Cannabis

Ten Times the President Has Overruled Congress – Cannabis | Weed | Marijuana

Published

2 years ago

June 22, 2023

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The President can overrule Congress through an executive order. That’s how alleged President Joe Biden can legalize cannabis.

Presidents have been misusing executive orders for over a century. We’ve discussed this before. But has there ever been an example of the President blatantly overruling Congress?

After all, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act is a law passed by Congress.

Of course, rescheduling cannabis without Congress is an executive power grab. But scrapping the Act entirely? Or at least removing cannabis from the list?

We sympathize with those who want to follow the Constitution. But as the great American philosopher Lysander Spooner wrote,

“But whether the Constitution really be one thing, or another, this much is certain – that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case, it is unfit to exist.”

Here are ten examples of when the President overruled Congress.

10. President Trump Overruled Congress

In 2019, President Trump wanted military funds for the U.S.-Mexico border wall. Congress had passed a spending bill that did not give Trump what he wanted.

So Trump simply declared a national emergency at the southern border and diverted funds from the Department of Defense budget.

The massive incarceration of nonviolent criminals (most of them black) for cannabis is modern-day slavery. The prison system puts many to work for pennies on the dime. Is that not a national emergency?

Instead, Biden repeats his “federal pardons” mantra as if anyone is in federal prison for simple cannabis possession.

9. President Obama Overruled Congress

In 2013, President Obama announced a one-year delay in the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate. This mandate, passed by Congress, forced certain employers to provide health insurance to their employees.

Obama used his executive powers to overrule Congress and give employers a year to prepare.

8. Obama Overruled Congress Again

In 2012, President Obama circumvented Congress by using his executive power to prevent deportations of illegal immigrants.

While some say Obama’s actions were within his authority, others say granting de facto legal status to a group of individuals requires congressional authorization. Which Obama did not have.

7. Abraham Lincoln’s Suspension of Habeas Corpus

Is there a more blatant disregard for the powers of Congress than by suspending habeas corpus? Lincoln did this during the War Between the States. He argued it was necessary for national security.

The Constitution grants the government the power to suspend habeas corpus. But this power is given to Congress only. Congress eventually passed the Habeas Corpus Suspension Act in 1863.

But only after Lincoln took unilateral action.

6. Nixon’s Impoundment of Funds

President Richard Nixon engaged in a practice known as impoundment. He would withhold spending appropriated by Congress for various programs. He would do this without Congressional approval so he could control federal spending.

Eventually, Congress passed the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which limited the President’s ability to overrule Congress and impound funds.

5. President Reagan Overruled Congress’ Embargo

During the 1980s, Reagan violated the embargo on Iran imposed by Congress. In exchange for American hostages, Reagan sold the Iranians weapons.

4. President Clinton Withheld Information from Congress

Few recall that the Drudge Report broke the Monica Lewinsky scandal. If not for the early Internet, the corporate press would have likely ignored the scandal altogether.

These days, they’d call it misinformation and employ a psych-op on the American people to discredit actual investigative journalists.

Anyway, Clinton used his executive powers to withhold documents and information from Congress. Many saw this as an example of the President seeking to limit congressional oversight.

3. President George W. Bush and the NSA

After 9/11, George W. Bush authorized warrantless surveillance via the National Security Agency (NSA). This blatantly overruled Congress’ authority to oversee surveillance activities via the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC).

2. Presidents Overrule Congress When They Want War

Only the United States Congress has the power to declare war. Yet, let’s count the number of times a Commander-in-Chief has engaged in military conflict without a formal declaration of war by Congress.

The Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Persian Gulf War (1990)
Libya (2011)
Syria (2014)

Not to mention the continual bombings of Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia. Of course, critics will say this is all legal since Congress passed the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) after 9/11.

And that law gives the President a blank cheque on who to bomb next.

Just another reason the Constitution is “unfit to exist.”

1. President Biden Overruled Congress

Okay, you might say. These are valid examples. But Biden is different. The senior citizen President obeys the Constitution even if his predecessors don’t.

