Many of the states that have implemented marijuana legalization. They have done so within the boundaries of utilizing the cannabis industry’s developments to treat various medical ailments.

There are also some states which have implemented marijuana legalization for the sake of recreational purposes. Further boosting the growth of the cannabis industry.

Unfortunately, there are also plenty of states still fighting against the lawmakers in the hope that marijuana never becomes legal. Click here to find out which states are likely to see marijuana legalization last. 

The Federal Roadblock In Marijuana Legalization

As far as more than half of the states are concerned, marijuana legalization has been going on a solid run indeed. The problem is that in spite of all this growth. When it comes to marijuana legalization on a nationwide level. The federal government has not budged an inch in its favor.

The cannabis industry is still seeing a growth that is more stunted than it needs to be. This is because marijuana is categorized to be a Schedule I drug.  As per the federal law in the United States.

Businesses in the cannabis industry are therefore more limited and their chances of growth are significantly much lesser. Especially compared to those businesses which are considered to be more of an ordinary nature. Businesses in the cannabis industry are finding it much harder to attain the necessary institutional support from major financial authorities for even banking practices.

This is why much like in the days of old where marijuana was completely illegal. All businesses in the cannabis industry are forced to resort to dealing with cash (taxation is not on their net profits but their gross profits that way).

Plenty of companies in the cannabis industry are not even able to get the corporate income tax reductions from the federal government. Solely based on the fact that they are dealing with a substance that is considered illegal according to federal law.

3 Influential People Taking The Helm For Marijuana Legalization

It is in the light of this ongoing situation that it becomes more critical for influential people to keep this matter in the eye line of the United States Congress until a proper resolution is arrived at. Just like popular brands make use of endorsement deals where they sponsor athletes and celebrities so that they promote the bran.

Marijuana legalization has also found its place in the hearts of some of the most influential people in the country. Here are 3 of the most important people who have been helping to rally the drive for marijuana legalization in the country.

1.    Snoop Dogg

If there is going to be a list of any number of influential people who have been aiding the legalization of marijuana. No matter how big or small, this celebrity is always going to be on that list “fo’ sho”. Everybody has been in love with this peace-loving rapper who has been an avid smoker of pot since possible. As long as he’s been walking this green earth.

Snoop Dogg has been consistent with his pro-marijuana legalization stance vocally. Snoops contribution to the movement of supporting marijuana legalization. Has not been a limit for him to express his opinion in many other ways.

Snoop Dogg also happens to be a prominent figure in the cannabis industry. He is in partnership with a producer or medicinal marijuana which also sells medical marijuana known as Canopy Growth which is based in Canada and sells different strains of weed under a brand of the rapper’s name.

Other than that, his contribution to the cannabis industry is also on the purely ancillary side of the pot ecosystem by partnering with the capital venture firm known as Casa Verde. It’s also a Canada based firm that’s been investing in various companies in this industry.

2.    Morgan Freeman

Another celebrity who has been particularly vocal about supporting marijuana legalization. Everybody’s beloved Morgan Freeman. It only makes sense that the man who has played the voice of God, in not just one, but two huge successes. He has the opinion that marijuana legalization is necessary.

Freeman has always taken a pro-marijuana stance. He has expressed his opinions about marijuana being something highly beneficial. Widely regarded as one of the best actors of his generation. When you consider the fact that he belongs to the same generation as Al Pacino and De Niro. We can be sure that it’s not something that’s said very lightly.

His prowess in acting on the screen and the very distinct voice that he has is a source of inspiration.

This octogenarian actor has spoken out about his usage of marijuana in the past and he continues to do so. Mainly because of all the benefits that it has provided him. A car accident saw his arm badly injured which hasn’t been able to recover to this day. The only thing keeping him from suffering the chronic pain has been his beloved mary jane.

3.    Hugh Hefner

Ah yes. This list would not have been complete without the inclusion of the man who had strived continuously to expand the horizons of media. He has been the CEO and founder of the famous Playboy Enterprise. It is not a very surprising fact that Hefner was also heavily invested in the push for marijuana legalization in the US.

It’s sad to see that the founder of one of Playboy will never see the fruits of his labor flower into completion. Hugh Hefner did leave a significant impact in his wake.

It is common knowledge that if it wasn’t for Hugh Hefner. The very existence of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws or NORML would not have even existed.

Established in 1970. NORML was founded by Keith Stroup with Hefner’s hefty $5000 contribution at the time to get it going to being the highest contributor to NORML. As it grew is a testament to Hefner’s commitment to ensuring marijuana legalization and the growth of the cannabis industry.

In Conclusion

While countrywide supporting marijuana legalization is still not exactly in front of us, we know this for a fact that it is no longer just a pipe dream. The movement striving for marijuana legalization. Especially in the US and the cannabis industry are indeed going strong. With the help of brand ambassadors like these. Plus many more contributing to the drive to end the useless prohibition of marijuana.

