Newsletter
Feds slam anti-cannabis discrimination — in other countries (Newsletter: May 30, 2018)
US territory legalization bill advances; UT MMj officially has enough signatures; NY legalization study ready for release
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A U.S. State Department report highlights religious discrimination against people who use marijuana — but only in other countries.
A key House committee in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S territory, unanimously approved a Senate-passed marijuana legalization bill.
/ FEDERAL
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) reiterated that he plans to insert hemp legalization into the Farm Bill, but said he is “not in favor of” medical cannabis.
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) filed an amendment to a drug diversion bill, which includes a provision saying “there is an urgent need to pass bipartisan comprehensive criminal justice reform legislation and end the failed War on Drugs, which has a disparate impact on communities of color.” The overall bill ended up being held last week by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Congresswoman Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a candidate for U.S. Senate, made a campaign stop at a Las Vegas marijuana dispensary.
Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY) tweeted that hemp would be a better currency than bitcoin.
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is running Facebook ads about her support for marijuana law reform.
Federal and California law enforcement officials held a press conference to discuss the cultivation of marijuana on public lands, raising particular concerns about pesticide use.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “There’s growing momentum on both sides of the aisle to end the failed #WarOnDrugs. My #MarijuanaJusticeAct would not only end cannabis prohibition, but also provide restorative justice for communities torn apart by discriminatory drug policies.”
Rolling Stone spoke to several members of Congress about momentum for marijuana legislation.
Utah U.S. Senate candidates, including Mitt Romney, oppose the state’s medical cannabis ballot measure.
Former Congressman Michael Grimm (R-NY), now running again, said marijuana is a “gateway drug.”
/ STATES
Utah’s lieutenant governor determined that, despite opposition efforts to rescind voter signatures, a medical cannabis initiative will appear on the November ballot.
New York’s Health Department has reportedly completed its study of marijuana legalization.
Michigan Republican lawmakers are continuing to consider amending and enacting a marijuana legalization proposal rather than allowing it to appear on the November ballot.
South Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidates debated marijuana policy.
Here’s a look at pending marijuana legislation before California lawmakers.
Florida attorney John Morgan, who largely funded the state’s medical cannabis ballot measure, is calling on Gov. Rick Scott (R) to drop an appeal of a court ruling overturning a ban on the smoking of medical marijuana.
An Arkansas judge cleared a medical cannabis grower to begin operations despite local opposition.
Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rich Madaleno, currently a state senator, said he would sign marijuana legalization into law.
/ LOCAL
The Little Rock, Arkansas Board of Directors debated a proposal to make misdemeanor marijuana offenses a lower police priority.
Pueblo County, Colorado’s marijuana-revenue-funded scholarship program is supporting 564 students.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the nation is not legalizing marijuana as a way to economically get ahead of other nations.
/ ADVOCACY
Prohibitionists at Smart Approaches to Marijuana are planning something “BIG” in Colorado for Wednesday.
Prohibitionist group New Jersey Responsible Approaches to Marijuana paid to fly an anti-legalization airplane banner.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of medical marijuana patients found that “chronic pain was the most common reason for cannabis use.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The New York Times editorial board is criticizing policies that respond to drug relapse with incarceration.
A poll found that UK adults support legalizing marijuana, 43%-41% and that they back medical cannabis, 75%-12%.
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