2017: A Year in Review for Cannabis

Marijuana 2017 Year in Review
Marijuana 2017 Year in Review

JANUARY

Artist Zach Fernandez changes the Hollywood sign to Hollyweed

California Cannabis fans got a New Year chuckle when Zach Fernandez used tarps to change the famous Hollywood sign to “Hollyweed.”

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MJ Freeway crash causes frustration at dispensaries

Hackers attacked MJ Freeway’s digital information platform and brought down the company’s seed-to-sale system, causing chaos for the industry.

FEBRUARY

Sean Spicer suggests increased federal enforcement of recreational cannabis

The White House Press Secretary suggested a crackdown on the cannabis industry was coming but deferred to the Department of Justice when reporters followed up.

U.S. House members create the Congressional Cannabis Caucus

A small bi-partisan group formed the Congressional Cannabis Caucus to lobby for legal reform on Capitol Hill.

 

Jeff Sessions on cannabis: ‘Maybe science will prove wrong.’

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions tried to dismiss the potential for cannabis to treat opioid addiction. But he did not sound confident about his opinion.

MARCH

Israel decriminalizes cannabis

Continuing the country’s role as a leader in cannabis reform, Israel decriminalized weed nationwide and significantly lowered penalties for possession.

Measure M passes in Los Angeles

Los Angeles voters overwhelmingly passed Measure M, which replaced the controversial Proposition D and gave hope new faces could join the industry.

 

Study: Marijuana may be cutting into beer sales

Cannabiz Consumer Group concluded 7.1 percent of revenues from the existing retail beer industry could be lost to legal cannabis.

APRIL

Justin Trudeau announces bill to legalize recreational cannabis in Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made cannabis reform a focus of his 2015 election campaign.

Thousands show up for outdoor 420 festivities

The rain may have dampened some spirits, but thousands attended 420 celebrations in downtown Denver.

MAY

Veterans Affairs secretary: Medical cannabis could help vets

U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin said medical cannabis could help veterans, a significant departure from the majority opinion in the Trump administration.

U.S. Senator Kamala Harris criticizes Trump administration over cannabis policy

After only two months on the job, U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) took the Trump administration to task over its cannabis policy.

Georgia medical cannabis expansion becomes law

Governor Nathan Deal signed a bill expanding the state’s medical cannabis program and adding six new qualifying conditions.

JUNE

Secret Service relaxes cannabis policy

The Secret Service softened its cannabis policy in order to attract more applicants to the job.

Colorado approves medical cannabis for PTSD treatment

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed SB17-017 into law, allowing cannabis treatment for PTSD.

 

JULY

Las Vegas begins recreational cannabis sales 

Excited consumers looking to be a part of a historic milestone lined up hours before shops opened their doors for the first recreational sales.

Maryland approves first cannabis dispensary

The Wellness Institute of Maryland became the first cannabis dispensary in the state to get the green light to open its doors.

New Hampshire governor signs marijuana decriminalization bill

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed a bill decriminalizing cannabis and eliminating the possibility of jail time for possession of small amounts.

AUGUST

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson agrees with marijuana legalization

Though not an active cannabis user, world-renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson came out publically to push for reform.

U.S. Senator Cory Booker announces bill to legalize marijuana nationwide

U.S. Senator Cory Booker, motivated by a desire to reform the U.S. criminal justice system, introduced the Marijuana Justice Act of 2017.

Hawaii’s first medical marijuana dispensary opens

Maui Grown Therapies, Hawaii’s first medical marijuana dispensary, finally opened 17 years after it was approved approved by lawmakers.

SEPTEMBER

Dr. Oz: Medical marijuana could fix opioid epidemic

Television personality and physician Dr. Mehmet Oz, came out in support of legalizing cannabis to ameliorate the opioid epidemic.

Local labs say majority of California marijuana is contaminated

Anresco Laboratories found approximately 80 percent of cannabis in California was contaminated by pesticides and other chemicals in addition to molds.

GOP Senator Orin Hatch comes out in support of medical marijuana

Conservative U.S. Senator Orin Hatch (R-Utah) called for a change in federal cannabis policy so weeds medicinal potential can be properly examined.

OCTOBER

California wildfires burn marijuana farms

Wildfires devastated much of California, destroying many cannabis farms just months before recreational sales were set to begin.

Atlanta reduces penalties for marijuana possession

The Atlanta City Council unanimously voted to decriminalize cannabis and reduce low-level possession to a $75 fine and no incarceration.

Eric Holder: Jeff Sessions has an ‘almost obsession with marijuana.’

Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder suggested current Attorney General Jeff Sessions is borderline obsessed with cannabis.

 

NOVEMBER

12-year-old Alexis Bortell sues Jeff Sessions over medical marijuana

Alexis Bortell, a 12-year-old who uses cannabis to suppress her seizures, joined a lawsuit against U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

California authorities release emergency regulations for recreational marijuana sales

With recreational sales set to begin in January, California authorities finally released emergency regulations for the industry.

 

Maine Gov. LePage vetoes voter-approved recreational marijuana bill

Maine Governor Paul LePage went defied the will of voters by vetoing a recreational cannabis bill passed at the polls.

December 

V.A. Releases New Policy on Medical Marijuana

Although physicians at the V.A. cannot recommend medical marijuana, they can and are encouraged to discuss it with any patients who inquire about it.

First Recreational Marijuana License Issued in California

Torrey Holistics in the San Diego area became the first recipient of a retail license to sell recreational marijuana in California on January 1.

 

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