Marijuana Business Magazine May-June 2019

Marijuana Business Magazine | May-June 2019 24 STATES Act Reintroduced in Congress A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the U.S. House and Senate reintroduced legislation to protect states’ ability to enact their own marijuana policies while resolving long-standing banking and taxation issues. The STATES Act would create an exemption in the Con- trolled Substances Act to allow states to determine their own cannabis policies without fear of federal reprisal. The bill got a boost after U.S. Attorney General William Barr signaled he is open to the approach outlined in legislation such as the STATES Act. Barr has circulated the legislation to the Department of Justice for review and comment. The measure was reintroduced in the House by Reps. Earl Blumenauer, an Oregon Democrat, and David Joyce, an Ohio Republican, co-chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus. They were joined in the Senate by Colorado Republican Cory Gardner and Massachusetts Democrat Elizabeth Warren. Guam Signs Recreational Marijuana Bill Into Law Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero signed the Cannabis Industry Act into law, clearing the final legislative hurdle for the creation of a new industry for entrepreneurs on the Western Pacific U.S. island. The law will regulate the consumption, sale and production of adult-use cannabis. The nearby Northern Mariana Islands, another U.S. territory, approved a regulated recreational marijuana market last year. In approving Guam’s cannabis law, the governor predicted the U.S. government would legalize cannabis at a national level. Industry Developments | International & State Countries included have passed legislation at the federal level and must fulfill at least one of the following criteria: • Cultivation or manufacture of medical cannabis allowed. • Doctors can prescribe medical cannabis. • Import and/or export of medical cannabis allowed. High: Countries at the forefront of the global industry. Frameworks are established, and adoption is well underway. Medium: Implementation has begun but is still limited or restricted; lots of room for the market to develop. Low: Legislation has been passed, but implementation is very limited or nonexistent. Decriminalization is not included. MAP LEGEND High level of medical development/implementation Medium level of medical development/implementation Low level of medical development/implementation Other - federally illegal but unique circumstances Recreational National & International News