Author: Michelle Goldchain
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D.C. City Councilperson Christina Henderson’s Vision for Cannabis
This article was originally published in The Outlaw Report in February. It is being republished this week following Christina Henderson’s election victory. After two terms as At-Large Councilmember, David Grosso is not running for reelection, but has instead chosen to endorse one of his former staff members: Christina Henderson. This Brooklyn-born candidate has a weighty…
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House Committee Passes Bills to Approve Veterans’ Access to Medical Cannabis
This year’s first markup of cannabis-related legislation on Capitol Hill involves military veterans and their access to cannabis. The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Thursday advanced two bills: the Veterans Equal Access Act and the VA Medical Cannabis Research Act. HR 712, or the VA Medical Cannabis Research Act would require Veterans Affairs to conduct…
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Petitioning for Decriminalizing Psychedelics Gets Delayed Due to Coronavirus
Last Thursday, the D.C. Board of Elections voted 2-0 to allow the Decriminalize Nature D.C. organization to postpone petitioning for Initiative 81, otherwise known as the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act of 2020. According to Marijuana Moment, the tentative new date for circulation approval is April 1. The board has not authorized a deadline…
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Catharsis on the Mall 2020: Innovative Projects Worth Seeing
Since its inception in 2015, the annual Burning Man-like event held on Washington, D.C.’s National Mall, known as Catharsis on the Mall, has fostered safe spaces focused on the arts and community healing. The event features workshops, panels, interactive art, as well as an effigy that is set aflame. This past week, it was announced…
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Coronavirus Threatens D.C.’s Success for Decriminalizing Psychedelics
The Decriminalize Nature D.C. organization has asked the D.C. Council and Mayor Muriel Bowser to develop and sponsor emergency legislation to authorize the Board of Elections to provide for online collection of signatures, citing the coronavirus. The organization will need to collect more than 35,000 signatures from D.C. voters to get their initiative that hopes…
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New Documentary Features Virginia Family’s Need for Medicinal Cannabis
An upcoming documentary, titled, “Buying Time,” focuses on more than access to affordable medicine, but about a family’s struggle to survive—and do so pain-free. Madison Davis is a 9-year-old girl from Virginia—where cannabis was just recently decriminalized—who relies on medicinal cannabis to treat symptoms of severe pain and seizures brought on by brain cancer. To…
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Virginia Lawmakers Approve Smokable Hemp Bill, Need Gov. Signature
A proposal to allow smokable hemp sales to those aged 21 and over is making its way to the desk of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam. Sponsored by Del. Daniel Marshall, HB 962 cleared the House of Delegates earlier this month and was approved by the Senate in a 37-3 vote this past week. “Over the…
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Elizabeth Warren’s Cannabis Plan, Revealed
Sen. Elizabeth Warren released a new plan for cannabis reform that is sure to excite those who have been clamoring for the federal government’s outdated policies to be updated. The plan, titled, “A Just and Equitable Cannabis Industry,” has an introduction that reads, “It’s long past time to legalize marijuana and create a cannabis industry…
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Legalization of Virginia’s Medical Cannabis Program Soon to Be a Reality
Virginia lawmakers in the Senate and House of Delegates approved a bill that would ensure that no person is arrested, persecuted, or denied any right or privilege in participating in the state’s medical cannabis program. Sen. David Marsden’s legislation, SB 1015, now heads to Governor Ralph Northam’s desk for signature. Marsden told The Associated Press,…
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D.C. Council Candidate Christina Henderson’s Vision for Cannabis
After two terms as At-Large Councilmember, David Grosso is not running for reelection, but has instead chosen to endorse one of his former staff members: Christina Henderson. This Brooklyn-born candidate has a weighty past in the District, having influenced legislation on a variety of issues, ranging from D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) facilities to reproductive health…
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Police Raids Persist Amid D.C.’s Gray Market
Police raids in the nation’s capital continue to be a problem for cannabis-focused business owners and event planners as the gray market persists throughout the city. D.C. Metropolitan Police Department policy states that it is legal for those at or above the age of 21 in D.C. to possess two ounces or less of cannabis,…
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The D.C.’s Cannabis Industry’s Downsides, According to Locals
Washington, D.C. residents just want to get high, but instead all they get are lows when it comes to the local cannabis market. The Outlaw Report spoke to several local residents and activists to learn their thoughts on how Washington, D.C.’s cannabis industry could or should improve over the coming years. Concerning workers’ rights, infrastructure,…