Legal in four states and the nation’s capital, positioned to be made legal in several states in 2016, and now seemingly as American as apple pie and baseball. It’s plain to see there has been a sea change in public opinion about cannabis use. Cannabis, ganja, marijuana, — it’s everywhere we go — we see the familiar leaf emblazoned on clothing, it’s used in major films, we hear about it in music, and in the political realm, the president is hounded by questions of legalization. What was once a symbol of the counterculture in the United States seems to have become a part of mainstream culture.

We have seen this shift reflected in film, with the most obvious shift happening with the resurrection of “stoner-buddy” type comedies – a genre that was arguably created in 1978 with the release of Cheech and Chong’s “Up and Smoke.” Throughout the past two decades, we’ve seen majorly successful films with marijuana use and “stoner culture” at their core. “How High,” “Harold and Kumar go to White Castle,” “Pineapple Express,” the list goes on. With half the country supporting legalization, and it’s recreational use so prevalent in film and media, it’s safe to say that marijuana is not going away anytime soon.

What does the shift in mainstream opinion about marijuana use mean for “stoner culture” itself? Is the “stoner culture” that accompanies marijuana use now mainstream? Can we expect a large majority of the population to understand “420” or “710” references? Time will tell, but it seems like, at least in film, that YES, we can. A bit of a strange feeling, isn’t it? It seems like that scene from Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay where our beloved protagonists smoke marijuana with President Bush might not be too far off from reality.

(Photo credit: Sonya Yruel/Drug Policy Alliance)

From afar, it seems that Michigan has certainly had an interesting marijuana law reform experience. Ann Arbor has long had a sensible cannabis policy and the college town was an inspiration for my very first attempt at helping author a marijuana law reform measure in Columbia, Missouri. It seems to me that advocates have pragmatically advanced medical marijuana measures along with local reforms to move the state toward eventually legalization. Ending prohibition could come to the state in 2016 as Michigan activists file marijuana legalization measures that could bring a sensible cannabis policy to the Midwest (I’m hopeful that my birth state of Missouri will be joining them as well).

From the Lansing State Journal:

Years behind other states, Michigan is seeing competing groups form rapidly to push for ways to legalize the drug, with players possessing more political savvy, more money and more conservative politics than in the past.

Their appeals? The promise of a rush of tax dollars for cash-strapped government budgets, tens of thousands of new jobs, safer access to cannabis for medical users and fewer nonviolent stoners taking up police attention and jail space.

“The first thing we’re saying is regulate it and the second thing is, let’s bring in tax revenue,” said Matt Marsden, spokesman for the Pontiac-based Michigan Cannabis Coalition.

There are competing measures seeking placement on the 2016 election. While different initiative campaigns poses some difficulties as it can split resources and confuse some voters, most successful efforts have had to survive multiple measures, including Oregon in 2014. Competing measures can help campaigns hone their political skills and I urge all advocates to agree to disagree amicably publicly and remember that everyone is working to end prohibition. While it is reasonable to support one measure over the other, we should always support the measure on the ballot that improves the status quo. So long as fewer lives are ruined by prohibition, it is important to keep our eye on the prize. Good luck, Michigan advocates, cannabis activists across the country are pulling for ya.

In a big blow against Oregon cannabis businesses, Gresham-based MBank, one of the few banks openly doing business with the marijuana industry, announced that they will be closing all marijuana-related business accounts within the next few months. MBank made waves in Oregon and across the country when they announced that they would open accounts for the marijuana industry, then again when the bank ventured across state lines into Colorado and then once again when they abruptly shut down the Colorado experiment (raising the ire of Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer who suspected improper federal meddling).

Portland Business Journal reports:

“MBank entered the business to provide quality banking services to a growing but underserved industry. However, through our experience the past nine months as a pioneer in this new business sector, we determined the bank is not big enough to provide and support all of the compliance components required,” said MBank President and CEO Jef Baker in a prepared statement

Denied checking and credit services, pot entrepreneurs are forced to handle large sums of cash, which is cumbersome to account for and alluring to thieves.

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“We regret our exit from this business channel leaves them once again without banking services. This is not their failure or ours. It is yet another learning step as the banking and marijuana industry try to find solutions that work for all.”

It often seems that the cannabis law reform movement takes a step back every time we take a few steps forward. The momentum is clearly in our favor as polling and electoral victories across the nation demonstrate. However, it is a downer (man) that MBank is closing its cannabis accounts the day after United States Senator Ron Wyden announced that he was going to work with fellow Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley on banking reform at an historic press conference announcing that 280e tax reform bills would be filed in both the United States House and Senate. I really feel for the state-regulated cannabis businesses that thought they had found a good home with MBank, probably after suffering through several other bank account closures.

