Newsletter
DEA wants more cannabis grown this year as well (Newsletter: August 23, 2018)
NJ & WI polls show strong legalization support; Fed judge dismisses suit against cultivator; CA lawmakers approve expungement bill
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Just days after proposing a huge increase in the amount of marijuana that can be legally grown in the U.S. for research in 2019, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is moving to more than double the existing cannabis quota for 2018.
A poll found that 62% of New Jersey voters support legalizing marijuana, with majorities also backing the idea of erasing past cannabis convictions and allowing retail sales in their communities.
A poll found that Wisconsin voters support legalizing marijuana, 63% – 36%.
/ FEDERAL
A federal judge dismissed a racketeering case against a marijuana cultivation facility from neighbors who claimed its smell diminished their real estate values.
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy said in response to a Freedom of Information Act request that it has no records of communications with the opioid industry following the administration’s declaration of the opioid crisis as a national public health emergency.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said the Senate won’t take up criminal justice reform legislation before the midterm elections.
U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Doug Jones (D-AL) and Todd Young (R-IN) filed legislation to require the Surgeon General to report on the health effects of new psychoactive substances and synthetic drugs on young people.
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) tweeted, “Legitimate businesses acting in compliance with state cannabis laws should have access to the American banking system—it’s good for public safety and local economies. This story [about a political candidate losing her banking account due to marijuana industry donations] is absurd & yet another reason why Congress should pass the SAFE Banking Act.”
Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “Nobody should be ineligible for student loans, an apartment, or a job because they were caught using marijuana. The #MarijuanaJusticeAct will end this injustice by expunging minor convictions and reinvesting in the communities of color impacted by decades of racist drug policies.”
/ STATES
California lawmakers sent Gov. Jerry Brown (D) a bill that would require prosecutors to erase or reduce tens of thousands of criminal records for marijuana.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) said she doesn’t regret not calling a special session to deal with medical cannabis implementation. Separately, the legislature’s medical marijuana working group heard testimony on whether regulations should be stricter.
Massachusetts regulators released guidance to municipalities on how to ensure participation in the marijuana industry by communities impacted by the drug war.
Emails show that the Mormon Church approached Utah medical cannabis activists about a compromise deal to keep their measure off the ballot and enacted a more limited reform through the legislature.
Washington State regulators proposed rules to implement marijuana-related legislative changes made by lawmakers.
Here’s a look at the deliberations of Vermont’s marijuana legalization study committee.
Guam attorney general candidates debated marijuana law reform.
/ LOCAL
The Forest County, Wisconsin Board added a medical cannabis advisory question to the November ballot.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Canadian government plans to review Constellation Brands’s investment in Canopy Growth Corp.
/ ADVOCACY
The Maryland Democratic Party tweeted, “.@BenJealous has a bold plan to finally bring universal pre-k to Maryland by legalizing, taxing and regulating marijuana. Here’s Larry Hogan’s plan: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯”
The Oklahoma Democratic Party seemed to insinuate in a snide tweet that using medical cannabis makes people say dumb things.
Representatives of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will appear at an event opposing Utah’s medical cannabis ballot measure on Thursday.
The Teamsters did a podcast about organizing the marijuana industry.
Prohibitionist Kevin Sabet of Smart Approaches to Marijuana published an op-ed about impaired driving.
The Electronic Transactions Association sees marijuana legalization as a potential boon for its members.
Here’s a look at marijuana legalization opponents’ strategy of using racketeering laws to sue cannabis businesses.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “adjunctive CBD resulted in a greater reduction in seizure frequency and a higher rate of [adverse effects] than placebo.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Baltimore Sun editorial board said that Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous’s plan to pay for universal pre-K with marijuana tax revenue is somewhat misleading but cheered the fact that he is proposing the issue in the first place.
/ BUSINESS
Wells Fargo issued a press release saying it won’t provide services to “marijuana businesses or for related activities.”
MedMen got exclusive rights to use the name Woodstock for cannabis products.
Bloomberg suggests that Canopy Growth Corp. could be a “Google-like company” that dominates the whole marijuana industry.
A subsidiary of Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. is creating a research facility to study marijuana growing methods.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate is harvesting its first legal hemp crop in centuries.
Workplace accidents at marijuana businesses were a topic of discussion at the American Chemical Society conference.
AAA tweeted, “Marijuana doesn’t belong behind the wheel. If you feel different, you drive different. Drive high, get a #DUI.”
The Wall Street Journal looks at the evolution of California’s marijuana supply chain under legalization.
/ CULTURE
A number of NBA players are using marijuana in place of prescription medications.
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