Newsletter
Dems nominate cannabis reform supporters in 4 governors’ races (Newsletter: August 16, 2018)
Marijuana playing a role in key Senate races; Judge dismisses medical cannabis workplace suit; SXSW has tons of proposed marijuana panels
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Democrats in Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont and Wisconsin nominated gubernatorial candidates who support broad marijuana reforms on Tuesday.
Two of the most crucial U.S. Senate races this year are in Missouri and North Dakota. Marijuana Moment took a look at how the cannabis measures also on the ballots in those states could affect turnout and outcomes.
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by a New Jersey medical cannabis patient who argued that his employer’s workplace drug testing program violated anti-discrimination laws.
People interested in attending South By Southwest 2019 can vote on more than five dozen separate proposed marijuana-focused panels. Everything from science to cannabis beauty products to race issues to tech to social use is covered.
Congresswoman Jacky Rosen (D-NV) took note of Marijuana Moment’s recent coverage of how cannabis is playing a role in her challenge to U.S. Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV).
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to consider a case challenging the life sentence of a man caught up under “three strikes” for marijuana charges.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), in a letter to the president of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, decried “outdated drug laws” and “racial injustice throughout our criminal justice system,” and touted her work to reform federal marijuana laws.
The U.S. House bill to require federal agencies to study the impact of state marijuana legalization got two new cosponsors, for a total of 27.
Missouri Republican U.S. Senate candidate Josh Hawley, currently state attorney general, said he is “inclined to support” at least one medical cannabis ballot measure.
Maine Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Brakey tweeted, “I look forward to serving in the US Senate alongside @HawleyMO to enact President @RealDonaldTrump’s compassionate agenda for #MedicalCannabis reform.”
New Hampshire Democratic congressional candidate Maura Sullivan touted her support for marijuana legalization.
/ STATES
A Mormon filed a lawsuit seeking to remove Utah’s medical cannabis measure from the ballot, claiming that it violates his religion and that people have a “right not to consort with, be around, or do business with people engaging in activities which their religion finds repugnant.”
California regulators reported that marijuana tax revenue exceeded $74 million in the second quarter of 2018, but the numbers are still below initial projections.
Alaska regulators voted to take public comments on draft rules allowing onsite marijuana consumption at retailers. Separately, they penalized Alaska Hempfest for public cannabis consumption that occurred at a June event.
Some Massachusetts police chiefs are arguing that marijuana legalization boosts the illegal market.
The Oklahoma legislature’s medical marijuana working group heard concerns from law enforcement at a meeting.
Utah lawmakers met in an interim committee to discuss medical cannabis issues.
/ LOCAL
Activists in Nelsonville, Ohio are submitting new petitions for a proposed marijuana depenalization ballot measure after errors were identified with their first attempt.
A Troy, Michigan petition to overturn the city’s ban on commercial medical cannabis cultivation appears to contain forged signatures of marijuana opponentst.
Scrutiny is being applied to marijuana industry campaign donations made to Holyoke, Massachusetts City Council members.
An independent Louisville, Kentucky mayoral candidate is running on a medical cannabis-focused platform.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A Mexican senator is proposing a marijuana decriminalization bill.
The Canadian government moved to allow hemp farmers to harvest cannabis flowers and store them to be sold after marijuana legalization goes into effect in October.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
Only 16% of adults who don’t consume marijuana said they would call the police to report someone for vaping cannabis in public
/ BUSINESS
Tilray, Inc. says it has attracted several blue-chip investors for its IPO.
MassRoots said it believes someone impersonated a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission official on its shareholder call this week. (Disclosure: Marijuana Moment’s publisher is a former employee and minority shareholder in the company.)
A Bloomberg analysis suggests that pharmaceutical, tobacco and packaged-goods companies are likely to soon enter the marijuana industry.
Colorado medical cannabis sales are significantly declining as more of the market goes recreational.
Marijuana packaging is reportedly becoming a pollution issue in Washington State.
The Boston Globe is hiring a marijuana reporter and digital producer for its forthcoming cannabis section.
The Financial Post newspaper hired a cannabis reporter.
/ CULTURE
The New York Times takes a look at Higher Standards, a swanky marijuana accessories shop in Manhattan.
Snopes debunked a satire site’s claim that the children’s show VeggieTales introduced a new cannabis-focused character.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
