Newsletter
Polls show cannabis measures headed for passage (Newsletter: May 11, 2018)
Next VA head could back cannabis reform; Harris backs Marijuana Justice Act; WV treasurer has banking solutions
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The latest polling, including a new survey from Michigan, shows that several states are on track to overwhelmingly approve far-reaching marijuana ballot measures this year.
President Trump is considering naming Congressman Brian Mast (R-FL), who supports the right of states to set their own marijuana laws, to lead the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs.
U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) cosponsored the Marijuana Justice Act.
/ FEDERAL
The Congressional Budget Office says that committee-approved legislation to encourage the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to study medical cannabis would “cost less than $500,000 over the 2019-2023 period.”
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is considering a hemp grower’s application for water rights.
U.S. Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) said Congress has been “double-minded” about cracking down on nicotine vaping while “promoting marijuana legalization.”
Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) sent a press release about his unsuccessful attempt to scale back military policies that prevent people who have used marijuana from reenlisting.
Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “I’m so glad that @KamalaHarris has signed on to the #MarijuanaJusticeAct. Every Democrat should come out in support of ending the racist ‘war on drugs’ and reinvesting in the communities that have been most impacted.”
Congressman Tim Walz (D-MN) tweeted about bipartisan support for medical cannabis research.
The U.S. Senate industrial hemp bill got one new cosponsor, for a total of 15.
The U.S. House bill to remove the 280E tax penalty on marijuana businesses got one new cosponsor, for a total of 44.
The U.S. House bill to license more growers of marijuana for research got one new cosponsor, for a total of 29.
/ STATES
West Virginia’s treasurer is suggesting solutions to the marijuana industry’s banking access problems.
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) said he hasn’t made up his mind about whether to sign a bill to allow “tasting rooms” at marijuana businesses.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) tweeted about his support for legalizing marijuana, which he said will “allow us to reinvest directly in our communities.”
Here’s a look at where Maine gubernatorial candidates stand on marijuana issues.
Michigan regulators said CBD products will fall under the state’s medical cannabis program.
Wisconsin’s Department of Justice reversed its stance that hemp farmers can’t extract CBD from their crops.
An Ohio judge will hear oral arguments on Friday in a lawsuit seeking to halt the state’s medical cannabis business licensing process.
County prosecutors across Vermont are preparing to expunge prior marijuana convictions.
Ohio’s attorney general cleared the language of a proposed marijuana legalization ballot measure for signature gathering.
/ LOCAL
The Milwaukee County, Wisconsin County Board’s Judiciary Committee voted in favor of placing a nonbinding marijuana legalization on the November ballot.
A Decatur, Illinois police canine trainer rectracted comments claiming that marijuana legalization would lead to the euthanization of dogs.
Denver, Colorado is planning to use marijuana tax revenue to fund public housing.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he opposes legalizing marijuana because it “causes a lot of mental illness.”
The Philippine Supreme Court’s chief justice was removed from her post after criticizing the nation’s bloody “war on drugs.”
/ ADVOCACY
The Federalist Society will host a talk on federalism and state marijuana laws on May 24.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A survey found that 67% of doctors view medical cannabis as “a helpful adjunct to standard pain management strategies.”
A review concluded that “decriminalization of drug use did not have an effect on the age of onset of drug use and the prices of drugs did not decrease after the implementation of drug decriminalization.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The British Medical Journal editorial board is endorsing the legalization of drugs.
Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro highlighted marijuana legalization as a generational issue that causes Republicans to lose support from young people.
/ BUSINESS
Leading YouTuber Philip DeFranco wants to know why the site is shutting down so many marijuana-related channels.
The CEO of medical cannabis provider LeafLine Labs left the company after years of financial losses.
/ CULTURE
CBS host Gayle King said she plans to try marijuana at some point.
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