Tag: Senator Patty Murray

Senate Leadership Pushes End of Federal Prohibition Of Cannabis
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In a big week for the marijuana industry and a surprise to most of the industry, Senators Schumer (D-NY), (Murray D-WA), Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and 14 others have deduced to follow the public and make a change. As of today, Senate leadership pushes end of federal prohibition of cannabis.

Senator Patty Murray, a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) has long been a champion of veterans. This falls in line with PTSD treatments and with the American Medical Association’s backing of rescheduling and more medical research to see how the cannabis plant can help more patients.

RELATED: California or New York, Which Has The Biggest Marijuana Mess

They have reintroduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), legislation that would end the harmful federal prohibition of cannabis by removing cannabis from the list of federally controlled substances and empowering states to create their own laws. This legislation would be a historic step toward rectifying the failed policies of the War on Drugs and would help federal law better reflect the will of the vast majority of Americans, 91% of whom believe that cannabis should be legalized for either adult or medical use.

“It is far past time that the federal government catch up to Washington state when it comes to cannabis laws. This legislation is about bringing cannabis regulations into the 21^st century with common-sense reforms to promote public safety and public health, and undo deeply unjust laws that have for decades disproportionally harmed people of color,” said Senator Murray. “The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act will help set us on a safe and responsible pathway to legalization—I’ll keep working to secure the necessary support to get it done.”

Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act establishes a federal regulatory framework to protect public health and safety, prioritizes restorative and economic justice to help undo harm caused by the War on Drugs, ends discrimination in the provision of federal benefits on the basis of cannabis use, provides major investments for cannabis research, and strengthens worker protections. By decriminalizing cannabis at the federal level, the CAOA also ensures that state-legal cannabis businesses or those in adjacent industries will no longer be denied access to bank accounts or financial services simply because of their ties to cannabis.

The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act:
- Protects public health by:
  
  Establishing a Center for Cannabis Products to regulate production, labeling, distribution, sales and other manufacturing and retail elements of the cannabis industry.
  
  Instructing the FDA to establish standards for labeling of cannabis products, including potency, doses, servings, place of manufacture, and directions for use.
  
  Establishing programs and funding to prevent youth cannabis use.
  
  Increasing funding for comprehensive opioid, stimulant, and substance use disorder treatment.
- Protects public safety by:
  
  Removing cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act and eliminating federal prohibitions in states that have chosen to legalize medical cannabis, or adult-use cannabis.
  
  Retaining federal prohibitions on trafficking of cannabis in violation of state law; establishing a grant program to help departments combat black market cannabis.
  
  Requiring the Department of Transportation (DOT) to create standards for cannabis-impaired driving.
  
  Directing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to collect data on cannabis-impaired driving, create educational materials on “best practices,” and carry out media campaigns.
  
  Incentivizing states to adopt cannabis open container prohibitions.
- Regulates and taxes cannabis by:
  
  Transferring federal jurisdiction over cannabis to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
  
  Eliminating the tax code’s restriction on cannabis businesses claiming deductions for business expenses, and implementing an excise tax on cannabis products.
  
  Establishing market competition rules meant to protect independent producers, wholesalers, and retailers and prevent anti-competitive behavior.
- Encourages cannabis research by:
  
  Requiring the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study and report on metrics that may be impacted by cannabis legalization.
  
  Requiring the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct or support research on the impacts of cannabis.
  
  Requiring the VA to carry out a series of clinical trials studying the effects of medical cannabis on the health outcomes of veterans diagnosed with chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder.
  
  Requiring the Bureau of Labor Statistics to regularly compile and publicize data on the demographics of business owners and employees in the cannabis industry.
  
  Establishing grants to build up cannabis research capacity at institutions of higher education, with a particular focus on minority-serving institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
- Prioritizes restorative and economic justice by:
  
  Using federal tax revenue to fund an Opportunity Trust Fund to reinvest in communities and individuals most harmed by the failed War on Drugs.
  
  Establishing a Cannabis Justice Office at the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs
  
  Establishing a grant program to provide funding to help minimize barriers to cannabis licensing and employment for individuals adversely impacted by the War on Drugs.
  
  Establishing expedited FDA review of drugs containing cannabis manufactured by small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
  
  Directing the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a grant program to provide communities whose residents have been disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs with additional funding to address the housing, economic, and community development needs of such residents.
  
  Initiating automatic expungement of federal non-violent cannabis offenses and allows an individual currently serving time in federal prison for nonviolent cannabis offense to petition a court for resentencing.
  
  Disallowing the denial of any benefits or protections under immigration law to any noncitizen based on their use or possession of cannabis.
  