But this is obvious nonsense. In 2021, Biden revoked the Keystone XL pipeline permit. He did this through an executive order. It was one of his first acts in office.

The project had been approved by Congress (in a bipartisan manner, no less). Even Biden supporters will concede and admit this was a blatant disregard for the legislative process.

So if he can do it for oil, why not cannabis?

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Cannabis

This State’s Cannabis Revenue Keeps Pouring In

Published

22 hours ago

March 31, 2025

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States are starting to scramble with looming budget deficients, but marijuana is a boon to some – especially one state.

The new federal administration is revamping how the government operates. With Doge, they are changing agencies and reducing services and support of states, which has left budget deficients in many. But some states have legal marijana and it has been a boon, for like alcohol…people are still consuming. States who are fully legal are making more money on weed than booze and this state’s cannabis revenue keeps pouring in. Missouri, the show me state, is being shown unexpected revenue.

RELATED: Mike Johnson And Marijuana

“Due to a strong cannabis market and effective, efficient regulation of that market,” Amy Moore, director of the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation, told The Independent this week, “the funds available for the ultimate beneficiaries of the cannabis regulatory program continue to outpace expectations.”

Funds will help veterans and other key projects. The other benefit is as seen in data from legal states, teen use is down so it frees up some other funds. Legal states are seeing benefits from legal cannabis including lower teen use and crime reduction.

States with legal cannabis are experiencing a significant boost in tax revenue, surpassing those generated by alcohol sales. This trend highlights the economic benefits of marijuana legalization, as cannabis markets expand and mature.

In California, cannabis excise taxes have consistently outperformed alcohol-related taxes, bringing in over double the revenue. Colorado has seen even more striking results, with marijuana tax revenues totaling seven times those of alcohol. Similarly, Massachusetts has collected more tax revenue from marijuana than alcohol since fiscal year 2021, marking a notable shift in state finances.

Nationally, legal cannabis states generated nearly $3 billion in excise taxes on marijuana in 2021—20% more than alcohol taxes. By 2024, total adult-use cannabis tax revenue exceeded $20 billion, with states like Illinois and Washington reporting record-breaking contributions. Illinois alone collected $451.9 million from cannabis taxes in fiscal year 2022—one-and-a-half times the revenue from alcohol.

The funds are being put to good use. States like Illinois are channeling marijuana tax dollars into mental health services and community programs, while Colorado has invested nearly $500 million into public education. California has allocated millions to nonprofits addressing the impacts of the war on drugs.

This growing revenue stream underscores the potential of cannabis legalization to support vital public services and bolster state economies. As more states embrace regulated marijuana markets, the financial benefits are expected to continue flourishing.

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Mixed Messages From The Feds About Cannabis

Published

4 days ago

March 28, 2025

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The federal administration is all over the board around fed cannabis policy…and millions of patients are worried.

The industry employees over 440,000 workers at all lives and is driven in a large part by mom and pop businesses. Millions use medical marijuana for health issues ranging from chronic pain to sleep. But there are mixed messages from the feds about cannabis, and people are very worried. The federal government’s stance on marijuana has become increasingly complex, as recent developments show conflicting approaches to the drug’s potential benefits and risks. On one hand, there’s a push for research into medical marijuana for veterans, while on the other, a campaign against cannabis use is being launched.

The juxtaposition of initiatives highlights the federal government’s inconsistent approach to marijuana policy. While some departments are exploring the potential benefits of cannabis, others are actively working to discourage its use. This dichotomy is further exemplified by ongoing legislative efforts. For instance, Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) has reintroduced the Veterans Equal Access Act, which would allow VA doctors to recommend medical marijuana to patients in states where it’s legal. Meanwhile, documents from an ongoing lawsuit suggest that the DEA may have weighted the marijuana rescheduling process to ensure rejection of moving the drug from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3.

The Department of Defense (DOD) has allocated nearly $10 million in funding for research into the therapeutic potential of MDMA for active-duty military members. This initiative, driven by congressional efforts, aims to explore MDMA’s effectiveness in treating conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) expressed pride in this development, stating that it could be a “game-changer” for service members battling these combat-related injuries.

