In his last day of office, Donald Trump pardoned 73 individuals and commuted another 70 sentences. Among those granted clemency were 11 federal cannabis prisoners, including 6 serving life sentences.
One month ago, 37 members of Congress sent a letter to President Biden asking him to use his executive power in the same way. They call on him to use his presidential clemency and mass pardon people with non-violent federal marijuana convictions.
Although marijuana and its derivatives are still federally illegal, the hemp and marijuana plants and products are indistinguishable without lab testing. Last year’s policy update stated, “TSA officers DO NOT search for marijuana or other illegal drugs. Our screening policies are focused on security and detecting potential threats.”
Fun times baking brownies
This year on December 8th , TSA posted the following nearly unbelievable four paragraph public service announcement on its official Instagram site.
“We hear it's National Brownie Day so we’re here to toke about something really sticky-icky-icky (ooh wee)… and we’re here to get it out in the open air. Hopefully this doesn’t post near 4:20, because we’re about to doobie down.
Marijuana whether dank or schwag, it simply isn’t dope in your carry-on or checked bag. This includes cannabis products and CBD oil, which remain illegal under federal law, except for products that contain no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis or that are @FDA approved.
Let’s be blunt…do you know what happens when we discover your stash? We don't yell jack-pot but are required to reefer your product to our local law enforcement officers. The LEOs may choose to cite, fine, or simply confiscate the grass. We leaf it up to these professionals to hash it out, and in this case it isn’t a joint effort.
We aren’t here to bring you down with too much information. We’re just infusing you with some Kush knowledge so you don’t end up making a chronically bad decision. Don’t let your next travel plans go up in smoke, reach out to our best buds at AskTSA on Facebook or Twitter. High five!”
The medical marijuana states of Arizona, New Jersey and Montana voted to add recreational adult-use programs. Mississippi residents will finally have access to medical marijuana. South Dakota became the first state to pass both medical and adult use marijuana programs concurrently. More than 1 in 3 Americans live in states where marijuana is legalized for either recreational or medical programs.
Other states such as Rhode Island, New Mexico, Indiana, Missouri, New York and Pennsylvania will be considering legalization measures in 2021. Also look for adult-use cannabis legalization efforts in Kentucky, Idaho, Arkansas, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Florida: all derailed in 2020 due to the pandemic.
And if Democrats grab the Senate reins, cannabis bills could advance and bring an end to federal marijuana prohibition. Medical marijuana research, de-scheduling, expungement, banking, decriminalization and adult-use legalization bills have a much greater chance to move forward under our new legislative leadership. For the first time, changes in federal cannabis policy seem imminent.
Numerous cannabis bills passing in the Democratic-controlled House were halted in the formerly GOP-controlled Senate during its last few sessions.
Dear Mary Jane,
Since the virus began, I have been stuck at home with my crabby unemployed parents and gnarly sibs. We are all hungry most of the time. I used to go the school and eat breakfast and lunch there, but now they are closed. I used to visit friends, neighbors and family members around mealtimes, but now everyone is afraid to have people in their homes because of the virus. I remember my family used to get all sorts of food donations at holiday time from a group called Cannabis Can! Are they still around? Can they help me now?
M. T. Belly
Dear M. T. Belly,
Yes, we are still around. We noticed the increased need due to the virus, so we opened a virtual food drive which is entirely online. Our 35 partners across Ohio have helped the Virtual Food Drive reach just over $2,000. We are two thirds of the way to our goal of $3,000. Please tell others to follow this link and make a donation in $5 increments. Improve someone’s life. Fill their pantry. Stop hunger now.
Here is the Cincinnati link to share and donate. Click on for the Cannabis Can! Virtual Food Campaign for the Freestore Foodbank in Cincinnati. It is on the second page of Donor listings.
The Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program Advisory Committee convened on Thursday December 12, 2019. The agenda included reports and updates for program licensees, operations, budgets, physicians, patients, caregivers, qualifying conditions and amending the rules. Chris Stock, the new Advisory Committee Member and Patient Advocate, attended his first meeting.
