen? Which way will things go?

Well, the government will issue pardons, and a review of marijuana’s drug schedule classification will begin. Politicians and advocates on both sides of the issue will work harder to push their agendas. Beyond that is just speculation.

Something we should keep in mind, though, is that when Trump was elected President, he immediately repealed the Cole Memorandum. That document was a guide from the government, which among other things, told enforcement agencies to stop putting time and effort into pursuing low level cananbis crimes. So, with this in mind, we know that the opposition could come up with creative ways to block or overturn this progress.

Only time will tell which way the voters will vote, and which way Congress and the Senate will act. We can hope for more positive cannabis news as our government representatives try to navigate their way through it all.

Representative Blumenauer’s statement summed up this whole Presidential declaration well. He said, “There was a time when this was controversial. Yet for several years, the federal government has been left behind by people and states who did not wait. Not only does more than two-thirds of the public support full legalization, even half of American Republicans are also ready to end this chapter of the failed war on drugs. We welcome this action and hope it is the first of several noncontroversial critical steps to promote justice, equity, and rational policy.” ​

​Senate Majority Leader, Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York, initiated a process to pass a House approved cannabis research bill on Thursday of this week.

The bipartisan “Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act” was ‘hotlined’, which means that both the Senate Majority Leader and the Senate Minority Leader both agree in advance to advance the measure without a roll call vote. That gives other Senate members a limited amount of time for objections before moving ahead with a request for unanimous consent for approval on the floor.

But despite the bipartisan support, Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas objected, and delayed everything further.

If there had been no objections, the bill would have moved through the Senate and gone to the President for his approval or veto, where it was expected he would approve it. That would mark the first time in history that a standalone cannabis reform measure would be enacted into law.

The Texas Republican Senator Cornyn did not provide any reasons for his objection. In the past he has advocated for this exact type of reform, including while he served as co-chair of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. He has several times spoke about and emphasized the need for studies, and he has criticized policies that inhibit research. The goal of the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act that he has delayed by objecting to would help achieve those study objectives.

Marijuana Moment cited a source on Capitol Hill who privately said that Cornyn plans to block every bill that is taken up under unanimous consent in the Senate for his own personal vindictiveness. The source said this is because he is frustrated that the opposite chamber has not advanced more of his own legislation that has been sent over.

​So if you live in Texas, keep the name of Republican Senator John Cornyn in mind, and the next time he’s up for re-election, perhaps you, too can ‘object’.  

​With the November elections looming, cannabis legalization issues have become relevant for all politicians.

But while Democrats have taken the lead with backing cannabis, a new poll suggests that Republican voters who also support it are growing in numbers.

The poll of 1,000 Republican voters was conducted on behalf of the National Cannabis Roundtable (NCR) in late August.

They found that nearly half of the GOP voters (47%) have used cannabis for medicinal purposes, or recreationally, or both.

They also learned that a vast majority support:
• cannabis companies having full banking access (65%)
• Allowing cannabis businesses to have the same rights as other legal businesses (73%)
• Expunging convictions in legal states (56%)
• Allowing cannabis companies to be able to sell stock on the stock exchanges (51%)

They also found that 76% of respondents said that if a state has legalized cannabis, then the Federal Government should not interfere or cause obstacles.

And perhaps most importantly, the vast majority, at 73%, favor legalizing cannabis for medical purposes.

While on the other hand, the Republican voters were split evenly on whether or no it should be legalized for recreational use.

The National Cannabis Roundtable’s Executive Director, Saphira Galoob, spoke with news site, The Fresh Toast, and said, “I think with more states coming online with medical programs and broader recreational availability, the stigma of cannabis is weakening, and people realize the benefits of cannabis far outweigh whatever preconceived opinions there might have been in the past.”

She also added, “Members of congress are elected to represent the viewpoints of their constituencies and these poll numbers overwhelmingly show that there are more voters in favor of cannabis reform than against … So, I think we’ll see some positions … start to change with Republican lawmakers.”

​We can only hope that this support will be reflected in the polls this November.  

Last week, the International Code Council (ICC) approved hemp-lime, otherwise known as hempcrete, for insulation in the U.S. residential building.

This new approval allows hempcrete to be used as a standard material in residential construction beginning in 2024.

Low seismic risk areas would not require engineer design, but high seismic areas will require engineered design, according to the release.

Hempcrete is "a mixture of hemp hurds or 'shiv' (made from hemp stalks) and a lime binder, [that] creates a long-lasting fibrous insulation for wall assemblies."

