Newsletter
Canadian lawmakers approve cannabis legalization (Newsletter: June 20, 2018)
FDIC chair talks cannabis banking; Bill OKs marijuana use in public housing; NY gov admits legalization is inevitable
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Canadian Senate gave final approval to the government’s marijuana legalization bill as amended. Legal cannabis sales are expected to begin in September.
A poll finds that 68% of U.S. voters — and 57% of Republicans — now support legalizing marijuana.
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) filed a bill to allow state-legal marijuana use in public housing.
/ FEDERAL
The chair of the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation said that she’s asked staff to think about how to address marijuana banking issues, but that the agency’s hands are “somewhat tied.”
Some details are emerging about Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) marijuana descheduling bill, which could be introduced as soon as this week.
U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) tweeted, “States across America are already working to stop our country from repeating the same mistakes of the past. We need to move a step further — it’s time to legalize marijuana at the federal level.”
The U.S. Senate bill to respect state marijuana laws got two new cosponsors, for a total of nine.
/ STATES
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said legalizing marijuana is “not or yes or no, it’s a how.” He added that legalization legislation will not move this year. Democratic primary challenger Cynthia Nixon is taking credit for the governor’s evolution on cannabis.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted 167-31 to again approve a medical cannabis research bill.
New Jersey lawmakers are not including revenue from legal recreational marijuana sales in budget legislation, in contrast to a proposal that Gov. Phil Murphy (D) put forth earlier this year.
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands House Judiciary & Government Operations Committee will reconsider a marijuana legalization bill on Thursday.
Massachusetts regulators are poised to grant the state’s first recreational marijuana business license on Thursday.
Colorado Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jared Polis, currently a congressman, tweeted, “Colorado has proven that allowing responsible adults to legally purchase #cannabis gives money to classrooms, not cartels; creates jobs, not addicts; and boosts our economy, not our prison population.” Meanwhile, regulators adopted emergency rules to implement new marijuana legislation recently signed into law.
The California Assembly Committee on Business and Professions approved a bill to allow dispensaries to provide free, untaxed marijuana to low- or no-income people.
A leading advocate for Oklahoma’s medical cannabis ballot measure was forcibly removed from an opposition event by police. Separately, here are two looks at where gubernatorial candidates stand on marijuana policy.
Arkansas regulators used differing sets of guidelines when scoring medical cannabis business license applications.
Vermont State Police held a press conference about enforcement changes resulting from marijuana legalization.
/ LOCAL
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) and NYPD officials announced that as of September 1, police will no longer arrest people for smoking marijuana publicly, with some exceptions. Brooklyn’s district attorney spoke in support and announced he will move to expunge past cannabis convictions. Manhattan’s district attorney is also on board, but Staten Island’s district attorney said the new enforcement policy will cause “confusion.” Legalization advocates say the exceptions laid out in the new policy will ensure continued racial disparities in arrests. Meanwhile, the city is convening a task force to “to determine the appropriate regulatory framework and identify the public safety, health and financial consequences should the State move forward with legalization.”
The Bethlehem, Pennsylvania City Council approved a marijuana decriminalization ordinance.
The Los Angeles County, California Board of Supervisors kept in place a ban on marijuana businesses in unincorporated areas.
The San Diego, California City Council voted to ban growing marijuana in urban gardens.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The UK home secretary announced an official review of the legal status of medical cannabis. And the government granted CBD access to a second epileptic child.
/ ADVOCACY
Here’s a look at the Marijuana Policy Project’s challenges as it deals with fundraising issues and searches for a new executive director.
Hemp industry advocates do not plan to appeal a federal court ruling in a case they lost concerning a Drug Enforcement Administration filing on CBD.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “young persons who use alcohol and/or marijuana experience heightened likelihood of condomless sex.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of UK residents found 82%-8% support for medical cannabis, and 41%-40% support for legalizing marijuana.
/ CULTURE
Musician Bryan Adams congratulated the Canadian government on legalizing marijuana.
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