Additionally, a bipartisan effort in Congress has been pushing for VA research on medical marijuana for PTSD and other conditions affecting veterans. The VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act, introduced in both the Senate and House, would mandate studies on how cannabis affects the use of addictive medications and impacts various health outcomes for veterans.

In stark contrast to these research initiatives, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has partnered with an anti-cannabis nonprofit to launch a social media campaign targeting young people. The campaign, set to run ahead of April 20 (4/20), aims to “flood” Instagram with anti-cannabis content. The DEA is offering monetary incentives to students for creating and posting anti-THC videos, with payments ranging from $25 to $50 depending on the type of content produced.

This approach has raised eyebrows, as it seems to contradict the growing acceptance and legalization of marijuana across the United States. Critics argue that such campaigns may be out of touch with current societal trends and scientific understanding of cannabis.

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How Hemp Helps You Sleep

Published

4 days ago

March 28, 2025

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Not everyone has access to marijuana to help them sleep – good news, hemp is available.

it’s estimated 50 to 70 million Canadian and American adults experience sleep disorders or disturbances, and about one-third of adults don’t regularly get the recommended amount. Hemp has emerged as a promising natural remedy for those seeking better sleep. With its calming properties and potential to address various sleep-related issues, hemp-derived products are gaining popularity among individuals looking to improve their rest. Here is how hemp helps you sleep.

RELATED: Mike Johnson And Marijuana

Hemp contains several compounds contributing to better sleep quality. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component of hemp, has shown potential in promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety, which can often interfere with a good night’s rest. Studies suggest that CBD may help individuals fall asleep faster and experience fewer sleep disturbances throughout the night.

When formulated and used properly, preliminary research and user reports suggest that hemp gummies improve subjective sleep quality. Users of quality hemp sleep gummies report feeling more rested, a better quality of sleep and fewer awakenings in the night. However, clinical research has shown that over consumption of THC negatively impacts the quality of sleep, especially with long term use.

Wana Brands has launched a hemp sleeping product nationally, Mike Hennesy, Vice President of Innovation shared the following about how it works. Naturally hemp-derived sleep gummies contain the same cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, and THC as cannabis or marijuana. These ingredients interact with receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating mood, stress, and sleep-wake cycles. For example, CBD may promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, CBN can relieve discomfort and reduce awakenings, while THC can shorten the time it takes to fall asleep, especially at low doses. Together, they may help ease the mind and body into a sleep-ready state.

The best sleep products don’t rely on just one cannabinoid like CBN but instead use a combination of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other sleep-supporting ingredients such as melatonin. This is because the reasons for sleeplessness are multifaceted, and include trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, chronic, pain and anxiety. Each ingredient targets different root causes as well as synergizes with the other cannabinoids and terpenes for the best night sleep.

Longer lasting formulations can actually help reduce awakenings in the night. CBN has been shown in recent research to reduce the number of times you wake up in the night. Combined with other cannabinoids they can synergize to reduce discomfort and anxiety helping consumers stay asleep.

If you do wake up in the middle of the night and can’t fall back asleep products including CBD and CBG to reduce middle of the night anxiety and racing thoughts that can keep us awake, and they have only 1mg of THC so you wake up refreshed and not high in the morning.

For most people, hemp-derived cannabinoids are considered safe and non-intoxicating, with a low risk of dependence. When THC is included in small amounts, it can produce mild effects and can help us fall asleep faster. It generally poses a minimal risk when used in moderation, but there is a potential for dependence if overused, just like with any sleep aid. Adverse events are far more prevalent in pharmaceutical and even over the counter sleep aids than with hemp-derived cannabinoids.

The key is responsible use, including starting with a low dose and taking breaks when needed. If you rely on it every night at high doses, your body may adjust, and it can be habitual. But when used in moderation and with a well-balanced formula, cannabis can be a sustainable part of a healthy sleep routine.

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