Newsletter
No. 4 House GOP leader questions Sessions’s anti-cannabis move (Newsletter: Sep. 4, 2018)
UT polls shows support for medical cannabis; Fed judge recommends dismissing suit against OR marijuana laws; Paul McCartney talks tripping
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), who as the fourth highest ranking House Republican has consistently voted against marijuana amendments, is now calling into question Attorney General Jeff Sessions’s move to rescind protections for local cannabis laws and is voicing qualified support for letting states implement legalization.
/ FEDERAL
A U.S. magistrate judge issued a report recommending that Josephine County, Oregon’s lawsuit against the state’s marijuana laws be dismissed.
A U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration special agent in New Jersey criticized efforts to legalize marijuana.
Delaware Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Kerri Evelyn Harris accused incumbent Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) of taking too long to cosponsor marijuana reform legislation.
PolitiFact ruled that a statement by New York Democratic congressional candidate Nathan McMurray on marijuana legalization reducing opioid issues is mostly true.
/ STATES
California’s Cannabis Control Appeals Panel hired a new executive director and chief counsel, and proposed regulations governing its operation.
Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner tweeted about the growth of the state’s hemp program. Separately, lawmakers will hold a hearing on medical cannabis on Friday.
Here’s a look at the prospects for Texas marijuana law reform in 2019.
Colorado’s top marijuana regulator did an interview.
/ LOCAL
Dayton, Ohio’s mayor and the local sheriff disagree on a marijuana decriminalization advisory ballot measure.
The Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Council will consider a proposal to lower marijuana penalties that is supported by the police chief next week.
A review found that San Diego, California marijuana stores are not attracting crime.
/ INTERNATIONAL
New Zealand’s former prime minister said the country should hold a binding referendum on marijuana decriminalization in 2020.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he has forgiven former U.S. President Barack Obama for criticizing his nation’s bloody “drug war.” He also revoked protections for a senator who has criticized the president’s drug enforcement policies.
The Canadian government is ramping up public education efforts on marijuana.
Here’s a look at India’s marijuana legalization movement.
/ ADVOCACY
The Vermont Democratic Party mistakenly claimed that the state was the first to legalize marijuana.
Progressive commentator Bill Press said he thinks it “won’t be long” until all 50 states legalize marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cancer models show that cannabinoids can effectively modulate tumor growth” but that “the antitumor effects appear to be largely dependent on cancer type and drug dose/concentration.”
A study found that “cannabis use is associated with decreased incidence of liver cirrhosis.”
A review found that “constituents of cannabis, such as cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, have shown anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective effects both in in vitro and clinical studies, and appear to have potential in the symptom management and treatment of various liver diseases that were previously considered difficult to manage conservatively” and that “evidence with regard to the adverse effects of marijuana use in liver diseases is weak.”
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles are studying whether medical cannabis can reduce opioid use.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Utah likely voters support medical cannabis, 64% – 33%, but that support is dropping following the Mormon Church’s campaigning against the state’s ballot measure.
A poll found that Florida voters support legal medical cannabis, 74% – 20%, and that they believe patients should be able to smoke the drug, 66% – 24%. It also showed that more voters oppose how Gov. Rick Scott (R), a U.S. Senate candidate, has implemented the law than support it.
Fox New host Tucker Carlson suggested that a Mexican state’s consideration of legalizing opium poppy cultivation is an “act of war” against the U.S.
/ BUSINESS
New Mexico medical cannabis patients spent more than $31 million on medicine during the second quarter of the year.
Canadian newspaper company Postmedia Network Inc. is launching a marijuana-focused website.
The New York Times looks at how more luxury hotels and resorts are starting to offer cannabis-based menu items and wellness treatments.
/ CULTURE
Musician Paul McCartney said he saw God during a DMT trip and that members of the The Beatles used to hide their cannabis use from producer George Martin.
Rapper Talib Kweli tweeted about racial disparities in marijuana arrests.
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