Newsletter
FDA rejects move to further restrict cannabis (Newsletter: July 6, 2018)
McConnell & Schumer tour hemp biz; “Alcohol and Drug Abuse Lake” is a real place; Veterans step up push for marijuana reform
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected a prohibitionist group’s petition to add marijuana to a list of drugs that are not “generally recognized as safe and effective.” The agency said that the move is “not necessary for the protection of public health.”
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) both toured home-state hemp facilities, as did U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR).
On a lighter note, Marijuana Moment takes a look at some of the bizarre drug-related place names that are officially recognized by the federal government. Among others, we found Alcohol and Drug Abuse Lake, Bong Bridge, Drug Island and Reefer Creek. There’s also a dried-up reservoir called Marijuana Tank.
/ FEDERAL
Reason spoke to some of the would-be licensed cannabis growers whose research applications have been held up by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The White House pushed back against growing calls to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, saying the move “would mean more dangerous illegal drugs flowing into our communities, causing more Americans to needlessly suffer.”
The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology is teaming up with the Drug Enforcement Administration and German police to launch a website where forensic chemists can share data on new synthetic drug variants.
A federal judge in Brooklyn said he will stop reincarcerating people who are on supervised release just for using marijuana.
The chief judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court will speak on a marijuana panel at the American Bankruptcy Institute’s conference in November.
U.S. Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) still opposes medical cannabis even though voters in his state legalized it.
Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) tweeted, “People who are addicted to marijuana are 3 times more likely to become addicted to heroin.”
/ STATES
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) named a new top marijuana regulator for the state.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) signed a bill making it easier for terminally ill patients to qualify for medical cannabis.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) said he doesn’t see the state moving to legalize marijuana “at this point.”
Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidates debated marijuana policy.
Here’s a look at where Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidates stand on legalizing marijuana and other criminal justice issues.
Oklahoma regulators released public comments they have so far received about proposed medical cannabis rules.
Arizona activists failed to collect enough signatures to qualify a marijuana legalization measure for the November ballot.
/ LOCAL
The Associated Press looks at how Los Angeles, California’s legal and illegal marijuana markets coexist.
Denver, Colorado regulators stripped Sweet Leaf marijuana stores of their licenses following the chain’s legal troubles.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The UK government granted an emergency license to use medical cannabis to a 12-year-old boy with epilepsy. Meanwhile, the House of Commons could debate a medical marijuana bill on Friday.
The Mexican Senate’s international policy research center published an overview of Canada’s new marijuana legalization law.
/ ADVOCACY
Learn about the Veterans Cannabis Coalition’s efforts to move marijuana legislation on Capitol Hill in this powerful post about fighting “the good war” after returning home from battle. (Sponsored)
Former Marijuana Policy Project Executive Director Rob Kampia’s Marijuana Leadership Campaign is hiring for two fundraising positions.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that state medical cannabis laws “in general have a null effect on cannabis-positive driving, as do state laws with specific supply provisions including home cultivation and unlicensed or quasi-legal dispensaries” but that only “in jurisdictions with state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries did the odds of marijuana-involved driving increase significantly.”
Slow federal approvals are delaying the start of Utah state-funded research on the effect of medical cannabis on pain.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation launched a Latin America affiliate.
Canadian food companies are rolling out marijuana-focused ad campaigns.
Marijuana delivery service Eaze filed a motion to compel arbitration in a lawsuit filed by a woman who alleges the company improperly sent her text messages.
/ CULTURE
Musician Melissa Etheridge said she’s “really jealous” of Canada’s legalization of marijuana.
Musician Carly Simon uses CBD to treat knee pain.
Netflix’s marijuana-themed “Cooking on High” is getting bad reviews.
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