USA Roundup: Federal, Arkansas, California, Massachusetts, Ohio, Utah

FEDERAL

Thanks to Andrew Sacks of SWD for the tip to this story.. as he comments “No Chance!”

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker is proposing a far-reaching bill that would both legalize marijuana at the federal level and encourage states to legalize it locally through incentives.

The New Jersey Democrat’s bill, called the Marijuana Justice Act, has virtually no chance of passage in the Republican-controlled Congress and in a presidential administration that’s decidedly anti-marijuana.

http://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2017/08/01/booker-seeks-federal-marijuana-legalization-113716

ARKANSAS

Arkansas physicians prepare for medical marijuana; 6 willing to certify patients

http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/jul/31/physicians-in-state-prepare-for-rx-pot-/

Medical professionals across Arkansas are joining the state’s budding medical marijuana business, though many health care providers remain ambivalent or are opposed to participating.

Medical marijuana isn’t yet legally available in Arkansas, and the first dispensaries or cultivation facilities could be months away from opening. But Arkansans are applying to be able to use the substance, with almost 300 people approved as of Friday, according to the state Health Department. Several physicians and at least one pharmacist are taking up their roles in the medical marijuana process as well

CALIFORNIA

California lawmakers seek to expedite cannabis rulemaking

The California Cannabis Business Conference – Sept 21-22 2017

http://www.californiacannabisbusinessconference.com/?utm_source=Ganjapreneur&utm_medium=Social+Media+%2F+Email+%2F+Banners&utm_campaign=NCIACCBC17

Keynote Speaker: Lori Ajax Chief Bureau of Cannabis Control

Chief Ajax’s leadership overseeing the state regulatory regime for California’s booming legal cannabis market makes her one of the industry’s most highly anticipated speakers of the year, ahead of California’s transition into the adult-use legal framework. As keynote speaker, she is expected to discuss her outlook on the future of California’s cannabis market, in addition to providing her insights on what business owners can expect as they prepare for success in 2018.

MASSACHUSETTS

Massachusetts to fast-track MMJ firms for rec marijuana licenses

Massachusetts Focuses on Allowing Micro-Growers, Selling Clean Product

While the Massachusetts marijuana market continues to get its ducks in a row, working through delays and discussions that continue to plague exactly how both medical and recreational will be regulated, there is a call from advocates to first fix the product for the smaller farm producer.

Full Article – Cannabis Business Executive at