Newsletter
Legal cannabis could be on Missouri 2020 ballot (Newsletter: January 20, 2020)
Gabbard backs legalizing drugs; Biden reiterates legal marijuana opposition; Record expungement movement grows
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), a presidential candidate, is calling for the U.S. to legalize currently illicit drugs.
- “If we take that step to legalize and regulate, then we’re no longer treating people who are struggling with substance addiction and abuse as criminals and instead getting them the help that they need.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden (D), a presidential candidate, reiterated his opposition to legalizing marijuana in an interview with the New York Times editorial board.
- “What I’m arguing is there have been studies showing that it complicates other problems if you already have a problem with certain drugs.”
Missouri activists are taking steps to place a marijuana legalization measure on the state’s November ballot.
A new report on National Expungement Week shows that efforts to help people clear past marijuana records are rapidly growing.
/ FEDERAL
First daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner reportedly attended a fundraising dinner with marijuana industry professionals in October 2018,
The Food and Drug Administration approved an expanded access protocol allowing a small number of patients to treat PTSD with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is being asked to let states continue structuring their hemp programs under the more limited provisions of the earlier 2014 Farm Bill through 2020.
The Supreme Court declined to take up a case concerning a tax fine against a marijuana business.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), a presidential candidate, sent a letter welcoming members of the National Cannabis Industry Association to a conference in Boston.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a presidential candidate, tweeted, “The criminalization of marijuana has been a disaster. We need to legalize it. We need to expunge past convictions.And we need to invest in communities destroyed by the war on drugs.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) tweeted about the 100-year anniversary of alcohol prohibition, saying, “Let’s raise a glass and toast one of the least successful government regulatory schemes ever enacted. Turns out, Liberty works; statism, not so much.”
Rep,. Dwight Evans (D-PA) tweeted about smokable hemp, saying, “Seems like it would be easier just to legalize marijuana for adult use already.”
Here’s a look at where members of the Illinois congressional delegation stand on marijuana.
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund expungement efforts got one new cosponsor for a total of 40.
The House resolution calling for marijuana legalization and decriminalizing addiction got 12 new cosponsors for a total of 15.
Alabama Republican congressional candidates said they oppose marijuana legalization but support medical cannabis.
/ STATES
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) is stepping up her push to legalize marijuana within the next month, though some leading Republican lawmakers are expressing concerns.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) pardoned 16 people for low-level marijuana offenses.
California’s attorney general tweeted, “Illegal cannabis grows on California lands are damaging wildlife habitats, poisoning our water, and hurting our communities.” Separately, lawmakers filed legislation to simplify and reduce marijuana taxes.
Rhode Island’s House speaker said “this is not the year” for legalizing marijuana.
Kansas’s House majority leader acknowledged broad public support for medical cannabis.
A Missouri judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking regulators from acting on a medical cannabis dispensary license application.
Arizona activists have so far collected more than 150,000 signatures in support of a proposed marijuana legalization ballot measure, and so far there’s no well-organized opposition.
Oregon regulators issued a recall of marijuana products that failed pesticide testing. Separately, a report found that marijuana sales in the state “along the Idaho border are 420% the statewide average.”
Michigan regulators issued a health and safety bulletin about the recall of marijuana products that failed safety compliance testing. Officials are also under fire for new public service ads that perpetuate anti-cannabis stereotypes.
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/ LOCAL
The Las Cruces, New Mexico mayor is urging state lawmakers not to legalize marijuana.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Thailand’s first medical cannabis clinic has seen thousands of patients in its first 10 days of operation.
Veterans Affairs Canada is considering is considering adding disposable cannabis vaping pens to a reimbursement program.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cannabinoids demonstrate some efficacy in the treatment of pain and chemotherapy-related nausea; limited data suggest potential benefits in the treatment of spasticity and anxiety” and that “risks of cannabinoids in older patients appear to be moderate, and their frequency comparable to other analgesic drug classes.”
A study found that “chronic, heavy, recreational cannabis use was associated with worse driving performance in non-intoxicated drivers, and earlier onset of use was associated with greater impairment.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Virginia Sheriffs’ Association is speaking out against legalizing marijuana.
A report from New Mexico Ethics Watch examines marijuana industry campaign contributions in the state.
/ BUSINESS
Fyllo acquired CannaRegs.
Canopy Growth Corporation is delaying the launch of its cannabis-infused beverages.
Union workers at Vireo Health New York ratified a new three-year contract.
Canopy Growth, Aurora Cannabis and Hexo Corp. are all facing potential class-action lawsuits.
/ CULTURE
The National Football League and NFL Players Association are close to an agreement on “significant modifications to the drug and disciplinary policies,” with sources saying that a less punitive marijuana policy is likely to be enacted.
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