We can rest assured knowing the fact that even though marijuana legalization in the whole country may not be immediately on the horizon. It is not far beyond it.

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Recently the Swiss council of state passed a bill. The Swiss council approved the conduct of studies for pilot programs. Pilot programs that test marijuana. The Swiss Council of States is a part of the Swiss parliament.

In the Swiss Federation’s Narcotics Act. Swiss Council of States has called for an adjustment that would essentially allow the use of marijuana. Solely to conduct research. Within their proposal, they have also included the possibility of trying out the coffee shop style. Much like how the Netherlands already do it. Swiss cities are considering to legalize marijuana. The cities would host a coffee shop style pilot program. The coffee shops would Distribute and allow the use of marijuana

The Ministry of Health in Switzerland had rejected the possibility of legalizing marijuana. Their reason for doing so was that they felt there should be a legal basis. One to implement legalization of marijuana in the country.

The last request which was denied by the Ministry of Health was back in November last year. With the rejection. They pointed out that to include such an amendment in the Narcotics Act. They can only allow it by using an experiment paragraph.

Scientific Proof is a Necessity

According to the MP who was representing the Social Democrats, Roberto Zanetti. In any case, they must order to implement any change in the Narcotics Act. There needs to be a scientific basis. This will help out with making decisions about marijuana-related matters.

Bern had actually made proposals for pilot projects. Testing the impact of marijuana on the health of the people several times before.

The trial would include the testing of a thousand people. These people will purchase marijuana legally from selected pharmacies.

The whole pilot project will be evaluated with all the metrics necessary recorded so that if there are indeed going to be any amendments made in the Narcotics Act for the use of marijuana or any marijuana policies, it will be based on scientific observation.

Since the small chamber of the Swiss parliament has passed the bill in a unanimous vote, it will now go to the Swiss National Council, the larger chamber in Switzerland’s parliament.

.The Swiss National Council decide if the bill will be passed or not.

Marijuana Is Quite Popular in Switzerland Already

Photo Credit | Anthony DELANOIX

Even though proper legalization of marijuana is yet to be seen, Switzerland still has decriminalized its citizens for owning up to 10 grams of marijuana.

The use of marijuana is quite common in the country with an estimated 300,000 people in the country being regular users of marijuana based on the statistics of the Swiss government. It is important to note however that smoking marijuana in public can make you liable to a fine of up to 100 Swiss Francs.

There are several coffee shop style places already open in Switzerland right now. They sell marijuana strains that are CBD dominant with at maximum up to 1% concentration of THC in them.

Ever since legal marijuana bars have opened, the use of marijuana in Switzerland has seen a massive rise.

With the widespread use of legal marijuana in Switzerland, the authorities have started conducting tests that give them quick results to make sure that the marijuana the people are smoking is, in fact, CBD dominant.

 Swiss law states consider any Cannabis with THC levels over 1% illegal. 

With the legal THC levels being at 1%. Switzerland’s tolerance of marijuana is actually higher than that of many countries in the EU and even the US. Since the country is not part of the European Union. Switzerland makes its policies when it comes to marijuana. So now anything below 1%concentration of THC is considered to be legal hemp fiber and nothing more.

Marijuana Was Almost Legalized Before

Just over a couple of decades ago, the pro-marijuana citizens of the landlocked Alpine country managed to find a way to circumvent the policies defined for marijuana in the Narcotics Act. They found a loophole which essentially allowed them to grow marijuana and sell it.

This was because the marijuana policies at the time did not address the difference between marijuana plants and legal hemp based on the concentration of THC in the plant. Marijuana growers used to grow the plant for both personal use and large-scale production for sale on the premise that they were doing so with the intent of aromatherapy. Ha.

There was even a point almost a decade ago that the Swiss Council of States approved a proper marijuana legalization law. The problem was that the National Council could not follow through and implement the amendment. Why? Well, thanks to the widely-hated Harry Anslinger and the Single Convention from 1961, all countries had to commit to keeping marijuana illegal in their countries indefinitely.

France and Germany had developed a problem of a lot of marijuana coming into the country from across their border. It only makes sense that the marijuana coming into these countries was, in fact, coming in from Switzerland.

History Repeating itself

Photo Credit | eberhard grossgasteiger

The current situation is much like the one back in 2001. Switzerland’s National council succumbed to the pressure being applied to it by the UN when it came to the policies it wanted to change concerning marijuana.

The Swiss government had the choice to become members of the UN or legalize marijuana. Therefore 2002 saw Switzerland become a member of the UN.

