Category: Cannabis Info-2

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. — The Institute of Justice (IJ) said it’s asking the U.S. Supreme Court to decide if state and local governments must provide jury trials before levying large civil fines.

The case surrounds Humboldt County’s cannabis abatement program, which resulted in fines amounting to tens of millions of dollars for a group of homeowners. The group previously succeeded in the Ninth Circuit Court, arguing that the fines imposed by the program were unconstitutional. IJ is now requesting the Supreme Court determine whether these fines infringe upon the Seventh Amendment’s right to a jury trial, since the requirement hasn’t yet been formally recognized to apply to state and local courts.

Doug and Corrine Thomas, Blue Graham, Rhonda Olson, and Cyro Glad all face fines for allegedly cultivating cannabis, despite never growing the plant on their properties, according to IJ. The group is now looking for their day in court in front of peers, something they said won’t happen without intervention from the Supreme Court.

Graham said he built a greenhouse on his land after having a hard time growing peppers for a homemade hot sauce he uses at his restaurant in Shelter Cove. He claims the county gave him ten days to remove them, along with a pond on the property, or face $10,000 daily fines after the inspector saw the greenhouses on satellite images and assumed they were cannabis. When he drove to Eureka to appeal, Graham said county officials insisted they knew he was not just growing asparagus. Graham didn’t get a hearing for more than four years, which he claims the county didn’t schedule until just before he filed the lawsuit.

If the county inspector had asked to swing by, I would have been happy to show him inside my greenhouses. I’ve got nothing to hide. It was just a bunch of peppers,” Graham said, adding “The County eventually gave up on pretending they had proof I grew marijuana but wouldn’t give me a permit for my house unless I settled.”

According to IJ, the county levied fines of $12,000 a day on the Thomases because previous owners of the house used a barn on the property to grow the plant.

The group alleges the single hearing officer appointed by the county to review evidence for possible fines avoids transparency, fairness, and accountability under the current enforcement process, claiming the system treats residents like revenue streams rather than citizens who deserve due process. They also allege the county rarely conducts basic investigations, assumes greenhouses and other outbuildings exist for cannabis cultivation, and has admitted to relying solely on satellite images for enforcement.

A decision by the Supreme Court on the case could establish a precedent with nationwide implications.

The group alleges the single hearing officer appointed by the county to review evidence for possible fines avoids transparency, fairness, and accountability under the current enforcement process, claiming the system treats residents like revenue streams rather than citizens who deserve due process.

—

Report a correction or typo.

A federal judge on Tuesday barred enforcement of Measure 119 passed by Oregon voters last year to require cannabis businesses to set up labor agreements for their workers as a condition of licensing or a license renewal.

U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon found the measure violates the free speech of cannabis business owners and is preempted by federal labor law.

Measure 119, which went into effect Dec. 5, directs cannabis retailers and processors to remain neutral regarding a labor organization’s communications with their employees yet would punish the business owners if an agreement isn’t executed.

Even if the businesses have no employees or if their workers don’t want to be in a union, the requirement stands.

The National Labor Relations Act allows an employer to express “any views, argument or opinion” that are not threatening or coercive, without facing an unfair labor practice claim.

Ascend, a marijuana retailer in Northeast Portland, and Bubble’s Hash, a processor that makes marijuana into edibles and concentrates for sale in Southwest Portland, filed the suit challenging the measure. The ruling falls two days before Bubble’s Hash license is due for renewal.

“Measure 119 does not distinguish between permissible employer speech and threatening or coercive speech,” Simon wrote in a 23-page opinion.

“Measure 119 seeks to regulate — and, indeed, forbid — certain truthful, non-deceptive, non-coercive speech about unionization, which conflicts with Congress’s intent to allow ‘uninhibited, robust, and wide-open debate in labor disputes,’” he wrote.

State lawyers who defended the measure had argued that new law doesn’t curb employer speech because employers can still express opinions about unions as long as they’re “neutral.”

But Simon found that argument “not persuasive.”

He ruled the measure violates the First Amendment rights of the two Portland cannabis businesses that sued the state.

