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Fed prosecutors hold cannabis summit behind closed doors (Newsletter: September 5, 2019)

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New psychedelic research center; SD GOP slammed for discouraging cannabis petition signatures; MN lawmakers’ legalization polls show support

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

U.S. attorneys and officials from the Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture are holding a behind-closed-doors “Marijuana Summit” on Thursday.

Johns Hopkins University is opening a new center dedicated to researching psychedelics such as psilocybin. The work is being supported by $17 million in funding from tech investor Tim Ferriss, WordPress co-founded Matthew Mullenweg and other donors.

In informal polls that Minnesota’s House of Representatives and Senate conducted at the State Fair, voters overwhelmingly said they support legalizing marijuana.

The South Dakota Republican Party is facing criticism for urging voters not to sign ballot petitions as two proposed marijuana measures are circulating.

/ FEDERAL

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled against a company that wanted to force the Idaho State Police to return a seized hemp shipment, saying that it must instead pursue the case in state court.

Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb wrote in an op-ed on vaping-related injuries that “it’s also time to end the political ambivalence that allows THC and CBD to evade oversight.”

Former White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske said his biggest frustration during his time in office was not being able to convince the Department of Education to develop more robust in-school prevention programs.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) sent a letter urging the Department of Homeland Security to expand the use of scanning devices to detect drugs at the border.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “Ending the federal prohibition on cannabis will help bring justice to communities all across the country. This is a promising time in the #MarijuanaJustice movement and I am proud of our forward movement in Congress, but it must be equitable for all.”

/ STATES

Connecticut Gov. New Lamont (D), asked about the prospects of marijuana legalization, said, “I don’t know about this year.”

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said he wants another shot at passing a marijuana legalization bill.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) decried Congress’s interference in the city’s marijuana laws in a speech advocating for statehood.

A press release announcing appointments by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) touts the past marijuana legalization advocacy of his new director of African American affairs.

Florida regulators reported that 7% of physicians who have made medical cannabis recommendations have issued 56% of the state’s certifications.

Washington State regulators published a fact sheet on marijuana retailer’ medical endorsements.

Oregon regulators will discuss medical cannabis rules, marijuana research and best practices at a September 10 meeting.

Questions are being raised about whether Minnesota Democrats’ recent interest in marijuana legalization is more about the 2020 legislative session or instead the upcoming elections in which two separate cannabis-focused parties will be on ballots.


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/ LOCAL

A Spokane, Washington City Council member withdrew a bankruptcy filing over concerns about her and her husband’s involvement with a marijuana business.

Leon County, Florida county commissioners are considering a proposed ordinance to lower marijuana possession penalties.

Anchorage, Alaska’s smoking ban is complicating efforts to allow on-site consumption at marijuana dispensaries.

A Louisville, Kentucky police officer has been disciplined for a tweet from the department’s account about 4/20, drug tests and unemployment.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Uruguayan lawmakers approved a medical cannabis research bill.

A lawmaker in Myanmar plans to introduce a hemp legalization bill.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study concluded that “CBD may pose as a putative adjuvant agent for tailored co-application with selected antibiotics, depending on bacterial species, to increase antibiotic activity, including via [membrane vesicle] inhibition, and help reduce antibiotic resistance.”

A study found that state medical cannabis laws “may differentially impact [marijuana use] for sexual minority individuals—particularly bisexual women.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

PoliticFact determined that Alex Berenson’s book attempting to link marijuana to psychosis and violence “goes far beyond what the available science actually shows.”

/ BUSINESS

Jones County Junior College is being sued for allegedly violating a student’s First Amendment rights by preventing him from conducting an on-campus poll about marijuana legalization without prior approval.

The Wall Street Journal looks at how various airports handle marijuana differently.

/ CULTURE

Comedian Chelsea Handler tweeted, “New York officially decriminalized marijuana. So let’s get those records expunged and work on putting people behind bars who actually deserve it. Like our president.”

CNN’s Sanjay Gupta spoke with actress Alyssa Milano about his shifting views on marijuana.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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