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O’Rourke And Cruz clash on cannabis at debate (Newsletter: Sep. 24, 2018)
Kenyan lawmaker files marijuana legalization bill; Willie Nelson want to smoke weed with Trump & Putin; Trump to talk drugs at UN
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Congressman Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) clashed on marijuana and drug policy in a heated exchange during their first debate.
A Kenyan member of Parliament is filing a marijuana legalization bill.
/ FEDERAL
President Trump will host an event on the “World Drug Problem” at the United Nations on Monday.
The U.S. Department of Justice is moving to dismiss a landlord’s chapter 11 bankruptcy case because he leased space to a marijuana producer.
U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein reportedly considered naming James Cole, author of the famous cannabis Cole Memo, as special counsel before he settled on Robert Mueller.
A federal judge ruled that the Ohio municipalities of Garrettsville and Windham must place marijuana decriminalization measures on their November ballots after local officials initially rejected them.
Former White House Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey, citing the fact that it took a court ruling for a California girl to be able to use medical cannabis at school, said, “We are turning into a nation of rule bound nincompoops.”
Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “The fact that #BothamJean was murdered by a police officer who entered his apartment thinking it was hers, and then police only searched his apartment and revealed that he was in possession of marijuana, highlights what is wrong with our criminal justice system.”
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY) tweeted about events to help people expunge low-level marijuana convictions and outstanding summons warrants.
Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL) tweeted, “Apparently US will import #MedicalMarijuana from Canada because AG Sessions and @TheJusticeDept won’t approve US grower applications. This is peak of absurdity!”
The U.S. House bill to require the federal government to study the impact of state marijuana legalization got one new cosponsor, for a total of 28.
Texas Democratic congressional candidate Colin Allred criticized incumbent Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX):
- His outdated views on the war on drugs are frozen in the 1980s. There are veterans who are suffering from PTSD and other combat injuries and could benefit from medical marijuana right now. They want it, their doctors want to prescribe it, and Congressman Sessions is standing in the way.”
/ STATES
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced two new marijuana legalization listening sessions in addition to the 15 that had already been scheduled.
California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) vetoed a bill to expand marijuana research. He also signed a bill to define cannabis microbusinesses and make changes to fingerprint requirements. Separately, a judge ruled that a kindergartener can bring her cannabis medicine to school.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) announced that some arrests for public use of marijuana will result in citations, rather than people being taken into custody.
Florida Democratic attorney general candidate Sean Shaw announced that if elected he would drop appeals the state is mounting against challenges to medical cannabis restrictions. Separately, a newspaper investigation found that at least 80 candidates for public office are at risk of having their bank accounts closed due to marijuana industry donations.
The sponsor of New Jersey’s marijuana legalization bill expects a vote next month.
A Pennsylvania representative will file a marijuana legalization bill on Monday.
Maine regulators are investigating a restaurant’s practice of blowing marijuana smoke onto lobsters before boiling them to death.
Colorado regulators sent a bulletin about the testing of hemp products by marijuana testing facility licensees.
Oregon regulators upheld the license suspension of marijuana business after it became the subject of a federal criminal investigation.
Questions are being raised about marijuana industry donations to the campaign of Ohio Republican attorney general candidate Dave Yost that came in while he was reviewing the medical cannabis program as state auditor.
Pennsylvania regulators certified eight medical schools as medical cannabis research centers.
Michigan regulators are allowing medical cannabis patients and their doctors to register online.
A Nebraska senator said she will file a medical cannabis bill next year.
/ LOCAL
The Bergen County, New Jersey sheriff caught on tape making racist comments about marijuana legalization has resigned.
/ INTERNATIONAL
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her country will not be signing onto a Trump administration anti-drug proposal for the United Nations.
A Uruguayan ambassador criticized the U.S. drug war document.
UK regulators released guidance on the definition of medical cannabis products that will be available for prescription. Separately, a former justice secretary is calling for the legalization of all drugs.
Thailand’s Narcotics Control Board is pushing the government to legalize medical cannabis.
Russia and the European Union held consultations on drug policy.
/ ADVOCACY
The Maryland Democratic Party tweeted about Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous’s support for legalizing marijuana.
The Idaho Republican Party tweeted about Democratic gubernatorial candidate Paulette Jordan’s support for legalizing marijuana.
Progressive group Our Revolution endorsed Michigan’s marijuana legalization ballot measure.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “among people who use illicit drugs initiating opioid agonist treatment in Vancouver, at least daily cannabis use was associated with approximately 21% greater odds of retention in treatment compared with less than daily consumption.”
A review found that “marijuana use did not increase the prevalence or progression of hepatic fibrosis in [hepatitis C virus] and HCV–HIV-coinfected patient” and that “on the contrary, we noted a reduction in the prevalence of [nonalcoholic fatty liver disease] in marijuana users.
A study concluded that “cannabinoid agonists (THC/CBD) can have remarkable analgesic capabilities, as adjuvant of [spinal cord stimulation], for the treatment of chronic refractory pain of [failed back surgery syndrome] patients.”
A study found that “maternal cannabis use may be a risk factor for early initiation among their offspring.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Detroit Free Press editorial board endorsed Michigan’s marijuana legalization ballot measure.
/ BUSINESS
Acreage Holdings plans to go public in a reverse takeover.
TD Ameritrade said men account for 75% of all marijuana-related securities trades.
Canadian newspapers are creating marijuana-focused beats.
/ CULTURE
Comedy Central’s Jim Jefferies discovered that Amsterdam’s marijuana tolerance means police have basically nothing to do. Two cops even waited outside a coffeeshop while he smoked a joint before joining them on a tour of the city.
The Onion asks, “Can A Serial Marijuana User Like Josh Gordon Fit In With The Patriots’ Cocaine-Based Culture?”
The TV show Snowfall featured a discussion among characters about the racist motivations for and failure of the war on drugs.
Musician Willie Nelson says he’d like to consume cannabis with Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama.
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