In a letter to House leadership, the Marijuana Justice Coalition, which is made up by groups including the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, the ACLU, the Drug Policy Alliance, NORML, and others, sent a letter to Congressional Leadership requesting that small marijuana businesses be able to access the emergency relief funds being administered by the Small Business Administration. The Coalition letter focuses on the need for small business access to the SBA relief funds as an avenue to protect the progress that has been made by minority entrepreneurs in the emerging legal cannabis marketplaces. “Now more than ever, if we are to provide pathways of opportunity and ownership for communities that have been historically targeted…
Author: Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director
New Legislation Would Permit Marijuana Businesses to Access COVID-19 Relief
“Cannabis businesses are major employers and significant contributors to local economies in Colorado and across the country. They should receive the same level of support as other legal, legitimate businesses and be eligible for SBA relief funds during this COVID-19 crisis.”
Action Alert: Tell Congressional Leadership To Support Small Cannabis Businesses
Right now, the majority of states that regulate cannabis commerce have deemed the industry to be “essential” to the health and welfare of the community. Many of these establishments are small-to-medium size operators, and their employees are keeping their doors open without access to the support systems in place for other businesses, thus depriving them of much-needed resources in this time of crisis.
Senate Coalition Urges SBA to Support Small Cannabis Businesses
A coalition of US Senators are urging leadership to permit licensed cannabis operators to qualify for loans and other forms economic assistance available from the Small Business Administration.
House Veterans Affairs Committee Passes Multiple Marijuana Bills
On March 12th, the House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) passed two separate pieces of legislation pertaining to cannabis policy.
Congressional Committee to Hold Marijuana Legislative Hearing This Wednesday
This Wednesday, January 15th, at 10 am EST, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will hold a legislative hearing entitled “Cannabis Policies for the New Decade.” This marks the first time that members of the Energy and Commerce Committee will hear and debate issues specific to marijuana policy reform.
Don’t let the Grinch stop marijuana reform
The holiday season means many things to many people, but for Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), it means walking back commitments to moving cannabis reform forward and turning into the Marijuana Grinch.
HISTORIC: A bill to end marijuana prohibition just passed
The House Judiciary Committee just approved the MORE Act, legislation that tens-of-thousands advocated for by sending messages, making phone calls, and meeting with lawmakers in DC and district offices.
Senate Caucus to Hold Hearing This Wednesday on Marijuana and Public Health
On Wednesday, October 23rd, members of the Senate Senate International Narcotics Control Caucus (aka the Drug Caucus) will hold a hearing entitled “Marijuana and America’s Health: Questions and Issues for Policy Makers.”
House Members Pass Historic Legislation Legitimizing Retail Cannabis Sales
Members of the House of Representatives voted 321 to 103 in favor, representing 79% of the vote of HR 1595: The SAFE Banking Act, which amends federal law so that explicitly banks and other financial institutions may work directly with state-legal marijuana businesses.