The marijuana industry wants to do the right thing and come above board and pay taxes just like any other business, but that damn pesky federal law always has to interfere, hurting not only the cannabis industry, but the general public as well. Forcing marijuana businesses to carry large amounts of cash creates unnecessary danger and pushes good people underground. While this is just the latest step back, the cannabis law reform movement will soon take a few more steps forward and setbacks like this only motivate advocates to work even harder to fight for true equality for our industry and community.

(Photo credit: Jeff Mapes of The Oregonian)

Progressive Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer has been a longtime marijuana law reformer, working to improve our laws since the early 1970s. It is no surprise when he speaks out on marijuana issues, even when he reaches across the political divide to recruit conservatives (like anti-tax activist Grover Norquist) and Republicans (like Rep. Dana Rohrabacher) to the cause. United States Senator Ron Wyden, on the other hand, is known as a moderate, pragmatic politician who doesn’t tackle controversial issues. Representative Blumenauer pulled off an important political feat to bring Sen. Wyden to the fold as the two Oregon Congressmen seek 280e marijuana law reform that would allow state-regulated cannabis businesses to deduct the normal and customary expenses, just as any other legal business.

Jeff Mapes (who I can’t thank enough for snapping the photo that is the featured image on this blog post) from The Oregonian reports:

Blumenauer said an increasing number of businesses in states that allow marijuana sales – either for recreational or medical use – are finding that they are paying tax rates as high as 70 percent, which can be three or four times the rate paid by other businesses.

“That’s a pretty staggering and unnecessary burden,” said Blumenauer, arguing that it severely inhibits the ability of the industry to grow and create jobs.

“I think this is a simple question of tax fairness for these businesses,” Wyden added.

When pressed, Senator Wyden wouldn’t admit to voting for Measure 91, Oregon’s legalization law, stating that his personal opinion wasn’t the issue as he merely wants the will of the voters implemented effectively. While I was secretly hoping that the senator would state his support for the legalization measure, it is equally impressive to see an elected official standing up for the rights of voters, regardless of his or her own position. Having this important legislation filed in both houses of Congress is important to bring cannabis businesses closer to fair treatment under our IRS tax laws. While we have a ways to go, today marked a personal milestone for me as I was honored and humbled to have joined these two pioneering politicians as they stood up for the cannabis industry and the will of the voters.

Wichita sent shockwaves (I couldn’t resist, Go Shockers!) across Kansas, decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana on Tuesday. Despite threats from Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt who called the proposal unconstitutional and threatened to sue the city if the law passed.  In a conservative state like Kansas, change at the city level can only help move the state forward on sensible cannabis law reform. The decrim measure garnered 54% of the vote. From Kansas.com:

The major provision of the ballot initiative was to reduce the punishment for a first-time marijuana conviction to a $50 fine. Violations would be an infraction that wouldn’t have to be disclosed on most job and college scholarship applications.

Rep. Gail Finney, D-Wichita, attended an Election Night party with the measure’s supporters and said she hopes the win in Wichita will send a message to the capital for the state to ease up on marijuana.

Finney, who has undergone chemotherapy for lupus, has for years pushed the Legislature for a bill allowing medical marijuana. So far, that bill has yet to advance out of a committee.

But she said she’s hopeful this year will bring action on two other bills – one that would reduce marijuana penalties to clear prison beds, and another that would allow seizure sufferers to be treated with hemp oil derived from marijuana.

I am very grateful for the efforts of the activists who fought for this local reform. These local victories, not only help their respective states, but also keep the momentum moving forward for marijuana law reform across the country. I know firsthand, and many other activists know even better than me, that gathering signatures and campaigning for marijuana law reform in the Midwest can be a daunting experience as the stigma still surrounding marijuana can still cause rifts with activists’ friends, family, colleagues and employers. Thank you Wichita, for continuing to demonstrate that ending cannabis prohibition is a mainstream political issue all across the country.

Towards the end of the Le’Or Cannabis Seder for a New Drug Peace, Sunday night, I was asked by a fellow cannabis law reform advocate who I favored right now among presidential candidates. I thought about it for a bit, but when considering who seems to be currently in the running, I answered that I would have to go with Rand Paul. I think that my answer surprised some folks, but it wouldn’t surprise those that know me best. While I’m not a Rand Paul fanatic and my support for president could change depending upon various circumstances, particularly what happens on the Democratic side (Run, Elizabeth, run!). Now that Paul has officially entered the 2016 presidential race, I urge cannabis law reformers to tout his candidacy, at least during the GOP primary.

