Newsletter
Illinois governor signs cannabis legalization bill (Newsletter: June 26, 2019)
State Dept. highlights anti-marijuana discrimination; Oregon gov signs cannabis export bill; Sheriffs’ org backs rescheduling
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed a marijuana legalization bill into law, making his state the 11th in the nation to end cannabis prohibition and the first to tax and regulate sales through an act of lawmakers as opposed to via a ballot measure.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed a bill allowing interstate marijuana imports and exports, though its implementation is contingent on federal policy changing.
A U.S. State Department report details discrimination faced by religious groups that use marijuana ceremonially—but only in other countries. The document makes no mention of ongoing cannabis prohibition in the U.S.
The National Sheriffs’ Association adopted a resolution supporting the rescheduling of marijuana under federal law—although the group continues to oppose broadly legalizing cannabis.
/ FEDERAL
The Federal Aviation Administration tweeted, “Simply put … we need to understand much more before considering the use of marijuana and its derivatives for airman certificate holders because there is more at risk.”
The U.S. attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia tweeted, “Black market grows in legal marijuana markets. Unfortunately, a legal framework doesn’t reduce illegal activity.”
Surgeon General Jerome Adams said he is concerned about marijuana potency.
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D), a presidential candidate, spoke about his state’s legalization of marijuana and his move to pardon people with cannabis convictions.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), a presidential candidate, tweeted, “It’s not enough to simply decriminalize marijuana—we must repair the damage done to those communities that have been most harmed by the failed War on Drugs. That means bringing the thousands who are serving unjust sentences home.”
/ STATES
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a hemp bill. The state agriculture commissioner cheered the move.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) vetoed a bill to let medical cannabis dispensaries to operate as for-profit companies.
The Maryland legislature’s marijuana legalization task force held its first meeting.
Idaho activists began the process to place a medical cannabis measure on the state’s 2020 ballot.
Massachusetts regulators approved draft rules on marijuana delivery services and social use areas.
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/ LOCAL
The Louisville, Kentucky Metro Council approved an ordinance making marijuana possession the lowest law enforcement priority.
Queens, New York voters appear to have elected a district attorney candidate who pledged to stop prosecuting low-level marijuana and drug cases.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Global Commission on Drug Policy, which is comprised by former heads of state of Brazil, Portugal, New Zealand and other countries, released a report criticizing the current classification of drugs around the world.
Ireland’s health minister signed legislation allowing medical cannabis access.
Switzerland’s government is proposing to increase access to medical cannabis.
The leader of Canada’s Conservative Party said he wouldn’t seek to change marijuana’s legal status but would direct more funding to research and reducing youth access.
A Philippine medical cannabis bill is not likely to be revived in the new Congress, a lawmaker said.
/ ADVOCACY
Canadian marijuana activist Dana Larsen launched a service to provide microdoses of psilocybe mushrooms for therapeutic purposes.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “cannabis consumption may produce a protective effect against liver steatosis in psychosis, probably through the modulation of antipsychotic-induced weight gain.”
A study found that “women who screened positive for THC during preconception, or self-reported use during the past year had reduced fecundability, though no associations were observed with live birth or pregnancy loss.”
A review concluded that “cannabidiol was reported as well tolerated and epilepsy was the most frequently studied medical condition, with all 11 studies demonstrating positive effects of cannabidiol on reducing seizure frequency or severity” but that “there was no signal of positive activity of CBD in small randomised controlled trials assessing diabetes, Crohn’s disease, ocular hypertension, fatty liver disease or chronic pain.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll asked senior executives at top investment firms which industry shows the greatest growth potential this year, with 37% selecting cannabis.
/ BUSINESS
Tilray Inc. imported its first batch of medical cannabis oil into the UK.
Dr. Bronner’s tweeted that “Facebook disabled our advertising account for promoting #hemp. Despite the fact that hemp farming is now fully legal in the United States, hemp is still considered illegal under Facebook’s ad policy.”
/ CULTURE
Rapper Wiz Khalifa is partnering with the Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc. to launch a line of cannabis oils.
Comedian Chelsea Handler tweeted, “Congrats to Illinois on becoming the 11th state to legalize the purchase and possession of recreational marijuana. I hope the reputation of Chicago being the windy city brings second hand smoke to the rest of the nation.”
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