Newsletter
Hemp felony conviction ban scaled back in Farm Bill (Newsletter: Dec. 5, 2018)
Marijuana stores increase home values, study finds; Top House Ag Dem considers growing hemp; DEA slams Denver’s safe injection move
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Congressional Farm Bill negotiators reached a “compromise” on a controversial Senate-passed provision that would bar people with felony drug convictions from participating in the legal hemp industry.
Incoming U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) says he is considering growing hemp on his own farm after it is legalized through the Farm Bill.
Two new studies indicated that nearby marijuana shops increase the value of homes and rentals.
/ FEDERAL
The Colorado U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Denver Field Office released a statement criticizing local moves to allow safe consumption facilities for people who use illegal drugs.
Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) said he thinks Acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker “is at odds with the president” on marijuana policy.
Sens. Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) were asked about the prospects for federal marijuana reform at an event. (About 14:30 into the video.)
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) discussed the need to ensure equity in the marijuana industry for communities harmed by the war on drugs.
Rep. James Comer (R-KY) spoke about the economic benefits of legalizing hemp.
/ STATES
Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) reiterated his willingness to sign a medical cannabis bill and opposition to legalizing marijuana.
Utah medical cannabis advocates plan to file a lawsuit over the legislature’s “compromise” bill that replaced the voter-approved ballot measure.
Oklahoma legislative leaders said they anticipate considering bills on medical cannabis reform in 2019.
New York regulators are now accepting applications to grow hemp and process CBD.
The Illinois Republican Senate minority leader said he has “grave concerns” about marijuana legalization. Separately, regulators released new rules on medical cannabis as an opioid alternative and marijuana business ownership.
A Maryland delegate said he thinks marijuana legalization is going to pass “if not this year, maybe next year.”
Colorado regulators issued guidance on the definition of kief.
Maine’s Marijuana Advisory Commission is taking shape.
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/ LOCAL
Denver, Colorado’s mayor is moving to vacate low-level marijuana convictions. Meanwhile, the city’s top cannabis official will host a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” session on Wednesday.
New York City councilmembers are pressing the NYPD on why it continues to arrest people for THC oil.
The Boston, Massachusetts City Council held a lengthy hearing on marijuana licensing.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Mexico will begin importing cannabis products within the next two weeks. Separately, former President Vicente Fox said he thinks marijuana legalization will be approved in the country “in the first semester of 2019.”
Canada’s border security and organized crime reduction minister has been put in charge of enforcing the country’s marijuana legalization law.
A two-year-old girl is believed to be the first child to be prescribed medical cannabis in UK.
Welsh lawmakers are pressing the government to provide medical cannabis access to a teenager with epilepsy.
The Bahamian health minister said the country will move ahead on marijuana reform “with all deliberate haste.”
/ ADVOCACY
The CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture spoke about the benefits of legalizing hemp.
The Parkinson’s Foundation is hosting a conference on medical cannabis.
Prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana is upset that a Marijuana Policy Project staff member is serving on a transition team committee for Illinois Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker (D).
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
The Migraine Research Foundation is funding a study on the effects of medical cannabis on migraines.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Denver Post editorial board wants marijuana convictions to be expunged across Colorado.
/ BUSINESS
A Morningstar analysis suggests that marijuana cultivation, charging electric cars and powering data centers will drive rising power demand over the next decade.
Eaze is matching donations to the Marijuana Policy Project, up to $20,000, for the remainder of 2018.
Two Massachusetts retailers sold more than $2.6 million worth of marijuana products in the second week of legalization.
Mexican cannabis businesses are forming an industry association.
/ CULTURE
Here’s a look at the rise of marijuana use among people who live in senior housing.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
