Newsletter
Legalization opponents admit Sched. I blocks research (Newsletter: May 4, 2018)
DEA working to undermine UT cannabis measure; NIDA head says marijuana “dumbs you down”; MI GOP might pass legalization
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Friends of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a group made up of many prominent legalization opponents who have previously dismissed the idea that federal law blocks marijuana research told Congress in a submission that Schedule I “effectively limit[s] the amount and type of research that can be conducted” on cannabis.
A U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration task force is partnering with the Utah Medical Association to actively convince people who signed a medical cannabis ballot petition to rescind their signatures.
/ FEDERAL
U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow said “marijuana dumbs you down” and she’s not sure it’s safer than alcohol or tobacco.
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted, “We should legalize marijuana AND help those who have suffered due to its prohibition. My bill legalizes marijuana & aims to right some wrongs of our failed drug war which has had a disproportionately devastating impact on Americans of color & the poor.”
Minnesota Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Richard Painter says he supports marijuana law reform.
/ STATES
Michigan Senate Republicans are reportedly concocting a plan to amend and pass a proposed marijuana legalization initiative in order to keep it off the ballot and avoid a Democratic voter turnout boost in November.
Colorado lawmakers sent legislation to allow marijuana “tasting rooms” to the desk of Gov. John Hickenlooper (D).
The Missouri legislature approved industrial hemp legislation.
The Arizona House of Representatives defeated a bill to require medical cannabis testing.
New Jersey’s Senate president is optimistic that marijuana legalization can pass this year, but says Gov. Phil Murphy (D) needs to “do more than say he just supports it” to help build momentum. Meanwhile, Murphy said he has consumed cannabis “once or twice” after previously dodging questions about his possible use.
Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle (R), a gubernatorial candidate, says he regrets his initial opposition to medical cannabis.
The New Hampshire Senate voted 14-10 to hold a medical cannabis homegrow bill for interim study, effectively killing it for the year.
Oregon regulators are holding a series of public education events about the state’s new marijuana tracking system.
/ LOCAL
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) is moving to allow safe injection facilities for illegal drug consumers.
The Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Board of Supervisors is considering a proposal to place a nonbinding marijuana legalization question on the November ballot.
A Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania city councilwoman is introducing a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he’s not anticipating a delay in marijuana legalization despite concerns raised by several Senate committees.
Colombian presidential candidate Gustavo Petro supports decriminalizing drugs. And here’s a look at the rollout of legal medical cannabis in the country.
/ ADVOCACY
Hemp advocates and industry outfits are claiming that the federal court ruling on CBD doesn’t negatively affect them.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that New York voters support legalizing marijuana, 63%-32%.
The Portland Press Herald editorial board slammed misleading claims by marijuana legalization opponents.
/ BUSINESS
Marijuana sales on 4/20 were up 61% from last year, according to MJ Freeway.
Leafly’s YouTube account was removed as part of a larger purge of cannabis-related content on the site.
Grasslands’s Ricardo Baca discussed his thoughts about the demise of The Cannabist, including his moves to potentially buy it.
Advanced Biomedics is suing Southern University to renegotiate its medical cannabis cultivation arrangement.
The Dab by Next Harvest is voluntarily recalling marijuana products due to the presence of elevated yeast and mold counts and potentially unsafe pesticide residues.
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