So a few more years on, the global situation when it comes to marijuana policies is seeing a change. The Swiss Council of States has again passed a proposal for the legalization of marijuana in the country and it is again up to the National Council to make the final decision.

Let’s see how this goes. Will history repeat itself or will better reason finally prevail?

The post The Swiss Are Considering Legalizing Marijuana appeared first on Drug Testing Solutions.

With more research being done every day. People are starting to realizing the fact that cannabis is not the demonic drug from hell.

That being said, some states are still fighting to legalize marijuana. Legislations made by lawmakers in some of the states just won’t budge in their stance towards cannabis.

They don’t care about the fact that most of the people in the states want legalization. They are still just waving around theories about how cannabis is highly addictive. All these theories can be proven wrong! 

All things considered, here are the states which are most likely to legalize marijuana last (if they ever will).

Alabama

Oh, sweet home Alabama. If there is one fact about the politicians and bureaucrats in the state of Alabama, it’s that they’re truly the people to look up to if you want to stop progress.

Politicians in the state of Alabama do not seem like they are going to budge. Especially when it comes to the legalization of marijuana since they want to stick to their archaic ways. Alongside that, they are competing with each other to see who is the most stubborn when it comes to defying progress.

In spite of the few pro-cannabis lawmakers in Alabama Legislature. There is no real support among the majority of the politicians to legalize marijuana. It might just happen at some point. But that point in time is beyond the horizon and we don’t know when that will come.

Utah

Ah, yes. The Mormon majority state. Utah is the only state in the US that has a population that consists mainly of Mormons. It also happens to be the one state that’s the most conservative.

To get a better idea of how old school the lawmakers in Utah are. You should know that they passed a law which prohibits the use of cannabis back in 1915. That’s more than 20 years before the federal prohibition of cannabis in 1937.

There was some significant progress made by the legislature regarding legalizing marijuana. When they made an exception from 2014 about the use of CBD only for the people who are suffering from epilepsy. This year saw more progress with the legalization of marijuana. Utah lawmakers allowing the use of medicinal cannabis.

Sound too good to be true? That’s because it is.

The only people allowed to use cannabis? Are those suffering from terminal illnesses and have less than 6 months to live. This is them trying to destabilize the ballot. The people who advocate legalizing the use of marijuana are taking the initiative. They are aiming to make medicinal cannabis accessible for more patients. 

Idaho

Idaho is surprisingly quite a closed-minded state when it comes to its legislature and the legalization of marijuana. The fact that it has a proximity to Washington and Oregon seems to have not affected the lawmakers in Idaho.

Both of those states have gone forward with the legalization of marijuana. Marijuana is even legal for recreational use in those two states. Yet Idaho remains as one of the two states that don’t even recognize cannabis as being medicinal.

The governor Butch Otter derailed a bill that was going to allow the use of CBD, a non-psychoactive compound, to be used for the treatment of patients suffering from seizures.

Yes, it IS that bad over there.

Only in the most critical of situations should the government use their power to veto. Governor Butch over in Idaho happened to think that legalization of marijuana only for the treatment of seizures is such a situation.

Any attempts to lax the laws on cannabis have failed miserably over there and the bureaucrats do not look like they’ll budge any time soon.

Kansas

Kansas really takes the cake when it comes to absurdity (not perseverance) against all odds. The legislature of Kansas happens to be the second one of the two states in the entire US that refuse to recognize the medicinal potential of cannabis.

This is in the face of over 75% approval ratings from the people of Kansas. Legalization of marijuana, in light of all this, seems like it will be a very long time coming in the state of Kansas.

People are fighting hard for the legalization of marijuana in the state of Kansas but the lawmakers in Kansas are adamant in their stance and do not seem like they will budge.

Kansas generally has some of the harshest laws in the country. They have even been cases where parents and children have been separated because the parents were using cannabis. It does not matter to them that most cases are the medicinal use of cannabis.

Wyoming

If there is one state that does beat Utah concerning the conservative population, it is undoubtedly Wyoming. It happens to be one of the three most conservative states in the US and for good reason.

According to the polls by Gallup, Wyoming it is among the top three most conservative states which include North Dakota and Mississippi.

That being said, they did pass a bill allowing the use of CBD only for medicinal purposes but the requirements make it so inaccessible that it is not considered to be a state that has legalized marijuana for medical use.

If the state of Wyoming catches you with a few good buds. You will face a $1000 fine and even a year in the can!

If you’re not caught in possession but you’re still high, they can fine you for $750 and lock you up for 6 months.

In Conclusion

While it may seem wrong, these are the states that are worst off. The movement against the prohibition of cannabis is growing stronger every day and there will soon come a day that there will be a country-wide legalization of marijuana.

The post States Likely to See Marijuana Legalization Last appeared first on Drug Testing Solutions.

