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A look ahead to likely 2018 victories (Newsletter: Dec. 27. 2017)
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VT gov still ready to sign legalization; VA hemp program growing; WI patient advocate passes away
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
At Forbes I put together an overview of the states that are most likely to pass marijuana bills or ballot measures in 2018.
/ FEDERAL
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) tweeted: “Our outdated policies on marijuana are turning everyday Americans into criminals, tearing apart families, and wasting huge amounts of taxpayer dollars to arrest, prosecute, and incarcerate people for non-violent marijuana charges.”
/ STATES
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) reiterated that he’s ready to sign a bill to legalize marijuana possession and home cultivation but said he doesn’t think the state is ready for commercial sales.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) says he’s “not there YET” on medical marijuana.
Potential New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Joel Giambra, a former Erie County executive, supports legalizing marijuana.
West Virginia’s Senate majority leader is skeptical that legalizing marijuana can help solve the state’s budget deficit.
A new law taking effect in January removes the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission from the Governor’s Task Force on Marijuana Eradication.
The Associated Press looks at the growth of Virginia’s industrial hemp research program.
A New Mexico senator spoke about his plans to pass a constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana.
It turns out that an elderly couple arrested for allegedly transporting 60 pounds of marijuana across the country are the parents of a Vermont prosecutor.
Oregon regulators issued an alert to cannabis growers about aphid infestations.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Here’s a profile of the only Canadian Conservative member of Parliament to vote for the government’s marijuana legalization bill.
/ ADVOCACY
Wisconsin medical cannabis patient and advocate Jacki Rickert passed away.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that a growing number of pregnant women are using marijuana.
A West Virginia State Medical Association survey found that 65% of its members think there is scientific evidence to support marijuana use as a medical treatment but that only 31% are interested in becoming certified to recommend medical cannabis to patients.
A review concluded that “there is a wide variety of reports of stroke associated with cannabis use in patients with no other risk factors.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Los Angeles Times editorial board is calling on the federal government to remove marijuana from Schedule I to reduce barriers to research.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer editorial board wants Ohio regulators to do a “do-over” on marijuana licensing due to perceived procedural problems.
The Salt Lake Tribune editorial board says a drug policy focused on demand reduction would be better than going after the supply.
/ BUSINESS
Privateer Holdings acquired marijuana edibles maker The Goodship.
The Associated Press looks at California’s burgeoning marijuana edibles market.
NBC Nightly News profiles the University of Northern Michigan’s new marijuana classes.
The Financial Times looks at competition in California’s soon-to-be-legal marijuana market.
