November 09, 2016

Hemp Can Now be Grown In California!

 

 

 The United States has been in a frenzy over the shocking upset of Donald Trump being elected.  Although Hillary Clinton held the popular amount of votes, Trump won the electoral votes, making him our next president.  Another big discussion of the election is the passing of Prop 64 in California which now allows the recreational use of Marijuana (as well as Massachusetts, and Nevada).  One thing that isn't making huge headlines is that growing hemp in Cali is also legal now!  Farmers can now industrially grow hemp under regulations of the state’s Department of Food and Agriculture.  This is a huge headline for Superego, since we are a hemp apparel brand.  Also, being a California based company, this is big news for us and huge step forward for the hemp community.  

Here's an extensive report on Cannabis Election results provided by http://ireadculture.com/

   

ARIZONA – Failed

Proposition 205 or the Arizona Marijuana Legalization Initiative failed on the ballot. The proposition would have allowed possession, consumption and cultivation of recreational cannabis by adults ages 21 years and older. In order to regulate the industry, Prop. 205 set to create the Department of Marijuana Licenses and Control. Adults would have been able to to grow up to six cannabis plants at home. Recreational cannabis imposed a 15 percent tax, which could have benefitted Arizona’s education and healthcare industries. Local governments would have had the authority to impose additional regulations on recreational cannabis-related businesses in their communities.

ARKANSAS – Passed

Issue 6, also known as the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment passed on the ballot. This amendment will now allow medical cannabis for 17 qualifying conditions. It also creates a Medical Marijuana Commission to regulate the industry, and tax revenue will benefit schools, technical institutes, and workforce training in addition to going in the state’s general fund.

CALIFORNIA – Passed

The first state to legalize medical cannabis has finally voted to allow recreational cannabis as well for adult use. The Adult Use of Marijuana Act will permit recreational cannabis and hemp for adults over the age of 21 in the state. Recreational cannabis and hemp will be hit with a 15 percent sales tax. There will be a cultivation tax on cannabis growers. The tax will be set at $2.75 per ounce of leaves and $9.25 per ounce of cannabis flower.

FLORIDA – Passed

Florida joins the majority of states and passes Amendment 2, which is also known as the Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization. This new amendment will put Florida’s Department of Health as the authority to regulate the cultivation, production and distribution of cannabis. The Department of Health would also be responsible for issuing medical cannabis ID cards. This initiated constitutional amendment will permit medical cannabis for patients with qualifying conditions or as recommendation by a licensed state physician.

MAINE – Too Close to Call

Maine continues to be a state with a more progressive view on cannabis, as it voted Tuesday to allow recreational cannabis for adult use. Maine’s fight for recreational cannabis is currently too close to call, but we will be sure to update this as soon as it passes or fails. The Maine Marijuana Legalization Measure, also known as Question 1, will attempt to legalize adult consumption of cannabis for those over the age of 21. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry will tax and regulate the industry.

MASSACHUSETTS – Passed

Voters in Massachusetts voted for The Massachusetts Marijuana Legalization Initiative, also known as Question 4. Question 4 permits adults ages 21 and over access to recreational cannabis in a similar way that alcoholic beverages are permitted Massachusetts.

MONTANA – Passed

Thanks to voters, the Montana Medical Marijuana Initiative, also known as I-182, passed in Montana. This initiative will amend the current Montana Marijuana Act of 2011. Now the medical cannabis program has been renamed to the Montana Medical Marijuana Act. This change to the medical cannabis program will allow for the cultivation, dispensing and transportation of medical cannabis. Patients in Montana will finally gain access to cannabis.

NEVADA – Passed

The election brought good news to Nevada’s cannabis community. The Nevada Marijuana Legalization Initiative or Question 2 passed at the ballot. Question 2 now allows adults ages 21-and-over to possess one ounce or less of cannabis. The new recreational industry will be regulated by The Department of Taxation, and sales taxes will help fund the state’s public education system.

NORTH DAKOTA – Passed

North Dakota finally allowed medical cannabis in the state. The North Dakota Compassionate Care Act 2016 or Initiated Statutory Measure 5 will legalize medical cannabis for patients suffering from certain medical ailments. It will be up to the The Department of Health to regulate the program.