Newsletter
Feds would track legal cannabis impact under new bill (Newsletter: July 25, 2018)
NJ AG halts marijuana prosecutions; Pro-legalization WV congressional candidate surges; Study explains why cannabis consumers are less likely to be obese
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and a bipartisan group of cosponsors filed a bill to require federal agencies to conduct a study on “the effects of State legalized marijuana programs on the economy, public health, criminal justice and employment.” Supporters held a press conference to build support for the legislation.
New Jersey’s attorney general moved to adjourn all marijuana cases in municipal courts until at least September.
A West Virginia congressional district that President Trump won by nearly 50 points — and where Democratic candidate Richard Ojeda is running on a marijuana legalization platform — got moved to “toss up” status.
A study shed light on potential reasons that previous research has found that marijuana consumers have lower rates of obesity than non-tokers.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Senate, by unanimous consent, approved a resolution congratulating the Drug Enforcement Administration on the occasion of its 45th anniversary.
U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) denied that he requested provisions be inserted into the Farm Bill that will prevent people with felony drug convictions from working in the hemp industry. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) slammed the restriction.
A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seemed to indicate that the department might not significantly increase research on medical cannabis even if pending legislation aimed at boosting such studies is enacted.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and local police raided a Texas vape shop and seized CBD oils.
The New York Times cited U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s (D-NY) support for legalizing marijuana as an example of her “populist” agenda as she weighs a 2020 presidential campaign.
Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) tweeted a photo of herself meeting with constituents to discuss marijuana policy.
The U.S Senate bill to deschedule marijuana and devote funding to leveling the economic playing field and research got one new cosponsor, for a total of eight.
/ STATES
New Jersey’s Senate president reiterated that he wants to tie marijuana legalization legislation to the expansion of medical cannabis.
Oklahoma regulators will meet on August 1 to revisit widely criticized restrictive medical cannabis rules. Meanwhile, it seems unlikely that lawmakers will go into special session to deal with medical marijuana implementation. And an advocacy group unveiled draft legislation it would like to see enacted.
Minnesota Democratic gubernatorial candidate Erin Murphy spoke about her support for marijuana legalization.
Alaska regulators filed regulations concerning the failure of marijuana testing equipment.
Massachusetts regulators will meet on Thursday to consider more marijuana business license applications.
Washington State saw a nearly 90% drop in marijuana-related felony convictions following legalization.
/ LOCAL
The Marathon County, Wisconsin Board voted to place a medical cannabis advisory question on the November ballot.
The Ostego County, Michigan Board of Commissioners voted to oppose the state’s marijuana legalization ballot measure.
The San Diego County, California district attorney dropped charges levied against an attorney who represents marijuana businesses.
The Grand Rapids, Michigan City Commission voted to allow medical cannabis businesses.
Boston, Massachusetts’s outgoing anti-legalization police commissioner was gifted a bong by a radio host.
Denver, Colorado’s Cannabis Health and Safety Advisory Committee will meet next week.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos published an op-ed on the failure of the drug war:
- “The War on Drugs has taken too many lives: The cure has been worse than the disease. In Colombia, we have paid a very high price for it, perhaps the highest of any nation. The time has come for the world to take a moment of sober reflection. We must study, seriously and rigorously, the efforts that have been made around the world to regulate the drug trade, in order to learn from our successes, as well as our difficulties and failures. It is time to accept the reality that as long as there are drug users there will be drug suppliers – and that there will always be drug users.”
The governor of Guerrero, Mexico endorsed a proposal to legalize the cultivation of opium poppies.
Here’s a broader look at drug policy reforms that have been implemented in Latin American nations.
Trinidad and Tobago’s cabinet is considering establishing a committee to take public input on the potential decriminalization of marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that the synthetic cannabinoid nabilone may be effective in treating agitation in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
/ BUSINESS
An analysis by Joblift found that that overall job growth in the marijuana industry is outpacing the national average but that cannabis job growth in California is steadily declining.
American Banker looks at software solutions for providing financial services to marijuana businesses.
Sweet Leaf, which recently had its Denver, Colorado marijuana business licenses revoked for violations, won a court order allowing it to delay the destruction of its cannabis products, at least temporarily.
The Associated Press looks at how U.S. marijuana companies are flocking to the Canadian Securities Exchange.
/ CULTURE
Singer Demi Lovato suffered an apparent heroin overdose and was treated with Narcan.
The Outside Lands festival is adding a new area focused on marijuana.
Jimmy Kimmel Live gave people fake marijuana edibles that they were told take effect within five seconds.
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Photo by Brendan Cleak.