It is naturally fire-, mold- and pest-resistant.

Supporters said that because hemp can sequester carbon in building walls, "hempcrete is an excellent building material that can offset the construction industry's carbon footprint.”

The press release on the matter stated that until the code is officially adopted in 2024, "designers and home builders working on a hempcrete project may still be required to be approved as an 'alternative material and method' by local building departments.”

​Proponents of the approval said this is a “groundbreaking” step, and “just the beginning” of where the hempcrete industry will go.   

​The Tax Policy Center released information on tax revenue received from cannabis, and the numbers are impressive.

Both Colorado and Washington states received more tax revenue from cannabis sales than they did from alcohol or cigarettes in Fiscal Year 2022. There were eight more states who’s cannabis tax revenue outpaced cigarettes, but not alcohol. And one more state who brought in more tax money from cannabis than alcohol.

There have been many single-month reports of cannabis surpassing alcohol and or cigarettes in tax revenue received, but this report is of note because it covers a much longer period, showing strength over time. Those numbers are only expected to grow.

The report wrote, “Broadly speaking … a state can collect a significant amount of revenue from marijuana taxes and that collection should mostly increase over time.”

This type of data definitely underscores the financial opportunities legalization offers. But it also indicates the that some people are potentially ‘switching’ from alcohol and cigarettes to cannabis.

A study published earlier this year found that marijuana legalization is associated with decreased use of alcohol, nicotine and non-prescription opioids among young adults.

​That rings true with a couple recent polls that found that more Americans think people would be better off using cannabis than alcohol. 

​In light of the expected imminent cannabis legalization in Germany, more big names are making moves to invest now, with hopes of big returns.

The British American Tobacco PLC company has invested in German cannabis startup Sanity Group GmbH. Along with the tobacco giant, several celebrities have also invested in the Sanity Group. Rapper and cannabis icon, Snoop Dogg’s Casa Verde Capital company, Will I.Am, and Alyssa Milano have also all invested in the Sanity Group.

The Sanity Group’s founder and Chief Executive Officer Finn Age Hänsel said that new funding money will be used for strengthening their existing medical business, and preparing for the potential recreational legalization in Germany.

These latest investments from big tobacco highlight the shift in developing countries of fewer people smoking tobacco to more people using cannabis. These investments also emphasize the financial potential for cannabis in Germany, which is Europe’s largest economy with more than 83 million people.

With German Heath Minister Karl Lauterbach’s support for legalization, Justice Minister Marco Buschmann is optimistic that a law officially legalizing cannabis could be passed by spring 2023.

​Sanity Group’s Chief Investment Officer Max Narr said, “This funding is an important milestone for us and a strong signal towards the future of cannabis in Germany and and Europe.” 

​Japan has had a zero-tolerance policy on the recreational use of marijuana for close to 75 years. The government has even asked citizens to refrain from using cannabis outside of the country, when visiting fully legal locations such as Canada.

The strict penalties for cannabis violations include the potential of serving up to five years in prison and a possible fine of nearly $20,000 just for using marijuana. Even if it’s for medical use! The government does enforce it, too. There have been several cases of celebrities that have been caught and prosecuted, including extremely popular musicians and pop singers, tv personalities and movie actors, Olympic athletes, and even a top politician.

But on the other side of things, non-psychoactive, hemp-derived CBD is legal in Japan, and has been quickly growing in popularity for it’s use in supplements and cosmetics. The country's CBD industry has grown rapidly, from $3 million in 2015, to $59 million in 2019 (according to Tokyo-based research firm Visiongraph).

And now, a Japanese health ministry panel has just recommended that their government revise laws to allow for medicines to be able to use components of cannabis. A health ministry official told the American Foreign Press that this would help ensure their growing CBD industry is not restricted. The panel also called for the current blanket ban on cannabis plants to be changed to a ban only on the psychoactive substance THC. And, they also suggested that current criminalization laws be tightened on recreational use.

​The panel's recommendations will now be taken up by the government and changes to the law will come only after a bill is submitted to the Parliament and approved by lawmakers.    

​Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Pablo Zuanic met with DC lawmakers last week. After his visit, he said he believes that Congressional leaders will pass cannabis banking legislation in the period between November elections and the end of this year.

Specifically, he is referring to the ‘SAFE Banking Plus’ Act, which is an updated bill that, if passed, would protect financial institutions that provide banking services to cannabis-related ventures and ancillary businesses.

