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☆ Biden administration plans to reclassify marijuana, easing restrictions nationwide
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Julie Tsirkin | Monica Alba | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

"DOJ continues to work on this rule," a Biden administration official said. "No one should be jailed for using or possessing marijuana," the president said during the speech. "Reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug sends the message that marijuana is less addictive and dangerous now than ever before. US President Joe Biden speaks during the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner at the Washington Hilton, in Washington, DC, on April 27, 2024. Nearly six in ten Americans say that marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational purposes, according to a Pew Research poll last month.

Persons: John Tlumacki, Biden, Joe Bidens, Tom Williams, Joe Biden, Barack Obama's, Jim Cole, Obama, Cole, Kevin Sabet, Brendan Smialowski, Brad Horrigan Organizations: Delta, Trade, Boston Globe, NBC, Drug, Department of Health, Human Services, DOJ, Biden, Internal Revenue, Justice's, DC Marijuana Justice, CQ, Inc, Getty, State, National Cannabis Roundtable, NBC News, Smart, Marijuana, Obama Administration, White, Correspondents ' Association, Washington Hilton, AFP, Management, CRA, Pew Research, Florida Supreme, Tribune, Service Locations: Wareham, deducting, New York, California, Washington ,, Florida

☆ Cannabis 'legalization is inevitable,' says policy analyst—what to know before you invest
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Cannabis stocks aren't the only ones that were riding high in early 2021. Those changes have yet to come on a federal level, and dimming enthusiasm from investors, among other factors, has led to a major slide in pot stocks. The AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF, which holds U.S.-based cannabis companies, currently trades for $6.80 a share, down from nearly $52 in February 2021. But for experts in the space, the question surrounding cannabis legalization (and a subsequent boom in the industry) isn't if, but when. "Legalization of cannabis is inevitable," says Jaret Seiberg, a policy analyst at TD Cowen.

Persons: Jaret Seiberg, Cowen, Brady Cobb, Mike Johnson's ascendency, Johnson, Cobb, Joe Biden, Jason Wild Organizations: Democratic, Cannabis ETF, Department of Health, Human Services, Bloomberg, HHS, Drug Enforcement Agency, JW Asset Management Locations: Ohio, Massachusetts

☆ Landmark marijuana financing bill set to move forward in the Senate
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Stefan Sykes | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A new bill that aims to give the marijuana industry access to banking services is expected to move forward in the Senate on Wednesday. The bill would provide legal protection to banks or other financial institutions that offer services to state-legal marijuana businesses. The Senate Banking Committee will mark up the bill Wednesday, and the panel is expected to vote to advance it to the full chamber's floor. Even as 39 states have legalized marijuana for recreational or medical use, the sector has struggled to scale. The new bill includes stricter requirements for federal regulators, such as prohibiting them from terminating any marijuana-related accounts without "valid reason," or from denying banking services based on "personal beliefs or political motivations."

Persons: Jeff Merkley, Steve Daines, Kyrsten Sinema, Cynthia Lummis, Chuck Schumer, Ian Katz Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Washington , D.C, Sens, SAFE, Democratic, Republican, GOP, Capital Alpha Partners, Republicans Locations: Oregon, Washington ,

☆ New York is cracking down on illegal weed stores as legal market struggles to take hold
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Stefan Sykes | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A pedestrian passes a smoke shop in New York City on June 16, 2023. New York authorities are cracking down on unlicensed smoke shops that are selling cannabis. Currently, there are just 23 legal dispensaries open across the state, with only nine in New York City. But its effort has only begun to chip away at the vendors, particularly in New York City. In addition to skirting the tax system, smoke shops operating illegally may also pose significant health risks.

Persons: Spencer Platt, We're, Daniel Haughney Organizations: New, Getty, New York, Office, of Cannabis Management, CNBC, New York state's, Cannabis Management, New York City, New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association, Cannabis Control Locations: New York City, New York, New

☆ Cannabis ETFs are off to a strong September. Will the buzz last?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Kevin Schmidt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"We've seen most cannabis ETFs rally over 30% since the news broke last week on this recommendation," Amplify ETFs CEO Christian Magoon told CNBC's Courtney Reagan on "ETF Edge" on Wednesday. The Roundhill Cannabis ETF (WEED) has soared nearly 71% since the announcement, while the AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF (MSOS ) and AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF (YOLO) have jumped 64% and 45%, respectively. "Consumer packaged goods and pharmaceutical companies are going to be able to now look at these cannabis companies as M&A targets to partner with them." "The great thing about the ETF industry is there's a lot of opportunity," Lydon said in the same interview on Wednesday. Lydon pointed out that Amplify ETFs holds a great "first mover advantage" with its pair of cannabis-based funds.