The state lawyers “do not explain how an employer can remain ‘neutral’ with respect to union representatives communicating with its employees while still being free to express its opinions about unionization,” the judge wrote.

“Measure 119 is not limited to restricting only threatening, coercive, false, or misleading speech, but instead prohibits all speech by employers that is not ‘neutral’ toward unionization,” Simon wrote.

The judge also found that the business owners “reasonably fear” enforcement of the measure. If they fail to comply, they could lose their entire business, and if they abide by the measure, they could face “serious costs in the form of unfair bargaining leverage with labor organizations,” he wrote.

Ascend has argued that only two labor organizations in Oregon have authority to sign such a labor peace agreement. While it attempted to negotiate with both, each made demands that Ascend considers unreasonable, Simon’s opinion noted.

The two labor organizations in the state that are designated to enter into the measure’s “labor peace agreements” are UCFW 555 and the Teamsters, although Oregon has more than 200 local unions, lawyers for the businesses said in court.

The two businesses “face a choice of losing their businesses or complying with an unconstitutional law. This is irreparable harm,” Simon ruled.

He entered a permanent injunction barring the enforcement of Measure 119.

Ascend does well over $500,000 in annual sales and losing its license would cause eight employees to lose their jobs, health benefits, college reimbursement and company car to attend college, its lawyers said.

On Feb. 1, Ascend submitted its license renewal application and paid the required fee to the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. It did not include a signed labor peace agreement or indicate one had been signed. Three days later, it was notified that its application was incomplete.

On Feb. 10, the state commission informed Ascend that it “cannot process” its license renewal, “until you have uploaded a signed labor peace agreement or attestation,” according to the opinion.

Bubble’s Hash has two employees and paid about $435,000 in start-up costs. The business was concerned because its license expires on May 22. The business called UFCW 555, but the union didn’t respond, according to court briefs.

Since Bubble’s Hash had filed a separate complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, which said it lacked authority to hear the matter, the judge referred only to Ascend in evaluating whether Measure 119 was preempted by the National Labor Relations Act.

Lawyers who represented the two businesses in the suit said they’re pleased with the ruling.

“This case is poised to have far-reaching impacts, as many states are considering imposing similar requirements not only on cannabis licensees, but also in other sectors,” said lawyers Alexander Wheatley and Stephen Scott, in a statement. “This decision helps maintain the proper balance of power between labor and management.”

During a hearing last month, the judge said he understood that workers in the cash-driven cannabis industry are in greater danger than typical workers, and he recognized the “historical and valuable role” that unions play. But he said he was struggling with the ambiguity of the measure’s text regarding what it would allow an employer to say or do.

Oregon’s Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. It has not yet said whether the state intends to appeal Simon’s ruling.

— Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, on Bluesky @maxbernstein.bsky.social or on LinkedIn.

ST. PAUL

— Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday signed the first tribal-state compact authorized under Minnesota’s 2023 cannabis law. The agreement outlines how the State of Minnesota and White Earth Nation will promote a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship to regulate cannabis and promote public health and safety, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

In establishing Minnesota’s cannabis law, the state Legislature called on the governor to negotiate intergovernmental agreements — cannabis compacts — with tribal nations sharing territory with Minnesota to enhance public health and safety, ensure a lawful and well-regulated cannabis market, encourage economic development, and provide financial benefits to both the state and tribal nations.

More information about the compacting process — including copies of signed, executed cannabis compacts—can be found on the

Office of Cannabis Management’s Tribal Compacts website

.

Detroit Lakes Tribune newsroom

Coney Island Cannabis has made a major addition to its top-shelf lineup with the arrival of Silly Nice’s Diamond-Frosted & Live Resin Infused Flower—and it’s already creating a buzz in Brooklyn.

Located just off the boardwalk at 875 Neptune Ave, this locally owned dispensary is more than just a weed shop. It’s a cultural hub that reflects the real Brooklyn: gritty, bold, and deeply rooted in community. And now, it’s home to one of New York’s most sought-after infused flower products.