While I have a soft spot for Republican/Libertarian Gary Johnson, Rand Paul has the best chance of winning of any major marijuana law reform candidate and, even if you couldn’t stand to vote for a Republican in the general election, Paul’s sensible stance on cannabis issues should provide political cover for the Democratic candidate to at least be as good as Paul on the issue, if not even better. And if Paul wins the GOP nomination, or has a very respectable showing, he could influence future Republican candidates to embrace the issue, particularly with young GOP members overwhelmingly supporting marijuana legalization.

Paul understands that the Republican Party must expand its base of supporters beyond just older, white men. If he can influence his party to embrace new ideas that appeal to younger voters and people of color, I think that our country will be less polarized and better off in the long run. We need to get away from the “My Team vs. Your Team” mentality and focus on issues that we can all agree on. Marijuana law reform and broader criminal justice reform has now become an issue that can appeal across demographics and the political spectrum. From The Washington Post:

“White, black, brown, rich, poor, with tattoos and without tattoos, with earrings and without earrings,” Paul told a room packed full of young people in February at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Md. “We need to take our message where it’s not been before.”

On Capitol Hill, Paul has been known for his unlikely alliances with Democrats. He has co-authored bills on reforming the criminal justice system with Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and legalizing medical marijuana with Booker and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). Criminal justice reform has become one of Paul’s signature issues, and he has been using it, and a plan to boost economic investment in Detroit, to try to make inroads with black voters.

“There is still significant segregation in our society,” Paul said last month at Bowie State University, a traditionally black university in Maryland.

Paul isn’t hiding his positions either as his presidential website (www.RandPaul2016) prominently embraces the CARERS Act, the landmark federal medical marijuana bill that he co-sponsored with Democrats Corey Booker and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as the Redeem Act to reform our criminal justice system (also co-sponsored by Booker). Paul’s stances and ability to influence other presidential candidates has certainly caught the eye of prominent cannabis law reform advocates. From The Hill:

“His message on marijuana reform is going to be very attractive to young people and communities of color,” said Bill Piper, director of national affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance. “It’s definitely going to force Hillary Clinton, or whoever is the Democratic nominee, toward that direction, because they’ll be worried about losing their base.”

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“We have never really seen a major presidential contender make this a signature piece of their platform before Rand Paul,” said Tom Angell, chairman of the Marijuana Majority.

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“Marijuana clearly has arrived as an issue at the forefront of mainstream American politics,” Angell said. “The fact that Rand Paul is speaking out about this, and that he’s being praised and not criticized for it, is setting an example for other politicians.”

I know that I will have many debates with friends and colleagues over the 2016 presidential election and that I love and care for many people who will be unlikely to support Paul for a variety of reasons. However, I urge everyone that cares about ending marijuana prohibition, larger criminal justice reform and civil liberties in general, to at least acknowledge that Rand Paul is the best Republican candidate for these issues. You can support Hillary Clinton, or whoever the Democratic nominee may be, or go third-party if you want, but I urge civil libertarians to support Paul during the Republican primary. I wholeheartedly feel that marijuana law reformers should stand with Rand Paul…at least for now.

I attended my first Passover seder last night, a social justice seder organized by the Jewish drug reform organization, Le’Or, and I was both touched and inspired by the experience. Oh, and it was great fun as well. The readings and questions posed to us, took me back to why I became an activist in the first place and caused me to reflect on my current path and how I can improve as an activist for social justice. I had no idea really of what to expect, but I was honestly blown away by the experience and look forward to what Le’Or has in store for the future.

Raised Presbyterian (after my father), with a touch of Buddhism (from my mother), my personal spiritual or religious journey as led me to declare myself an agnostic Christian Buddhist, which basically means that I do my best to follow the historical teachings of both Jesus and Buddha, but I am a man of science before a man of faith. Whether anyone else would consider me a Christian or a Buddhist is irrelevant to me as I consider spiritualness or faith as a personal endeavor that doesn’t need the approval of any person, group or religious institution.

After reading up on the Passover seder tradition, I was very interested in the focus upon the retelling of the story of of the Israelites fight against their slavery in ancient Egypt, a story contained in the Book of Exodus. This story has always resonated with me, as the fact that people could be mistreated, oppressed and enslaved horrified me as a child. This story very well may have been the foundation for my life as a social justice advocate, wanting to help those battling discrimination and poverty. I was excited and a bit nervous about my first seder, cannabis or otherwise, but the great folks at Le’Or and everyone else attending, made me feel right at home.

