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Biden begins to shift longtime cannabis opposition (Newsletter: May 17, 2019)

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Oakland City Council psychedelics decrim hearing; Dems’ DOJ bill has medical marijuana rider; Decrim states see less severe domestic violence injuries

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Former Vice President Joe Biden (D), a presidential candidate, now supports decriminalizing marijuana, moving it to Schedule II and letting states set their own laws—but he is not endorsing cannabis legalization like most other 2020 contenders have.

The Oakland, California City Council has scheduled a hearing on a measure supporting the decriminalization of psychedelic drugs like mescaline cacti, ayahuasca and ibogaine—going much further than the psilocybin-focused initiative that Denver voters approved last week.

A 2020 Department of Justice spending bill released by a House subcommittee includes state medical cannabis protections but not a broader rider shielding adult-use marijuana laws from federal interference.

Sens.  Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), both presidential candidates, joined with other senators to file a bill to repeal the law that strips federal financial aid from college students with drug convictions.

A study found that states see significant reductions in the severity of injuries stemming from domestic violence after the enactment of marijuana decriminalization, although there is not a drop in overall domestic violence incidents.

/ FEDERAL

Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA); former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) and former San Antonio, Texas Mayor Julián Castro (D), all presidential candidates, contributed essays to a publication on ending mass incarceration—several of which mention marijuana law reform.

Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang tweeted, “Instead of pardoning billionaires I’d pardon non-violent marijuana and opiate offenders.”

Former Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) spoke about his opposition to legalizing marijuana.

The House bill to respect state marijuana laws got four new cosponsors, for a total of 47.

The House bill to seal past marijuana records got two new cosponsors, for a total of three.

/ STATES

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) said he supports legalizing hemp. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives rejected a bill to impose a tax on hemp and CBD products. And the House Judiciary Committee reported a marijuana legalization bill without action, recommending that it be sent to a different committee.

New York’s Assembly majority leader said she thinks it’s “very likely” lawmakers will approve marijuana legalization by the end of the session.

Massachusetts regulators voted to approve a social marijuana consumption pilot program.

The California Senate Appropriations Committee approved a hemp bill. Meanwhile, the Assembly Appropriations Committee rejected legislation to temporarily lower marijuana taxes.

New Jersey Assembly committees will hear medical cannabis expansion and marijuana expungement bills on Monday.

Delaware lawmakers filed a marijuana legalization bill.

A Nebraska senator, reacting to his colleagues’ failure to vote on a medical cannabis bill, tweeted, “The Legislature has had their chance, it’s time to go to the ballot!”


Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 cannabis bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.

/ LOCAL

Denver, Colorado officials certified the results of last week’s election in which a measure to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms was approved.

The Bexar County, California district attorney said his office will reject low-level marijuana and drug cases.

A Jacksonville, Florida City Council member hosted a meeting to tout a proposed marijuana decriminalization ordinance.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Israel’s health ministry is removing marijuana from the country’s list of dangerous drugs, which will allow its sales in pharmacies.

Brazil’s Senate approved legislation to increase penalties for selling drugs and force consumers to enter treatment.

Mexico’s interior secretary said the country “has marijuana of the highest quality” and “our ancestors used it in their rituals.”

/ ADVOCACY

The Cannabis Trade Federation launched a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force that includes, among others, NAACP’s president and CEO, National Urban League’s CEO,  former Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) and a former director of the ACLU’s Washington, D.C. office.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found a “negative, yet insignificant relationship between” marijuana legalization and alcohol consumption.

A review concluded that “oromucosal nabiximols and THC have no effect on pain, sleep problems and opioid consumption in patients with cancer pain with insufficient pain relief from opioids.”

/ OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Tulsa World editorial board is calling on Congress to pass marijuana banking legislation.

Author Michael Pollan said that he basically approves of Denver’s psilocybin decriminalization measure despite a general concern he has about using ballot initiatives to advance the issue.

/ CULTURE

Comedian Seth Meyers joked about CBD.

The latest episode of American Dad featured a Wonka-style marijuana factory, with Snoop Dogg voicing a character name Tommie Tokes.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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