Silly Nice, a Black- and Veteran-owned cannabis brand, has been making waves across the state with products that speak directly to connoisseurs. Known for crafting high-potency weed with integrity and precision, Silly Nice continues to rise in New York’s competitive cannabis market. Their Diamond-Frosted & Live Resin Infused Flower is no exception.

Why This Drop Matters

This isn’t your average dispensary restock. Silly Nice products are made fresh when dispensaries order them—meaning nothing sits around losing potency. The flower is coated with rich, terpene-heavy live resin and then dusted with ultra-potent THC crystals to deliver a slow-burning, flavor-packed experience.

The Papaya Wine strain, used in this release, offers a fruity profile with complex depth. At 47.75% THC, it delivers a heavy-hitting yet balanced high that satisfies seasoned smokers looking for full-spectrum effects.

Every batch is lab-tested for purity, consistency, and potency, ensuring that what you’re getting is not just hype—it’s quality you can trust.

Coney Island Cannabis: No Gimmicks, Just Real Fire

Coney Island Cannabis isn’t trying to be like every other shop popping up around the city. They’re not backed by corporate money or out-of-state chains. Built by Brooklynites, for Brooklynites, this dispensary runs on local pride and street knowledge.

From day one, their mission has been to create an inclusive space where people can access affordable, premium weed without the BS. Street-smart budtenders help every customer find the right product, and they treat cannabis like the craft it truly is.

No mystery carts. No boof. No overpriced, watered-down flower. Just real cannabis, sold by real people, in a place that feels like home.

The Culture Behind the Product

What sets Coney Island Cannabis apart isn’t just the quality of their menu—it’s the environment. It’s a place that respects the roots of weed culture while pushing things forward.

Their industrial-beachside interior features local art and nods to the area’s boardwalk heritage. It’s where nostalgia meets hustle. Whether you’re stopping in after a stroll along the shore or heading out for a night in the neighborhood, this shop offers a vibe that matches the product: bold, clean, and deeply connected to Brooklyn.

And with Silly Nice now on the menu, Coney Island Cannabis is giving its customers something extra special.

A Better Way to Buy Weed in Brooklyn

For anyone tired of overpaying for underwhelming weed or risking it on the street, Coney Island Cannabis offers a better way. Their promise is simple: safe, fire, and fair. Every product is fully licensed, tested, and regulated. No additives, no fakes, and no confusion about what you’re getting.

Silly Nice’s Diamond-Frosted Flower fits right into that ethos. It’s clean, flavorful, strong, and made with care. And thanks to this new drop, you can now grab it just steps away from the ocean.

You can shop Silly Nice Diamond-Frosted & Live Resin Infused Flower now at: shop.coneyislandcannabis.nyc

Business hours are Monday through Sunday, 10 AM to 7 PM. For questions or product availability, give them a call at (718) 576-0808.

Final Hit

Silly Nice and Coney Island Cannabis are both rooted in the idea that weed should be real—real fresh, real strong, and real connected to the people who smoke it.

If you’re in Brooklyn and want to skip the overpriced dispensary flower and corporate attitude, pull up to Coney Island Cannabis and ask for Silly Nice. This drop won’t last long.

And if you have a great visit, don’t forget to ALWAYS TIP YOUR BUDTENDER.

A Glendale woman will not be flying high after an arrest at San Francisco International Airport, as she allegedly attempted to board an international flight with 151 pounds of cannabis crammed into her luggage.

Recreational-use cannabis has been legal in California for more than six years now, but there is still a huge illegal marijuana racket across the state. And the underground industry has adjusted to legalization, often shipping and smuggling the weed to other states where cannabis is not legal, because it can fetch a much higher price there. Sometimes people even try to smuggle it on international flights to other countries.

The San Mateo Daily Journal had the news this weekend that a woman was arrested for trying to bring 151 pounds of cannabis onto a flight out of SFO to Frankfurt, Germany. The arrest reportedly happened on Tuesday, May 6.

And the Daily Journal notes that the accused defendant, 34-year-old Diane Bahlawan of Glendale, had “131 separately vacuum-sealed bags of marijuana” that “were allegedly found in the four roller bags she had checked for the flight.”

