Newsletter
DEA’s cannabis eradication program criticized by gov’t watchdog (Newsletter: Nov. 15, 2018)
How much marijuana reform supporters & opponents spent per vote; Walking Dead actor raises money for cannabis kids; Al Sharpton has marijuana jokes
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A Marijuana Moment analysis of campaign finance data found that, on average, cannabis reform opponents had to spend more for “no” votes than supporters had to shell out to get “yes” voters to the polls in last week’s midterms.
As he weighs a potential 2020 presidential candidacy, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) continues to admit that marijuana legalization has worked out a lot better than he thought it would. It’s “a better system than what we had,” he said in an appearance on Wednesday.
Walking Dead actor Norman Reedus is helping to raise money for kids who use medical cannabis to treat cancer.
Rev. Al Sharpton had some cannabis quips in response to a conference audience’s reaction to a marijuana bill filed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
A report from the Government Accountability Office, a federal watchdog agency, scolded the Drug Enforcement Administration over procedural lapses in its marijuana eradication program.
/ FEDERAL
President Trump announced his support for pending congressional criminal justice reform legislation.
The Internal Revenue Service is contracting with a private company to handle “large cash payments for processing cannabis federal taxes.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) tweeted, “#MedicalCannabis has huge potential for veterans. It can reduce chronic pain, w/out the harmful side effects of opioids, & some early reports indicate that it may even have potential as a treatment for PTSD. Unfortunately, many veterans fear discussing medical cannabis w/ doctors.”
The Senate bill to increase marijuana businesses’ access to banks got one new cosponsor, for a total of 20.
/ STATES
A spokesperson for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said the governor plans to “introduce a formal comprehensive [marijuana legalization] proposal during the 2019 legislative session.” Separately, the state Department of Health issued a report with recommendations to improve the medical cannabis program.
New Jersey’s Assembly speaker and Senate president said they expect committee votes on legalizing marijuana by the end of this month. The Republican Assembly leader said legalization is “inevitable.”
It’s possible that Massachusetts recreational marijuana sales could begin on Sunday. The state’s top regulator said sales will likely start in “a week plus or minus maybe a couple of days longer than that.”
The Vermont marijuana legalization study committee’s taxation and regulation subcommittee plans to recommend a 26% or 27% tax rate on sales.
A top Utah regulator testified before lawmakers about the proposed compromise medical cannabis bill. Separately, House Democrats held a briefing on the issue.
Illinois Republican lawmakers are divided on marijuana legalization.
North Dakota regulators have received fewer than 100 medical cannabis patient applications in the first two weeks of accepting them.
New York magazine put together an oral history of how California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis. Separately, water regulators will hold a cannabis cultivation permitting and compliance workshop next week.
/ LOCAL
Manhattan’s district attorney congratulated a Missouri prosecutor for no longer pursuing most marijuana possession cases.
The Boston, Massachusetts City Council heard complaints about the Boston Freedom Rally at a meeting.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canadian police have not seen a spike in marijuana-impaired driving in the month since legalization went into effect. Separately, Ontario officials released regulations for private cannabis stores.
/ ADVOCACY
Marijuana policy reform advocates are targeting Arizona and Ohio, and potentially Florida and North Dakota, for 2020 legalization ballot measures. They are also looking at medical cannabis initiatives in Mississippi, Nebraska and South Dakota.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded, “Cannabinoid drugs may prevent the onset of pain by producing small increases in pain thresholds but may not reduce the intensity of experimental pain already being experienced; instead, cannabinoids may make experimental pain feel less unpleasant and more tolerable, suggesting an influence on affective processes.”
A study on marijuana and PTSD in veterans reached its recruitment goal.
A survey found that 65% of Minnesota oncology physicians, advanced practice nurses and physician assistants who care for adults and children with cancer support the use of medical cannabis.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Chicago Tribune editorial board wants Illinois lawmakers to take their time in considering marijuana legalization.
/ BUSINESS
California collected $93.1 million in marijuana taxes in 3rd quarter of the year, a figure that does not include revenue to local governments.
Nevada generated $8.1 million in recreational marijuana taxes in August, setting a new monthly record.
Eaze launched delivery of CBD products in 41 states.
Former chewing gum executive William Wrigley Jr. II, is taking over as CEO of Surterra.
Sterling Trustees LLC filed a federal lawsuit over investments it made in Puerto Rican medical cannabis companies.
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