Persons: Christian Magoon, CNBC's Courtney Reagan, Magoon, marijuana's, Tom Lydon, Lydon Organizations: Cannabis ETF, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, HHS, DEA, Cannabis, VettaFi Locations: YOLO

☆ Pot firms surge as US move to ease curbs sparks hopes of legalization
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shares of cannabis firms Cronos Group (CRON.TO), OrganiGram Holdings (OGI.TO), Aurora Cannabis (ACB.TO), Canopy Growth (WEED.TO) jumped between 6% and 25%. Verano Holdings (VRNO.CD), Green Thumb Industries (GTII.CD), Cresco Labs (CL.CD) and Curaleaf Holdings (CURA.CD) and Goodness Growth (GDNS.CD) rose between 15% and 37%. "Certainly moving cannabis off of Schedule 1 is the right decision and long overdue. The firm held investments in cannabis retailer and producer Green Thumb, and cannabis data platform Flowhub, according to its website. Reporting by Arunima Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj KalluvilaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: cagey, Ty Collin, Patrick Rea, Green, Arunima Kumar, Sriraj Organizations: Cronos Group, OrganiGram Holdings, Verano Holdings, Green Thumb Industries, Cresco Labs, Curaleaf Holdings, Cannabis ETF, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Drug Enforcement Agency, Banking, Poseidon Garden Ventures, Thomson Locations: U.S, Aurora, Bengaluru

☆ U.S. health officials want to loosen marijuana restrictions. Here's what it means
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Stefan Sykes | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Jeenah Moon | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThis week, the Department of Health and Human Services asked the Drug Enforcement Agency to consider easing restrictions on marijuana upon a review of its classification under the Controlled Substances Act. It could be a significant catalyst for an industry hemmed in by federal regulations even as legalization picks up on the state level. Marijuana is legal in 39 states medically and 23 states recreationally. If marijuana moves down to a Schedule III substance, this will effectively ease a number of restrictions holding the sector back. While many states have legal markets within their borders, transporting Schedule I substances across state lines in illegal, resulting in a glut of marijuana in some states.

Persons: What's, Roth, Scott Fortune, Fortune, Jeff Schultz, Foley Hoag Organizations: ACB, Housing, Cannabis Co, Bloomberg, Getty, Department of Health, Human Services, Drug Enforcement Agency, Aurora, Tilray Brands, DEA, Marijuana, HHS, Regulators, Internal Revenue Locations: New York

Beneath the trimmed flower is a tray collecting shake, cannabis flower that has naturally broken down through handling. Marijuana is currently a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it's deemed to have no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. The news sent shares of several cannabis companies, including Canopy Growth , Tilray Brands and Cronos Group , jumping Wednesday. "Certainly, moving cannabis off of Schedule 1 is the right decision and long overdue," Rea said in a statement. "Though a full descheduling would be preferred and likely most appropriate for cannabis, we welcome smart decisions and progress towards full legalization and regulation in the legal cannabis industry."

Persons: James Romano, Patrick Rea, Rea Organizations: U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Drug, Administration, CNBC, Wednesday, Marijuana, Tilray Brands, Cronos, Bloomberg, HHS, DEA, Poseidon Garden Ventures Locations: Medway, U.S

☆ Pot stocks jump as federal agency reportedly seeks to downgrade cannabis from the hard-drug category
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Drug Enforcement Agency received an official recommendation to downgrade marijuana. Currently, pot is classified as a Schedule I drug, on par with heroin. Marijuana's category downgrade would be a serious shift for the cannabis industry, easing restrictions on its use. The largest marijuana exchange traded fund, the AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF, gained around 19%. It was outpaced by the Roundhill Cannabis ETF, at 20%.

