Newsletter
NY Health Department backs legal cannabis (Newsletter: July 16, 2018)
Alcohol trade group endorses marijuana reform; Dems discussed anti-cannabis tweet in leadership meeting; Study: legalization doesn’t boost youth use
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
New York’s Department of Health released a study concluding that the benefits of marijuana legalization outweigh its potential harms. Among other findings, the Cuomo administration report says:
- Regulating marijuana reduces risks and improves quality control and consumer protection.
- Marijuana may reduce opioid deaths and opioid prescribing.
- The majority of credible evidence suggests legalization of marijuana has no or minimal impact on use by youth.
- Legalizing marijuana results in a reduction in the use of synthetic cannabinoids/novel psychoactive substances.
- Legal sales could generate up to $677.7 million in revenues for the state in the first year.
The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America came out in support of ending federal marijuana prohibition so that states can enact legalization.
At least one Democratic lawmaker criticized the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s anti-marijuana tweet during a leadership meeting last week just before it was deleted, a participant told Marijuana Moment.
A new study found that while youth marijuana use rates are slightly higher in states with legalization, “differences between states with and without legal non‐medical cannabis may partly be due to longer‐term patterns established prior” to the end of prohibition. That undermines prohibitionists’ claims that legalization causes more youth marijuana use.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled that supervised release terms barring use of controlled substances by federal defendants also prohibit state-legal use of medical cannabis.
The U.S. Postal Service refused to deliver an Alaska newspaper because it contains a marijuana advertisement.
The U.S. attorney for the southern district of West Virginia tweeted critically about trucks claiming to sell marijuana-infused candy in New York City.
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a plan to prosecute synthetic opioid cases.
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) tweeted that the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America’s endorsement of marijuana reform is “another encouraging signal of cannabis becoming ever more established and mainstream.”
Congresswoman Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a U.S. Senate candidate, tweeted, “This July marks the one-year anniversary of recreational marijuana legalization in Nevada, a historic milestone for a change in policy that is creating jobs, diversifying our local economy, and boosting tax revenue for the state.”
Congressman Denny Heck (D-WA) tweeted about his marijuana banking amendment that will be considered in the House this week.
Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) tweeted, “Toxicology reports in Colorado are showing that marijuana found present in adolescent suicide victims has increased since legalized recreational marijuana. Drugs are contributing to our youth suicide epidemic & shouldn’t be seen as part of the solution.”
The U.S. House bill to end the 280E tax penalty on marijuana businesses got one new cosponsor, for a total of 46.
/ STATES
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s (R) budget proposes several changes to state marijuana laws. Meanwhile, two key lawmakers are pressing regulators to stop municipalities from requiring excessive payments from cannabis businesses seeking licenses.
A New Jersey worker’s compensation judge ordered a municipality to cover the cost of an employee’s medical cannabis. Separately, the state’s health commissioner tweeted that “marijuana needs to be descheduled at the federal level. Enough is enough.”
Oklahoma activists say they have so far collected more than 100,000 signatures on a petition to place a marijuana legalization measure on the state’s ballot. Roughly 124,000 valid signatures are needed. Meanwhile, medical cannabis advocates filed two lawsuits against new restrictive medical cannabis regulations. And gubernatorial candidates from all parties slammed regulators’ actions.
New York Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon tweeted, “We need a governor who will stop putting people of color in prison for something that white people do with impunity, and when I am her, I will do everything in my power to pass legislation legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in New York State.” And Democratic attorney general candidate Letitia James, currently New York City’s public advocate, cheered the state Health Department’s cannabis report, tweeting, “If NY truly wants to be a leader on criminal justice reform, economic justice, and in combatting decades-old policies that continue to hold communities of color back, then it is past time that we legalize marijuana.”
California regulators released proposed marijuana rules. Separately, officials released guidance saying that “the use of industrial hemp as the source of CBD to be added to food products is prohibited.” Meanwhile, State Controller Betty Yee was injured in a car crash involving a driver suspected of being under the influence of marijuana.
Washington State regulators suspended the license of a marijuana producer for “numerous and substantial violations including full rooms of untagged plants, clones and finished product.”
Nearly half of Florida medical cannabis businesses could be suspended for missing a little-noticed deadline requiring food safety inspections. Meanwhile, regulators are issuing more licenses.
The Associated Press looks at how leaders in conservative states are undermining medical cannabis implementation.
/ LOCAL
A analysis found that marijuana arrests are sharply down in Chicago, Illinois over the past several years but that racial disparities persist.
Advocates in Lansing, Michigan dropped their lawsuit against the city’s medical cannabis ordinance.
Powell, Wyoming officials believe pranksters planted marijuana seeds in city-owned flower pots.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Canadian government warned marijuana producers that they could lose their licenses if they sponsor events like music festivals or engage in other promotional activities.
Philippines lawmakers are expected to approve medical cannabis legislation this month.
UK officials granted a special medical cannabis license to a seven-year-old girl who suffers with a rare genetic condition. Separately, marijuana arrests in England and Wales have dropped sharply in recent years, data shows.
Trinidad and Tobago’s prime minister said decriminalizing marijuana is not a priority.
/ ADVOCACY
Kevin Sabet of prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana teased on Twitter that he has recently “experienced something that has been one of the coolest opportunities of my life and will help us in our work immensely.” Separately, the organization bashed the endorsement of legalization by New York’s health department.
The Federalist Freedom Fund, political action committee that gave all of its donations to Republicans, was entirely funded by donors from the marijuana industry.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that British adults support legalizing marijuana, 51%-35%.
/ BUSINESS
Banks are forcing marijuana businesses to sign nondisclosure agreements and putting them on long waiting lists in order to open accounts.
The New York Times examines how mainstream investors are joining the marijuana industry.
Reuters looks at how Canadian health insurers are wary of covering medical cannabis.
The Los Angeles Times profiles former mainstream tech industry workers who are now in the marijuana industry.
The CEO of Eaze thinks Amazon will sell marijuana one day.
/ CULTURE
Musician David Crosby launched a marijuana brand.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
