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New Elizabeth Warren proposal; Rosenstein talks federal cannabis enforcement; NJ gov-elect sits through anti-legalization sermon

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

In little-noticed remarks, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein discussed the recent federal marijuana enforcement policy change.

U.S. House members will file a companion bill to U.S. Sen. Cory Booker’s (D-NJ) Marijuana Justice Act this week.

/ FEDERAL

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said she’s working on new legislation to “roll back the changes that the attorney general has made so that the states can make their own determination about their marijuana laws and how they want to enforce them.”

Roll Call found a mix of reactions from U.S. senators and House members when asked about marijuana policy:

• U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH): “I support medicinal marijuana and have for some time.”

• U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA): “It’s all unclear to me, and it’d be helpful to have some clarity so we know exactly what the situation is.”

• Congressman Beto O’Rourke (D-TX): “If I don’t bring it up in a meeting, it is brought up by a constituent. I can be in a small town [or] big city, and it cuts across party lines.”

• U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ): “People are ahead of the party.”

Spokespeople for U.S. Sens. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) also weighed in.

U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) spoke about his plans to block Justice Department nominations over the federal anti-marijuana move.

Congresswoman Jacky Rosen (D-NV) says she plans to sponsor a bill to limit federal interference with state marijuana laws.

Congressman Tom Marino (R-PA) said he supports applying marijuana’s components medically through oils, pills or injections, but is skeptical of smoked medical cannabis.

The Congressional Research Service issued a brief about the federal marijuana enforcement change.

/ STATES

Pro-legalization New Jersey Gov.-elect Phil Murphy (D) was in attendance as Baptist Bishop Jethro James delivered a sermon against marijuana reform during a service.

New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Joel Giambra held a press conference to discuss a proposal to legalize marijuana and use the tax revenue to fund infrastructure.

A compromise measure to increase racial diversity in Maryland’s medical cannabis industry appeared to hit a snag at a hearing.

Colorado senators are pushing legislation to require a more robust marijuana tracking system.

North Dakota cities and counties are preparing for medical cannabis.

South Carolina farmers are participating in industrial hemp research.

/ LOCAL

Los Angeles, California regulators began issuing recreational marijuana business licenses.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The Philippine solicitor general’s office has declined to comply with a Supreme Court directive to submit documents related to the drug war. Separately, the government shut down a media outlet that has extensively covered the nation’s drug policies.

Portugal’s health minister supports non-smoked medical cannabis.

/ ADVOCACY

A new group called Green Wave Democrats is raising money for congressional candidates who support marijuana law reform.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study of second-hand exposure of hospital staff administering vaporized cannabis to patients “revealed exposure below the limit of detection for [THC] and two metabolites.”

/ OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Toronto Star editorial board is calling on Canada’s government to immediately decriminalize marijuana and offer amnesty to those with past possession convictions.

/ BUSINESS

Aphria acquired cannabis grower Broken Coast for $230 million.

MassRoots lost its headquarters in an eviction proceeding following months of unpaid rent. (Disclosure: I am a former employee and minority shareholder.)

CNBC looks at the marijuana industry’s intensified banking access issues in the wake of the Trump administration’s anti-marijuana move.

/ CULTURE     

Conan O’Brien said that Seth Rogen’s work ethic and productivity “is almost an argument for smoking marijuana.”

Musician George Clinton said that marijuana is his drug of choice.

Singer and actress Mandy Moore said she rubs cannabis oil on her feet to deal with pain.

Actress Olivia Wilde also uses CBD oil.

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