Newsletter
Mexican committees release legal cannabis bill for vote this month (Newsletter: October 21, 2019)
Court tosses DEA cultivation app lawsuit; Former VA head now backs marijuana research; NFL owners ready to make cannabis concessions
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There are now 1,211 cannabis-related bills moving through state legislatures and Congress for 2019 sessions.
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Several Mexican Senate committees jointly negotiated and released a comprehensive marijuana legalization bill that leaders aim to pass this by the end of this month in accordance with a Supreme Court deadline.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit dismissed a lawsuit challenging the Drug Enforcement Administration’s delays in considering marijuana cultivation license applications.
Former Veterans Affairs Sec. David Shulkin, who oversaw VA efforts to block veterans’ participation in medical marijuana research while in office, said in a new interview that “the time is now” to expand cannabis studies.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration will accept vaping devices and cartridges as part of its National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a presidential candidate, pledged to “end the horrifically destructive war on drugs and legalize marijuana” at a large rally.
The office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) tweeted about Murray State University’s “leading Center for Agricultural Hemp.”
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) cited his House-passed amendment to recognize tribal sovereignty over marijuana programs in a newsletter for Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair the harms of the war on drugs got one new cosponsor for a total of 49.
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and withhold funding from states with discriminatory enforcement got four new cosponsors for a total of 49.
The House bill to deschedule marijuana got one new cosponsor for a total of 34.
The House bill to protect veterans from losing their benefits for marijuana use got two new cosponsors for a total of nine.
The House bill to create a safe harbor for veterans who use medical cannabis got one new cosponsor for a total of two.
/ STATES
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) declared last Friday as “Wisconsin Hemp Day.”
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) tweeted a video summarizing his marijuana legalization summit with regional governors, saying, “I know that by collaborating together, sharing resources, and thinking collectively, our states can come up with smart cannabis policy and protect the public health.”
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s (D) Office of Community Affairs tweeted a link to a petition calling on Congress to stop interfering with the city’s marijuana laws.
Utah regulators advised medical cannabis patients not to use THC vaping products.
The Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee On Cannabis policy will hold a hearing on several marijuana and hemp bills on Tuesday.
Nevada regulators suspended the license of marijuana grower Helios for unspecified reasons.
Oregon regulators approved marijuana violation stipulated settlement agreements.
Alaska regulators will consider marijuana licensing decisions on Tuesday.
New Mexico regulators will hold a public hearing on proposed medical cannabis rules on November 22.
Here’s a look at how former Michigan lawmakers are working in the marijuana industry.
The Los Angeles Times examines how marijuana legislation fared in California this session.
Georgia’s medical cannabis expansion is stalled because officials still haven’t appointed members of the commission who are charged with overseeing implementation.
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/ LOCAL
Denver, Colorado officials will hold two cannabis community public forums over the next week.
San Diego, California officials ordered roughly two dozen marijuana growing and processing businesses to close because they haven’t received permits.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Australia’s attorney general warned local officials that their marijuana legalization law doesn’t protect people from being punished under ongoing federal prohibition.
A Brazilian court ruled that a couple can grow medical cannabis for their son.
A Canadian member of Parliament is under fire for failing to disclose his involvement in a marijuana start-up company.
Dutch regulators opened a public comment period on a “controlled cannabis supply chain experiment.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of marijuana products in Oregon found that “both recreational and medicinal cannabis samples contained high levels of residual pesticides and pesticides not legally allowed to be used on cannabis products” and that “medicinal cannabis products were found to have mean levels of residual pesticides that were 3–12 times higher than recreational products.”
A review concluded that “psilocybin appear[s] to be potentially useful as a treatment for cancer related depression and anxiety.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Australians oppose the federal government overturning a local marijuana legalization law, 62%-27%.
The Rhode Island Republican Party is questioning ties of associates of the Democratic House speaker to a hemp company whose license was suspended by regulators.
The chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party tweeted, “Marijuana legalization is not just an economic opportunity. It’s a chance to right a societal wrong: mass incarceration. This is the reparations discussion we should be having.”
The Anchorage Daily News editorial board is in favor of a local proposal to allow on-site consumption at marijuana dispensaries.
/ BUSINESS
The CEO and COO of DionyMed Brands Inc. resigned and a creditor is seeking an immediate payment of $24.8 million.
Southern University plans to roll out CBD medical cannabis products next month.
/ CULTURE
USA Triathlon is partnering with CBD company Pure Spectrum.
National Football League owners are reportedly prepared to make concessions to the players’ union on lessening marijuana penalties. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reportedly discussed his support for the change at a recent meeting.
The PGA Tour suspended golfer Matt Every for using medical cannabis for mental health in accordance with Florida state law.
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