Newsletter
China will import more U.S. hemp under Trump trade deal (Newsletter: January 17, 2020)
RI gov wants state-run marijuana stores; Congressman backs psilocybin ballot measure; NFL panel says CBD is “hype”; NM legal cannabis bill filed
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) submitted a 2021 budget proposal to lawmakers that includes a plan to legalize marijuana and sell it through state-run stores.
China has agreed to import more hemp from the U.S. over the next two years under the trade deal President Trump this week. Historically, the U.S. has purchased a lot of the nonintoxicating cannabis crop from China.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), who has been a leading cannabis reform champion on Capitol Hill, told Marijuana Moment in an interview that he supports a 2020 ballot measure to legalize psychedelic mushrooms for therapeutic use in his home state of Oregon.
One day after New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) put marijuana legalization on the legislature’s 2020 agenda, lawmakers filed a new bill to make it happen. With a short 30-day session starting next week, votes will likely happen soon.
An expert committee created by the National Football League and NFL Players Association published a report saying that CBD is mostly “hype” instead of a proven treatment for the pain experienced by football players, and also taking the stance that medical cannabis itself is “a substance to approach with extreme caution.”
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture filed a Federal Register notice about a new data collection system it is creating to keep track of hemp production license applications.
The Government Accountability Office found that the quality of information in Treasury Department reporting about individuals and entities sanctioned for involvement in narcotics trafficking could be improved.
The Drug Enforcement Administration published a guide aimed at helping to reduce drug misuse by college students.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation tweeted, “Raise a glass—today is the 100th anniversary of Prohibition, which led to the #FBI’s pursuit of the American gangster. During the Roaring Twenties, mobsters spent their profits from bootlegging & speakeasies on ‘Tommy’ guns & bribes.”
Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) tweeted, “At a House Subcommittee on Health hearing, I voiced support for medical cannabis research and highlighted the obstacles that current federal regulations pose to universities and research institutions hoping to study the health benefits of cannabis.”
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) tweeted, “We must decriminalize cannabis & expunge the records of those unfairly harmed by outdated and racist cannabis policies. We must also ensure adequate scientific research around the potential effects and benefits of cannabis use.”
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “As the first woman and African American co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, I’m fighting with everything I’ve got to update our nation’s outdated and discriminatory marijuana laws.”
Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) tweeted, “Nearly 75% of all people arrested for cannabis related offenses are under the age of 30. 1/4 of those are 18 or younger. That’s almost a quarter of a million teenagers arrested for these types of offenses each year.”
Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (R-AZ) is seeking treatment for alcohol dependence.
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair the harms of the drug war got one new cosponsor for a total of 68.
The House bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to study medical cannabis got one new cosponsor for a total of 102.
The House bill to legalize medical cannabis for military veterans got one new cosponsor for a total of five.
The House bill to remove barriers to marijuana research got one new cosponsor for a total of 17.
California Democratic congressional candidate Emanuel Gonzales tweeted, “Legalize marijuana across the USA, expunge previous offenses, use tax revenue to fund infrastructure projects and apprentice programs, put marijuana dispensaries in @DeptVetAffairs hospitals and clinics.”
New Jersey Democratic congressional candidate Hector Oseguera tweeted, “Many lives have been ruined by the failed #WarOnDrugs & I sincerely look forward to destroying that unjust & racist policy.”
/ STATES
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) tweeted a video about a man who benefits from medical cannabis, saying, “We’ve made incredible strides expanding access to medical marijuana to help patients like Darren live fuller, healthier lives. We will continue to expand access to medicine and compassionate care.”
Utah’s Senate majority leader is supporting forthcoming legislation to remove special medical cannabis packaging requirements and allow patients to have prior marijuana convictions expunged.
An Ohio legislative committee approved hemp rules. Meanwhile, the state’s medical cannabis program has 78,000 registered patients one year into legal sales.
New Mexico regulators held a public hearing on proposed medical cannabis rules changes.
California’s Osteopathic Medical Board discussed guidelines for recommending medical cannabis.
Illinois regulators approved another group of medical cannabis dispensaries to sell recreational marijuana.
Nevada regulators released an annual tax report that includes information on marijuana revenue.
Pennsylvania regulators are conducting a survey of medical cannabis patients and caregivers.
Oklahoma lawmakers have filed several bills to enact medical cannabis restrictions.
The Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy will hold a hearing on January 28.
/ LOCAL
Kansas City, Missouri’s mayor spoke about his move to pardon thousands of misdemeanor marijuana convictions before the Missouri Black Legislative Caucus.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canada’s health minister said it is premature to consider decriminalizing drugs.
Malta’s parliamentary secretary predicted that marijuana will be legalized within two years.
The UK’s justice secretary said the government will not legalize marijuana anytime soon.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of cannabis laws in the Netherlands found that zero tolerance policies are “related to a reduction in jobs and a growth in crime related to hard drugs.”
A study suggested that “psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy holds promise in promoting long-term relief from cancer-related psychiatric distress.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The National Cannabis Industry Association, Cannabis Trade Federation and dozens of other industry groups sent a letter responding to Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo’s (R-ID) concerns about marijuana banking legislation.
A top staffer for prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana stepped down to work for the presidential campaign of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (D).
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is partnering with Fight for the Future on a campaign to ban facial recognition technologies from college campuses.
Several Mississippi doctors issued a response to the state Board of Health’s opposition to a medical cannabis ballot measure.
/ BUSINESS
As Eaze plans to soon announce a pivot to launching its own marijuana products, the company has reportedly undergone unannounced layoffs and scrambled to raise a round of funding to address low cash reserves.
High Times plans to open marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
Arcview Market Research and BDS Analytics published a report finding that global cannabis sales rose 48% to $15 billion in 2019.
Wikileaf Technologies Inc. has a new CEO.
/ CULTURE
Actor Brian Cox was dumped as a patron of an elderly care center over his admission that he enjoys consuming marijuana.
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Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.
