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Congressional cannabis pushback builds against Sessions (Newsletter: Jan. 15, 2018)

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New bill handcuffs DOJ enforcement; Lawmakers push for state protections; Incoming NJ gov talks legalization

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

A new congressional bill would effectively block the Justice Department and other federal agencies from punishing people for violating state marijuana laws, on a permanent basis, without actually changing cannabis’s status under the Controlled Substances Act.

A bipartisan group of 69 U.S. House lawmakers sent a letter to congressional leadership requesting that they include protections for state recreational marijuana legalization laws in funding legislation.

/ FEDERAL

Oregon’s U.S. attorney says he has “significant concerns” with the state’s marijuana law and is hosting a summit with stakeholders to inform his enforcement strategy.

Colorado’s U.S. attorney spoke about marijuana enforcement on a conference call with members of the state’s congressional delegation.

A group of 28 U.S. senators and House members signed an amicus brief urging a federal court to reject the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s argument that CBD is a Schedule I drug.

A 24-year-old former Trump campaign aide with inconsistencies in his resume somehow ascended to one of the top leadership positions at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said he agrees with U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’s marijuana memo.

Congressman Doug Lamborn (R-CO) said he is “encouraged” by the Trump administration’s anti-marijuana move.

The former U.S. attorney for Kansas published an op-ed saying the state should consider legalizing marijuana.

Candidates in a Massachusetts congressional race are divided on legalizing marijuana.

West Virginia Democratic congressional candidate Kendra Fershee supports legalizing marijuana.

The U.S. House bill to deschedule marijuana got two new cosponsors, bringing the total to 24.

The U.S. House bill to exempt state-legal marijuana activity from the Controlled Substances Act got two new cosponsors, bringing the total to 39.

/ STATES

New Jersey Gov.-elect Phil Murphy (D) says he wants marijuana legalization to happen “sooner than later” but doesn’t “want to marry myself to a particular day.” In a related development, an assemblymember will soon introduce a bill that allows homegrow, unlike existing legislation that has been a focus of debate. Separately, an assemblymember filed a resolution calling on Congress to pass medical cannabis legislation.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R-NV) wants to meet with the state’s U.S. attorney to discuss marijuana enforcement.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) launched an online petition in support of medical cannabis. Separately, regulators are making the state’s medical marijuana registry inaccessible on police computers to reduce the chances that patients will be flagged during federal gun-purchase background checks.

Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzker held a press conference to push for marijuana legalization. Separately, the state attorney general’s office agreed in federal court to let an 11-year-old girl use medical cannabis at school.

New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Joel Giamabra says he’d legalize marijuana and dedicate the tax revenue to fixing the subway.

Colorado’s attorney general says she thinks marijuana legalization would pass by an even higher margin today than it did in 2012, adding that it is “too late” for the federal government to shut down the legal industry.

Maine’s top health official says the state’s medical cannabis program needs significant reforms.

The West Virginia Supreme Court is asking for public input on a proposed rule change that would allow lawyers to advise medical cannabis businesses.

California’s Senate president is urging Congress to reform federal marijuana laws. Separately, the secretary of state’s office began accepting trademark applications for cannabis products.

An Alabama representative is filing legislation to decriminalize marijuana.

A Nevada state senator is calling on U.S. Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) to do more to push back against federal anti-marijuana moves.

/ LOCAL

The Savannah, Georgia City Council will discuss a proposed marijuana decriminalization ordinance on Thursday.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Canada’s government is considering a program of pardons for people with past marijuana convictions.

Israel’s public security minister said a retroactive marijuana decriminalization bill would soon be approved by the Knesset.

Greek lawmakers are expected to approve medical cannabis in the coming weeks.

Malta’s Parliament will take up legislation to allow medical cannabis products soon.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “half of adults in Oregon considered alcohol to be more harmful than marijuana” and “few considered marijuana to be more harmful than alcohol.”

/ OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll found that Georgia voters support legalizing marijuana, 50%-46%. And 77% support expanding the state’s current limited medical cannabis law to allow in-state cultivation.

/ BUSINESS

UPS is being sued in federal court by a former Arizona employee who was first over his state-legal medical cannabis use.

Canadian marijuana companies are on a hiring spree ahead of legalization.

Marijuana Business Daily editor Chris Walsh appeared on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal.

/ CULTURE     

Netflix released a video of several former football players pressuring the NFL to improve its marijuana policies.

San Francisco 49ers player Reuben Foster was arrested for marijuana possession.

Denver Broncos player Carlos Henderson was arrested on marijuana charges.

Actor Richard Belzer tweeted a picture of himself smoking a joint.

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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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