Newsletter
Congressional panel voting on cannabis bill this week (Newsletter: Sep. 11, 2018)
Fed judge rules for medical marijuana patient; Veterans’ cannabis rider stripped from bill; Consumers prefer legal product even if more expensive
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The U.S. House Judiciary Committee is expected to vote Thursday on legislation requiring the federal government to license additional growers of marijuana to be used in scientific research. Drug policy reform advocates are concerned with a provision that would bar people with prior drug convictions from participating. But Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL), the legislation’s author, said in an interview that the restrictions were a necessary compromise to win broader GOP support.
A congressional conference committee opted not to include a Senate-passed provision increasing military veterans’ access to medical cannabis in a bill to fund the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Here’s a look at where Congressman Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who are facing off in one of the country’s most-watched Senate races this year, stand on marijuana.
Another study found that marijuana consumers prefer legal and regulated products, even if they are more expensive than illicit market cannabis, but only up to a point.
A federal judge ruled in favor of a Connecticut woman who sued her would-be employer after a job offer was rescinded due to her state-legal medical cannabis use.
/ FEDERAL
U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) brushed off a question about whether she supports legalizing marijuana.
Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL) spoke on a conference call with Florida Democratic agriculture commissioner candidate Nikki Fried about her loss of bank accounts due to cannabis industry donations.
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) is promoting an event to help people clear their records of marijuana convictions and warrants.
Congressman Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) said that legalizing marijuana would be “a terrible mistake” and “just insane.”
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) tweeted, “Federal policies should be based on facts, not misplaced stigmas and myths. The bipartisan bill I introduced with @RepCurbelo, the Marijuana Data Collection Act, aims to do just that. Support #HR6495.”
Congressman Doug Lamborn (R-CO) tweeted, “This is what marijuana legalization has meant for Colorado: About 73% of some 4000 drivers charged with a DUI tested positive for the drug. That poses a significant danger to our society. Marijuana has not done good things for our communities.”
Here’s a look at where New Mexico U.S. Senate candidates stand on marijuana.
Minnesota U.S. Senate and House candidates were asked their position on marijuana legalization.
Georgia Democratic congressional candidate Josh McCall is hosting an event about marijuana laws reform.
/ STATES
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) tweeted, “Prescribing medical marijuana – instead of opioids – for chronic pain is an Illinois first. Others now seem ready to adopt the tactic to reduce opioid prescriptions and deaths.”
Maine gubernatorial candidates debated marijuana policy at a forum.
New Mexico Democratic gubernatorial candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham has received more than $20,000 in campaign contributions from the marijuana industry.
A Utah representative opened a bill file to serve as a method for lawmakers to address medical cannabis next session.
Michigan regulators are moving to allow certain medical cannabis businesses to continue operating without a license after a September 15 deadline.
Vermont’s marijuana legalization study committee held a meeting.
California regulators reported that nearly 20 percent of marijuana products in the state have failed tests for potency and purity.
Florida regulators reluctantly plan to release data on which conditions people are using medical cannabis for.
Alaska regulators are proposing rules on marijuana business ownership changes and handler permits.
The New Republic looks at the growing number of states considering or enacting drug-induced homicide laws that allow prosecutors to levy murder charges against people who provide drugs involved in overdose deaths.
/ LOCAL
Miami, Florida’s chief of police said he will institute a new policy removing officer discretion to arrest people for their first two marijuana possession offenses.
A Billings, Montana medical cannabis dispensary dropped its lawsuit against the city.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Trinidad and Tobago’s prime minister said lawmakers should study decriminalizing marijuana.
/ ADVOCACY
The Democratic Party of New Mexico tweeted, “Hemp production will soon be a multibillion dollar industry — our farmers shouldn’t miss out just because Governor Martinez doesn’t understand the difference between it and marijuana.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reissued a funding opportunity for research to “elucidate the therapeutic potential of the cannabinoids and endocannabinoid system in the development of mechanism-based therapies for pain.”
Researchers will soon begin recruiting participants for study on cannabis oil’s impact on appetite in patients with end stage kidney disease.
/ BUSINESS
CWNevada is facing six separate lawsuits alleging fraud, failure to pay lenders on time and misappropriation of intellectual property.
Singer Jimmy Buffett is launching his own line of marijuana products.
/ CULTURE
Athletics Canada sent a notice reminding athletes that they are still prohibited from using marijuana even when legalization goes into effect.
Singer and actress Olivia Newton-John said she is using homegrown medical cannabis to treat the symptoms of cancer.
Rapper Young Thug is facing charges for possession of marijuana, meth, hydrocodone and other drugs, with intent to distribute, along with possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
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Photo courtesy of Brian Shamblen.
