Browsing California

California Gov. Newsom issued an executive order today that extends some critical deadlines that have been impacted by COVID-19. One of these extensions affects the expiration dates of some medical marijuana cards held by patients in California. Medical marijuana identification cards issued under Health and Safety Code section 11362.71, which would otherwise have expired between March 4, 2020, and any day within 60 days from the date of the executive order (May 20, 2020), shall remain valid for 60 days from the date of the order. It is important to note that the executive order only applies …

While many California residents were originally happy when Proposition 64, “The Adult Use of Marijuana Act,” passed back in November, many medical patients are now left questioning how the upcoming changes to California’s legal cannabis industry are going to affect their treatment plan. Shifting to a recreational system is proving to be a very complicated and unsettling process, especially when the existing system isn’t exactly the best infrastructure to work with. This can be very frustrating for medical patients who were content with the way it was, but that’s not to say that the current legal gray …

If you are a legal MMJ patient living in a cannabis friendly state, you are most likely already familiar with the process of using some of the more popular dispensary locator tools like Weedmaps and Leafly. Gone are the days of sneaking into the shadows to quickly exchange money for a bag of weed, or hoping a friend’s friend’s cousin can come through for you. Times change, businesses change, and patient’s needs change, but internet magnates such as Yelp, Google and Facebook continue to resist the idea of accepting and focusing on building cannabis-related listings. For the past …

Medical marijuana patients and supporters are celebrating a well-deserved win this week. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled unanimously that the Department of Justice is prohibited from spending funds to prosecute people in medical marijuana states if they are in compliance with state laws. Justice Diarmuid O’Scannlain rendered the decision on behalf of the panel in United States v McIntosh et al. – F.3d – (9th Cir. Aug. 16, 2016): “By officially permitting certain conduct, state law provides for non-prosecution of individuals who engage in such conduct. If the …

Sponsored by CWCBExpo All eyes are on California with the impending passage of Prop 64 (AUMA) in November. The legalization of adult recreational use of marijuana in California would make this state the largest cannabis market in the US. There is no better place to learn how to be part of this incredible sea of change than at the Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition. Taking place September 7-9, 2016 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, CWCBExpo LA provides end-to-end information and resources for those just entering the business or for established businesses …

UPDATE – 6/16/16 @ 10pm The founder of Care By Design, Dennis Hunter, was released from Sonoma County jail tonight on no bond and with no charges. His family thanks all of the medical marijuana patients, caregivers, and industry activists who stepped forward and showed their support. “This fight is not over but it is definitely swaying,” says Mr. Hunter’s son. UPDATE – 6/15/16 @ 9pm One of the organization’s founding patient members was arrested and charged with felony for manufacturing a controlled substance by chemical extraction (a law created for meth labs); and is being …

More taxes may be soon be imposed on medical marijuana in California under two separate proposals that were approved by lawmakers last week, one in the Senate and one in the Assembly. Both bills will now be considered by members of the opposite chamber. Senate Bill 987 Imposes an Additional 15% Sales Tax Last week, lawmakers in the California Senate voted overwhelmingly to approve imposing a 15% sales tax on medical marijuana, passing the measure by a 27-10 vote on June 1. The bill, Senate Bill 987, now heads to the Assembly for consideration.

The 2016 U.S. Democratic presidential primary race will go down as one of the most unpredictable, farcical and important races in modern memory, and Californians will have a crucial role in writing the ending to one of the more absurd chapters in American history. Get Involved In The Election Process and Vote! If you want to be part of that history, and you are not registered as a Democrat (or “no party preference,” and request a Democratic ballot) no later than this Monday, May 23, you will miss your opportunity. California also offers online voter registration, so …

Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders will headline the International Cannabis Business Conference on Feb. 13 and 14 in downtown San Francisco. She’ll be joined by Andrew Sullivan, a prominent author and blogger; Tommy Chong, star of the Cheech & Chong movies; Arjan Roskam, who started the “Strain Hunters” documentary series; and Anthony Johnson, the executive director of Oregon’s successful campaign to legalize marijuana. “Business and Politics” is the theme of the conference, which comes as several legalization initiatives vie for a spot on the state’s November ballot. California has a …

Silicon Valley’s technology and venture capital firms are starting to make big bets on legal cannabis. Whether, it’s Y Combinator, Tao Capital, or TechCrunch Disrupt, cannabis is a hot topic of interest. Seizing the moment, 1,000+ CEOs, VCs, founders and journalists will gather for two days, 20 panels, 60 panelists, and 36 exhibitors for the first-ever New West Summit — the cannabis industry’s first conference devoted to tech, investment, and media. Opening the Summit Friday, Nov. 20, Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders’ pollster Ben Tulchin will share his forecast for cannabis legalization in …