Newsletter
DEA reschedules cannabis-derived medicine (Newsletter: Sep. 28, 2018)
Top Dem won’t commit to marijuana reform in 2019; NJ legalization vote expected Oct. 29; Study injected THC into people, with interesting results
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration placed CBD medication Epidiolex in Schedule V, the least restrictive category of the Controlled Substances Act. The move does not apply to CBD itself or other non-FDA-approved extracts containing it.
U.S. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said that ending marijuana criminalization “probably makes sense,” but won’t commit to advancing cannabis legislation if his party wins control of Congress in November.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’s executive in charge of the Veterans Health Administration mentioned studying the effects that a “non-psychotropic portion of marijuana” could have on chronic pain and PTSD.
Congressional leaders indicated that negotiations on the Farm Bill, the final version of which may contain hemp legalization language, is likely to continue into the lame duck session following the midterm elections.
Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) tweeted, in reference to his marijuana tax fairness amendment being blocked, “While we lost the battle, we will win the war.”
The U.S. House Marijuana Justice Act for one new cosponsor, for a total of 41.
Kansas Democratic congressional candidate James Thompson tweeted a video of himself endorsing marijuana legalization.
/ STATES
New Jersey’s Senate president said he anticipates a vote on marijuana legalization legislation on October 29.
California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed bills prohibiting marijuana-infused alcohol beverages, allowing regulators to issue provisional licenses to cannabis businesses and concerning medical cannabis recommendations by veterinarians.
Vermont’s Republican House minority leader and Progressive lieutenant governor agreed in a recent joint interview that marijuana sales should be legalized.
Indiana’s attorney general said that “medical marijuana is no different than recreational marijuana.”
Nebraska’s former attorney general, in congressional testimony about sports betting, discussed what he viewed as the harms of marijuana that led him to sue Colorado over its legalization law.
A Pennsylvania court ruled that regulators must provide the media with the names of people who reviewed medical cannabis business license applications. Separately, a senator filed a resolution calling on Congress to legalize hemp.
Tennessee regulators sent a health advisory about using cannabis products.
Arkansas regulators signed an agreement with a consulting firm to help score medical cannabis dispensary license applications.
/ LOCAL
The Portland, Oregon City Council voted to lower marijuana business fees and create a cannabis equity program.
Phoenix, Arizona’s mayor is proposing new taxes on medical cannabis businesses.
Seattle, Washington’s mayor tweeted, “Back in April, @CityAttyPeteH and I filed a motion to vacate misdemeanor marijuana charges in Seattle. For too many, a misdemeanor charge prevented access to good housing, jobs, and opportunity. We are finally providing these people with a clean slate.”
/ INTERNATIONAL
Jamaican officials announced the country made its first export shipment of medical cannabis oil to Canada.
Mexico’s former ambassador to the U.S. criticized the country for signing onto an anti-drug declaration circulated by the Trump administration.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte acknowledged for the first time extrajudicial deaths in his country’s bloody “drug war.”
/ ADVOCACY
Prohibitionist Kevin Sabet of Smart Approaches to Marijuana discussed his opposition to legalization in a CNBC interview.
Here’s a look at marijuana industry campaign contributions to New Jersey lawmakers.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study that injected people with THC found that people perceived themselves as equally high with low and high doses, but motor functions were more impaired in the latter scenario.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Michigan active and likely voters support the state’s marijuana legalization ballot measure, 56%-41%.
A poll showed that 67% of New Jersey residents believe that legalizing marijuana will free up local police to concentrate on violent crime, among other findings.
The Seattle Times editorial board endorsed the vacating of misdemeanor marijuana convictions.
The Houston Chronicle editorial board slammed U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) for criticizing Congressman Beto O’Rourke’s (D-TX) support for drug policy reform.
/ BUSINESS
In a lawsuit against Elon Musk, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission cited his reference to marijuana in tweeting that he was considering taking Tesla private at $420 a share.
GW Pharmaceuticals said it wants to get its THC-based drug Sativex approved next.
/ CULTURE
Actor John Cleese was accidentally shown talking about marijuana when a TV show he was appearing on unexpectedly came back from break early.
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