Newsletter
A look at all the cannabis amendments blocked in Congress (Newsletter: July 11, 2018)
Where is SCOTUS nominee on cannabis?; WI voters to decide on marijuana measures; Legalization bill in Brazil
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
This issue of Marijuana Moment, and our original reporting that is featured in it, is made possible by the generous support of 297 Patreon sponsors. Cannabis industry professionals receive valuable rewards for pledges of $25 and up.
- Heather Sullivan of 3C Consulting: “I’ve been working in complex regulatory environments for over a decade and I personally find the legislation tracker you offer to be better than the more expensive tools offered by traditional vendors. Thanks for putting together such an easy to use tool. It is my go-to source for cannabis regulation tracking.”
Check out the perks of being a sponsor on our Patreon page.
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A deep analysis from Marijuana Moment finds that congressional Republicans have blocked at least 34 marijuana and drug policy amendmendments from being considered on the House floor during this Congress. Among the measures stymied by Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX) are six on military veterans’ medical cannabis access, seven on states’ rights and five on banking access.
- Others concern hemp, taxes, water rights and research, as well as a measure to offer an official apology for the harms of the war on drugs.
A review of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s legal record offers some clues about where he might stand on marijuana and drug policy cases.
Voters in at least 12 Wisconsin counties could have the chance to vote on marijuana legalization ballot measures this November.
A lawmaker in Brazil filed a bill to legalize marijuana.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. attorney for Massachusetts released a statement indicating that he would focus marijuana enforcement efforts on overproduction, sales to minors, organized crime and interstate transportation. But he also mentioned the “use of the federal banking system” as a priority (though it isn’t clear if he was only referring to that conducted by organized crime groups).
The National Republican Congressional Committee is attacking New York Democratic congressional candidate Tracy Mitrano over her past drug use and support for safe consumption facilities. She also backs marijuana legalization.
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) spoke at a rally about criminal justice reform and tweeted, “For too long the gov solution has been an overzealous war on drugs and putting people away for a very long time.”
U.S. Sen Ron Wyden (D-OR) tweeted, “I’m proud to work on legalizing hemp for farmers in Oregon and across the country with the bipartisan #HempFarmingAct in the Senate.”
Politico looks at the role marijuana is playing in U.S. Senate races.
/ STATES
Oklahoma regulators voted to ban the sale of smokable forms of medical cannabis and to require that dispensaries employ pharmacists. Some state staffers reportedly received threats over the proposed rules.
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) signed a bill to allow people to petition to expunge their criminal records for crimes that were subsequently decriminalized, such as marijuana possession.
Hawaii Gov. David Ige (D) vetoed a bill to allow medical cannabis as a treatment for opioid addiction, substance use and withdrawal symptoms. He said regulators — instead of lawmakers — should decide whether to add new medical marijuana qualifying conditions.
California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed a bill to allow CBD medication Epidiolex.
The New Hampshire Supreme Court is set to decide whether insurers have to pay for medical marijuana in workers’ compensation cases.
Kansas Republican gubernatorial candidates debated medical cannabis.
Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle (R), a gubernatorial candidate, named members to the Joint Study Commission on Low THC Medical Oil Access.
Arkansas regulators awarded five medical cannabis cultivation licenses.
Michigan’s former Senate majority leader is campaigning against the marijuana legalization ballot measure.
One Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate called a rival’s marijuana and criminal justice reform positions “Republican-lite.”
New York Democratic attorney general candidate Zephyr Teachout tweeted about her support for legalizing marijuana.
New Jersey’s health commissioner will give lectures about medical cannabis at two hospitals on Wednesday.
A West Virginia delegate gave an update on efforts to solve medical cannabis banking access issues.
/ LOCAL
Marijuana legalization supporters at a West Springfield, Massachusetts Town Council meeting on allowing recreational sales were booed and called “potheads” by other attendees.
A former Milwaukee, Wisconsin alderman opened a pop-up business selling hemp-based CBD products.
/ INTERNATIONAL
UK officials allowed the mother of an epileptic boy to bring medical cannabis oil across the nation’s borders with a special license.
Lawmakers in Peru held a hearing on medical cannabis.
Sri Lanka will institute the death penalty for people who sell illegal drugs.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A Forbes analysis suggests that President Trump and Republicans could make huge political gains by embracing marijuana reform.
/ BUSINESS
Fears are growing that Massachusetts marijuana businesses will not have enough product to meet demand once recreational sales begin.
Reuters looks at how retirees are joining the marijuana industry.
MJ Freeway’s co-founder spoke about a series of hacks and glitches the software company has suffered, saying she has “circumstantial evidence which points to a specific competitor” as the culprit.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
