Newsletter
GOP senator’s cannabis amendment on criminal justice bill (Newsletter: Dec. 14, 2018)
Nebraska could vote on legal cannabis in 2020; Congressman talks to Marijuana Moment about gun ban; New Zealand gov’t tells cops: Stop drug arrests
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
By starting a $10 per month pledge on Patreon — or about 45 cents per issue of this newsletter — you can help us rely less on ads to cover our expenses, hire more journalists and bring you even more marijuana news.
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) plans to try to attach far-reaching federal marijuana reform to criminal justice legislation on the Senate floor next week.
Two Nebraska state senators are teaming up with the Marijuana Policy Project to plan a 2020 medical cannabis ballot measure as well as a potential additional measure to legalize adult-use marijuana.
In an interview with Marijuana Moment, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) said that Republicans may have held onto their House majority if they hadn’t blocked so many cannabis amendments. He also spoke about legislation he plans to file next year that would repeal a federal law criminalizing the purchasing of guns by people who consume marijuana. And he alluded to the idea that someone in the Senate—perhaps Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)—didn’t want the House including hemp legalization in its own Farm Bill because the upper chamber wanted to take the lead.
New Zealand’s government said police “should use their discretion and not prosecute for possession and personal use where a therapeutic approach would be more beneficial, or there is no public interest in a prosecution” and is considering recommendations to fully decriminalize drugs.
Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean actively blocked medical cannabis as Vermont’s governor, and even opposed industrial hemp. But this week he joined the advisory board of a huge cannabis company.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Sentencing Commission proposed guidelines for how courts should distinguish between a “crime of violence” and a “controlled substance offense.”
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) spoke about his work on cannabis issues in a House floor speech.
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) spoke about growing support for marijuana reform in a TV interview.
Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) called the legalization of hemp “a tremendous opportunity to grow our agricultural sector in Connecticut.”
Former Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) wrote an op-ed about federal marijuana reform.
Former Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) said “going to be higher opioid addiction because of” marijuana legalization in Canada.
The House bill to respect state marijuana laws got four new cosponsors, for a total of 44.
The House bill to increase military veterans’ access to medical cannabis got one new cosponsor, for a total of 30.
/ STATES
New Jersey’s Senate president confirmed the state will not vote on marijuana legalization before the end of the year. Lawmakers and Gov. Phil Murphy (D) failed to reach an agreement at a meeting over tax rates and the structure of the body that would regulate legal cannabis in the state.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) and the state’s agriculture commissioner cheered the legalization of hemp through the Farm Bill.
Alabama’s attorney general, in response to the passage of the Farm Bill, released updated guidance on the legality of CBD products.
The Michigan Senate approved a bill to loosen background check requirements on low-level marijuana business owners. A bill to restrict home cultivation failed to get enough support to advance.
South Carolina’s House majority leader said he does not think lawmakers will approve medical cannabis in the new session.
The incoming House speaker in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands said the chamber will create a Cannabis Committee.
Maine’s medical cannabis omnibus reform bill went into effect on Thursday.
Michigan regulators released an updated universal symbol that must appear on marijuana products.
Ohio regulators are seeking another $3.1 million in funding to help cover the cost of defending against lawsuits from rejected medical cannabis business license applicants.
Here’s a look at confusion over the legality of Vermont private marijuana consumption clubs.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) said he appreciates a move by a marijuana store to conduct sales on an appointment-only basis to cut down on local traffic. Meanwhile, regulators approved more recreational marijuana retail licenses.
—
Marijuana Moment is currently tracking more than 900 cannabis bills in state legislatures and Congress. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—
/ LOCAL
Norwood, Ohio police are being accused of ignoring a voter-approved local marijuana decriminalization ballot measure.
Fall River, Massachusetts officials are moving to reduce the size of payments they require from marijuana businesses in exchange for granting permission to operate in the city.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A report issued by a committee convened by the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products found that it would be “appropriate” to allow medical cannabis.
The British Columbia, Canada Supreme Court ruled that unlicensed marijuana dispensaries should be shut down. Meanwhile, Ontario officials moved to limit retail licenses amid a cannabis product shortage.
/ ADVOCACY
The Cato Institute released a policy briefing about harm reduction drug policies.
The Citizens Budget Commission is urging New York lawmakers and advocates to exercise caution in discussions about how to earmark potential legal marijuana tax revenue.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Lexington Herald-Leader editorial board praised Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for his leadership on legalizing hemp.
/ BUSINESS
Square tweeted that it is “currently unable to support the sale of these products. If Square becomes able to support businesses selling CBD, we will announce it.”
/ CULTURE
Mike Tyson said that he smoked marijuana before a 2000 boxing match against Andrew Golota.
Joe Rogan and Dr. Andrew Weil discussed roadblocks to marijuana research.
Miley Cyrus talked about how her parents smoke marijuana and play with hummingbirds
General Hospital featured a storyline about medical cannabis.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
