Newsletter
FDA is expediting CBD regulation process (Newsletter: July 15, 2019)
House GOP leader notes bipartisan marijuana banking support; Obama writes to former drug war prisoner; POTUS candidate speaks on cannabis panel
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
There are now 1,161 cannabis-related bills moving through state legislatures and Congress for 2019 sessions.
Never let a marijuana bill catch you by surprise with exclusive access to Marijuana Moment’s custom-built cannabis legislation tracker for just $25/month.
- Khadijah Triblle of Marijuana Matters: “When I founded Marijuana Matters (M2) as a social enterprise last year, it was challenging to make decisions about our startup because the regulatory environment was all over the place. Let’s be clear: it still is, but Marijuana Moment provides consistent reliable information that makes decision-making less daunting.”
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) noted bipartisan support for marijuana banking legislation.
The Food and Drug Administration announced that it is “expediting” its work on CBD regulations.
- “We plan to report on our progress around end of summer/early fall.”
Food and Drug Administration Principal Associate Commissioner for Policy Lowell Schiller will deliver a keynote address at a hemp conference next month. Presumably he’ll be discussing the agency’s efforts to formulate CBD rules.
Former President Barack Obama sent a note to a former drug war prisoner whose sentence he commuted, congratulating her on an academic achievement she earned during her first year in college.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D), a presidential candidate, spoke on a marijuana panel at the Netroots Nation conference alongside Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and others.
/ FEDERAL
The House of Representatives approved a bill to prohibit the federal government and its contractors from asking about the criminal history of a job applicant prior to conditional offer of employment.
Attorney General William Barr visited a federal prison and said the Department of Justice is “all in” on criminal justice reform.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the National Institute on Drug Abuse disagree on proposed rules concerning the scheduling of fentanyl analogues.
The U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania said that legalizing marijuana would be a “bad idea” but praised the state’s medical cannabis law.
Former Sen. Mike Gravel (D-AK), a presidential candidate, is proposing a constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana.
Sixty-four current and former prosecutors, police chiefs, sheriffs, U.S. attorneys, and Department of Justice officials filed an amicus brief opposing a federal case seeking to prevent a safe consumption site for illegal drugs from opening.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “In suburban America, a white kid caught with marijuana gets a slap on the wrist and a call to their parents. But for too many Black and brown students across the country, a single offense can destroy their entire future. Marijuana legalization is about racial justice.”
The House bill to deschedule marijuana got one new cosponsor, for a total of 31.
/ STATES
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) signed legislation letting people apply to annul certain past marijuana possession convictions, but vetoed another bill to remove a requirement for a long-term relationship between doctors and medical cannabis patients.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) tweeted that he is “proud” of the medical cannabis expansion law he recently signed.
A spokesperson for South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) said there are still “more tough questions than we have good answers when it comes to hemp.”
More than 30 cannabis plants were found on the lawn of Vermont’s State House.
Another group of North Dakota activists filed an additional proposed marijuana legalization ballot measure.
Banking access for West Virginia medical cannabis businesses is expected to be an issue in the state treasurer’s race.
Florida prosecutors say that the state’s new hemp law is complicating marijuana cases.
A Nevada judge suggested that hearings in a case challenging the state’s marijuana license awarding process could conclude this week.
Utah regulators are delaying a decision on medical cannabis cultivation licenses.
Maryland regulators set steep fines for medical cannabis advertising violations.
California regulators announced an enforcement action against an unlicensed marijuana shop.
New Mexico regulators held a hearing to receive public testimony about proposed medical cannabis rules changes.
Michigan regulators published a marijuana licensing report.
—
Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—
/ LOCAL
The Columbus, Ohio City Council is considering a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
/ ADVOCACY
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party tweeted, “Medical Marijuana has already helped thousands of Pennsylvanians lead healthier, more comfortable lives, and this change will help thousands more. Thank you to @GovernorTomWolf for bringing #MMJ to PA and @SecretaryLevine for leading its continued growth.”
The Maryland Democratic Party tweeted about the Baltimore state’s attorney’s congressional testimony in support of legalizing marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “CBD can protect against cardiac injuries, mainly through its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects on the basis of non-clinical studies.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that UK adults support legalizing marijuana, 48%-24%, and back allowing cannabis-based medicines, 77%-4%, among other findings.
The Boston Globe editorial board is urging caution about CBD.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette editorial board said that medical cannabis was just “smoke and mirrors” and a step toward full marijuana legalization.
/ BUSINESS
BlackRock Inc. is reportedly likely to start a marijuana-focused exchange-traded fund.
Christian Book Distributors changed its name to Christianbook to avoid confusion with CBD.
/ CULTURE
Jimmy Kimmel did a 7/10-themed segment featuring a Las Vegas marijuana dispensary with a drive-thru window.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
