Newsletter
Medical cannabis protections set to expire Friday, again (Newsletter: Dec. 18, 2017)
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No 280E fix in final tax bill; Congressman gets marijuana socks for Xmas; VA decrim bill filed
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
U.S. Sen. Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MS) spoke about how provisions protecting state medical cannabis laws from federal interference “were approved with bipartisan support,” and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) predicted they “will ultimately be protected” in Fiscal Year 2018 spending legislation. The protections, along with funding for the federal government, are currently set to expire on Friday.
/ FEDERAL
A congressional conference committee did not include a fix to the 280E penalty on marijuana businesses in the final tax reform bill expected to be approved by the House and Senate next week.
A Politico investigation revealed that the Obama administration, in its determination to secure a nuclear deal with Iran, derailed law enforcement efforts against drug trafficking by the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah, even as it funneled cocaine into the U.S.
Dan Pfeiffer, former senior advisor to President Obama, tweeted that he supports legalizing marijuana and seemed to joke that cannabis reform would be included in a broad bill Democrats should pass after presumably taking over Congress and the presidency in 2021.
U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) decried the arduous “regulatory acrobatics” that researchers wishing to study medical cannabis must perform:
- “Under current law, those who want to complete research on the benefits of medical marijuana must engage in a complex application process and interact with several federal agencies… The longer researchers have to wait, the longer patients have to suffer… The regulatory hoops researchers have to jump through significantly delay the production of potentially life-changing medications that Americans need.”
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent morale is reportedly being undermined by a federal law that makes it harder for them to go after suspicious opioid shipments.
Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) bought Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) a pair of marijuana print socks to keep “spirits high during the holidays.”
Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted that “ending the ‘war on drugs’ includes making sure that full rights are restored to every American who spent time in jail for marijuana possession.”
The U.S. House bill to increase marijuana businesses’ access to banks got one new cosponsor, bringing the total to 58.
/ STATES
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) said the state’s CBD medical cannabis law needs clarification. Meanwhile, the state’s attorney general is asking a court to rule against a cannabis church.
Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) predicts that recreational marijuana consumers will flock to the state’s medical cannabis market unless “loopholes” in the law are fixed.
Minnesota Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tina Liebling, a state representative, is calling for the repeal of the prohibition on marijuana use.
North Dakota’s attorney general approved the format for a proposed 2018 marijuana legalization ballot initiative.
An Arizona county attorney dropped a multi-year bid to overturn the state’s medical cannabis law, opting not to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to consider whether state marijuana policies are preempted by federal prohibition.
California officials are actively working on a solution to the marijuana industry’s banking access issues. Separately, the Washington Post looks at opportunities for people in the state to expunge their past cannabis convictions.
A Florida judge will hear arguments next month in a case concerning a ban on medical cannabis smoking that lawmakers enacted this year.
Tennessee’s medical marijuana task force is drafting a cannabis oil bill.
New Hampshire’s marijuana legalization study commission meets on Monday.
Colorado regulators laid out changes to marijuana excise tax categories that will go into effect on January 1. Separately, some police forces in the state are easing restrictions on past marijuana use by recruits.
A Virginia senator introduced a marijuana decriminalization bill.
Michigan regulators began accepting medical cannabis business license applications.
The Associated Press looks at confusion over the legality of CBD medical cannabis oil in Idaho.
A survey found that 82% of West Virginia doctors are interested in medical cannabis.
Only six Louisiana doctors have applied to recommend medical cannabis.
A Florida representative introduced legislation to appropriate $1.7 million for medical cannabis research.
A Utah representative filed a bill to change the composition and duties of the state Cannabinoid Product Board.
The Council of State Governments held a day-long series of discussions about marijuana policy.
/ LOCAL
A Little Rock, Arkansas city director is pushing to make marijuana arrests a lower law enforcement priority.
The Columbia, Missouri City Council will vote on a resolution endorsing medical cannabis on Monday.
Here’s a look at how Colorado Springs, Colorado is reconsidering its ban on recreational marijuana businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said a bill to legalize medical cannabis will be introduced this week.
/ ADVOCACY
Follow The Money has a look at campaign spending on ballot initiatives concerning marijuana and other issues.
Scott Greenlee, head of anti-legalization campaign Healthy and Productive Michigan, posted a Facebook photo of himself buying a new gun after he allegedly received threats from cannabis activists.
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies received a $1 million Bitcoin donation.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Denver Post editorial board fears that the city “overplayed its regulatory authority” implementing a voter-approved marijuana social use initiative.
The Los Angeles Times editorial board is worried that California marijuana regulations will push out smaller growers.
The Boston Herald editorial board is not happy that Massachusetts regulators approved marijuana deliveries and social use areas.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial board is skeptical of a proposed local marijuana legalization ordinance.
The Portland Press Herald editorial board says Republicans’ efforts to block marijuana regulation bolsters the criminal market.
The Center for New Revenue’s Pat Oglesby takes a look at key questions in federal marijuana tax legislation.
/ BUSINESS
Dixie Brands CEO Tripp Keber stepped down to take a new role with BR Brands.
Alaska regulators revoked the license of Frozen Buds and fined the company $500,000 for allegedly selling untested marijuana edibles. Separately, cannabis growers in the state are upset that wholesale taxes aren’t dropping along with prices.
/ CULTURE
Here’s a fun Family Feud clip about men, mothers-in-law and marijuana.
