Newsletter
Congressional bill allows interstate cannabis exports and imports (Newsletter: June 28, 2019)
Senate proposal to end immigrant deportation for marijuana; Congressman asks Trump to commute drug war sentences; Legalization activists get creative
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) filed legislation in Congress to allow for interstate marijuana commerce, days after their home state governor in Oregon signed a bill on cannabis imports and exports that is contingent on federal reform.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), a presidential candidate, filed a bill that would end the practice of deporting and denying citizenship to immigrants for marijuana.
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) sent a letter asking President Trump to commute the sentences of 16,000 drug war prisoners.
- “The thousands serving time for non-violent drug offenses don’t have Kim Kardashian to plead their cases… Justice delayed is justice denied.”
Legalization activists around the world are creatively protesting harsh prohibitionist drug policies. One group, for example, pretended to snort massive lines of cocaine while donning masks of UK politicians who support criminalization despite their own past use.
/ FEDERAL
Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D), a presidential candidate, touted his state’s legalization of marijuana during his closing statement in the Democratic debate—even though he campaigned against it. He also spoke about his views on cannabis during a Reddit Ask Me Anything session. And he said in a separate interview that using marijuana as a young man “made me feel better and made me less anxious.”
The Supreme Court rejected a request to take up a case challenging the Internal Revenue Service’s enforcement of the 280E tax penalty against a marijuana business.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued an update on Farm Bill implementation, including its hemp provisions.
The U.S. attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia tweeted about a study of mice that found CBD is associated with liver damage, noting, “CBD is all the rage… I welcome all information as the critical health facts are determined about this new trendy product.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said in a floor speech that “with billions of dollars in new investments, a rising economic tide for working families, and promising, new opportunities like industrial hemp, it is no surprise that an economic researcher recently called this moment ‘Kentucky’s Best Economy Ever.'”
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) cited the changing politics of marijuana as an example of a cultural shift that is underway in America.
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) tweeted, “I don’t smoke dope. But I do think it’s a waste of resources to criminalize cannabis. I was one of the authors of the ballot argument in support of legalizing marijuana in California.”
The House bill to force the Department of Justice to license additional cultivators of marijuana for research got one new cosponsor, for a total of 12.
/ STATES
Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed a bill creating a framework for legal marijuana sales.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) tweeted that regulators have made hemp license applications available.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) tweeted a video of a man talking about his cannabis arrest, adding, “Individuals and families have suffered and continue to suffer because of the criminalization of marijuana. Legalizing recreational marijuana is about helping individuals like Cameron get a #FairShot.”
California lawmakers sent Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) legislation to extend provisional marijuana business licenses until 2022.
The Florida Supreme Court is being asked to reverse a lower court’s ruling denying a patient the ability to grow his own medical cannabis. Separately, regulators are facing a federal lawsuit from a company alleging that the state violated its civil rights by denying it a medical marijuana cultivation license.
New Jersey senators held a press conference to push for marijuana decriminalization and record expungement.
Arizona’s health services director reacted to an auditor’s report finding that regulators misallocated medical cannabis program funds by placing the blame on poor recordkeeping.
Massachusetts regulators denied a company’s application for a marijuana license despite its staff’s recommendation.
Missouri regulators announced they’ve generated almost $3.9 million in pre-filed fees from 543 companies planning to apply for medical cannabis business licenses. Applications will be formally accepted beginning on Friday.
Michigan regulators published a marijuana licensing report.
Idaho prosecutors are asking for a delay in sentencing in a case of two men who pleaded guilty to felony drug trafficking charges after they were arrested for transporting hemp through the state.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
The leader of Canada’s Conservative Party said he would not seek to overturn marijuana legalization and would also move ahead with pardons for people convicted of cannabis offenses.
The UK House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee will publish a report on medical cannabis on Wednesday.
/ ADVOCACY
The Minority Cannabis Business Association issued a report finding that Los Angeles, California’s cannabis social equity program is falling short of its goals.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “hemp essential oil can inhibit or reduce bacterial proliferation and it can be a valid support to reduce microorganism contamination, especially in the food processing field.”
A study found that “shorter distance to the closest cannabis retail outlet was associated with an increased number of missed methadone doses during the first and second 90 days of treatment.”
A study examining the “safety and efficacy of a second-generation cannabinoid-based drug to improve quality of life in 334 advanced cancer patients with uncontrolled symptoms” will soon be recruiting participants.
/ BUSINESS
Abercrombie & Fitch will begin selling Green Growth Brands’s CBD products.
Better Choice Company and Authentic Brands Group are partnering to launch a line of CBD pet products under the Elvis Presley Hound Dog brand.
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