  Prevents discrimination in the provision of federal benefits against people who use cannabis.
- Strengthens workers’ rights by:
  
  Removing unnecessary federal employee pre-employment and random drug testing for cannabis
  
  Ensuring worker protections for those employed in the cannabis industry.
  
  Establishing grants for community-based education, outreach, and enforcement of workers’ rights in the cannabis industry.
RELATED: Cannabis Industry Employs The Same As These Companies

The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA).

Senator Murray has been a leader on common-sense cannabis reforms. She helped introduce the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act last Congress, and in 2017, she first introduced the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act which would allow state-legal cannabis businesses to access banking services. She has reintroduced the bill multiple times and is pushing hard for its passage. An updated version of the legislation—the Safe and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act of 2023, which Murray also cosponsored—passed through committee after a bipartisan markup last fall.
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Terry Hacienda

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May 3, 2024
THE DEA DECIDES TO RESCHEDULE MARIJUANA

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In a historic move the Drug Enforcement Agency announced it plans to reschedule cannabis. Monumental shift in the marijuana industry.

After three years of waiting for President Biden to fulfill his promise of doing something about legal cannabis, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) announced its plan to reschedule cannabis. This follows the recommendations from Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Agency (FDA). They are sending their recommendation to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review of the impact on the budget. The shifts acknowledged the medical benefits of cannabis and can pave the way for PTSD treatment for veterans, something the President and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA).

RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

“Moving to Schedule III is the single biggest thing that can happen to the US cannabis industry. It removes the 280E tax burden, increases medical research, and opens the investor base. Today is truly a tipping point for this burgeoning industry.” declared Jesse Redmond, Managing Director at Water Tower Research.

“This historic move from the Biden Administration to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III reflects changes in the scientific and medical understanding of cannabis. It echoes moves in other countries around the world. Domestically, it lays the groundwork for federal tax benefits for the cannabis industry, as cannabis businesses will be treated like other businesses with regard to deductions and credits. It will also lower the costs and hurdles of conducting research on the plant and its products. Despite skeptics arguing that this spells the beginning of the end of the cannabis industry as we know, those doomsday scenarios fail to answer a basic question: why would the Biden Administration want to crack down on a substance that it classifies as “less dangerous” when it refused to crack down on the substance when it was a Schedule I substance? Little, if anything, will change at the state regulatory level, but that should not take away from the historic nature of this decision. Cannabis has been a Schedule I substance for 54 years, and despite multiple opportunities to reclassify it in decades’ past, today is the first time the US Government has been willing to say otherwise” shares John Hudak, Director, Maine Office of Cannabis.

Hudak is widely respected in the industry and has been a thought leader for the growing industry. The move reclassifies cannabis from Schedule 1 of dangerous drug with zero medical benefits to to Schedule III such as ketamine, Tylenol with codeine, and anabolic steroids. The timing is still unsettled, but there is hope it will have an impact in 2024. The industry as been struggling under schedule III despite a huge growth of consumers. This will also open the door more for mainstream companies to become involved in the market.

RELATED: Marijuana MicroDosing Can Improve Mundane Tasks

“While this is great news for the cannabis industry, it’s too early to break out the Champagne,” said Lonnie Rosenwald, Partner at Zuber Lawler, LLP. “We don’t know yet when rescheduling will occur, or, perhaps more important, when the tax changes will take effect. For companies and entrepreneurs considering entering the industry, rescheduling alone should provide an incentive to launch their businesses. But existing cannabis businesses will have to wait to see whether they’ll be able to deduct business expenses on their 2024 or 2025 returns. We expect answers to these questions in the coming weeks.” says Lonnie Rosenwald, an attorney for Zuber Lawler, a national law firm which covers the cannabis industry.

This is a historic shift for the federal government and puts in more in line with the American Medical Association, most medical professionals, Canada and the general public.

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JJ McKay

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April 30, 2024
These 5 Woman Are Changing 4/20

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The marijuana industry is still driven by men – but these 5 woman are changing 4/20 and upending the industry by focusing on the future.

Since it started becoming legal, the marijuana industry has been filled with bros trying to run everything. Some smart, some shysters – they have had an oversized say in the direction of where legal marijuana is going. But woman are having a moment, and a huge impact in the millions of newly legal consumers. Be it in imagine, politics, or products, woman are making game changing changes on how cannabis is mainstreaming. When 4/20 started in, the landscape was way different, the 5 woman are changing 4/20 today to a bigger, more mainstream celebration.

