(AP) — Connecticut’s continuing fiscal woes, coupled with a new law that fully takes effect next year in neighboring Massachusetts, have prompted state lawmakers to take their most serious look yet at possibly legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults. Several bills with bipartisan support that sanction the retail sale and cultivation of pot are currently progressing through the General Assembly. The first bill drew dozens of supporters last week at a Public Health Committee hearing, many lauding the legislation as a way to regulate an illegal industry and potentially deliver millions of dollars for the state’s coffers. Yet, despite the apparent growing enthusiasm and the fact Connecticut already legalized the medical use of marijuana, it’s questionable whether any of the recreational-use bills will ultimately survive this session. Connecticut’s debate over recreational marijuana comes as lawmakers grapple with a budget deficit estimated to be as much as $1.7 billion next fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Source: Legalizing marijuana gets attention of Connecticut lawmakers – NewsTimes

Oakland ramped up its counterattack to the U.S. war on drugs on Tuesday, expanding a one-of-a-kind program to help people jailed for marijuana crimes enter the booming cannabis industry.

Source: Ground-breaking cannabis policy: Marijuana permits set aside for those previously convicted of pot crimes – The Cannifornian

There has been little legislation to address how adults, “authorized” to consume cannabis, will do so anywhere other than in the privacy of their own home. Alaska and Maine’s recreational bills included language for potential approval of public use, but Denver as a city is the first to officially approve “social clubs.” While marijuana bars, known as “dispensaries”, have been popping up all around the country, as a place consumers can purchase, laws have otherwise stated “no public consumption,” forcing users to go, and stay, at home.

The bill, recently approved by the Colorado Senate, allows local jurisdictions to permit bring-your-own pot clubs, as long as those establishments don’t serve alcohol or any food beyond light snacks. They also can not also be, a dispensary. Gov. John Hickenlooper is hinting that he’ll veto the recent measure unless it bans indoor smoking.

Sponsors of the bill say clubs should be allowed because Colorado already has a network of underground, unregulated pot clubs, and regulators aren’t sure how to treat them.

Providing a place for people to consume marijuana, while socializing, relaxing, shopping or simply not being  judged, could help alleviate complaints that associated with the real impacts of “public consumption”.

Smoking is not a habit we want to encourage for children, many are bothered by the smell of marijuana and some may be offended for religious or moral reasons. As to provide comfort for both those consuming marijuana and those who choose not to, providing a safe place for marijuana consumption is bound to be one of the larger topics in the industry in the upcoming years.

For more, checkout one California journalists opinions on the Marijuana clubs approved in Colorado Senate:: Marijuana clubs approved in Colorado Senate – Sacramento, CA

In early March 2017, The Sacramento City Council in California, approved a process for issuing marijuana cultivation permits and lifted a moratorium on cultivation, paving the way for commercial cultivation in the city.

The new policies include criminal background checks for applicants and that all cultivation facilities must be at least 600 feet from neighborhood and community parks.

Sacramento Mayor, Darrell Steinberg, asked the great questions:

“Do we have the potential to gain substantial revenue for the things the public expects us to deliver on? Are we creating high-wage jobs? Are we going to use the right amount of revenue for enforcement of the underground industry that will continue to exist? And fourth, are we investing the revenue, some of the revenue, in drug addiction and drug education services?” Steinberg said. “I think those are four big-picture things that I am going to make sure that we focus on as we move forward here.”

Time will tell, how big the “Yes” answer he will get will be.

Source: Bizjournals.com: http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2017/03/08/sacramento-approves-commercial-marijuana.html

Source: Another town blocks sale of marijuana on heels of referendum – Fox Bangor – WVII ABC 7

Millions of people, regulators, business owners, investors and workers continue to work towards ending prohibition of marijuana. With the new Presidential Administration, many of us continue to work within “Pot Purgatory.” This is a place we know and have worked within for many years. However, today we feel the force of the dark side more than ever. Today, this place of “somewhere in between legal and illegal” feels even riskier than usual. Its BIGLY risky. As they light at the end of the tunnel, many of us saw with 4 States voting to legalize on on November 9th. This has many responsible Americans throwing themselves “All in,” to the “Pot Purgatory” but we have little insight as to how the Government will actually respond. The Boston Globe reports:

Officials in the four most recent states to legalize marijuana — including Massachusetts and Maine — are languishing in limbo after signals from the Trump administration that a recreational marijuana market crackdown may be coming.

On the one hand, state leaders are mandated to follow the will of their voters, who approved legalization measures in November. But, on the other, it may not make sense to keep spending scarce taxpayer dollars building a new bureaucracy to regulate pot greenhouses, shops, and testing facilities, if national authorities will soon swoop in and snip the industry, which remains strictly forbidden under federal law.

US Senator Elizabeth Warren and some of her colleagues have also written to the Justice Department, requesting it leave the old policy in place, saying it is “essential” that states “receive immediate assurance from the DOJ that it will respect” their ability to enforce sensible drug policies.

“Fiscal responsibility requires predictability, and I want to ensure that we understand the DOJ’s intentions,”the letter read. Read the full story from The Source: If Trump cracks down on pot, where does that leave Mass.? – The Boston Globe.

 

We are prepared to continue to navigate this place we call “Pot Purgatory.” If you need extra help to ensure you are maintaining State Compliance and at least “floating in the right direction,” Contact Us today!

Although Nevada legalized recreational use of marijuana for anyone 21 and over in November, public consumption still is illegal. A public place is anywhere that anyone is allowed, including those under the age of 21.

Sen. Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, introduced legislation that would give local governments the power to permit public marijuana use in businesses such as bars, hotels, restaurants and concert venues.

Source: Nevada bill would allow marijuana use in public

Fast Company explains the future of work is all about expanding our minds.

Source: This Is The Mind-Set You’ll Need In Order To Thrive In The Future Of Work | Fast Company | The Future Of Business

Maneuvering the rules of marijuana and marijuana delivery are not for the faint at heart. Although, no marijuana business is. This masshole (and I can use that phrase because I am one) has figured out perfect potion for marijuana delivery! Wicked local reports:

A few years back when HighSpeed CEO David Umeh approached Snoop Dogg and his venture capital team Casa Verde Capital, L.P. about getting in on the ground floor of his juice delivery business, he was met with skepticism.

HighSpeed has been growing rapidly in the greater Boston area, in part thanks to voters who backed Question 4 to legalize recreational use of marijuana in Massachusetts last November.

Visit HighSpeed’s website and you’ll find an assortment of juices including Berry Farms, Strawberry Lemonade and Ginger lemonade to choose from. From there a few options pop up, click “Love on Demand” and you’ll be whisked away to a delivery menu for delivery within the hour at a cost of $70.

Buying juice for $55 (aka the “love” option) results in about an eighth of an ounce of marijuana either for delivery or pick-up the following day, whereas the $150 “Lots of Love” gets you more juice.

Source: Juice start-up brings ‘HighSpeed’ marijuana delivery to greater Boston area – News – Wicked Local – Boston, MA

Learn More About Massachusetts Seed to Sale Solutions Here.