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Gov’t shutdown could allow Sessions medical cannabis crackdown (Newsletter: Dec. 5, 2017)
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Marijuana mentioned at SCOTUS argument; MI regulations; Warren questions Conway’s drug war role
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TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A potential federal government shutdown this week could allow U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to launch a crackdown on medical cannabis patients and providers. If Congress fails to pass a budget extension the current rider protecting state medical marijuana laws would expire but, since DEA agents and federal prosecutors are exempt from furloughs, they would be empowered to go after state-legal operators.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomangell/2017/12/04/government-shutdown-could-allow-sessions-to-launch-marijuana-crackdown/
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor briefly raised the issue of marijuana during an oral argument on a gambling case that could have implications for state cannabis legalization.
https://twitter.com/tomangell/status/937758743474909189
FEDERAL
In a letter to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) questioned Kellyanne Conway’s apparent new role leading the federal response to opioid issues.
https://www.warren.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2122
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http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/elizabeth-warren-questions-kellyanne-conways-qualifications-to-lead-opioid-battle/article/2642503
A federal judge rejected a California Native American tribe’s request to resume hemp cultivation.
http://www.recordnet.com/news/20171202/hemp-farmers-lose-in-federal-court
Federal officials are investigating an unlicensed Oregon marijuana processing facility that exploded.
http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/36158045-75/overheated-machinery-sparks-fire-at-cottage-grove-cannabis-oil-business.html.csp
Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted that “smart marijuana policy can lead to economic growth and boost job creation.”
https://twitter.com/RepRoKhanna/status/937807228689563648
STATES
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) needs some education about marijuana, lawmakers sponsoring legalization legislation say.
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/04/recreational-cannabis-sponsors-offer-to-educate-rauner-when-he-is-ready-to-deal-in-facts-not-scare-tactics/
Michigan regulators released emergency medical cannabis rules.
http://www.michigan.gov/som/0,4669,7-192-47796-453904–,00.html
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http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2017/12/04/snyder-signs-emergency-pot-rules/108310260/
Virginia’s Senate majority leader announced additional details about marijuana decriminalization legislation he intends to introduce next year.
http://www.roanoke.com/news/politics/general_assembly/crime-commission-backs-expansion-of-dna-databank-does-not-vote/article_448cf3a1-8991-51dc-9c35-349ce301454d.html
Colorado regulators certified that four industrial hemp seed varieties passed a low-THC validation.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agmain/news/1242017-cda-announces-colorado%E2%80%99s-2017-cda-approved-certified-hemp-seed-varieties
Ohio regulators began accepting applications for private medical cannabis testing licenses.
https://medicalmarijuana.ohio.gov/News?articleID=103
Alaska regulators rejected a proposed rule to restrict lease agreements between marijuana businesses and landlords.
http://www.alaskajournal.com/2017-12-04/marijuana-board-rejects-rule-aimed-lease-agreements
Missouri representatives prefiled bills to legalize marijuana and to allow CBD medical cannabis for more conditions.
http://www.house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1448&year=2018&code=R
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http://www.house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1440&year=2018&code=R
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http://www.house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1441&year=2018&code=R
LOCAL
San Francisco, California officials are considering launching a public bank to serve the marijuana industry.
http://www.sfexaminer.com/san-francisco-advances-toward-launching-public-bank/
Here’s a look at marijuana regulations the Los Angeles, California City Council is expected to consider on Wednesday.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-marijuana-rules-20171204-story.html
INTERNATIONAL
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte ordered police to resume drug war operations.
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/12/05/Duterte-allows-PDEA-drug-war.html
SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “adolescent cannabis use may be an independent risk factor for future hypomania, and the nature of the association suggests a potential causal link.”
https://academic.oup.com/schizophreniabulletin/advance-article/doi/10.1093/schbul/sbx158/4668709
OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that 60% of New York voters support legalizing marijuana. When given several policy options, 40% supported legalization, 26% wanted to keep current policy (decriminalization and medical cannabis), 22% wanted to repeal medical cannabis and keep decrim and 11% wanted to make marijuana completely illegal.
http://files.constantcontact.com/d75ceb5f201/32e71155-6331-4eff-b948-42c072cba83e.pdf
The Mercury editorial board is urging U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) to cosponsor medical cannabis research legislation.
http://themercury.com/opinion/kansas-senators-should-support-bill-for-medical-marijuana-research/article_8729bef5-a30e-5d10-9b2f-5c72223a97d3.html
BUSINESS
GW Pharmaceuticals says it expects the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to rule on its CBD medical cannabis drug Epidiolex by mid-2018.
https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/12/04/1219873/0/en/GW-Pharmaceuticals-plc-Reports-Fiscal-Fourth-Quarter-2017-and-Year-End-Financial-Results-and-Operational-Progress.html
Canadian pharmacy chain Shoppers Drug Mart made a deal with Aphria to supply medical cannabis products.
http://business.financialpost.com/commodities/ontario-cannabis-company-aphria-to-supply-medical-marijuana-to-shoppers-drug-mart
Maryland medical cannabis dispensaries already ran out of product.
https://mjbizdaily.com/maryland-medical-marijuana-dispensaries-sell-product-days-opening/
Adweek looks at branding for marijuana companies.
http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/these-3-marijuana-heavyweights-want-to-become-the-pg-of-pot/
A survey found that more than a quarter of Nevada adults purchased marijuana in the last six months.
https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/whos-buying-pot-in-nevada-more-than-a-quarter-of-adults-according-to-survey