RELATED: Can Marijuana Consumers Donate Blood

Nancy Whitman

Nancy co-founded Wana Brands in 2010, elevating it from her kitchen to an international cannabis edible powerhouse. With North America’s largest distribution footprint, it is a top international brand available in 17 U.S. states, the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico and nine Canadian provinces and territories, generating close to $300 million in retail sales annually across more than 3,000 dispensaries.

As a pioneer in the legal cannabis market, she has shown again and again commitment to research and crafting safe, innovative products. She understands the millions of canna-newbies who is looking for something to pair perfectly with the their non-stoner lifestyle. Under her leadership, Wana was acquired by Canopy Grow, which is owned in part by alcohol behemoth Constellation.

Nancy’s inclusive vision led to an executive team that is 70% female, a rarity in the industry and reflective of her dedication to diversity. Her unique insights have given Wana an advantage as she understand the average consumer, which makes up the bulk of the market.

Senator Patty Murray

Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

In the old boys club of Congress, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) has risen in the ranks thanks to a willingness to focus on a solving problems, thinking of the average citizen and wielding her knowledge and strength. As the third most powerful person in the Senate, she is working with Senate Leader Schumer (D-NY) and a bipartisian group to make significant inroads into federal marijuana policy. Long a champion of veterans, this will benefits those who have served who suffer from PSTD.

Shawna Seldon McGregor

In a sometimes rough and tumble industry with some wacky players, it is good to have a public relations firm you can trust. Mirroring the mainstream industry, Maverick PR, has helped the industry move past the old stoner, bro imagine and move into today. Founded by Shawna Seldon McGregor, she has become the consul to industry executives and a media whisper to keep the good players growing. Shawna’s ability to make marijuana messaging mainstream has been a hallmark of her career. Since the inception of adult use in Colorado, she has led effective publicity campaigns for top brands including Wana, Native Roots, Deep Roots Harvest and Botani. Trusted by leaders, she has been able to understand and guide companies into changes like California sober. Her understand of consumers and media has been invaluable to leaders.

Debra Borchardt

Debra Brochardt was a respected media voice on Wall Street when she jumped in the marijuana world founding Green Market Report. Premiering at time when the industry was still shady and, as one executive said, people would come to meetings and put a gun down, she brought reason and truth to the table. Known for her straight reporting, she has taken on corruption, crazy leaders, and complicated financial deals. Venerable media company, Crains, recognizing the growth of market, acquired the asset and has only helped Brochardt reach her vision. Highlighting legit good companies, Green Market Report has become a must read for investors, politicians, and executives.

RELATED: California or New York, Which Has The Biggest Marijuana Mess

Pamela Hart

With a talent for organization and building infrastructures, Hart jumped into the industry in 2015. Seeing an opportunity to be build infrastructures and platforms she brought her management skills to a variety of companies. As COO of Keneh Ventures She has helped review, fund and partial advisement for some of the investments including GoFire and AI startup WeDream World. Understanding the mainstream appeal, she has been a champion of Cannabition, a state of the art cannabis immersive experience opening next to Planet 13 in Las Vegas. She now has added Managing partner and operations manager of the exhibition alongside her other duties. She shared over the last 8 years the priorities of entrepreneurs and investors have matured as the market for cannabis has grown and become accepted by the general population.

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Amy Hansen

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April 19, 2024
On Women’s Day, Women Are Making An Impact On Weed

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Senator Patty Murray is the second most powerful woman in the government, and she is clearly supportive of the cannabis industry. The stereotype of the industry is more of a stoner dude being chill, but times have changed. And now, on Women’s Day, women are making an impact on weed. Women represent 50.4% of the US population and 50.3% in Canada. While the industry is still driven by men, women are having a big economic impact. They have drive companies, have been a voice in how cannabis is grown, and have an significant impact on which products are purchased.

RELATED: NY Begs Tech Companies To Solve Their Weed Problem

The number of cannabis consumers in the U.S. who identify as women is also growing. The rate of growth for female consumers in the U.S. is outpacing that of males — 55% vs. 49%, respectively.  And it even with Gen Z, which is drifting away from alcohol and embracing marijuana. So as consumers, they have a valuable part of the industry.

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon via Unsplash

And while fewer in number, women now account for 39% of marijuana executives helping drive the industry. The star is Nancy Whiteman at Wana Brands. As Co-founder and CEO, she has position the edible company to be stocked on the shelves in mainstrain stores as soon as it is possible. Rescheduling can see her have a huge win. She has the vision to see the future of how products are sold to the public.

Debra Brochardt founded Green Market Report and established the business magazine as the most reliable and trusted site for clear, honest industry information. Shanita Penny has been helping shape public policy at the Coalition for Cannabis .

RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

Some 37% of active physicians were women in 2021, up from about 36% in 2019, and about 47% of residents and fellows were women. This is a key in medical marijuana as they tend to be younger and also embrace new treatments.

Women buy 61.2% of wines under US$20 a bottle, which make them a huge force in the time industry. It also shows frequency and volume. As cannabis becomes more mainstream, this will a key driver in the vape and edible portion of marijuana.

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Sarah Johns

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March 8, 2024
Does McConnell’s Exit Signal The End Of Marijuana Prohibition

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Mitch McConnell embraced being called the Darth Vader. For 17 years he has commanded the GOP Senate, and, had an oversized influence in the larger Republican Party. In the last year, he has been plagued by a divided party, a tussle with a former president, and health issues. So it was only a somewhat surprise he announced he was stepping aside in leadership. Politicians are lining up to take his place and he will have a tough go until November when he relinquishes the position. But does McConnell’s exit signal the end of marijuana prohibition?

RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

McConnell has been proud of remaking the Senate and accomplishing his personal political goals. While Senator, he and his wife has amassed a fortune of $35 million while stopping small marijuana business owners from getting ahead. Born in a different era, McConnell is a conservative from the old school, legal marijuana, LGBT rights, expanded voter access and are enemies to him. As the legal state by state cannabis industry has blossomed to $20+ billion in sales filling state coffers, McConnell only grew more firm in his stand to block federal legalization.

Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC), a strong ally of the industry, said publicly what everyone is thinking. If McConnell is a no on federal legalization, it is a no go. He has stonewalled the SAFE Banking Act multiple times. When the Senate flipped, Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA) put forward the SAFER Banking Act with a bipartisan group only to have it die due to the House’s leadership chaos.

McConnell has been fine going against public opinion when making policy he feels is correct. Marijuana federal legalization has over 87% of public approval and veterans groups have pleaded for support on cannabis for help with PTSD. Both appeals have fallen on the deaf ears of the Grim Reaper. And he has seemed pleased when he wins a major battle against the public and voters.

RELATED: People Who Use Weed Also Do More Of Another Fun Thing

While his loss indicates a positive for the cannabis industry, there is a downside. Like the House, the Senate could get swept up in a power play as the players reshuffle who is control. Meaningful legalization could come to a standstill without strong, focused leadership whipping votes. With the Biden administration hesitate to move forward in the campaign procmises, the cannabis industry is holding its breath.

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Terry Hacienda

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February 28, 2024
Did Matt Gaetz Put A Knife In The Cannabis Industry

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People are consuming more marijuana than ever, but the industry is still suffering significant growing pains. As the industry expands, bad players are being weeded out but New York and California have truly botched the legal system. The marijuana industry is primarily filled with small businesses like dispensaries, craft product makers, farmers and more. On the key issues preventing them from moving to profitability is banking and taxes. After a 3 year downturn (despite increased sales), the cannabis industry saw a ray of hpe in the SAFER Banking bill….but then the US House of Representatives devolved into one of the hottest messes in its storied history. So did Matt Gaetz (R-FL) put a knife in the cannabis industry?

RELATED: Unlicensed Shops in NYC Are Doing Better Than The Naked Cowboy

The Biden administration has been extremely slow in delivering on his campaign promise of increased federal legalization and an easier way to do business. The House passed SAFE Banking 7 times in bipartisan fashion, all failing in the Senate. This year, the Senate, with key sponsors of Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA) wrote the bill SAFER Banking and managed to get it out of committee.

WIth some bipartisan support, including Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), the bill looked like it will pass the Senate and head to the House before going to the White House with hopes of Biden’s signature. The industry crossed fingers with hope and cannabis stocks inched upwards.

Then Representative Matt Gaetz ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as speaker and shut down Congress. For the last two weeks, GOP Representatives have been caught up in a vortex of a floor fight which shows little hope of abating soon. After twice losing, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) announced he is pushing for a third floor vote for speaker. Until a speaker is elected, House bills remain stalled.

Senator David Daines (R-MT) is saying the the Senate will hold off on floor action until there’s a sense the House can pass a bill. But if they year ends, everything starts back at the beginning, and adds months of waiting to the beleaguered cannabis industry.

RELATED: Why Gen Z Is Putting Down Beer And Picking Up Marijuana

One issue around the lack of a SAFER Banking act is it makes it harder on the regular workers of businesses to get car, house and other traditional loans. Without SAFER Banking, this is seen as a negative and count against a regular worker who is holding onto a steady job. Even with a well paying job, banks are more likely to look at through a “no” lens.

So in a way, Matt Gaetz is also harming the working man and small business owner.

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Terry Hacienda

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October 19, 2023