Newsletter
FDA official criticizes Schedule I for blocking cannabis research (Newsletter: August 14, 2019)
American Bar Association backs marijuana reform; Former FDA head jokes about dogs & CBD; Dave Chappelle & psychedelic mushrooms
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 1,170 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.
- Ryan Michaels of Bonaventure Equity, LLC: “I truly feel like you and the efforts of your team have helped realize a vision I have hoped for in the cannabis movement for years: A commitment to education with integrity. We are empowered through your efforts and I am proud to be able to support your cause. Educating the cannabis community cultivates the knowledge and understanding to impact meaningful change in cannabis policy.”
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Speaking at a hemp conference, Food and Drug Administration Principal Associate Commissioner for Policy Lowell Schiller decried how cannabis’s Schedule I status has blocked CBD studies.
- “This is part of the legacy of almost all CBD being a Schedule I controlled substance until late last year. It was difficult to research, and it hasn’t been studied nearly as much as we would like.”
The American Bar Association adopted a resolution calling on Congress to remove marijuana from Schedule I and let states legalize it. There was “no audible opposition” to approving the call for cannabis reform by the 411,000-member organization.
Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb couldn’t help himself from dismissively joking about a woman who says CBD eased her dog’s anxiety, though his remarks in a recent TV appearance seemed to also inadvertently acknowledge that THC has benefits.
- “It might have had THC in it. I didn’t ask her if he had the munchies too.”
Podcaster Joe Rogan talked about how comedian Dave Chappelle didn’t hesitate to eat psychedelic mushrooms that “some fucking guy gave him in the crowd” and then rented out an entire movie theater to watch the new Quentin Tarantino film at 1:00 AM.
/ FEDERAL
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is adding or changing questions on an annual national drug use survey concerning marijuana withdrawal symptoms and the cannabis marketplace.
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D), a presidential candidate, touted his state’s legalization of marijuana and his moves to pardon people with past convictions in a speech at the Iowa State Fair.
Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D), a presidential candidate, cited state-by-state legalization of marijuana as an example of how local change builds support for reforms elsewhere.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld (R), a presidential candidate, spoke about his support for medical cannabis and letting states legalize marijuana.
/ STATES
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed a bill legalizing the testing of drugs for adulterants.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) said he still doesn’t think marijuana legalization is a good idea.
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) spoke about confusion surrounding CBD products and the state’s new hemp law.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) tweeted, “It’s time to legalize marijuana. For years, marijuana possession has been a pipeline to prison for people of color. We must replace that pipeline with jobs, equity, and pathways to prosperity.”
Ohio’s attorney general announced $50,000 in grants for local law enforcement to pay for tests to distinguish between marijuana and hemp.
Guam regulators say that budget cuts are jeopardizing the implementation of marijuana legalization.
Alabama’s Medical Cannabis Study Commission held its first meeting.
Michigan regulators added new dates for a series of marijuana social equity education and outreach sessions.
Oregon regulators made changes to signage about acceptable forms of ID to make marijuana purchases.
—
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
Cobb County, Georgia police will stop charging people for misdemeanor marijuana cases in light of confusion caused by the state’s hemp law.
The Pennington County, South Dakota state’s attorney declined to prosecute a store from which police seized hemp-derived CBD oil containing THC.
The Lehigh County, Pennsylvania district attorney appealed a judge’s ruling that the smell of marijuana isn’t grounds for a search.
The Siskiyou County, California Board of Supervisors is calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to declare a state of emergency over illegal marijuana growing operations.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Malta’s government is taking steps toward marijuana legalization but isn’t providing a timeline for enactment.
/ ADVOCACY
The Last Prisoner Project is a new organization focused on clemency and reentry programs for people with nonviolent cannabis records.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said that marijuana “should be avoided except under the care of a competent physician, and then used only as prescribed.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “there are historical and recent scientific developments that support the use of cannabidiol in rare severe epilepsy syndromes.”
A study found that “the antioxidant activity of CBD through Nrf2 activation as well as its anti-inflammatory properties as an inhibitor of NFκB should be considered during design of new protective treatments for the skin.”
A meta-analysis found “a significant increase in the odds of past or current and subsequent marijuana use in adolescents and young adults who used e-cigarettes.”
Researchers at UC Davis are partnering with Biopharmaceutical Research Company to analyze the chemical and biological profiles of marijuana
Cornell University hosted a daylong hemp research event.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
Hustler publisher Larry Flynt authored an editorial cheering local moves to scale back criminalization-focused drug policies.
Conservative commentator George Will said that marijuana legalization should be left to the states. (About 27:30 into the audio.)
/ BUSINESS
Cresco Labs is now trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Acreage Holdings, Inc. announced a 501% increase in quarterly revenue from a year ago.
Tilray, Inc. reported a 371.1% rise in quarterly revenue from last year, but its stock dropped on news of larger-than-expected losses.
MedMen Enterprises Inc. announced quarterly revenue of $42 million.
Clio and High Times are partnering on a new cannabis-focused marketing and advertising awards competition.
The New York Times looks at health claims made in CBD and marijuana ads.
/ CULTURE
Former boxer Mike Tyson said he and his associates smoke $40,000 worth of marijuana every month.
Actress Alicia SIlverstone is speaking at the cannabis-focused New West Summit.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
