Newsletter
Another DOJ study undermines anti-cannabis legalization fears (Newsletter: October 9, 2019)
Senators press FDA on CBD regs; More banks working with marijuana biz; Fox News host worried banking bill will give Dems more campaign money
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Another new Department of Justice-funded study undermines prohibitionist fears, concluding that burglaries dropped in Washington State after legalization and that more broadly there were “no statistically significant long-term effects of recreational cannabis laws or the initiation of retail sales on violent or property crime rates” in legalized states.
- The researchers specifically call out prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana and author Alex Berenson for their claims about legalization allegedly causing crime.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) held a press conference to push the Food and Drug Administration to more quickly enact regulations allowing CBD to be marketed. He and five colleagues also sent the agency a letter on the issue demanding action within 90 days.
The number of banks and credit unions working with marijuana businesses rose again last quarter, according to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Meanwhile, Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), author of the House-passed cannabis banking bill, is urging regulators to issue guidance on hemp financial services.
Fox News host Laura Ingraham is worried that Democrats will rake in millions in campaign contributions if Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) allows a vote on House-passed marijuana banking bill. On the other hand, Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) might be more likely to lose his seat—and the GOP majority along with it—if he doesn’t.
/ FEDERAL
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration officials authored an op-ed about the harms of marijuana.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture official will speak at the Hemp Industries Association conference next month.
Former U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services Director Leon Rodriguez will participate in a webinar on immigration law and marijuana on October 22.
Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) tweeted about discussing marijuana financial services legislation with representatives of a local bank.
/ STATES
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) tweeted, “Congress: Keep your #HandsOffDC and #RemoveTheRider preventing us from establishing a safe & equitable cannabis regime for adult use. Together, with Congresswoman @EleanorNorton, we fight for the rights of 702,000 disenfranchised DC residents.”
Michigan’s attorney general testified before the House Judiciary Committee in support of marijuana expungement legislation. Separately, regulators published cannabis facility inspection guides.
A law enforcement conference hosted by Ohio’s attorney general featured discussions about marijuana legalization and medical cannabis.
The Wisconsin Senate approved a hemp bill.
The Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing on harm reduction drug policies.
California regulators released guidance on marijuana banking.
New Mexico regulators are mandating that medical cannabis vaping products be labeled with a warning.
Illinois representatives filed a bill to ban sales of CBD products that haven’t been tested and labeled.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
The Scottish National Party appears set to approve a resolution endorsing drug decriminalization.
The UK has a new minister in charge of drug policy.
The bloody Philippine “drug war” is the subject of a new PBS Frontline documentary.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study that used CBD to treat patients with brain tumors reported that “all but one patient are still alive with a mean survival time of 22.3 months,” which is “longer than what would have been expected.”
The National Institute on Drug Abuse awarded $3.5 million to researchers to study the impact of medical cannabis laws on people with chronic pain.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Pennsylvania voters oppose legalizing marijuana, 48%-37%.
The Republican National Committee tweeted, “After locking up thousands for marijuana-related offenses, Kamala Harris says weed brings good vibes” and included a video in which Harris does appear to briefly mention marijuana but which also shows someone else making the remark about good vibes.
The Boston Herald editorial board is calling on Massachusetts lawmakers to pass impaired driving legislation before marijuana social use areas open.
/ BUSINESS
Citigroup’s CEO said the company won’t bank marijuana businesses until there are national policies allowing it. (About 46:30 into the video.)
MedMen terminated its plan to acquire PharmaCann, LLC and replaced its chief financial officer.
Aleafia Health Inc. terminated a wholesale marijuana supply agreement with Aphria Inc.
Altria is sponsoring a marijuana panel featuring anti-tax activist Grover Norquist at the State Policy Network conference this month.
Stripe is refusing to process payments for policy monitoring group Cannabis Observer.
/ CULTURE
Jimmy Kimmel’s show aired a spoof ad about cannabis-infused dining at “highHOP.”
Actress Jennifer Aniston gave advice to a Howard Stern show staffer on his first time smoking marijuana.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