Le’Or is working to connect the American Jewish tradition of social justice with the fight to end the harmful and unjust Drug War. Ending marijuana prohibition is really just the start. Co-founder Claire Kaufman blogged about cannabis and the seder tradition:

What excites me the most about this surge in interest is that we have taken the first step toward connecting the dots between cannabis and our story as Jews. Yes, we can laugh at it. Yes we can debate how it is defined, but either way the awareness in the community remains irreversible.

To me, the irony of the whole scenario is that out of the dozens writing on the topic this season, not one author has been able to see that cannabis has any larger connection to the war on drugs.  But again, why would anyone see this connection? The war on drugs doesn’t effect us (our people,) right? It seems we have a long road to go with our awareness in this area.

At Le’Or we believe that not only should cannabis be allowed at a seder, but that cannabis (in states where it is legal) should be used as an expression of freedom. Once we were slaves now we are free. Freedom is a central theme to the seder overall, and how blessed we are to celebrate our new found freedoms. But in the spirit of Passover, as we enjoy our new freedoms, let us not be so self absorbed that we forget to think of those who still suffer. While we celebrate, thousands still sit in prisons, families are split apart, lives are hurt. While it may be funny to put some joints on a plate as a joke, the war on drugs is certainly not a laughing matter.  Cannabis is a holy plant, indeed, and it needs to be used in a mindful, meaningful way. So Chag Sameach from Le’Or and have a beautiful holiday.

Head on over to Le’Or’s site to read the full blog post: “Weed and Passover: The Final Verdict” at www.illuminating.us. 

I am very thankful for the opportunity to have attended the first Le’Or Cannabis Seder for a New Drug Peace and look forward to their future events. I wholeheartedly support all people of faith coming forward to rightfully reclaim the fight to end the Drug War as a moral social justice issue of our time. I made a small contribution to Le’Or as I have the utmost respect for them and know that they bring a much-needed voice to our struggle, that will only bring more and more influential people to our just cause. Many prominent people, of faith or otherwise, just need some education and guidance and need to know that coming out as a proponent for a Drug Peace is not as scary as they may think as, believe it or not, we are actually the majority. Please consider making a donation and supporting this wonderful new organization fighting for a Drug Peace. You can follow Le’Or on Twitter at @highmindedjews.

Newsmax.com, a conservative website seems to have adopted a libertarian stance in its cannabis coverage. Columnist Jason Gray lists off his list of the top 10 marijuana-law reform politicians. I’ll have to put together my own list at some point, but I have to take pride in the fact that two of the politicians hail from my home state of Oregon. Here are two Oregon officials I am happy to support and cast my ballots for, along with one of the major 2016 presidential contenders from“Legalize Pot Lawmakers: 10 Politicians Credited With Leading Fight to Make Marijuana Legal”:

1. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon)

The Oregon representative introduced the Marijuana Tax Revenue Act, which would create a federal excise tax for recreational marijuana.

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9. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky)

Paul introduced the Senate version of the DOJ amendment to shield marijuana states. He also took fellow GOP presidential hopeful Jeb Bush to task for opposing legalization in Florida while admitting he used pot in college.

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10. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon)

Markley said in 2014 that he voted in favor of Oregon’s state-wide ballot initiative to legalize marijuana.

Earl Blumenaur, a longtime cannabis law reformer, is a personal hero of mine and I could not be more proud to cast a vote for a member of Congress. Senator Jeff Merkley provided the Measure 91 campaign a great boost when he stated that he would cast a “YES” vote in 2014. Senator Rand Paul is the most likely GOP candidate that would help move cannabis law towards the end of prohibition. It would be great if another member of this list (#5 Elizabeth Warren) would hope in and vie for the Democratic nomination, in my humble opinion. Click on over to Newsmax for the full list. I look forward to more and more elected officials fighting for a spot on such top 10 lists.

Determining which government agency should regulate marijuana is certainly an important choice for every state that legalizes cannabis. Colorado chose the state revenue department while Washington, Alaska and Oregon went with the respective states’ liquor control commissions. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) has undergone recent turmoil with the firing of their Director of Marijuana Programs, Tom Burns, often referred to as the state’s Marijuana Czar.

Just under a week after the firing of Burns, Oregon State Senator Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day) asked the Measure 91 Implementation Committee’s Administrator, Adam Crawford, whether any state had a stand-alone state “cannabis commission” regulating a state’s marijuana industry. Mr. Crawford stated that he was unaware of any cannabis-only regulatory body, but that he would research the matter. Senator Ferrioli, the Senate Republican Leader, then went on to state that, “notwithstanding the heroic efforts of the OLCC staff, my confidence in their ability to manage this program is rapidly diminishing.”

