Newsletter
NY health commissioner backs cannabis legalization (Newsletter: June 19, 2018)
Senator claims medical marijuana just to “get high”; DEA head stepping down; VT legalization explainer
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
New York’s health commissioner said that the “pros outweigh the cons” of cannabis legalization and that a forthcoming state report will recommend that a “regulated legal marijuana program be available to adults.” He is also moving to add opioid use as a medical cannabis qualifying condition.
Here’s an overview of the provisions of Vermont’s marijuana legalization law that is taking effect on July 1.
/ FEDERAL
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Administrator Robert Patterson stepped down.
U.S. Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) said, “Marijuana’s not used for pain. It’s used for the high and it’s used for other purposes.”
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) sent a constituent letter about his efforts to gut hemp legalization legislation.
Questions are being raised about White House counselor Kellyanne Conway’s ongoing role in coordinating federal drug policy.
Arizona marijuana prohibitionist Seth Liebsohn failed to collect enough valid signatures for his congressional campaign.
/ STATES
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) said she would likely call a special legislative session if voters approve a medical cannabis ballot measure next week. She added that she has concerns about the proposal.
Utah regulators said that if voters approve a medical cannabis ballot measure in November, they might not be able to get a dispensary system off the ground in time to prevent triggering a provision that would allow widespread homegrow.
The New York Senate unanimously approved a bill to allow medical cannabis as an opioid alternative.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved a bill to allow medical cannabis research that had been blocked by a court ruling.
The California Assembly Banking Committee unanimously approved a marijuana banking bill.
New Jersey regulators reduced patient fees, added new qualifying conditions, removed strain limits and made other expansions to the state’s medical cannabis program.
A Florida appeals court reinstated a stay on the smoking of medical cannabis while it considers a ruling in a lawsuit on the issue. In a separate case, a judge called regulators’ medical cannabis licensing system a “colossal blunder” that created a “dumpster fire.”
A Pennsylvania representative is filing legislation to exempt medical cannabis patients from a state ban on the operation of motor vehicles by people who consume marijuana.
/ LOCAL
New York City police will announce marijuana enforcement changes on Tuesday.
Los Angeles, California’s City Council president discussed efforts to implement marijuana legalization.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Canadian House of Commons voted to send an amended marijuana legalization bill back to the Senate. In a related development, the government is rejecting changes to companion legislation on impaired driving.
The UK government formed an “expert panel” to review medical cannabis issues in light of high-profile cases of epileptic children being denied CBD medicines. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Theresa May is resisting calls for policy change. And former Foreign Secretary William Hague called for marijuana legalization. The government dismissed the idea.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study on the effects of different lights on cannabis plants found that “plant morphology can be manipulated with the light spectrum” and that “it is possible to affect the accumulation of different cannabinoids to increase the potential of medicinal grade cannabis.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Arizona Republican primary voters oppose legalizing marijuana, 74%-21%.
The Pacific Daily News editorial board wants Guam officials to allow medical cannabis homegrow.
/ BUSINESS
Former Mexican President Vicente Fox joined the High Times Board of Directors.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to decide this month whether to approve GW Pharmaceuticals’ CBD medicine Epidiolex.
Cowen Research and Headset are partnering on marijuana industry market research.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
