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Marijuana an issue in governors races; State AGs press for banking access; VT legalization bill on gov’s desk

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Legalizing marijuana is a prominent issue in many states’ 2018 gubernatorial races.

Vermont lawmakers officially transmitted a marijuana legalization bill to Gov. Phil Scott (R), who now has five days to act on the legislation or it will become law without his signature.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) reiterated a promise to legalize marijuana in his inauguration speech.

The attorneys general of 17 states, Washington, D.C and Guam  sent a letter to congressional leaders urging that they pass legislation allowing marijuana businesses to access banks.

/ FEDERAL

Newly released audio from a 2016 meeting with a Colorado newspaper includes then-candidate Donald Trump voicing support for medical cannabis and allowing states to implement their own marijuana laws.

U.S. Veterans Affairs Sec. David Shulkin falsely claimed in a letter to members of Congress that federal law blocks the department from participating in medical cannabis research.

President Trump said that other countries respond to drug issues with “very, very tough measures,” adding: “We don’t. We’re not prepared to do that, I guess, they say, as a country.” He also tweeted that a Mexican border wall will “help stop the massive inflow of drugs pouring into our country.”

Presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway cited state-legal marijuana consumption as a behavior that people mistakenly believe doesn’t have negative health consequences.

U.S. Homeland Security Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen said that immigrants with marijuana convictions would be prioritized for deportation, just as is the case with anyone convicted of any criminal offense. (About 3:54:00 into the video.)

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) raised concerns during a Senate floor speech on surveillance legislation about marijuana convictions being searchable in a government database.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) tweeted, “I want anyone who is worried about marijuana policy to remember that every single Senate Republican voted for Jeff Sessions.”

Congressman Tom Garrett (R-VA) spoke about bipartisan support for letting states enact their own marijuana laws.

Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “Californians know that legalizing marijuana means safer communities, lower incarceration rates, fewer opioid deaths, and economic growth. It’s time to legalize marijuana nationwide.”

/ STATES

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) proposed that state health officials conduct a study on the possibility of legalizing marijuana. Republican challenger Joel Giambra said there’s no need for another study and that it’s time to legalize cannabis right now.

Leading Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidates all admit to having consumed marijuana. And Republican attorney general candidate Erika Harold says the state should explore legalizing cannabis. Separately, a judge ordered regulators to add intractable pain as a medical cannabis qualifying condition.

Vermont’s marijuana legalization study commission recommended creating another commission to study standards and testing for cannabis-impaired driving.

Nevada tax officials approved permanent recreational marijuana regulations.

The Maine Legislature’s Marijuana Legalization Implementation Committee voted to delay marijuana social use areas until 2023.

Rhode Island’s House minority leader criticized other lawmakers for considering legalizing marijuana as a budget fix.

Oklahoma’s mental health agency is requesting $3.5 million in new funding it believes is necessary ahead of a vote on medical cannabis ballot measure.

/ LOCAL

New York City marijuana arrests dropped roughly one percent last year.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Canada’s governing Liberal Party is considering a platform resolution calling for drug decriminalization.

Thailand is moving to allow medical cannabis dispensaries.

/ ADVOCACY

The Georgia NAACP launched an investigation into the arrests of 70 people at a house party where less than an ounce of marijuana was found.

/ OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Baltimore Sun editorial board wants Maryland regulators to begin issuing more medical cannabis business licenses.

/ BUSINESS

Canadian Securities Administrators is reviewing its guidelines for companies with U.S.-based  marijuana assets.

Sunrise Genetics says it has mapped the cannabis genome.

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