As 2018 draws to a close, let’s follow up on some stories, assess where the cannabis industry stands—both Oregon’s and on a national scale—and what we might expect in the new year. Attorney General elf fired: Nation rejoices In January, Jeff Sessions rescinded the Cole Memorandum, which had offered states a semblance of protection from […]
Jeff Sessions
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Deschutes County’s marijuana blues turn a darker hue
The “Blue Wave” that swept dozens of Democrats into the U.S. House didn’t mean much to those of us residing in what is still decidedly Trump Country. Reefer Madness now dominates the Deschutes County Commission in the forms of incumbent Phil Henderson and Commissioner-elect Patti Adair, who defeated Democrat James Cook by a thin margin […]
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OLCC to Growers: “I Like to Watch
This month, a new rule went into effect for licensed outdoor cannabis growers. It’s the first of its kind in the nation, and is in direct response to the pressure from the feds, starting with Attorney General Jeff Sessions. To what degree it will alleviate the concerns of Sessions and Oregon U.S. Attorney Billy J. […]
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A Secret Committee Revealed
Question: Is there really a newly discovered secret multi-agency federal government committee, currently drafting prohibitionist anti-cannabis policy, to generate reports to be spoon-fed to the rapidly diminishing-mental-capacity Commander in Chief ? Wow…How high would I need to be to believe that? [Takes hash hit off bong.] That’s how high. Late last month, BuzzFeed news broke […]
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Reefer Regs Roll Hard
While Oregon’s recreational cannabis industry strives—and often succeeds—in being Daniel Day-Lewis (aka, a “good actor”), there are times when we take actions more like Adam Sandler (aka, “bad actor”). Growers, producers, dispensaries and others face judgement and penalties on two fronts: the electronic public square of social media, and the more fearsome regulatory agency smackdown, […]
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Drudge Report
New cannabis report is getting a lot of attention—but maybe not for being entirely accurate
A new report is out, examining how Oregon is doing with our recreational cannabis program. Much like Thomas Kinkade, it paints an ugly picture. Oregon Attorney General Billy Williams says Oregon’s cannabis is “out of control.” The “Insight Report: An Initial Assessment of Cannabis Production, Distribution, and Consumption in Oregon 2018,” was prepared by a group […]
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Trump-approved STATES Act could change everything for marijuana business
…and the latest intrigues with the Deschutes County Commission
As Donald Trump carries on with his daily ritual of alienating world allies and embracing the world’s autocrats, some owners of marijuana businesses could be forgiven for feeling a touch of ambivalence toward the president, thanks to Trump’s recent, surprising support of the cannabis industry. A little background: Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Cory Gardner […]
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ICE Ices Cannabis
Versión española en la parte inferior Being an immigrant in the U.S. right now isn’t easy—never mind being an undocumented immigrant, concerning a whole different level of difficulty, on a multitude of levels. Simply being someone here from a different country has challenges that most of us who were born here will never consider, much […]
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Give Thanks for the Danks
A year to celebrate cannabis, when everything else seems to be falling apart.
As 2017 draws to a close, we look back with fondness upon a year filled with joy, laughter and good times, with sharing, love and—ha ha! No, not really. 2017 was a deranged fever nightmare of unheralded poisonous despair, with heartbreaking loss and division. Many people, places and things are under attack from the horror-show […]
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Ron Wyden grills Jeff Sessions
“Were you aware of any concerns at the FBI or elsewhere about your contacts with the Russians, or any other matters relevant to whether you should step aside from the Russian investigation?” Attorney General Jeff Sessions testified today as the Russia & 2016 Election Investigations continue in the U.S. Senate. The above quote is from […]