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NYC Mayor de Blasio backs legalizing cannabis (Newsletter: Dec. 20, 2018)

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Senator jokes he’ll give marijuana brownies to colleague; Teen use fell after WA legalization; Cannabis doesn’t alter brain structure; AK social use

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) is endorsing marijuana legalization and his administration is releasing a task force report on the topic on Thursday. Its recommendations include measures aimed at making sure large corporations don’t control the cannabis industry.

Alaska regulators held a public hearing on a proposed rule to make the state the first in the nation to proactively permit on-site social marijuana consumption at licensed facilities.

A study found that youth marijuana use declined in Washington State following legalization.

South Carolina representatives pre-filed four far-reaching marijuana bills for 2019.

A study concluded that marijuana use has “no significant effects” on brain structure.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)  made a joke about giving marijuana-infused brownies to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who replied that he could use some “right now.”

/ FEDERAL

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s inspector general’s office said in a memo that “the decriminalization of marijuana” and other factors “have led to an epidemic of impairment in transportation.”

Marijuana was a topic of discussion at a National Institute on Drug Abuse AIDS Research Program meeting.

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) tweeted, “Here’s the quantifiable truth: America’s marijuana laws are not applied or enforced in the same way for all people. We can’t let our country keep making the same mistakes of the past — it’s time to legalize marijuana at the federal level.”

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) tweeted, “I am excited that the First Step Act has passed through the Senate; it’s a huge step forward for criminal justice. I wish @SenCoryGardner’s amendment, leaving marijuana policy and regulation to individual states, had been included. We must change America’s outdated cannabis laws.”

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “While the criminal justice bill going through Congress is a first step, we need to be bolder to finally end mass incarceration in America: ✅ End cash bail ✅ End mandatory minimum sentencing ✅ Ban private prisons ✅ Legalize marijuana”

The Hill looks at the prospects for marijuana reform in the 116th Congress.

The Washington Post examines the evolution of congressional Republicans on criminal justice and marijuana.

/ STATES

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) tweeted, “More and more states are successfully implementing marijuana legalization, and we need to keep learning from their efforts. Any change would take legislation. But I think it is time for Pennsylvania to take a serious and honest look at recreational marijuana.”

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said New York’s moves toward legalizing marijuana will not affect how his state does so. Separately, Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver (D) said that “opportunities have to be available for minorities to participate in this industry.”

Outgoing Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) touted his record on marijuana decriminalization and medical cannabis in a report on his administration’s accomplishments.

Rhode Island’s House speaker suggested that legalization of marijuana in neighboring states would be a factor in deciding whether to end prohibition in 2019.

Vermont’s marijuana study committee recommended that the state implement a system to test driver impairment before it legalizes cannabis sales. It also recommended a 20% excise tax on sales if legalized.

A Florida appeals court put on hold a lower judge’s ruling overturning the state’s medical cannabis regulatory system but said that it would consider the case in an “expedited” fashion.

An Indiana senator filed a marijuana legalization bill.

Missouri regulators will begin accepting applications fees for some medical cannabis businesses on January 5. Separately, representatives filed a bills to expunge certain marijuana records. And another representative was selected to head the state’s medical cannabis program.

Massachusetts regulators began accepting applications for the state’s marijuana social equity program. Separately, regulators hosted a forum to encourage municipalities to allow cannabis businesses.

Nevada regulators are asking marijuana companies to voluntarily allow them to reveal whether they were granted conditional dispensary licenses and how their applications ranked.

Michigan regulators released guidance on medical cannabis testing requirements.

A New York assemblyman said he thinks marijuana legalization might have passed even if Democrats hadn’t won control of the state Senate.


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/ LOCAL

The Racine, Wisconsin City Council directed police to no longer charge marijuana possession as a crime.

The Norfolk, Virginia City Council endorsed decriminalizing marijuana.

Brooklyn, New York’s district attorney moved to erase minor marijuana convictions and vacate outstanding warrants for low-level cannabis offenses.

/ ADVOCACY

The head of the American Bankers Association said that legislation to allow marijuana businesses to access financial services is an area of possible bipartisan compromise in the next Congress.

The Republican Party of New York tweeted, “.@NYGovCuomo’s newfound position on legalizing recreational marijuana has everything to do with his political ambitions and zero to do with sound public policy.”

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

An analysis of Massachusetts police records found “minimal criminal activity around existing medical [cannabis] dispensaries.”

A study indicated that “self-reported marijuana use during injury recovery was associated with an increased amount and duration of opioid use,”  which is “in contrast to many patients’ perception that the use of marijuana reduces their pain and therefore the amount of opioids used.”

A study of human and rat sperm suggested “possible pre-conception paternal reproductive risks associated with cannabis use.”

/ OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Boston Globe editorial board is calling on Congress to pass federal marijuana reform in 2019.

/ BUSINESS

Anheuser-Busch InBev is partnering with Tilray to research non-alcoholic beverages containing THC & CBD.

The Royal Bank of Canada’s investment-banking division will begin advising on stock sales and arranging takeovers for companies in the marijuana industry.

Here’s a look at the difficulties inherent in marijuana influencer marketing.

An analysis from drug testing firm Quest Diagnostics looked at positive testing rates for marijuana and other drugs across various industries.

/ CULTURE

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league is engaged in conversation with the players union about potentially amending its marijuana policy.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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