The conservative Republican went on to wonder if the state wasn’t missing an opportunity to utilize experienced cannabis industry participants. The senator’s statements caused quite a stir among the attendees of the hearing as well as among the members of the committee. One lobbyist was overheard stating that Ferrioli “just dropped a bomb.” It looks like controversial times may not be over for the OLCC. Those interested in the rollout of the Measure 91 legalization implementation, stay tuned to Marijuana Politics for updates.

Senator Ferrioli’s questions about the stand-along cannabis commission and his statement about his diminishing confidence in the OLCC start just after the 1:56 mark:

Reconciling cannabis’ past, present and future in our culture and politics can be a tough job. As someone who has navigated through the perilous task of working to unite activists, patients, growers, processors, retailers, consultants, politicians and funders, I can certainly relate. There is the need to remember those that helped pave the way to where we are today while broadening our tent, to ensure that we garner more and more support as marijuana isn’t legal just yet. It is important for cannabis law reform advocates to keep the base happy and from revolting while still utilizing messaging that appeals to a wide political spectrum.

The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) has certainly understood this dynamic as the business and activist communities don’t always see eye to eye. However, they haven’t had such a high-profile dustup as they have now, after disinviting Tommy Chong from their lobbying day following a spoof video Chong filmed satirizing Matthew McConaughey’s Buick commercials. In an attempt to appeal to Republicans, especially now that the GOP controls both chambers of Congress, NCIA told Chong that he was no longer welcomed at the organization’s lobbying day. From Politico:

In a Monday email sent to Chong’s representatives and allies, NCIA Executive Director Aaron Smith said that after deliberations and feedback from “allied members of Congress,” the group decided Chong is not the best representative in stodgy Washington, particularly when it comes to lobbying right-of-center lawmakers.

“Having Tommy out in DC for the NCIA Lobby Days will detract from the overall message we aim for with the event, which is that cannabis business people are regular professionals and relatable to the generally conservative members of Congress we are looking to appeal to,” Smith wrote. “We are here to break ‘stoner’ stereotypes rather than reinforce them.”

The NCIA was particularly concerned with a recent farcical YouTube video starring Chong that shows him smoking pot in a car, nodding off at the wheel and using a “Tommy Chong’s smokeswipe” to banish the smell of marijuana on his clothing before a meeting with a parole officer.

Steve Bloom of Celebstoner and wasn’t pleased, writing that “NCIA Disses Tommy Chong“:

Chong is a comedian and the commercial is a lighthearted stab at McConaughery’s existential narratives. Can’t the NCIA take a joke?

For their part, Chong’s team took the high road in response to Politico, who broke the story: “NCIA made a decision based on their understanding of the landscape along with their goals and objectives for the event. We all want the same thing here and we do not want to cause, or be part of, any ripples in our allied goal. We don’t want to escalate this is any manner.”

At least one NCIA member is not happy with the decision to bar Chong. Pete O’Neil, who owns C & C Cannabis Company in Seattle, has canceled his membership. “I’m not going (to DC),” he says. “Maybe there’s a reason marijuana is still illegal. Maybe we don’t have the right guys in DC. We’re looking for a good lobbyist.”

This isn’t an easy spot for NCIA and I certainly sympathize with those that want Tommy Chong to be respected. I must admit that I’ve never been a fan of the Cheech & Chong routines and usual stoner stereotypes, but I respect the man for being an outspoken cannabis law reform crusader and the fact that he was willing to accept an unjust prison sentence to protect his family. I am thankful and appreciative of Tommy Chong for staying above the fray and keeping the focus on what is best for the cannabis legalization movement. Struggles and disputes like this will continue to occur, but it is important that all of us on the same side of the legalization fight keep our eye on the prize and not let petty disputes and our ego get in the way.

The Oregon cannabis community converged upon the State Capitol Building to fight for patients’ access to medical marijuana Monday night as the Oregon Legislature held a public hearing on both House Bill 3400 and Senate Bill 936. While many headlines focus upon the plant limits being debated in Salem, patients and advocates rightly put the focus where it belongs: on patients suffering from severe and debilitating medical conditions, many of whom are also battling poverty. I was very proud of the medical marijuana advocates that testified and showed their support for patients’ access and to have joined them. I spoke as officially neutral on HB 3400 & SB 936, commenting that sensible oversight and regulations are necessary, but that we need to ensure that patients have safe access to medicine.

The Oregonian was at the Oregon State Capitol and even quoted yours truly:

Patients and growers flocked to the Capitol for a meeting of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Implementing Measure 91, arguing that proposed restrictions would do little to stem the flow of pot to the black market, as lawmakers contend.

