NATIONAL NEWS

U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE FROM LOUISIANA SMOKES WEED IN CAMPAIGN AD

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Gary Chambers, Jr. recently smoked marijuana in a field in New Orleans while talking about Cannabis reform in his first campaign ad.

The Washington Post calls it a “highly unusual spot.” Chambers is seated in an open field, where he fires up a blunt and takes multiple hits. In a voice-over, he rattles off statistics about the herb. These include facts such as Black people are four times as likely as whites to be arrested for its possession.

“For too long, candidates have used the legalization of marijuana as an empty talking point in order to appeal to progressive voters,” Chambers said about the ad. “I hope this ad works to not only destigmatize the use of marijuana, but also forces a new conversation that creates the pathway to legalize this beneficial drug, and forgive those who were arrested due to outdated ideology.” Thailand plans to decriminalize marijuana, moving a step closer to legalizing adult use of the herb. It was the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize medical Cannabis. Cannabis use in food and cosmetics is also legal in Thailand, according to Bloomberg.

In January, the Food and Drug Administration proposed to the narcotics bureau that marijuana be removed from its status as a controlled drug. It only needs Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to approve the change and it will then take effect.

Adults will be able to access marijuana without fearing lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines, according to Withid Sariddeechaikool of Thailand’s FDA. Currently, possession of Cannabis in Thailand could garner up to 15 years in prison. The plant is considered a Category 5 narcotic drug under current Thai law.

egulators recently approved a rule change allowing issuance of two remaining medical marijuana dispensary licenses permitted under the Arkansas Constitution. The state will have a total of 40 dispensaries, reports Arkansas Online. The change issues the licenses to companies that previously applied for them and are next in line based on scores. It will go before the Arkansas Legislative Council in February. The licenses will likely be issued in March, according to Medical Marijuana Commission spokesman Scott Hardin. Arkansas voters approved the constitutional amendment legalizing Cannabis for medical use in the state in 2016. These are the last two licenses. Their distribution completes the medical marijuana program. Voters passed an amendment that would allow 40 dispensaries and 8 growers to do business in the state, reports THV11.

RARKANSAS VOTERS APPROVED THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT LEGALIZING CANNABIS FOR MEDICAL USE IN THE STATE IN 2016. THESE ARE THE LAST TWO LICENSES.

ADULTS WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS MARIJUANA WITHOUT FEARING LENGTHY PRISON SENTENCES AND HEFTY FINES.

midwest

ARKANSAS AWARDS LAST TWO DISPENSARY LICENSES

politics

IOWA DEMOCRATS REVEAL LEGALIZATION PLAN

Three Iowa state senators revealed details of their proposed amendment to legalize marijuana at a January press conference, reports KCRG.

The lawmakers called for the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division to regulate Cannabis sales to adults 21 and older. If successful, Iowa would join 19 other states in legalizing adult-use marijuana. The amendment would legalize growing, selling and buying of all marijuana products for adults 21 and older. The plan allows the state to tax sales up to 20 percent. Cities or counties can add on their own taxes, up to 2 percent. It would need to pass in both the Iowa House and Senate in two consecutive General Assemblies to get on a ballot. Once on the ballot, a majority of Iowans would need to vote for the amendment for it to become law.

the south

ALABAMA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE WANTS TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

AN Alabama businessman who calls himself a conservative Democrat said he’ll work to legalize marijuana if voters pick him as their next governor. Chad “Chig” Martin, 53, has qualified to run for the Democratic nomination in the May 24 primary. Martin said he believes marijuana is a safer drug than alcohol. He said he would like to see it legalized and taxed to boost Alabama’s economy and revenues. Chig is skeptical that Alabama’s medical marijuana industry, MARTIN SAID HE approved by the Legislature last year, will let businesses like his BELIEVES MARIJUANA IS A SAFER DRUG THAN Honeysuckle Hemp compete fairly when licenses are issued. ALCOHOL. HE SAID HE A medical Cannabis commission is still working to set up that WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT program. Products won’t be available until next year. “I want LEGALIZED AND TAXED TO BOOST ALABAMA’S to open up the free trade of Cannabis in the state of Alabama ECONOMY AND without regulations, not just allowing certain groups or compaREVENUES. nies to participate in this,” Martin said.

33% 70%

of computer programmers use Cannabis during work hours. is the amount prices for legal flower have fallen in California in the past year.

200

pounds of illegal weed were seized in a traffic stop near Lincoln, Neb. by the LCSO.

30k 34k $1.5m

additional signatures were submitted by organizers of an Ohio legalization ballot initiative after efforts fell short. arrest records still haven’t been processed for expungement in California. in sales were enjoyed by Montana dispensaries on January 1-2, the first two days of adult-use sales. LEAFMAGAZINES.COM