Newsletter
Kansas governor open to legalizing cannabis (Newsletter: January 6, 2020)
Marijuana decrim at top of VA gov’s agenda; TX cannabis prosecutions drop after hemp legalization; Dave Chappelle & Aziz Ansari on psychedelic shrooms
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) is putting marijuana decriminalization at the top of his 2020 criminal justice reform agenda, and he’s also calling for passage of legislation to end the policy of suspending driver’s licenses over drug offenses.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) said that medical cannabis is among her legislative priorities for 2020—but she would also probably sign a broader marijuana legalization bill if lawmakers sent one to her desk.
Texas marijuana prosecutions have dropped by more than half since hemp was legalized in the state.
Aziz Ansari shared a story about the time fellow comedian Dave Chappelle convinced him to eat psychedelic mushrooms.
- “And he said, ‘what are you going to tell your kids 20 years from now, Aziz? Are you going to tell them, I was there the day Dave Chappelle found out he won the Mark Twain award and we ate mushrooms together and we had the night of our lives? Or are you going to tell them you got some sleep?’”
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), a presidential candidate, said that criminal justice reform is “not a side issue for me” and spoke about his support for marijuana legalization.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a presidential candidate, said that the vaping industry should be “shut down,” but his campaign quickly walked it back.
Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) tweeted, “Conflicting state and federal marijuana laws create policy failures in states with legal cannabis. It’s disgraceful that veterans can be denied benefits they earned because they work in a legitimate cannabis business, and @SenWarren and I want to fix this.”
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) tweeted, “I applaud Illinois’ leadership on this issue. Expunging non-violent marijuana-related offenses is the right thing to do. Now let’s legalize marijuana at the federal level.”
Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) tweeted, “Our criminal justice system is out of balance—and it has been for a long time. Decriminalization of marijuana and parole reform are just some of the common-sense changes that will help create a more fair and equitable justice system for all Virginians.”
Texas Democratic congressional candidate Lisa Welch tweeted, “For my 420th tweet, I’d just like to say this. Let’s officially end the federal prohibition on #marijuana and help those who have suffered under the laws in place.”
/ STATES
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) said he supports legalizing marijuana but doesn’t think it will happen this session.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) said his biggest concern about vaping is when marijuana derivatives are used. He also said he is open to supporting hemp legislation.
West Virginia’s Senate president said the state’s medical cannabis program is “on track” but he doesn’t think it will legalize recreational marijuana.
Utah regulators announced the recipients of medical cannabis pharmacy licenses.
California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment formally added marijuana smoke and THC to the state’s list of chemicals known to the state to cause reproductive toxicity.
Pennsylvania regulators began accepting hemp cultivation and processing business license applications.
Oklahoma activists filed a proposed ballot measure to protect medical cannabis patients’ employment rights.
New Mexico officials settled a lawsuit challenging their decision not to allow a medical cannabis company to display marijuana products at a State Fair booth.
Illinois retailers sold $2.2 million worth of recreational marijuana products on the second day of legal sales. Meanwhile, some dispensaries will temporarily stop selling cannabis to recreational customers to address supply issues.
Tennessee lawmakers plan to file medical cannabis legislation in the new session.
Colorado lawmakers say they will introduce legislation to expunge prior marijuana convictions.
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/ LOCAL
Detroit, Michigan is facing lawsuits from marijuana companies over uncertainty caused by the timing of its temporary ban on recreational businesses.
Arlington County, Virginia’s commonwealth’s attorney joined the top prosecutor in Fairfax County in declining to pursue marijuana possession cases.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Philippine vice president delivered a report concluding that the country’s bloody “drug war” is a failure.
The president of the Mexican Senate Political Coordination Board said that legalizing marijuana will be one of the main issues for lawmakers to consider this session.
The British Virgin Island’s health and social development minister clarified that the “government has not entered the marijuana business” but will instead “be involved in the sale of medicinal marijuana products.”
Ontario, Canada retailers will begin selling marijuana edibles, extracts, vapes and beverages this week.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “preclinical studies, particularly recent ones, including numerous animal models of tumors, unanimously suggest the therapeutic efficacy of CBD” and that “CBD may potentially play a role in the palliative care of patients, especially concerning symptoms such as pain, insomnia, anxiety, and depression.”
A survey of U.S. adults found that “a majority believe marijuana [secondhand smoke] is harmful and most oppose public marijuana smoking.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The National Cannabis Industry Association and Canndescent said they are reconsidering retaining a lobbying firm whose president’s home and office was raided by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents looking into possible fraud.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce moved to intervene in a lawsuit filed by activists who are seeking more time to collect signatures for a proposed marijuana legalization ballot measure that the chamber opposes.
The Providence Journal editorial board said Rhode Island lawmakers should approach marijuana legalization with caution.
/ BUSINESS
Trulieve is facing a class action lawsuit for allegedly overstating profits and misleading shareholders.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