Does she not know that sometimes SFO baggage handlers steal the marijuna people are trying to smuggle? Because yes that has actually happened.

The SF Chronicle picks up the story today with additional info that security flagged Bahlawan’s luggage because it seemed curiously heavy. Once that baggage was searched, Bahlawan was arrested, with her boarding pass, smartphone, and $960 in cash on her seized.

Bahlawan has been charged with unlawful transport of marijuana and burglary. She’s posted bail, and will appear in court again on June 2.

Related: Two United Airlines Employees Charged With Stealing Copious Amounts of Marijuana From Passenger Baggage [SFist]

Image: close-up dried cannabis flowers (Getty Images)

A used car dealership on the corner of Route 58 and Ostrander Avenue is slated to become a retail cannabis dispensary, according to a site plan application pending before the Riverhead Planning Board.

The Planning Board reviewed the application at its May 15 meeting and scheduled a public hearing on it for June 5 at 6 p.m. 

The applicant 840 Old Country Road LLC proposes a 6,060-square-foot addition to an existing 8,308-square-foot commercial building, currently occupied by CarZmetics Auto Salon. 

The site meets the location requirements of the town’s cannabis code, Riverhead Senior Planner Matt Charters said.  It is within a designated commercial corridor as required by the code and is not within 500 feet of any residential uses. The town has given location approval to the state licensing authority, the Office of Cannabis Management.

A proposed retail cannabis dispensary for a former bank branch on Ostrander Avenue was rejected by town officials because it is outside one of the designated commercial corridors and within 1,000 feet of residential uses, which is prohibited by town code. The applicant has sued seeking to overturn the town’s decision.

MORE COVERAGE: Riverhead Town sued after zoning board of appeals rejects plan for cannabis dispensary at former bank building

Another proposed cannabis dispensary on Route 58 just west of the traffic circle — the former Paints Plus/Aboff’s Paints location — requires a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals because it is less than 1,000 feet from the property line of a Riverhead public school. The ZBA held a hearing on the application but has not yet issued its decision.

MORE COVERAGE: Proposed cannabis dispensary site on Route 58 is criticized by Riverhead ZBA members

The property owner of the site at Route 58 and Ostrander Avenue will need approval of a change of use, Charters said. The 1.83-acre site is owned by Moutafis Motors Ltd. Principal Pete Moutafis attended the Planning Board meeting last week. 

The board issued a negative declaration for purposes of review under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, meaning no further environmental review is required.

The application has been referred to the Suffolk County Planning Commission and Suffolk County Department of Public Works for comments, Charters said. 

The property is already served by the Riverhead Water District. The applicant will be required to connect the property to the Riverhead Sewer District, Charters said. He said he has already confirmed availability with the sewer district superintendent.

Parking on site will be reconfigured and the number of parking spaces will be reduced but will fully comply with the requirements of the town code. The Ostrander Avenue access point will be moved to the north, Charters said. There is an existing cross-easement with the site to the east, he said. That property is improved with medical and other office buildings.

The proposed site plan increases landscaping and buffer areas, Charter said.

The application is on the Architectural Review Board’s May 28 agenda, he said. 

In other action at its May 15 meeting, the Planning Board:

• Granted final site plan approval to the Dries-Spechio Manufacturers Outlet Center  at 2009 Old Country Road, a 4.1-acre parcel located between Tanger I and Tanger II. The approval grants permission to constrict 31,000 square feet of manufacturers outlet center retail space. The Town Board approved a special permit for the use on Aug. 16. 2022 and the Planning Board gave its preliminary approval to the site plan on March 2, 2023. The Planning Board has twice granted six-month extensions of the preliminary approval.

• Granted preliminary site plan approval for the application of Akhirah Place of Worship (formerly Cox Place of Worship) at 5284 Route 25A, Wading River. The approval allows the conversion of an existing single-family dwelling on a five-acre site into a place of worship and the addition of a 3,600-plot cemetery, along with certain site improvements,  including a one-way access road, parking and paving, a new sanitary system, on-site drainage, lighting, landscaping, and an ADA-complaint path and ramp. 

