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DEA wants help telling hemp and marijuana apart (Newsletter: March 7, 2019)

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Sen. McCain could’ve lived longer with medical cannabis, daughter says; FDA flooded with marijuana comments; KY medical cannabis bill advances

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

In a new official filing, the Drug Enforcement Administration is seeking help telling the difference between federally legal hemp and still-prohibited marijuana. It’s asking for submissions by March 15.

The Food and Drug Administration is being flooded with comments urging that marijuana be reclassified. Since asking for input about an upcoming vote on international cannabis rescheduling on Friday, more than 1,000 submissions have already been received.

The Kentucky House Judiciary Committee voted to approve a medical cannabis bill.

A Quinnipiac University poll of U.S. voters found that 60% support legalizing marijuana, 63% back expunging records and 93% are in favor of medical cannabis. Among those aged 18-34, a whopping 85% support ending marijuana prohibition.

The Maryland House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on two marijuana legalization bills.

Meghan McCain said that medical cannabis could have potentially extended the life of her dad, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who died last year from an aggressive form of brain cancer.

  • “Going through what I went through last year, I am so angry that there is such a stigma attached to cannabis.”

/ FEDERAL

Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D), a presidential candidate, said he thinks marijuana should be rescheduled and that states should be able to set their own laws, adding that the fears he had prior to his state ending prohibition have “not come to pass.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) met with students and faculty from a Kentucky university that established a Center for Agricultural Hemp.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “The ‘war on drugs’ was actually a war on people and we can see the results in communities across this country who’ve been struggling for decades. Legalizing marijuana will generate billions in profits that must be invested in these communities to bring restorative justice.”

Reps. Greg Pence (R-IN) and Jim Baird (R-IN) sent largely dismissive responses to constituent letters about marijuana reform.

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) congratulated Rep. Don Young (R-AK) for becoming the longest-serving Republican member of Congress, noting that the two cosponsored medical cannabis legislation together.

The House version of the Marijuana Justice Act got four new cosponsors, for a total of 34.

The House bill to bar federal agencies from spending money to interfere with state marijuana laws got one new cosponsor, for a total of seven.

/ STATES

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said, “Marijuana, if they don’t do that in the budget, that’s going to be a problem because marijuana also generated revenue.” The state budget director said that if lawmakers don’t include legal cannabis in the budget, they might need to consider a pied-a-terre tax.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) discussed marijuana legalization during a telephone town hall.

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) is joining with prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana to try to defeat cannabis reform in the state.

The South Dakota Senate revived, amended and approved a hemp legalization bill.

An Iowa House subcommittee approved a bill to remove the THC cap for medical cannabis products.

Florida lawmakers reached an agreement for legislation to let patients smoke medical cannabis, with a Senate floor vote expected as soon as Thursday. Meanwhile, the Senate Innovation, Industry and Technology Committee approved a hemp bill.

The Missouri House Agricultural Policy Committee held a hearing on hemp implementation.

Connecticut elections officials said that a state contractor ban on political donations applies to marijuana cultivation businesses but not dispensaries.

Alaska’s Department of Law signed off on regulations allowing on-site consumption at marijuana retail stores.

South Carolina regulators said they will begin cracking down on CBD-infused foods. Separately, someone is circulating an attack mailer against a senator for sponsoring a medical cannabis bill.

Arkansas regulators approved draft rules on medical cannabis transportation.

Michigan regulators are recommending that medical cannabis dispensaries continue to be allowed to source product from caregivers to avoid a shortage.

Pennsylvania regulators are blocking medical cannabis companies from participating in an upcoming 4/20 event.

Colorado officials are launching a second phase of a campaign aimed at discouraging marijuana-impaired driving.

California regulators awarded a contract to create a public awareness campaign on marijuana business licensing.


Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 800 cannabis bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

We followed more than 900 pieces of cannabis legislation in 2018. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.

/ LOCAL

A Los Angeles, California City Council committee advanced legislation to shut off power and water for unlicensed marijuana businesses. Meanwhile, the city is being criticized for moving too quickly to grant a new round of cannabis business licenses without first implementing an equity program.

A former Jackson County, Oregon commissioner agreed to pay $2,500 to settle allegations he used his office for financial gain related to a marijuana business.

The Fayette County, Iowa sheriff’s office ordered local businesses to stop selling CBD products.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Canada’s border security and organized crime reduction minister said the government is pleased with the “orderly” implementation of marijuana legalization.

/ ADVOCACY

The New York State Catholic Conference is opposed to legalizing marijuana.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that mental health “of psychedelics users was not significantly different from the no-drug-use group, whereas poorer [mental health] was found in the other [substance use] groups.”

/ OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll found that New York adults support legalizing marijuana, 57%-38%.

A poll of Texas voters found that when given options, 22% support legalizing marijuana for any amount or use, 32% back legalization of small amounts for any use, 26% support medical cannabis only and 20% want it to remain illegal altogether.

/ BUSINESS

Nielsen and Headset are partnering on marijuana industry market research.

CBD extraction company Mile High Labs is suing Canadian American Standard Hemp and Turning Point Brands for alleged copyright infringement.

/ CULTURE

The National Football League is reportedly prepared to make major concessions by relaxing its anti-marijuana policy in an upcoming agreement with the NFL Players Association.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

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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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