Newsletter
GOP effort to restrict cannabis products in vaping bill blocked (Newsletter: March 2, 2020)
VA posts & deletes info on medical marijuana for veterans; OR drug decrim campaign kicks off; Congressman wrong on public cannabis use
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House Rules Committee blocked a floor vote on an amendment from Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) that would have inserted restrictions on marijuana products in a vaping and flavored tobacco ban bill that was approved by the chamber.
The Department of Veterans Affairs quietly posted—and then deleted—a notice on expanding medical cannabis research and an “Industry Day” it plans to host in April. Marijuana Moment downloaded a copy before it was taken offline, and a VA staffer said it will be amended and republished at an unspecified date.
After an initial signature gathering test went well, Oregon activists officially launched a full-fledged effort to place a measure decriminalizing all drugs and expanding treatment access on November’s statewide ballot.
Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) claimed in a tweet that “smoking a marijuana joint in public is legal in many states.” That’s false.
/ FEDERAL
The National Library of Medicine is now maintaining the papers of late cannabis researcher Tod Mikuriya.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a presidential candidate, reiterated his pledge to legalize marijuana in every state during a California rally.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) tweeted about the U.S. Department of Agriculture suspending enforcement of two restrictive hemp rules, saying, “Thanks to @SecretarySonny @USDA @USDA_AMS for listening to our feedback and taking an important step to support #Kentucky #hemp farmers. This announcement is good news for Kentuckians exploring the crop’s potential.”
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) tweeted, “As the cannabis industry grows, it must do so with justice and with equity. We should strive to ensure that these new jobs are strong, union jobs that lift up our communities and all people.”
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) tweeted, “Across the country, marijuana convictions have disproportionately targeted African Americans.”
Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) tweeted about discussing marijuana banking issues with constituents who work for credit unions.
The House bill to require the Food and Drug Administration to allow CBD as a dietary supplement got one new cosponsor for a total of nine.
Maine Democratic Senate candidate Betsy Sweet tweeted, “Marijuana prohibition has served to destroy lives and communities, while raking in profits for the private prison industry. It’s time to legalize marijuana and expunge the records of those sitting in jails for marijuana offenses.”
Illinois Democratic congressional candidate Anthony Clark sent a supportive video message to a Republican House candidate who suspended his campaign after overdosing on heroin.
/ STATES
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) signed a bill revising medical cannabis regulations, just ahead of the launch of the program on Sunday. Meanwhile, patients had trouble registering on the first day.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) tweeted, “Thanks to legislation I signed last year establishing a framework for industrial hemp manufacturing, the hemp industry continues to expand across the state – including in Las Cruces, where local companies like ReLeaf are growing and creating more jobs!”
New York’s Assembly majority leader discussed ongoing negotiations about marijuana legalization legislation.
Maine’s top marijuana regulator said he expects adult-use stores to open in June.
Illinois’s cannabis regulation oversight officer advised other states considering legalization to make sure they have “criminal justice reform and some solid equity provisions” in their laws.
The first member of New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission has been appointed. Separately, senator who has led efforts to oppose marijuana legalization said he won’t support any state budget until cannabis possession is decriminalized.
The Michigan House Judiciary Committee approved legislation requiring regulators to create a process to appoint receivers to operate indebted marijuana businesses since they are ineligible for federal bankruptcy protections.
The Maryland Senate defeated an amendment to remove the name of the mother of a former lawmaker who pled guilty to bribery charges from the state’s medical cannabis program.
California regulators issued guidance about a new law allowing marijuana businesses to provide free medical cannabis to patients.
Iowa law enforcement officials say the impact of marijuana legalization in neighboring Illinois has been minimal.
A Florida senator filed an amendment to a health care bill that would put a 10% THC cap on medical cannabis for patients under 21 years old, with exceptions for those who are terminally ill or whose doctors say more potent products are required.
Massachusetts regulators want lawmakers to codify their marijuana social equity program in state law and create a loan fund for marginalized groups and small businesses.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
Canadian lawmakers met with Mexican legislators to share insights on marijuana legalization.
Two Argentinian governors signed an agreement on medical cannabis cooperation.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that medical cannabis “improved oncology patients’ [pain] scores despite opioid dose reductions and should be considered a viable adjuvant therapy for palliative management.”
A study suggested that “adjunctive dronabinol reduces opioid consumption following traumatic injury.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that U.S. Hispanic adults support legalizing marijuana, 68%-32%.
/ BUSINESS
iAnthus Capital Holdings is being accused by a local branch of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union of violating Massachusetts law by allegedly retaliating against pro-union workers at a cultivation and processing facility.
CannTrust has been warned again that it is not in compliance with New York Stock Exchange listing rules because of its low stock price.
The president and vice chairman of Medicine Man Technologies Inc. is leaving the company.
Here’s a look at how California marijuana companies are working to comply with state privacy laws.
/ CULTURE
Major League Baseball sent a memo to players warning that while marijuana has been removed from the banned substances list, they will be subject to a “mandatory evaluation” for treatment if they “appear under the influence of marijuana or any other cannabinoid during any of the Club’s games, practices, workouts, meetings or otherwise during the course and within the scope of their employment.”
Basketball player Kevin Durant said that the National Basketball Association should remove marijuana from its banned substances list.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