Instead, they said, the limits would create statewide shortages and make it more difficult for legitimate patients to get their medicine.

“It will fall on the most vulnerable patients who are battling poverty, who will lose their grower,” said Anthony Johnson, chief sponsor of the Measure 91 campaign. “I encourage oversight in growing but not to restrict patients’ access.”

While everyone completely understands the need for oversight and sensible regulations, fewer patients’ gardens isn’t necessary to achieve our goals. Oregon legislators are understandably concerned about complying with the federal Cole Memo and avoiding federal intervention. However, nothing in the Cole Memo discusses the need to reduce the number of plants allowed in a cannabis cultivation site. What is necessary are proper rules and regulations to help ensure that the illicit market is diminished. Oregon is well on its way to developing a model marijuana system, but patients’ safe access to medical cannabis isn’t necessary to achieving that goal.

To anyone paying attention, marijuana has gone mainstream in virtually all aspects of our culture: in opinion polls to the ballot box to our music to TV shows to the silver screen. Dr. Sanjay Gupta made national news with his “evolution” on cannabis, President Obama is forced to ask questions about marijuana policy and the 2016 Republican and Democratic presidential candidates will all be put on the record as well.  Print media has jumped on board in recent years as the print media loses circulation, marijuana has become a sexy headline, an opportunity for advertising dollars and internet click bait.

The recent International Cannabis Business Conference featured a marijuana media panel that included representatives from the San Francisco Chronicle’s Smell the Truth and the Denver Post’s The Cannabist. The Oregon Medical Marijuana Business Conference featured a broad spectrum of the marijuana media, from longtime activist Doug McVay, who hosts the Drug War Facts Podcast; to Russ Belville,  who hosts an internet program every weekday and has blazed the path for 24/7 marijuana coverage with 420Radio.org; and Noelle Crombie, marijuana beat writer for The Oregonian, who covers cannabis as a serious policy issue for the Northwest’s most-circulated newspaper.

Fortune has certainly noticed the mainstreaming of marijuana media with the piece, “Marijuana media is buzzing as legal pot gains territory“:

Several nationally-read newspapers and magazines(including Fortune) have devoted plenty of ink to the cannabis industry. Last year, The New York Timesendorsed marijuana legalization and later ran a full-page ad for a website, Leafly, a Yelp-like service for reviewing marijuana strains and dispensaries. The industry is also well-represented on television, where cable news networks CNN, CNBC and MSNBC have all produced recent series focused on the marijuana industry.

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Last month, the first issue of SF Evergreen featured a cover story on California’s lieutenant governor, Gavin Newsom, with the headline “Citizen Cannabis.” Newsom is a pro-pot politician who plans to run for governor of the state in 2018. SF Evergreen publisher Ari Spanier and editor Chris Roberts said a lot of SF Evergreen’s energy over the next few years will go toward covering the budding political battle over attempts to legalize recreational marijuana in California, where medical pot has been legal for nearly two decades.

The magazine’s parent company is well aware of the print media’s struggles. Recently, it shuttered its long-running and money-losing alternative paper, the San Francisco Bay Guardian. While San Francisco Media Company insists that the new magazine is not a replacement for the Guardian, Spanier and Roberts are adamant that launching a marijuana-focused publication — with a website updated every weekday — is a fairly obvious move in an area where cannabis has been a part of the culture since the flower power era and now boasts 30 medical marijuana dispensaries.

While many within the cannabis community are rightly distrustful of the mainstream media and I do agree that we always should remain a skeptic and be vigilant, I welcome the mainstreaming of marijuana, in the media and elsewhere. While there is a romanticism to being a rebel or an outlaw or a nonconformist, we must always remember that there is still the barbaric practice of locking people in cages for cannabis, despite what some prohibitionists may claim. Many people, especially those of color and of low income, are still targeted and are having their lives ruined for activities that those in liberal cannabis law locales take for granted. As a Missouri transplant in Oregon for the past decade, I cannot forget the cannabis community back in the Show-Me State or in Oklahoma or Texas, or anyone living under the fear of draconian penalties. The only way for true freedom across the nation is for marijuana to go mainstream. And if that is what it takes, then mainstream is fine by me.

Marijuana has played an important role in the last few general elections and 2016 is shaping up to be possibly the most important election yet for cannabis law reform. We already know that a Nevada legalization proposal will be on the ballot and there is a great likelihood that California, Massachusetts, Maine and possibly a few other states will also have legalization votes of their own. Swing states such as Florida and Ohio will likely have marijuana law reform initiatives on the ballot as well. A total of four states will have cannabis commerce creating jobs and generating revenue within their states borders, not to mention legal, personal marijuana possession and cultivation in our nation’s capital.