• Granted final approval for the site plan application of Paul Pawlowski to construct a 2.295-square-foot medical office building with on-site parking on a 1.35-acre parcel that is already improved with a 9,300-square-foot commercial building at 1125 Old Country Road.

• Granted approval for a farm stand for Pendleton’s Harvest Moon, located at 5558 Sound Avenue in Riverhead. 

• Discussed a site plan application for “minor modifications” to the existing BJ’s gas station site on the corner of Old Country Road and Ostrander Avenue, for the purpose of improving internal traffic circulation on the 0.66-acre parcel.

• Discussed a site plan application for improvements to an existing National Grid facility on Mill Road, just north of West Main Street, which seeks approval to demolish two existing buildings and certain utility sheds, construction of a new access driveway, installing compressed natural gas distribution and collection equipment and creating trailer parking spaces for a total of 24 compressed natural gas trucks.

“The purpose of this site is during the coldest days of the winter months, they will bring in natural gas from out of state. And essentially, what this site is going to do is they supplement the existing natural gas system to ensure that customers in the area have natural gas,” Riverhead Senior Planner Greg Bergman said. “This site’s only anticipated to be used on the coldest days, when it gets like below 20, where there’s a real peak demand for natural gas,” he said. “There will not be trucks parked there all the time.”

The project requires a special permit from the Town Board, which has already issued a negative declaration for purposes of SEQRA. The Town Board will hold a public hearing on the special permit application on Wednesday, May 21 at 6 p.m.

Seth Schorr, the CEO of Fifth Street Gaming, said Las Vegas tourism would benefit if laws and regulations allowed casinos to host cannabis lounges and allowed their customers to have it delivered to their hotels. Schorr
made his remarks at a panel discussion this week hosted by the Cannabis Policy Institute and International Gaming Institute on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

The discussion included cannabis operator David Goldwater and former Nevada Gaming Control Board member and UNLV law professor Terry Johnson.

When recreational cannabis use was legalized a decade ago, regulators were cautious, since cannabis use is illegal at the federal level. But Johnson mentioned the option to revisit the issue in the future.

“Now it’s been a decade and the question is, is it time we push the envelope?” Schorr said. “In Las Vegas, we’re competing against other jurisdictions. Online gaming wasn’t a thing 10 years ago. Visitation is down in Las Vegas. We need every tool in the toolbox as a city to drive visitation. Maybe 10 years ago, you had to be conservative, but today it’s got to be on the table.”

Johnson said they didn’t want to encourage federal oversight of the Nevada gaming industry. Casinos have also been leery, fearing being at risk of federal banking laws.

Schorr said some people want to use marijuana when they come to Las Vegas. There’s a question about the size of that demographic, but the city should cater to them.

“I think there is a market, but you don’t know until you try it,” Schorr said. “A large part of my career has been identifying niche opportunities and creating experiences for a subset of the population that wants or expects different things than the general population. I have to assume a large population would like a casino-resort with all of the amenities and consumption lounges. Yes, other people would stay far away from that. Not every property would go all in, but I think it’s large enough that it would work. We can’t afford to miss any opportunity. We can’t rest on our laurels.”

Changes would need to be made.

Nevada law mandates a 1,500-foot separation between a cannabis business and casinos. Clark County prohibits legal cannabis operators from making deliveries to the Strip. A proposed law in the Nevada Legislature this year would have legalized deliveries to non-gaming properties in the Strip corridor to get the black market out of the area, but that was shelved as casinos were concerned about violating federal banking laws. The DEA classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug.

“People go on vacation and want to do the vices. We allow them to drink and gamble and when they take a vacation some want to smoke marijuana. Las Vegas is about creating an experience that’s better than the one you can have at home,” Schorr said. “As other jurisdictions find a way to introduce this into their experience, it’s a handicap.”

Schorr said entrepreneurs should be allowed to innovate and that cannabis and tourism would benefit some operators. “I don’t know if every property on the Strip would. The bigger properties would want to see if it’s successful. But I can see innovative operators like Derek Stevens (the owner of Circa and other downtown properties) creating the world’s greatest lounge and if it works, you’d see it at an MGM property. To do something new takes someone to think creatively. Not everybody fits that mold, but there are plenty of creative operators.”

