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More late money pours into cannabis campaigns (Newsletter: Oct. 30, 2018)
Marijuana campaign ads on TV; Company wants to trademark “cannabis” for t-shirts; Marijuana Halloween costumes
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
In case you missed my email on Monday afternoon: Marijuana Moment just promoted Kyle Jaeger, who has been doing solid freelance work for us for a few months, to associate editor—our first full-time employee. Here’s how you can help us keep growing our team so you don’t miss any key cannabis news.
New campaign finance filings from supporters and opponents of Michigan and Missouri marijuana ballot measures showed late contributions pouring in, including a sizable anti-legalization donation from the Dow Chemical Corporation.
Here’s an overview of TV and web ads supporting and opposing marijuana ballot measures in the lead-up to Election Day.
Marijuana Moment’s Chris Wallis compiled some ideas for original cannabis-related Halloween costumes. No more tired Cheech and Chong getups here…
/ FEDERAL
U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Karl Schultz suggested that Canada’s legalization of marijuana wouldn’t necessarily increase smuggling over the border, since there has already been significant trafficking under prohibition.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Republican challenger Lawrence Zupan debated marijuana policy.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) spoke about his support for marijuana law reform.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and her challengers debated marijuana policy.
As some Democratic congressional candidates are running on marijuana reform platforms, others are slow to embrace the issue.
Utah Democratic Senate candidate Jenny Wilson tweeted in support of the state’s medical cannabis ballot measure.
/ STATES
Utah lawmakers and advocates are working to tweak provisions of proposed medical cannabis compromise legislation. The House speaker also held a public forum on the issue.
Colorado gubernatorial candidates debated marijuana policy.
A P.R. person for an unnamed Massachusetts dispensary said the company was preparing to make its first recreational marijuana sales this week, but later retracted the claim.
North Dakota regulators began accepting medical cannabis patient and caregiver applications.
Michigan regulators approved a number of medical cannabis license applications but many dozens of others dispensaries are facing shutdown as a Wednesday licensing deadline looms. They also sent a clarification about applicants who miss the deadline but maintaining existing inventory while their proposals are considered.
/ LOCAL
San Francisco, California’s mayor announced the expansion of the city’s cannabis equity program.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Malaysia’s law minister said that legalizing marijuana and other drugs could reduce prison costs.
Belizean Prime Minister Dean Barrow criticized an opposition party over its support for marijuana legalization.
Lawmakers in Bangladesh approved a bill to expand the use of the death penalty for drug offenses.
The Chinese government cautioned its citizens against using marijuana in Canada.
Singapore’s government warned its citizens not to consume cannabis in other countries.
/ ADVOCACY
Attorney Michael Avenatti made a bizarre marijuana reference as part of a criticism of President Trump’s request for attorneys’ fees in a lawsuit, but later deleted the tweet. He made a similar comment in an email to a reporter.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study added to evidence of “MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as an innovative, efficacious treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder” and found that “there were no drug-related serious adverse events, and the treatment was well-tolerated.”
A review of medical cannabis in treating inflammatory bowel disease found “benefit in controlling symptoms and improving quality of life, but no studies have established true disease modification.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that New Jersey adults support legalizing marijuana, 58%-37%.
The Kansas City Star editorial board endorsed one of Missouri’s medical cannabis ballot measures and is opposing the other two.
/ BUSINESS
MedMen is reportedly trying to trademark the use of the word “cannabis” on t-shirts.
The co-founder and former CEO of Eaze started a new cannabis logistics and compliance platform called WAYV.
Uruguayan medical cannabis company Cannapur is considering filing an IPO.
Instagram is still pulling down some Canadian marijuana accounts even under legalization.
Shares in Curaleaf Holdings Inc. fell in its first day of trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange.
Other cannabis stocks dipped as well.
The Philadelphia Inquirer looks at why so many marijuana companies are stacking their boards with political heavyweights.
Slate’s Working podcast looks at what it’s like to be a marijuana dispensary compliance specialist.
/ CULTURE
Former NBA player Paul Pierce is launching a vape pen business and says he regularly uses CBD oil.
Jimmy Kimmel Live had a segment on the Utah lawmaker who tried a marijuana gummy bear.
Jimmy Fallon had some jokes about marijuana and the midterms.
People are wondering if a surveillance videos shows that an Oregon marijuana dispensary is haunted.
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