John Hudak weighed in with “2016: Will Be the Marijuana Election” in Newsweek,

Marijuana policy will likely play a noticeable role in the general election, too. The issue has implications for states that truly matter in presidential campaigns. Recreational legalization is a reality in swing states like Colorado. Other marijuana measures may appear on ballots in which presidential candidates frequently look for votes (Florida, Maine) or campaign money (California).

In addition, medical marijuana policy—now the law in many places—means that swing state voters will be interested in what their next president will have to say on the topic.

The issue engages a variety of issues that reach beyond marijuana itself, posing serious leadership questions for any prospective chief executive. It involves issues of law and regulatory enforcement, federal research policy, medical and pharmaceutical policy, state-federal relations, criminal justice, privacy, agriculture, commerce, small business policy and banking and financial regulations.

President Obama, while far from perfect on the issue, has advanced marijuana law reform with some sensible, although cautious (or timid you mid prefer) policy choices. The next presidential administration will have to decide whether to continue upon a slow, deliberate approach or change course one way or the other. Prior marijuana usage and prospective policy has already been an issue for the Republican Party and it’s likely that Hilary Clinton (and any primary challenger that may appear) will have to answer questions about federal marijuana policies under another Democratic administration. Regardless of how the presidential election proceeds, I predict a steady, deliberate approach by our federal government towards putting an end to federal cannabis prohibition.

Oregonians, two important bills before the House Judiciary Committee would greatly benefit those convicted of marijuana law offenses. Senate Bill 364 has already passed the Oregon Senate and is awaiting a hearing on the House side. The Oregon Legislature, in 2013, passed a measure that decreased marijuana penalties, effective on July 1st of that year. Senate Bill 364, sensibly allows those convicted before July 1, 2013, to have their marijuana offenses retroactively changed to the lesser penalty. House Bill 3372, would allow those sentenced for marijuana offenses before July 1, 2015, to have their punishment changed to those that go into effect after July 1, 2015. Marijuana legalization goes into effect on July 1 of this year.

The Willamette Week covered the introduction of HB 3372:

With pot legalized in Oregon, state Rep. Lew Frederick (D-Portland) says people jailed for non-violent weed crimes should no longer be kept behind bars.

Frederick is sponsoring a bill in the Oregon Legislature that would reduce sentences for people sent to prison before July 1, 2015, for marijuana-related activities—like selling, growing and transporting—that will become legal this summer. In some cases, those sentence reductions would amount to an immediate release.

His bill would also allow people convicted of non-violent marijuana crimes to expunge their records.

I urge Oregonians to contact the House Judiciary Committee and urge them to pass both HB 3372 and SB 364. These bills are common sense measures that will actually save Oregon tax dollars and judicial resources and bring us closer and closer to ending the harmful consequences of cannabis prohibition. Representative Frederick is my personal state rep, so I am very proud to be able to support an elected official that understands the need to erase some of the unnecessary penalties that nonviolent people have suffered due to remnants of our Reefer Madness past. I’ll be monitoring these bills, so please check back and I’ll keep everyone updated on their progress and let Oregon voters know how they can help.

New York City, the media capital of the world, is obviously one of the most influential cities in the world. New York State, in turn, is a very influential state and news out of the area resonate across the country, if not the globe. I remember when the New York Legislature passed a marriage equality bill. I, along with many civil libertarians, were watching the live stream of the debate and vote, live-blogging away on our various social media outlets.

New York State was one of the first states to decriminalize cannabis in 1977, but the law was subverted in NYC because people, disproportionately people of color, were asked to empty their pockets and would then be subjected to the more harsh penalty for possessing marijuana in public. Fortunately, and finally, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton announced that the NYPD would stop this arbitrary and harmful practice that was subverting the spirit of the state’s decriminalization law.

I, along with other cannabis law reform advocates, was heartened when Governor Andrew Cuomo threatened to not give state legislators a pay raise unless they passed a full decriminalization bill, thinking that we may have found our early dark horse presidential candidate, just to be disappointed to learn that Cuomo had abandoned the decriminalization effort, but he at least was supporting medical cannabis legislation. And while the state’s recently-passed medical marijuana law is far from perfect, as it doesn’t allow for home cultivation and only legalizes the purchase of non-flower products from one of only 5 dispensaries that will be allowed, New York certainly made news when it did become our nation’s 23rd medical marijuana state.

