JANUARY
California Cannabis fans got a New Year chuckle when Zach Fernandez used tarps to change the famous Hollywood sign to “Hollyweed.”
MJ Freeway crash causes frustration at dispensaries
Hackers attacked MJ Freeway’s digital information platform and brought down the company’s seed-to-sale system, causing chaos for the industry.
FEBRUARY
The White House Press Secretary suggested a crackdown on the cannabis industry was coming but deferred to the Department of Justice when reporters followed up.
U.S. House members create the Congressional Cannabis Caucus
A small bi-partisan group formed the Congressional Cannabis Caucus to lobby for legal reform on Capitol Hill.
Jeff Sessions on cannabis: ‘Maybe science will prove wrong.’
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions tried to dismiss the potential for cannabis to treat opioid addiction. But he did not sound confident about his opinion.
MARCH
Continuing the country’s role as a leader in cannabis reform, Israel decriminalized weed nationwide and significantly lowered penalties for possession.
Measure M passes in Los Angeles
Los Angeles voters overwhelmingly passed Measure M, which replaced the controversial Proposition D and gave hope new faces could join the industry.
Study: Marijuana may be cutting into beer sales
Cannabiz Consumer Group concluded 7.1 percent of revenues from the existing retail beer industry could be lost to legal cannabis.
APRIL
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made cannabis reform a focus of his 2015 election campaign.
Thousands show up for outdoor 420 festivities
The rain may have dampened some spirits, but thousands attended 420 celebrations in downtown Denver.
MAY
U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin said medical cannabis could help veterans, a significant departure from the majority opinion in the Trump administration.
U.S. Senator Kamala Harris criticizes Trump administration over cannabis policy
After only two months on the job, U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) took the Trump administration to task over its cannabis policy.
Georgia medical cannabis expansion becomes law
Governor Nathan Deal signed a bill expanding the state’s medical cannabis program and adding six new qualifying conditions.
JUNE
The Secret Service softened its cannabis policy in order to attract more applicants to the job.
Colorado approves medical cannabis for PTSD treatment
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed SB17-017 into law, allowing cannabis treatment for PTSD.
JULY
Excited consumers looking to be a part of a historic milestone lined up hours before shops opened their doors for the first recreational sales.
Maryland approves first cannabis dispensary
The Wellness Institute of Maryland became the first cannabis dispensary in the state to get the green light to open its doors.
New Hampshire governor signs marijuana decriminalization bill
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed a bill decriminalizing cannabis and eliminating the possibility of jail time for possession of small amounts.
AUGUST
Though not an active cannabis user, world-renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson came out publically to push for reform.
U.S. Senator Cory Booker announces bill to legalize marijuana nationwide
U.S. Senator Cory Booker, motivated by a desire to reform the U.S. criminal justice system, introduced the Marijuana Justice Act of 2017.
Hawaii’s first medical marijuana dispensary opens
Maui Grown Therapies, Hawaii’s first medical marijuana dispensary, finally opened 17 years after it was approved approved by lawmakers.
SEPTEMBER
Television personality and physician Dr. Mehmet Oz, came out in support of legalizing cannabis to ameliorate the opioid epidemic.
Local labs say majority of California marijuana is contaminated
Anresco Laboratories found approximately 80 percent of cannabis in California was contaminated by pesticides and other chemicals in addition to molds.
GOP Senator Orin Hatch comes out in support of medical marijuana
Conservative U.S. Senator Orin Hatch (R-Utah) called for a change in federal cannabis policy so weeds medicinal potential can be properly examined.
OCTOBER
Wildfires devastated much of California, destroying many cannabis farms just months before recreational sales were set to begin.
Atlanta reduces penalties for marijuana possession
The Atlanta City Council unanimously voted to decriminalize cannabis and reduce low-level possession to a $75 fine and no incarceration.
Eric Holder: Jeff Sessions has an ‘almost obsession with marijuana.’
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder suggested current Attorney General Jeff Sessions is borderline obsessed with cannabis.
NOVEMBER
Alexis Bortell, a 12-year-old who uses cannabis to suppress her seizures, joined a lawsuit against U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
California authorities release emergency regulations for recreational marijuana sales
With recreational sales set to begin in January, California authorities finally released emergency regulations for the industry.
Maine Gov. LePage vetoes voter-approved recreational marijuana bill
Maine Governor Paul LePage went defied the will of voters by vetoing a recreational cannabis bill passed at the polls.
December
Although physicians at the V.A. cannot recommend medical marijuana, they can and are encouraged to discuss it with any patients who inquire about it.
First Recreational Marijuana License Issued in California
Torrey Holistics in the San Diego area became the first recipient of a retail license to sell recreational marijuana in California on January 1.