Goldwater said that having access to tourists and the ability to compete against the black market would make the Nevada cannabis industry more profitable and result in more tax revenue. Dispensaries would love to partner with the casino industry and be treated like any other business.

“Nevada is one of the few states where you can have a drink, visit a prostitute, gamble 24 hours a day seven days a week, yet we have this western independent conservative bent to the population where we need to separate these vices,” Goldwater said.

Schorr said he’s watched the cannabis industry mature and if gaming licensees were involved, it would be a much bigger and healthier business.

“We’re in the early innings of what cannabis policy looks like. I don’t believe we’ve scratched the surface in terms of what cannabis tourism can look like,” Schorr said.

Looking back, Johnson maintains gaming regulators and lawmakers made the sound choice for keeping gaming away from the cannabis industry.

“There are worst-case scenarios of gaming licensees being prosecuted or gaming assets seized in forfeiture actions. People think it was too heavy handed, but it was the better-safe-than-sorry approach protected the industry and its reputation,” Johnson said.

Goldwater added that the casino industry not being initially involved with cannabis allowed smaller entrepreneurs access to the bigger industry. He called it frustrating, however, that when tourists discover that cannabis can’t be delivered to hotel-casinos, they turn to the black market whose unregulated products and delivery can’t be verified as safe.

“Being able to deliver and serve the tourism corridor would significantly assist legal sales and compete with the black market,” Goldwater said. “Allowing cannabis lounges on the property would increase sales volume and taxes.”

Goldwater called cannabis a complicated issue and urged Nevada and regulators to prepare for a possible federal change in its classification that would alleviate concerns.

“The more we can plan for it, the faster we can act, given the current administration is doing things quickly that nobody sees coming,” Goldwater said. “If cannabis is rescheduled or however it manifests, the sooner we can act and the more market share we can capture. We need to be ready for it when it does happen so Nevada can be a prime mover.”

A new national report from Mission Roll Call has revealed that 57% of U.S. veterans support the ability of VA doctors to recommend medical marijuana, underscoring growing support among service members and their families for broader access to plant-based wellness options.

The report, titled Concern Among Veterans Puts Secretary Collins on a Mission to Explain the VA Overhaul, explores a range of pressing veteran issues—but it’s the topic of medical cannabis that stood out most to many readers. As more states legalize marijuana for medical use, veterans are increasingly caught in a gray area: allowed to use cannabis under state law but restricted by federal VA policy that prohibits its recommendation or prescription by VA doctors.

The survey results reflect mounting pressure on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to reconsider its outdated cannabis stance. As it currently stands, VA healthcare providers are prohibited from recommending or prescribing medical marijuana, even in states where it’s fully legal. This leaves veterans forced to seek outside providers, often at significant personal cost.

The Voice of Veterans

Mission Roll Call, a nonpartisan veteran-focused advocacy organization, conducted the poll to gauge veterans’ attitudes toward medical marijuana and broader healthcare access concerns. The results were clear: the majority of veterans and their families believe it’s time for the VA to evolve with the national conversation around cannabis.

Veterans dealing with chronic pain, post-traumatic stress, and other combat-related injuries often turn to cannabis as a supplement or alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals. Many report better sleep, reduced anxiety, and relief from symptoms where other treatments have fallen short. However, without the support of VA doctors, those same veterans often feel unsupported by the very system built to serve them.

Federal vs. State Conflicts

While 38 states have now legalized medical marijuana, the VA remains bound by federal classification that still lists cannabis as a Schedule I substance. This puts VA physicians in a legal bind and prevents open dialogue between doctors and patients about a widely used therapy.

The conflict results in fragmented care. Veterans using cannabis for wellness often cannot disclose their use without fear of losing VA benefits, even when their use is legal under state law. It also prevents proper research, as federal prohibition restricts comprehensive cannabis studies within the VA system.

