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More banks working with cannabis businesses (Newsletter: June 15, 2018)

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Medical marijuana rider survives; Vote on research for vets blocked; Lawmakers push for industry equity

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

New U.S. Department of Treasury data shows that while there was a slight dip in the number of banks working with marijuana businesses after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions revoked the Cole Memo, the number of cannabis-friendly financial institutions is on the rise again.

U.S. Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) decided to withdraw an amendment to remove state medical cannabis protections from Justice Department legislation after realizing he didn’t have the votes in the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill with the rider in it now heads to the Senate floor.

The U.S. House Rules Committee blocked a floor vote on an amendment to encourage the Department of Veterans Affairs to study medical cannabis.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions spoke about his anti-marijuana views in a radio interview.

A new House resolution calls on states to adopt policies to ensure equity in the marijuana industry for communities that have been targeted by the war on drugs.

/ FEDERAL

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams is skeptical that marijuana can help reduce opioid issues, and also said that he is not able to endorse safe consumption facilities for illegal drugs because they are against federal law.

The U.S. House bill to fund the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services contains a rider barring the use of funds to support safe consumption facilities for illegal drugs.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) spoke about the benefits of legalizing hemp in a floor speech.

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) called marijuana a “gateway” drug and said he will likely oppose federal cannabis reform legislation. He also again spoke about fentanyl-laced marijuana in a floor speech.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) asked Facebook if it has “ever discriminated against any American users or content on its services on the basis of the user’s or content’s advocacy for a political position on any issue in local, State, or national politics” including “advocacy for or against…consumption of marijuana.”

U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) discussed their new marijuana bill.

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) is under fire for posing for a photo with a Philippine diplomat who compared his country’s bloody “war on drugs” to a “FINAL SOLUTION like the Nazis adopted.”

Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI) said he supports medical cannabis, especially for military veterans.

Congressman Dan Donovan (R-NY) and his primary challenger both opposed marijuana legalization during a debate.

Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) tweeted, “The war on drugs has devastated communities of color; we must ensure training and job opportunities in the legal #marijuana industry are open for all Americans.”

Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “Far too many people have had their lives ruined for smoking a joint. The U.S. should end the federal prohibition of marijuana and commute the terms of anyone who has been convicted of possession.”

Former Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) coauthored an anti-legalization Wall Street Journal op-ed with Smart Approaches to Marijuana.

The U.S. House bill to deschedule marijuana got one new cosponsor, for a total of 35.

The U.S. House resolution calling for an apology for the war on drugs got nine new cosponsors, for a total of 36.

The U.S. House bill to require more research licenses for marijuana cultivation got one new cosponsor, for a total of 35.

/ STATES

The Maine Supreme Court ruled that employers don’t need to pay for medical cannabis under the state workers’ compensation system.

The Rhode Island House approved a bill to provide for life sentences for people who sell drugs that lead to overdose deaths. Separately, here’s a look at lawmakers’ move to multiply medical cannabis dispensary licensing fees by 50 times.

The California Senate unanimously passed a bill to allow doctors to prescribe CBD medications once approved by the federal government.

An Oregon court dismissed an appeal from Josephine County commissioners, who were seeking to restrict marijuana cultivation.

Vermont’s attorney general released guidance on workplace marijuana issues as legalization approaches.

Every Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate endorsed legalizing marijuana during a debate.

Tennessee gubernatorial candidates discussed marijuana policy at a forum.

Guam gubernatorial candidates are asking Congress to respect state and territory medical cannabis laws.

Louisiana regulators confirmed that medical cannabis will be subject to sales taxes.

New Mexico’s medical cannabis advisory board canceled a meeting because it doesn’t have enough members.

Massachusetts regulators have ambitious research plans to track the impact of marijuana legalization.

Michigan representatives filed a bill to expunge marijuana convictions in the event of legalization.

Here’s a look at how New Hampshire’s medical cannabis program is doing five years in.

/ LOCAL

The La Crosse County, Wisconsin executive committee is considering placing a marijuana legalization advisory question on the November ballot.

A Denver, Colorado task force met to discuss why so few businesses are taking advantage of a law allowing marijuana social use areas.

Elected officials in Leoni Township, Michigan have returned extra money they earned for processing medical cannabis applications, but will hold onto resulting boosts to their pension funds.

/ ADVOCACY

The Texas Republican Party is considering adopting marijuana decriminalization and medical cannabis platform planks.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

The RAND Corporation is conducting an online survey about marijuana use patterns.

A survey found that 19.8% of high school students have used marijuana within the past 30 days.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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