Newsletter
Mitch McConnell’s cannabis journey, according to Rand Paul (Newsletter: December 31, 2019)
Tucker Carlson: Boehner a ‘disgusting pig’ for marijuana work; World’s biggest drug survey; Floridians support legal cannabis
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) joked about teaching Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) the difference between marijuana and hemp in his annual Festivus tweetstorm last week.
- “I feel responsible though because after all of this, he became “Cocaine Mitch.” So maybe Cannabis is a gateway drug after all… I’m kidding stoners. Don’t @ me.”
Fox News host Tucker Carlson called former House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) a “pig” for his “disgusting” work in the marijuana industry.
- “Waking up every morning taking a paycheck getting your kids to smoke more weed? Why isn’t John Boehner considered disgusting? I consider John Boehner disgusting. Why don’t most Republicans think that?”
The world’s largest annual drug use survey—the Global Drug Survey—is accepting responses until next week. This year’s questions look at CBD, microdosing, psychedelic therapy, police interactions, partying and much more.
/ FEDERAL
Customs and Border Protection’s Chicago Field Office posted a video on Twitter explaining how the agency will handle marijuana coming into the country at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), a presidential candidate, spoke about her support for legislation to increase funding for drug addiction treatment (about 27 minutes into the linked video).
/ STATES
The Florida House of Representatives filed a request with the state Supreme Court to participate in oral arguments about a proposed marijuana legalization ballot measure.
Nevada regulators issued a health and safety notice about marijuana products that failed secondary microbial testing. They also temporarily closed the cannabis testing lab that initially cleared the products for sale.
Minnesota lawmakers will consider legislation to allow smokable forms of medical cannabis in the new session.
Here’s a look ahead at California marijuana news to watch in 2020.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 cannabis bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
The Polk County, Florida sheriff slammed Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg’s plane to decriminalize possession of all drugs.
Marijuana arrests dropped in Chicago, Illinois suburbs by a range of 63% to roughly 80% from 2015 to 2018.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Bermuda’s attorney general filed a medical cannabis bill and proposed related regulations.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “consumers in states where recreational cannabis is legal were less likely to purchase cannabis out-of-state than consumers in states where recreational cannabis is not legal.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Floridians support legalizing marijuana, 59%-31%.
NORML published a 2019 legislative report that looks at how marijuana bills advanced across the country this year.
/ BUSINESS
Cresco Labs announced the opening of its first five Sunnyside* dispensaries in Illinois as of the beginning of recreational marijuana sales in the state on January 1.
/ CULTURE
Rapper B-Real and Joe Rogan discussed marijuana while smoking blunts.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