The Path Forward

The Mission Roll Call report is timely. The VA is undergoing significant restructuring under the guidance of Dr. Shereef Elnahal, the current Under Secretary for Health, and Secretary Denis McDonough. As the department aims to modernize, veteran voices are calling for cannabis access to be a top priority.

In light of this new data, advocacy groups are renewing their call for Congress and the VA to allow providers to have honest conversations with patients about medical marijuana. Some federal lawmakers have introduced bills that would protect VA doctors who discuss or recommend medical marijuana in states where it is legal, but movement has been slow.

According to veterans in the poll, full integration of cannabis into VA healthcare could mean:

• Reducing opioid dependency
• Offering safer pain management options
• Providing personalized wellness strategies
• Building stronger trust between veterans and VA providers

Families Are Speaking Up Too

Notably, family members of veterans also expressed strong support for medical marijuana access. Caregivers often witness firsthand how cannabis can improve daily quality of life, reduce reliance on narcotics, and enhance emotional well-being. Their input adds weight to the argument that VA healthcare should reflect the full range of viable treatment options.

Advocacy in Action

Organizations like Mission Roll Call and the Veterans Cannabis Project continue to fight for access and accountability. With more than half of the veteran community voicing support for cannabis access through the VA, it is increasingly difficult for policymakers to ignore.

This new report should serve as a wake-up call to those overseeing veteran healthcare: the time for VA cannabis reform is now. Whether it’s for chronic pain, anxiety, sleep challenges, or general wellness, veterans deserve to explore every legal path to relief—including medical marijuana.

Read the Full Report

For those who want to dive deeper into the findings and understand the broader implications of the VA overhaul, the full report is available now via Mission Roll Call: Read Here

As the national conversation around cannabis continues to shift, the veteran community is making its stance clear. They want the VA to recognize their voices, their needs, and their right to access plant-based alternatives through the very doctors they already trust.

Daniella KanKam-Adu was offered £250 in return for smuggling £225,000 worth of cannabis

A pregnant drugs mule who attempted to smuggle 22.5kg worth of cannabis into Britain has avoided jail after saying she needed the money to pay for a deposit on a house.

Daniella KanKam-Adu, 19, was offered £250 in return for smuggling £225,000 worth of cannabis from Canada to Newcastle Airport on March 3 this year.

The 19-year-old, of Queens Road, London, said she believed her luggage contained vapes, but Border Force quickly found heaps of the Class B drug.

When questioned if she had packed her own luggage by airport officials, KanKam-Adu insisted that she had but there was nothing of concern within it.

Prosecuting, Kevin Wardlaw told Newcastle Crown Court: ‘When asked to open one [item of her luggage] she said she didn’t have the key. She became aware the locks would be forced.

‘Her attitude changed, she became obstructive, making comments to the officer. The officer was not being racist, it was just a random check.’

The suitcase was found to contain 22.5 kilos of cannabis, worth around £67,500 wholesale and with a street value of £225,000.

She pleaded guilty to being concerned in the fraudulent evasion on the prohibition on the importation of cannabis.

Prosecutors accepted her basis of plea, which was that a friend suggested she could make money by helping to bring vapes back to the UK and avoid paying tax.

KanKam-Adu said she was told she would be paid £250 to carry out the act and went to Toronto on tickets given to her and followed instructions.

She said she was given a suitcase to bring back to the UK and realised because of the size and weight that it did not contain vapes and must be cannabis.

KanKam-Adu added that she didn’t know the value of the drugs and decided to come back anyway as she needed the money and had a plane ticket.

Glenn Gatland, defending, said KanKam-Adu had a difficult childhood and spent time in a care home. He added that before the offence, she discovered she was pregnant and didn’t want the child to experience the same childhood she had.

Mr Gatland said the 19-year-old needed money for a deposit on somewhere to live and was ‘naive’ in agreeing to the suggestion of a friend to bring vapes back to the UK.

He added that she has been remanded in custody for three months, during which time she suffered a miscarriage.

Mr Gatland added: ‘She has spent three months in custody and that will certainly serve as a deterrent to her to keep out of trouble in future.’

KanKam-Adu was sentenced to 12 months suspended for 18 months.