Death of an Authoritarian
Plus: The editors field a question from a Gen Z libertarian.
Marijuana Business
New York's Pot Legalization 'Disaster' Was Entirely Predictable
The state’s policies and practices seemed designed to strangle the legal cannabis supply.
Political Stupidity and Bureaucratic Bungling Created New York's Pot Legalization 'Disaster'
Three years after the state legalized recreational marijuana, unauthorized weed shops outnumber licensed dispensaries by 23 to 1.
Mississippi Makes It a Crime to Advertise Legal Medical Marijuana Businesses
Clarence Cocroft filed a lawsuit this week challenging the state's virtual ban on advertising medical marijuana businesses, arguing the law violates his First Amendment rights.
How Vexatious Government Demands Can Lead Your Bank To Refuse To Do Business with You
The government treats its endless appetite for information about citizens as more important than people's ability to conduct business in a normal fashion.
Both Parties Agree the Marijuana Industry Status Quo Is Untenable
The SAFER Banking Act is trying to address dual legality of cannabis laws between the federal government and the 38 states that have some form of legal cannabis.
The Democratic Governor Who Wants Drug Legalization and Free Markets
"Government in general does a lot of things that aren't necessary," says Jared Polis.
Immigrants Can't Naturalize if They Own a Marijuana Dispensary, Court Says
Maria Elena Reimers has been caught in legal limbo for years.
D.C. Smoke Shop Owner: 'I Know I'm Doing the Right Thing.'
Thanks to the city's Initiative 71, Lit City Smoke Shop is part of D.C.'s thriving weed-gifting industry.
A Bonus Reason Roundtable. Live From New York City!
Enjoy a special video episode recorded live from New York City’s illustrious Comedy Cellar at the Village Underground.
New York City Should Have Always Smelled Like Pot
The smell of weed in the streets is a sign of progress and tolerance, not decline.
Unlock the Cannabis Industry for Financial Institutions
Financial institutions have been locked out of the cannabis industry because of a surveillance regime that appears to have done little to stop real criminals.
New California Bill Proposes Legalizing Authentic Cannabis Cafes
Cannabis consumers should have the same commercial leisure spaces that alcohol drinkers do.
Outside the White House, Protesters Urge Biden To Release Nonviolent Marijuana Offenders
While Biden's mass pardons for those with low-level marijuana possession convictions were greeted with cautious optimism, protesters expressed frustration over Biden's lack of action to actually release those imprisoned for nonviolent drug crimes.
Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Will Soon Open Alongside Florida Circle K Stores
As part of a new partnership, Green Thumb Industries will lease space from 10 convenience stores to build dispensaries.
Marijuana Legalization in California Has Gone Miserably, So Officials Are Expanding Drug Enforcement
The Golden State promises a progressive, environmentally conscious, labor-friendly war on weed.
More States Poised To Ease Marijuana Laws After Election Day
Ten years after Colorado and Washington embraced legalization, the movement looks unstoppable.
L.A. Times Investigates California's Marijuana Legalization Disaster
An emphasis on corruption and enforcement downplays the very real influence of regulation and taxes on California's booming black market.
New York Set to Hobble 'Legal' Cannabis with Taxes and Regulations
Empire State politicians will soon wonder why the marijuana black market still thrives.
Chuck Schumer Learned Nothing From the Failure of Pot Legalization in California
The Senate majority leader’s marijuana bill would pile on more taxes and regulations, despite years of complaints about the barriers they create.
California Bill Would Mandate That Legal Marijuana Products Come With Warning Labels, Brochures
An earlier draft of the bill, favored by the Los Angeles Times, would have required the labels be huge, with 12-point font and yellow backgrounds.
Modest Tax Relief Comes to California's Cannabis Growers
Unfortunately, so do more regulations and potential fines.
Marijuana Banking Legalization Gets Scrapped Again
Members of Congress keep saying they want to allow state-legal pot businesses to have access to the banking system, but they keep refusing to actually do it.
The Drug War Is Keeping Truckers Off the Road
Federal regulations make it more likely that a driver can be suspended or fired for drug use, regardless of whether they ever drove unsafely.
Gov. Newsom Proposes Eliminating One of California's Many Marijuana Taxes
The cultivation tax has driven up the cost of growing cannabis, fueling illegal operations and the state’s enormous black market.
California Cities Are Rethinking Their Marijuana Business Bans
Nearly two dozen towns that had said no to legal weed shops are reconsidering.
Corruption and Crackdowns in California's Marijuana Market
Black markets thrive under mismanaged legalization.
California Escalates Its War on the Marijuana Black Market
A new 2022 law will punish anybody “aiding and abetting” unlicensed dealers. It will most certainly harm low-level workers.
Californians Learn That Raising Taxes on Marijuana Fuels Black Markets for Drugs
If only they would apply that lesson to other goods and services.
Federal Drug Laws Force Pot Shops To Carry Lots of Cash and No Insurance. Now They're Getting Robbed.
Despite state legalization, federal prohibition makes break-ins harder on marijuana shops and manufacturers.
Taxes and Red Tape Hobble California's 'Legal' Marijuana
Legalizing a market isn’t enough; you have to set the participants free.
South Dakota Lawmakers, Activists Try To Work Around Gov. Kristi Noem's Opposition to Marijuana Legalization
Legislation advances and a ballot initiative circulates in response to a constitutional amendment that was struck down by the courts.
California Wants To Throw $100 Million at Its Mismanaged Retail Marijuana Sector
Lawmakers want to pay cities to help cannabis businesses navigate the state’s oppressive bureaucracy.
Montana Lawmakers Salvage Weed Bill in the Nick of Time
If left unamended, the bill could have crushed much of the nascent industry.
The House Just Voted To Let Marijuana Businesses Use Banks. Again.
Maybe this year it will pass the Senate too.
Mandating Indoor Cannabis Cultivation Is Bad for the Environment
Legalizing interstate sales and allowing outdoor growing would reduce the cannabis industry's energy consumption.
Cuomo Seems Intent on Screwing up New York's Marijuana Legalization
No home cultivation? Increased criminal penalties? This is not the way to end a drug war.
Proposed Banking Rule Change Would Upend Oppressive 'Operation Chokepoint' Tactics
Protected financial access for politically targeted industries
Mike Pence Comes Out Against Marijuana Banking Bill That Would Actually Save Taxpayers Money
The SAFE Banking Act is not a pork-barrel spending bill. Is that why it’s struggling?
Canada Still Not Raking in as Much Marijuana Revenue as Planned
A lesson for other governments making legalization plans
The Marijuana Black Market Will Keep Its Throne in California, Thanks to Tax Increases
When the government tries to hoover up all the money earned from legalized drugs, this is what happens.
Inside America's First Restaurant for Weed
West Hollywood's Lowell Farms Cafe serves food, drinks, and marijuana.
Congress Should Let Marijuana Businesses Have Access to Banks
There are stories of marijuana business owners showing up at California's tax agency offices with trash bags filled with cash, even though the agency generally doesn't allow cash payments.
The House Just Voted To Let Marijuana Businesses Legally Use Banks
It's a historic moment in Congress, but Senate support remains uncertain.
Congress Plans To Vote on Marijuana Banking Bill Next Week
The SAFE Banking Act will be the first stand-alone marijuana legalization bill to reach the floor of the U.S. House.