Now, New York City, is helping push sensible marijuana law reform again, as the city council has formally requested  that the state legislature decriminalize, regulate and tax marijuana. These important reforms would be great for the budget of New York and the citizens unnecessarily arrested, prosecuted and jailed for marijuana offenses. The Drug Policy Alliance issued a press release announcing that the New York City Council calls for marijuana law reform:

New York City Council Issues Formal Call for Decriminalizing and Legalizing Marijuana

NYC Council 2015 Policy Agenda Urges State Legislature to Fix New York’s Broken Marijuana Policies

New York City Council, Advocates, and Community Groups Demand Action from Albany

New York: This week, the New York City Council called for the state of New York to pass historic legislation to both decriminalize and to tax and regulate marijuana. As part of the Council’s State Budget and Legislative Agenda for the 2015-2016 legislative session, the New York City Council urged the state legislature to pass two historic marijuana policy reforms – the Fairness and Equity Act and the Marijuana Regulation and Tax Act (MRTA). The Speaker of the City Council, Melissa Mark-Viverito had previously announced her support for marijuana legalization in November, but this marks the first time that marijuana decriminalization and legalization have been part of the Council’s official legislative agenda.

The Fairness and Equity Act — sponsored by Senator Daniel Squadron and Assemblyman Robert Rodriquez — would finally fix New York’s decriminalization law regarding possession of small amounts of marijuana, ending racially bias marijuana arrests. The Council noted that the Act would “end the unnecessary and disproportionate arrests of Black and Latino New Yorkers by ensuring that possession or sharing of small amounts of marijuana can never result in a criminal penalty.”  The proposal includes additional provisions to meaningfully address the devastating collateral consequences and historic legacy of these arrests and reduce institutional racial bias across New York’s criminal justice system.

The Council also threw its support behind the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act — sponsored by Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblywoman Crystal People Stokes — which would end prohibition by creating a system to regulate, control, and tax marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol for adults 21 years of age or older. The Council noted that  the MRTA would “would reduce the racially disparate impact of existing marijuana laws and end the cycle of branding nonviolent New Yorkers as criminals,” while generating millions of dollars in new revenue and saving millions of dollars in criminal justice resources each year.

The Council’s endorsement of these sweeping marijuana policy reforms comes at a pivotal moment for drug policy reform nationally, as last year’s elections accelerated the unprecedented momentum for marijuana law reform and other criminal justice reforms. With marijuana legalization measures passing in Oregon, Alaska and Washington, D.C., and with groundbreaking criminal justice reforms passing in California and New Jersey, the election solidified drug policy reform’s place as a mainstream political issue. Both in New York and nationally, public opinion has shifted dramatically over the last decade in favor of reforming marijuana laws and dismantling the egregious excesses of the drug war.

Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito has led the charge in the New York City Council since 2012 for sensible marijuana reform. She was the lead sponsor on the successful NYC Council resolution 986-A which called for an end to racially biased, costly, unlawful arrests. The resolution was co-sponsored by a majority of Council members and passed by an overwhelming majority during the June 2012 Stated meeting. In 2014, New York City Council member Stephen Levin introduced the NYC Council resolution 0011 in support of the Krueger/ People Stokes’ tax and regulate bill with several city council co-sponsors, including, Council members Maria Del Arroyo, Jumaane Williams, Antonio Reynoso, Rosie Mendez, Karen Koslowitz, Daniel Dromm, and Mark Levine.

Statement by Kassandra Frederique, NY policy manager for the Drug Policy Alliance:

The New York City Council is demonstrating smart leadership on marijuana policy. Voters in New York City elected a progressive city council and mayor because we value fairness, equity and justice. Unfortunately, New York’s current marijuana policies, coupled with biased policing practices and devastating collateral consequences, harm the lives of hundreds of thousands New Yorkers, predominantly patients and young people of color. New Yorkers have had enough. We stand with Speaker Mark-Viverito, the NY City Council and New Yorkers across the state in demanding that Albany fix our broken marijuana policies and address years of racially biased criminalization by immediately passing the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act and the Fairness and Equity Act. It’s time to end marijuana prohibition. It’s time for a new approach.

Statement by Alyssa Aguilera, Political Director of VOCAL-NY:

“The Council’s public support for marijuana legalization is exactly the type of progressive and bold leadership we need to end the failed war on drugs and reform our broken criminal justice system. With this policy statement, the Council has showed that they understand that it is unjust and unfair to criminalize mostly black and brown New Yorkers for an activity that poses no public safety threat and happens in every corner of the city. I hope Albany will heed the call of the Council and pass these two pieces of legislation so that we can move forward a vision of drug policy that is rooted in public safety and health, not costly and biased incarceration.”