Although plenty of states have now legalized medical and recreational marijuana in various forms, it still carries a lot of stigma. Most employers are uncomfortable with employees consuming cannabis, even during non-work hours, and plenty of sports organizations do not allow their athletes to use marijuana. The military has a harsh stance on marijuana too, … Continue reading “420 with CNW – Congressional Committee Approves Measure Allowing Marijuana Users to Reenlist in the Military”

On July 2, the Austin Police Department in Texas officially stopped arresting and issuing citations for marijuana possession. This decision was communicated in an internal memo from Brain Manley, the department chief. The internal memo categorically states that the police officers in Austin, Texas will no longer be required to cite or arrest suspects in … Continue reading “420 with CNW – It’s Official: Austin PD Stops Misdemeanor Marijuana Arrests and Citations”

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill aimed at allowing researchers to have access to the marijuana available commercially in states where legal recreational, and/or medical marijuana programs exist. This new legislation would mark a major shift from the current practice where researchers can only use the cannabis supplied by a federally … Continue reading “420 with CNW – Congress Passes Bill Granting Researchers Access to Commercially Available Marijuana”

If you have been in the cannabis industry for a year or so, you may have noticed that the accounts of marijuana companies on different social media platforms, such as Instagram, keep getting shut down from time to time. Here are some handy tips to help you navigate the Instagram rules to prevent the accounts … Continue reading “420 with CNW – How Marijuana Entrepreneurs Can Navigate Instagram”

A survey published by Brightfield Group has found that the majority of Canadians are unable to tell pot brands apart despite the resources that these companies have put into marketing. About 3,000 Canadians were polled during the first quarter of this year. The overwhelming finding of the survey was that brand awareness was woefully low … Continue reading “420 with CNW – Survey Shows That Canadians Aren’t Moved by Cannabis Branding”

On Monday this week, Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill which will promote social equity in Colorado’s marijuana industry. Under this law, the governor will also have the power to grant pardons to people convicted for marijuana possession before legalization took place. Previously, the governor was required to consult the judge and state prosecutors involved … Continue reading “420 with CNW – Colorado Governor Signs Bill Allowing Expedited Pardons for Marijuana Possession Convicts”

Cornell University secured a $4 million grant from the New York State government to conduct cannabis research soon after hemp pilot programs were established under the 2014 Farm Bill. However, the challenges that these Cornell researchers are facing are typical of what other cannabis researchers are going through as explored below. The Problematic Legal Definition … Continue reading “420 with CNW – How Existing Laws Are Making Cannabis Research Difficult”

A survey done among college students shows that more than 90% of them support the legalization of marijuana in New York State where the laws are in so much flux that one can’t tell which direction cannabis policy will take in a few weeks or months. The survey involved more than 250 college students in … Continue reading “420 with CNW – Why 9 in 10 NY College Students Support Marijuana Legalization”