Zuanic spoke to investors during a zoom call on Monday morning about SAFE Banking and said, “It’s not just a jingle. It’s not a pipe dream. It’s something that’s ongoing. There are discussions at high levels in the Senate between co-sponsors of the SAFE Banking bill on the Republican side with Senate leadership.”

He spoke about how he believes there is enough support from key Democrats in the Senate, and believes they really want to get this done. He added that the, “leverage may be held by Republicans.” But he does think, “ …. this will be one where there could be support from both sides of the aisle.”

Zuanic also outlined how he think it will happen, saying he thinks it’s likely that a media leak will occur prior to the November elections, followed by a press conference after the election when the draft is formally filed. He then thinks a formal vote will happen later in December.

​Ultimately, though, Zuanic acknowledged that nothing is predictable. He said, “But obviously, you know, I want to be very clear — this is politics … It’s a legislative process. It’s complicated … In the end, maybe nothing happens” 

​On September 30th, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it has charged eight people in connection with a cannabis stock promotion scheme.

The legal complaint alleges that eight individuals promoted Emerald Health Pharmaceuticals and High Times Holdings stocks under the guise that the recommendations were unbiased. In reality, they were being secretly compensated in the form of cash and lavish expenses. 

​The SEC says that because of their promotions, investors purchased $80 million worth of securities.

In addition to to the promoters, associates who acted as middlemen for the promotional scheme were also charged. The complaint alleged that fake invoices were submitted for consulting services.

Emerald Health Pharmaceutical’s CEO James DeMesa, co-founder Avtar Dhillon, and CFO Lisa Sanford, are accused of participating in the scheme, by allegedly making misrepresentations and omissions concerning the promotion and payments.

​High Times has not been charged in the scheme. 

Long before the United States began making moves towards legalization, the city of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, was known for their liberal policies towards cannabis, among other things.

Through the years, millions upon millions have visited Amsterdam for this very reason.

In April of this year, Amsterdam’s mayor, Femke Halsema, said she wanted to make it her goal to end cannabis tourism. She told Amsterdam city councilors she believes that, “Many of the major problems in the city are fueled by the cannabis market: from nuisances caused by drug tourism to serious crime and violence.”

Throughout the rest of The Netherlands, access to cannabis cafes is limited to residents only. Amsterdam remains the only location where tourists may visit them. Current estimations are that approximately three million foreign tourists visit Amsterdam’s 166 cannabis cafes every year.

Amsterdam’s city councilors, on the other hand, said they were not convinced of the need to close the city’s cannabis cafes to tourists, and they feared an increase in street dealing if the Mayor got her way.

Currently, Amsterdam has a serious shortage of police officers, as they have a deficit of about 300 officers and 20 wardens, which would make enforcing a ban difficult.

A lengthy debate was recently held where residents, researchers, and representatives from coffee shops also spoke for more than an hour. The mayor stated that she, the public prosecutor, and the police chief believe the ban needs to be enforced in order to diminish the growth of the soft drug industry, address acute annoyance, and combat criminality.

According to a report on the debate, a majority of parties oppose the ban proposal. One local party leader and councillor Sheher Khan said there was little evidence to support the idea that soft drugs helped the hard drug trade. He said his party’s main concern is that the ban would encourage illegal street trading.

This week, Amsterdam’s city council is set to vote on the Mayor’s proposed ban.

​Ultimately, however, Mayor Halsema does not have to rely on majority support within the city council if she declares the situation to be ‘necessity’. It is within her powers to impose the measure, with or without majority council support.

​Georgia legalized medical marijuana seven years ago. The state has been excruciatingly slow in advancing, but it is moving forward.

Two medical cannabis licenses have just been approved, to Botanical Sciences LLC and Trulieve Georgia Inc.

There will be another four licenses granted eventually, but they are currently tied up in litigation.

The two licenses just issued authorize the companies to grow, manufacture and sell cannabis oil that contains no more than 5% THC. The companies must begin production within a year, and can open up to five retail locations (according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution).

The Chairman of the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, Sid Johnson, said, “… we look forward to ensuring that the product comes to market as quickly and as safely as possible.”

One of the new license holders, Trulieve, is building an indoor cultivation facility and a processing facility in Adel, Georgia. Their CEO Kim Rivers said, “We look forward to educating the Georgia market on the numerous health and wellness benefits of cannabis, as well as providing patients statewide access to the medical cannabis they have been seeking.”


​Georgia currently has just under 25,000 registered medical marijuana patients.