Washington

It has become painfully clear that the U.S. Department of Justice is officially ramping up the War on Drugs. In fact, steps have already been taken to give the U.S. Attorney General more authority over federal drug laws. Last week, …

About one month ago, Donald Trump made the jarring decision to fire FBI Director James Comey from his position, sparking controversy that has had lasting repercussions. Although he originally claimed that the firing had nothing to do with the impending …

Becoming a parent doesn’t necessarily deter adults from smoking marijuana, a University of Washington study has found. Other factors influence continued use. Credit: University of Washington
Adults who smoke marijuana often cut back after becoming parents—but they don't necessarily quit.

The influence of a significant other and positive attitudes toward the drug overall, in addition to the onset of parenthood, also are factors in whether someone uses marijuana.
It's a changing landscape for marijuana use, as laws ease and cultural acceptance grows—in Washington state and elsewhere around the country.

There are many areas of the United States that are struggling with opioid and heroin epidemics, and Ohio is one state that is definitely in the thick of it, and the epidemic there shows no signs of ending anytime soon.

New figures from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) indicate that marijuana sales plateaued during the month of April, the most recent month for which data is available.
Purchased in 444 marijuana dispensary/retail shops, April’s total marijuana sales represent just under 21,000 pounds sold.
Number of Washington state marijuana producers and retailers
Thus far, dispensaries in Washington State have sold more than $1,126,506,915 worth of marijuana since their program first rolled out in 2014.

A transcript from a recent phone conversation between Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and President Trump indicates that the president is very impressed with the leader’s murderous rampage in combating the War on Drugs in his country.

“I just wanted to congratulate you because I am hearing of the unbelievable job on the drug problem,” Trump said, according to the Washington Post.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions directs prosecutors to seek toughest drug charges, harshest practices of the drug war.  How will cannabis industry professionals respond to Jeff Sessions memo?In a two-page memo sent to more than 5,000 assistant U.S. attorneys across the country and all assistant AGs in Washington, the policy orders prosecutors to “charge and pursue the most serious, readily provable offense.”The tough approach had fallen out of favor in recent years with a bipartisan movement to undo the damaging effects of mass incarceration.

Washington State University is looking for a group of selfless individuals willing to get stoned in the name of scientific research.

University researchers are looking for pot-smoking volunteers to develop a breathalyzer that can detect marijuana intoxication, reports Washington’s CBS affiliate KREM.
“We’re trying to create a roadside tool for law enforcement and businesses to detect if someone is inebriated or under the influence of marijuana,” said research assistant Nathan Weller.
Participants will initially undergo tests on their blood and saliva before purchasing marijuana of their choice at a local dispensary.

Ever since Donald Trump decided to dismiss FBI Director James Comey about two weeks ago, the president's administration has been rocked by leaks. This past week, The Washington Post and The New York Times seemingly revealed bombshell story after bombshell story, from Trump’s chilling conversations with Comey to his sharing of classified information with Russian officials. With the recent appointment of former FBI Director Robert Mueller to preside over the case as a special prosecutor, the White House walls seem to be crumbling all around Mr. Trump and his cronies.

Attorney General (AG) Jeff Sessions certainly knows how to create a bipartisan consensus.
After last week’s announcement by AG Sessions, requesting local prosecutors return to the old days of handing out the harshest drug sentences possible, more than a few congressional members spoke out against the Atty. Gen.’s proposed guidelines.
Per the 2013 Holder memo, Obama’s AG requested local district attorneys rethink how they charge certain drug-related activities.