There was a prank that was pulled off at the beginning of the year. A true stoner changed the iconic Hollywood sign to Hollyweed. Now many people have started to use Hollyweed instead!!  With plenty of support for the world of cannabis. The number of influential people coming forward to raise awareness about the use of marijuana is also seeing a rise in recent times.

The cannabis business industry is seeing the involvement of many A list celebs. Being celebrities, these people have a lot of influence on the global population and with their approach to advocating marijuana. They are making a big difference in places where marijuana is legal.

The negative stereotypes which have long been associated with this miraculous Plant. Slowly but surely are now being broken apart and Hollyweed is making that happen.

It was not very long ago that everybody considered marijuana to be a highly dangerous psychoactive drug.

Because of that kind of thinking, society used to look down on cannabis and users of cannabis. Hippies and bums and supreme drug lords had been associated with the drug.

Hollywood Stars Promoting Cannabis

Photo Credit | Renee Calabretta

With many people coming forward to advocate cannabis. The perception of the use of marijuana might finally be changing. There are so many celebrities now that have come forth and admitted that they use marijuana.

Some make use of marijuana for the medical benefits that it has. Others who use it for the sheer pleasure of smoking a heavenly bud.

The magical herb is picking up the pace when it comes to popularity. Even television has started to promote marijuana with the popular show “Disjointed” now on Netflix.

Even when marijuana was considered to be an illicit substance. Hollywood stars were promoting cannabis!

Remember Morgan Freeman? Yeah, he’s been an advocate of marijuana for a long time now. Freeman started using marijuana in 2008. As far we know. Apparently, since he had that car accident. He smoked to treat the chronic pain he was suffering from.

Hollywood Stars and The Cannabusiness Sector

Whoopi Goldberg is another Hollywood star who started making use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Whoopi has had a glaucoma problem for a long time now and she uses a vape pen to help her with it.

It’s not just her use of cannabis and admission of use that’s the big thing here. Recently Whoopi Goldberg has stepped into the cannabusiness industry. She has teamed up with Om Edibles and Maya Elisabeth to make the company Whoopi & Maya.

This cannabis product line features products that are infused with the active compounds found in marijuana like CBD and THC to relieve menstrual pain. The line has designed balms soaks and rubs to relieve aches and pains.

The famous Country music star Willie Nelson has also taken to the cannabusiness sector. His world-famous brand Willie’s Reserve. With marijuana being legalized in different states across the US. Willie nelson, a long time marijuana smoker. Wille established his own brand of marijuana products called the Willie’s Reserve.

Tommy Chong winner of the Original Stoner Celebrity title. The comedian and actor who has been a strong advocate for marijuana for a long time. The celebrity came out with his own line of marijuana called the Chong’s Choice back in 2016.

Incredibly,The enterprise that has grown into six states is now a real enterprise. His company was the first company in the cannabusiness sector to reach out to multiple territories as he successfully managed to navigate his company through the complicated regulations.

Venture Capitalist Stoner

Photo Credit | Olga DeLawrence
Undoubtedly the Godfather of all things cannabis. Snoop Dogg has really taken things to the next level. For the longest time, when you think of the name Snoop Dogg, you will think about weed.

They’re both synonymous now. His passion for weed has always been ever so resilient and all his perseverance is paying off.

Snoop Dogg will be investing a capital of $45 million that he raised into a cannabusiness. Snoop Dogg’s quite famous for being the rapper who everybody loves but it’s his second career that might make more of a difference in the world when it comes to cannabis.

There have not been many people in the world who have had an impact as great as Snoop Dogg. 2015 saw Snoop Dogg co-found a venture fund by the name of Casa Verde Capital.

Unexpectedly Casa Verde Capital venture fund is only going to be dealing with the ancillary side of the cannabusiness industry. That means, it will be taking on a role in the cannabusiness sector that has nothing to do with actually touching the cannabis plant itself.

All of the other aspects of the cannabusiness industry like the health, financial services, media, technology and laboratory tech verticals are going to be subject to investments by Casa Verde Capital.

In essence, Snoop’s venture fund is going to be investing into the pick and shovel side of the cannabis industry.

It’s Just the Start

The company initially had a hard time to raise the capital funding they feel will be helpful to grow the nascent legal cannabusiness sector but last year saw a sudden growth in investments with most of the $45 million coming in.

Snoop’s involvement in venture capital is definitely one of the biggest contributing factors to the venture fund’s growth.

Even though $45 million is a significant milestone for the venture fund to reach, it is only the beginning with the ancillary model that the firm is using being an effective one. As it stands, the Casa Verde Capital fund’s investment portfolio has companies like Greenbits, Leaflink, Merry Jane and Eaze with many more to come.

The diversity of the portfolio is a strong indicator of the potential growth of the cannabusiness industry and the overall change in perception towards cannabis.

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