Newsletter
FDA rejects petition to further restrict cannabis (Newsletter: July 25, 2019)
NYC Council passes marijuana child custody measures; Video: Bear fails to open dispensary dumpster; Study: People more likely to try drugs in summer
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Food and Drug Administration rejected for the second time a prohibitionist group’s request to further restrict marijuana and THC with “negative monograph” status.
The New York City Council approved two measures focused on resolving child custody issues related to marijuana—perhaps one of the most severe but largely overlooked implications of cannabis consumption.
A video of a bear trying and failing to break into a dumpster outside a Colorado marijuana shop provides some laughs, but it also makes a good point about the effectiveness of the state’s cannabis regulations.
A new study found Americans are “significantly more likely” to try illegal drugs during the summer months compared to other parts of the year.
/ FEDERAL
Assistant Secretary for Health Brett P. Giroir tweeted, “Evidence is irrefutable: smoking marijuana during pregnancy is awful for your baby.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden (D), a presidential candidate, shot back at criticism of his criminal justice reform plan from rival contender Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) by pointing to his record on stop and frisk as Newark, New Jersey mayor.
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), a presidential candidate, spoke about her new marijuana legislation. She also tweeted, “People of color—especially Black and Latino men—are more likely to go to jail for a marijuana-related offense. It’s time we correct this injustice. My comprehensive bill is the first step.” Another tweet says, “I’ll say it again: If we’re going to legalize marijuana, we have to do it right. Yesterday I introduced a bill with @RepJerryNadler to not only decriminalize marijuana but also help ensure people of color have a chance to succeed in the legal marijuana industry.”
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), a presidential candidate, tweeted, “Millions of Americans have fallen victim to the failed War on Drugs, tearing families apart, disproportionately harming minority communities & overcrowding an already strained prison system. Marijuana use is a personal choice & shouldn’t be a criminal act. For many years, I have worked to end the marijuana prohibition and am proud to push the MORE Act forward that will begin to right the wrongs of the past, and invest in communities who have been most harmed.”
A spokesperson for Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) said that holding a hearing on marijuana banking issues “doesn’t equal support” for passing legislation on the issue and is “basically a nod to what these senators in the other states, Colorado and Oregon, are trying to accomplish.”
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) tweeted, “NV legalized recreational marijuana in 2016, but there’s still much to be done at the federal level to ensure their voices are heard & that we’re making sure legal cannabis businesses have access to banking services.”
Rep. Nydia M Velázquez (D-NY) tweeted, “These [child custody] policies disproportionately affect communities of color. When we remove children from their parents for something as small as marijuana use, it’s going to cause psychological harm.”
The House bill to protect military veterans from losing their benefits for following state marijuana laws got one new cosponsor, for a total of five.
/ STATES
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced that the state’s medical cannabis program tripled the number of patients and nearly doubled the number of participating physicians since he took office.
The Nevada treasurer’s office tweeted, “When the federal government refuses to solve a problem, Nevadans roll up their sleeves and get to work. Thanks to @Daniele4NV, Nevada’s marijuana businesses and their employees can now have access to safe banking options.”
The North Carolina House Judiciary Committee approved a bill to ban smokable hemp flower at the end of next year but does not treat the crop as a controlled substance.
Arkansas activists filed a marijuana legalization amendment they hope to place on the state’s 2020 ballot.
New York lawmakers say they will try again to legalize marijuana in 2020.
A Tennessee Republican representative who has sponsored medical cannabis legislation is running for caucus chairman.
Texas representatives coauthored an op-ed calling on colleagues to enact broader marijuana reform next session.
Florida regulators asked an appeals court to reconsider a ruling deeming the state’s medical cannabis rules unconstitutional.
Arizona regulators are accepting petitions to add new medical cannabis qualifying conditions this week.
Washington State regulators sent an update about ongoing marijuana tracking software problems.
Vermont regulators are hiring a hemp program compliance specialist.
Michigan regulators published a marijuana licensing report.
The Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy will hold a hearing on social consumption and host community agreements on Monday.
The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics arrested a man for allegedly selling methamphetamine out of a medical cannabis dispensary.
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/ LOCAL
A Jacksonville, Florida city councilman plans to hold public meetings to gather input on a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The UK’s health secretary pledged to “do absolutely everything” to counter rising drug-related deaths in Scotland.
Lawmakers in Buenos Aires, Argentina are close to an agreement on medical cannabis legislation.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “CBD, either as monotherapy or added to regular antipsychotic medication, improved symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, with particularly promising effects in the early stages of illness” and that “CBD and THC mixtures showed positive effects in reducing short-term withdrawal and craving in cannabis use disorders.”
A review determined that “it is possible to conclude that CBD has negative effects on the reproductive system of males.“
A study identified the method by which the marijuana plant produces cannflavin A and cannflavin B.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Detroit News editorial board wants past marijuana convictions in Michigan to be cleared.
/ BUSINESS
The CEO of CannTrust Holdings Inc. told company officials to “continue as planned” and plant marijuana in an unlicensed room last year, according to documents obtained by Bloomberg.
CVS said it will stop selling some Curaleaf, Inc. products after that company received a warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration.
The organizers of San Francisco’s Outside Lands festival are seeking a permit to allow on-site marijuana sales and consumption.
/ CULTURE
UFC is partnering with Aurora Cannabis on a study of CBD as a treatment for pain, inflammation, wound-healing and recovery.
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