Newsletter
Federal judge rules for cannabis company’s free speech rights (Newsletter: Jan. 22, 2019)
Poll shows support for OR psilocybin ballot measure; POTUS candidates Harris & Gabbard on marijuana; 2018 cannabis legislative analysis
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A new Marijuana Moment analysis looks back at how 2018 was huge a huge year for cannabis legislation: We tracked 915 bills in states and Congress, with at least 147 being enacted into law. Hawaii alone saw 109 marijuana proposals filed, and the first-ever cannabis bills cleared congressional committees. 2019 is shaping up to be an even bigger year for marijuana legislation, with more than 350 bills already filed in sessions that in most cases began just weeks ago.
A federal judge ruled in favor of a medical marijuana company that says the New Mexico State Fair violated its free speech rights by blocking it from displaying a cannabis plant and related materials at the event.
A poll found that a plurality of Oregon voters support a proposed ballot measure to legalize medical psilocybin and otherwise reduce penalties for possessing and producing the psychedelic compound. When read simplified descriptions of its provisions, a clear majority of voters back the initiative.
Marijuana Moment’s latest presidential candidate overviews look at the cannabis reform records of Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI). To differing extents, they’ve both sponsored marijuana legislation and have focused on the issue in social media posts and public appearances.
/ FEDERAL
Former Vice President Joe Biden (D), a potential 2020 presidential candidate, admitted he made a mistake in supporting harsh drug sentences as a senator.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), in a presidential campaign stop in Iowa, answered a question about how she would help military veterans by saying it is important to “make sure they have access to medicines like medical marijuana.” She also tweeted, “The fact that a young black or brown man is 10 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession is all of our burden.”
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted, “Criminal justice reform made some huge strides with the First Step Act—but that’s just the beginning. This #MLKDay we need to commit to more change: Marijuana Justice Act, bail reform, juvenile justice, ending the sexual-assault-to-prison pipeline & more.”
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “We need the Marijuana Justice Act to fix our country’s ill-advised marijuana policy. Legalizing marijuana and clearing former marijuana convictions will have a strong and positive impact across the country, particularly in communities of color.”
/ STATES
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s (R) administration removed another member of the state’s marijuana regulatory body.
Vermont’s Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to introduce a bill to legalize marijuana sales as soon as Tuesday.
Minnesota lawmakers are preparing to file several differing legislative approaches to legalizing marijuana. Separately, regulators held an industrial hemp forum.
All five approved Arkansas medical cannabis dispensaries are now under construction.
West Virginia delegates filed a bill to allow the state treasurer to select a financial institution to handle banking issues associated with the stalled medical cannabis program.
Some Illinois Republican lawmakers are open to legalizing marijuana.
A New Mexico senator is optimistic that lawmakers can pass a marijuana legalization bill this year.
Maryland regulators are accepting applications for the state’s hemp pilot program.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 300 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.
We followed more than 900 pieces of cannabis legislation in 2018. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
Portland. Oregon officials awarded equity grants to two black-owned marijuana businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
New Zealand’s opposition National Party is ramping up criticism of the government’s support for drug policy reform.
/ ADVOCACY
A Sierra Club blog post said that “as climate change leads to drier growing conditions, and population growth increases the demand for food, clothes, and other materials, hemp could present itself as a potential solution.”
Health Poverty Action is calling for drugs to be legalized and regulated.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “CBD promotes both a rapid and a sustained antidepressant effect in animal models.”
A review found evidence for the “role of cannabinoid receptors in curtailing the progression of [Parkinson’s disease] by activating neuroprotective pathways.”
A study concluded that “add-on THC:CBD spray was significantly more effective than readjusting standard antispasticity therapy.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Tulsa World editorial board opposes a legislative proposal to allow Oklahoma counties to ban medical cannabis.
/ BUSINESS
CBS is refusing to air a proposed Super Bowl ad on medical cannabis from Acreage Holdings.
The CEO of Philip Morris International said the company is remaining cautious about entering the marijuana industry.
Hightimes Holding Corp. is acquiring Spannabis, Europe’s largest marijuana festival.
Wired looks at criticism of how Weedmaps lists cannabis businesses.
/ CULTURE
Miley Cyrus posted an Instagram photo of herself with a joint in her mouth and the words, “weed makes you happy.”
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