Newsletter
RIP The Cannabist (Newsletter: April 30, 2018)
Paul Ryan tells marijuana jokes; VT legalization expansion fails; Lots of new congressional cannabis cosponsors
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We learned some devastating news for marijuana journalism on Friday: The Denver Post is virtually shutting down original reporting at its Cannabist site (see below for details). For the past several years, the journalists there have shone a spotlight on what it looks like to end prohibition, educating the public and policymakers around the world about what works and what doesn’t. In the absence of a focused team bringing that kind of news to light, we are all going to be less smart about marijuana legalization’s implementation in Colorado.
Now, more than ever, we need to make sure that more of the untold stories in cannabis get surfaced and put into the proper context. That’s why I’m so thankful for Marijuana Moment readers like this one who are supporting our expanding work with monthly pledges on Patreon…
- Bill Nowatzke: “I have visited the MarijuanaMoment.net website several times intending to support Tom Angell. I finally did what I should have done a year ago and subscribed. Thank you Mr. Angell for your passion to erase historical negative cannabis stereotypes. Also for challenging our hypocritical politicians who are either uneducated or influenced by lobbyists pushing their non-cannabis agendas that contribute to human suffering and morbidity while infringing on the rights of good people. I still feel like I am a wannabe activist sitting on the sidelines, but I am now making a small difference.”
Marijuana legalization is one of the most interesting and important issues of our time. Please, do not let policymakers decide how this is going to happen behind closed doors, in the dark. Step up today and help fund real journalism that will surface more of the stories that need to be told.
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Denver Post is laying off all of the editorial staff for its marijuana vertical The Cannabist.
U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) told a joke about marijuana and his predecessor John Boehner at the White House Correspondents Association dinner.
/ FEDERAL
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said she has had “encouraging” conversations with Republican leadership about marijuana reform legislation.
The Congressional Black Caucus held an hour-long meeting about marijuana policy and plans to release a statement of principles on the issue soon.
U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chair Mike Conaway (R-TX) and U.S. House Freedom Caucus Chair Mark Meadows (R-NC) say they have no problem including hemp legalization in the Farm Bill.
Federal prosecutors are charging at least two Maine men for allegedly falsely saying they don’t use marijuana when purchasing guns.
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions delivered a speech on the “drug crisis in America.”
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy is significantly behind schedule in releasing the National Drug Control Strategy document.
The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics released new data on incarceration rates and parole and probation populations.
Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) said he supports letting states set their own marijuana laws.
Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA) said it’s better to regulate marijuana than ban it.
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) tweeted, “In Congress, we should pass the Marijuana Justice Act: It would both legalize marijuana and enact restorative justice for impacted communities.”
The U.S. Senate hemp bill got two new cosponsors, for a total of ten.
The U.S. House marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor, for a total of 90.
The U.S. House bill to deschedule marijuana and withhold funding from states with discriminatory enforcement got seven new cosponsors, for a total of 35.
The U.S. House bill to regulate marijuana like alcohol got one new cosponsor, for a total of 25.
The U.S. House comprehensive medical cannabis bill got one new cosponsor, for a total of 27.
The U.S. House bill to remove marijuana research roadblocks got one new cosponsor, for a total of 14.
The U.S. House bill to protect state marijuana laws from federal interference got one new cosponsor, for a total of six.
/ STATES
The Vermont House of Representatives voted to indefinitely delay consideration of legislation to legalize marijuana sales.
Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) vetoed legislation to implement marijuana legalization.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) intends to sign a bill to increase the number of medical cannabis dispensaries.
New York Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon tweeted, “It’s not enough to ‘decriminalize’ marijuana because 93% of those still arrested for possession are people of color. It’s time to legalize marijuana so we can stop putting black and brown New Yorkers in jail for something white people do with impunity.”
Colorado gubernatorial candidate Jared Polis, currently a congressman, tweeted, “Alternative pain management such as medical marijuana can be a bigger part of combating the opioid epidemic.”
Here’s a look at where Arkansas Democratic gubernatorial candidates stand on legalizing marijuana. Separately, the state Supreme Court will consider on an expedited basis a legal challenge to regulators’ medical cannabis business licensing process.
Divided Massachusetts regulators approved a plan for background checks of marijuana business license applicants.
Michigan prohibitionists are considering filing a lawsuit to keep a marijuana legalization initiative off the ballot.
An anti-legalization New Jersey senator said this about marijuana: “If you get too high you die from it. It kills you directly if it’s too potent.”
A Nebraska senator said he will introduce legislation to decriminalize marijuana.
/ LOCAL
Seattle, Washington’s mayor and city attorney are asking a court to vacate convictions and dismiss charges for marijuana possession.
The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania City Council approved a resolution calling on Congress to pass the Marijuana Justice Act.
A Pensacola, Florida mayoral candidate is proposing to decriminalize marijuana by executive order.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Zimbabwe legalized medical cannabis and marijuana research.
An Israeli government study showed pessimism about the market for medical cannabis exports.
/ ADVOCACY
The American Farm Bureau Federation is endorsing federal hemp legalization legislation.
The Utah Democratic Party voted to add support for whole-plant medical cannabis in its platform.
The Democratic Party of New Mexico tweeted, “When it comes to treating opioid addiction, all options have to be on the table — including medical marijuana.”
The Oregon Psilocybin Society is seeking testimonials from people who have benefitted from psilocybin that can be used in support of a proposed ballot initiative.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “normal variation in cannabis use is statistically unrelated to individual differences in brain morphology as measured by subcortical volume.”
A study of rats found that “terpenes do not significantly contribute to the analgesic action of cannabis extracts” and that “THC alone produced robust analgesia equivalent to the whole cannabis extract.”
The Boston Globe looks at the legacy of psychiatrist and advocate Lester Grinspoon.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Oklahoman editorial board is urging voters to reject a medical cannabis ballot measure.
Newsday’s editorial board says “the war on marijuana is more damaging to society than its consumption” but also that New York should be cautious as it considers legalization.
/ BUSINESS
Deschutes Brewery’s CEO says legal marijuana has led to decreased beer sales.
Privateer Holdings CEO Brendan Kennedy discussed his investment strategy.
A Phoenix, Arizona TV reporter apologized after suggesting that school teachers went on strike as part of a ploy to encourage the state to legalize marijuana to generate revenue.
/ CULTURE
Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Dr. Mehmet Oz discussed medical cannabis.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