Persons: Anne Milgram, Cronos, SNDL Organizations: Drug Enforcement Agency, Service, Bloomberg, Department of Health, Human Services, Drug, DEA, Cannabis ETF, Cannabis, Aurora Cannabis Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ Colombia senate votes down recreational marijuana bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] People demonstrate in front of the Colombian Congress, in favor of the regulation of marijuana for adult use in Bogota, Colombia June 20, 2023. Uruguay, Canada and some states in the U.S. allow the sale of recreational marijuana. Backers including Interior Minister Luis Fernando Velasco said recreational marijuana's continued illegality only benefits criminals. "From the government we will insist on this issue," Velasco said in quotes shared by the Senate on Twitter. We have majorities, we lacked seven votes," he tweeted after the vote on the bill, which needed 54 votes in favor and won 47, with 43 against.

Persons: Luisa Gonzalez BOGOTA, Gustavo Petro, Luis Fernando Velasco, Velasco, Juan Carlos Losada, Oliver Griffin, Carlos Vargas, Julia Symmes Cobb, Alexander Smith Organizations: Colombian, REUTERS, Colombia's, Senate, Twitter, Liberal Party, Thomson Locations: Bogota, Colombia, Uruguay, Canada, U.S

☆ 31-year-old mom started her CBD business from home in Hawaii—3 years later, it brings in $100,000 annually
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Morgan Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

A friend recommended she try CBD oil, which is derived from hemp plants, the non-psychoactive cousin of marijuana. Young continued to take CBD oil on a regular basis and welcomed her second daughter, Ho'olehua, in 2019. In May 2020, Young was ready to sell her first product, a CBD oil that blends hemp flower and coconut oil, online. Now, 'Āina Organics is sold in 25 stores, in both California and Hawaii. After deducting the operating costs to maintain the business, Āina Organics's profit stands at about $50,000, according to tax documents reviewed by CNBC Make It.

Persons: Grace Young, Young, Keith Andrade, Ka'auwai, Andrade, Ho'olehua, Meleana, Alexandra Masihy, daydreaming, they'd Organizations: Omao Labs, USDA, Hawaii, Young, CNBC Locations: Kauai, Hawaii, California

☆ The first NY cannabis licenses have been approved – but these are the 3 obstacles dispensaries are still facing
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A real estate expert says license holders now face challenges with finding the right property for their businesses. Business owners are up against strict regulations and uneducated landlords in their search for a storefront. The next hurdle, real estate exec Gregory Tannor of Lee & Associates NYC told Insider, is finding the right real estate for stores. There are "buffer zones" that cannabis business owners must abide by while shopping for real estate. Despite the uphill battle to open legal dispensaries in New York, Tannor told Insider to expect more places to purchase weed opening up in the next few weeks.

☆ Marijuana's black market is undercutting legal businesses
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Stefan Sykes | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Thriving, unregulated marijuana businesses across the United States are undercutting legal markets awaiting banking and tax reform. Unlicensed businesses are "taking a pretty hefty percent of the potential market share," according to Amanda Reiman, a researcher at cannabis intelligence company New Frontier Data. The problem is particularly cumbersome in New York City, Knowles said. Besides cease-and-desist letters, New York City has begun cracking down in other ways, too. "We will not let the economic opportunities that legal cannabis offers be taken for a ride by unlicensed establishments," the mayor said at a news conference.

☆ Biden's surprise move to reclassify cannabis could supercharge legal weed — but it also carries big risks for companies and investors
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-07 | by ( Jeremy Berke | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

He announced pardons for federal cannabis possession and ordered a review of how cannabis is scheduled. While Biden's announcement stopped far short of decriminalization, he outlined three key steps:He's pardoning people federally convicted of simple cannabis possession. Biden's announcement signals that his administration — quiet on cannabis until now — will finally push for federal cannabis reform. Stifel analyst Andrew Partheniou called Biden's announcement "the most important development in US cannabis history," in a Friday morning note. If the government decides to regulate cannabis like a pharmaceutical, that could undermine the recreational cannabis industry as it currently stands.

☆ Biden to pardon thousands of people with federal marijuana convictions and encourage states to do the same
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-06 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

President Joe Biden announced he is pardoning thousands of people with federal marijuana convictions. Biden said in a statement "no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana." The White House is also considering a change to the scheduling of marijuana under federal law. In his statement, Biden said he is asking Attorney General Merrick Garland and Health Secretary Xavier Becerra to begin a review of marijuana's federal scheduling. "Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana," Biden said.

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