Newsletter
Sanders open to covering cannabis under Medicare for All (Newsletter: October 28, 2019)
GOP congressman worries impeachment jeopardizes marijuana bills; Finland to consider decrim; SXSW cannabis panels; Castro’s marijuana plan
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The national policy director for the presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said the candidate would not rule out covering medical cannabis under Medicare for All, though he dodged a question about whether he would consider removing drugs besides marijuana from Schedule I.
Former Housing and Urban Development Sec. Julian Castro, a presidential candidate, proposed a criminal justice reform plan that includes legalizing marijuana, expunging cannabis records, ending the war on drugs and using tax revenue to help communities harmed by prohibition.
Rep. David Joyce (R-OH) told Marijuana Moment in an interview that he’s concerned the partisan dispute over impeaching President Trump could jeopardize marijuana reform. He also suggested that social equity and restorative justice provisions should be handled separately from legislation allowing states to enact their own cannabis laws.
Finland’s Parliament is now required to formally consider a marijuana decriminalization proposal after advocates collected a sufficient number of petition signatures to force the issue.
SXSW announced it approved two dozen cannabis-focused panels for its 2020 event. Topics include military veterans, social equity, infused drinks, media coverage, women, children and the intersection of industry and movement.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania tweeted, “Trafficking illegal drugs (yes even Marijuana) is inherently violent activity. Guns in the hands of drug dealers are not a coincidence, they are a necessary tool of the trade.”
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration issued guidelines on using oral fluid specimens in federal workplace drug testing programs.
Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich tweeted, “In 2017, more Americans were arrested for marijuana possession than for murder, rape, aggravated assault and robbery combined. That’s one marijuana arrest every minute. @BernieSanders is right: We must end the idiotic, racist federal prohibition of marijuana. Now.”
South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D), a presidential candidate, reiterated his pledged to decriminalize drugs, legalize marijuana, expunge records and invest in communities harmed by prohibition in a criminal justice plan.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a presidential candidate, tweeted, “Marijuana should be legal.” He also tweeted, “We must legalize marijuana, but that is not all. We will also ensure that revenue from legal marijuana is reinvested in communities hit hardest by the War on Drugs, especially African-American and other communities of color.”
A newspaper published a photograph of Rep. Katie Hill (D-CA) appearing to smoke a bong.
Colorado Democratic U.S. Senate candidates debated cannabis issues.
Georgia Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Ted Terry tweeted, “As Mayor I led Clarkston to be the first city in #Ga to decriminalize cannabis. Now I’m running for US Senate to end the War on Drugs as we know it. @BernieSanders plan is exactly the policy change we need to bring equitable & just change on this issue.”
/ STATES
The governors of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island discussed marijuana and vaping issues at a meeting.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) is scheduled to speak at a Thursday forum hosted by prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) is surveying lawmakers on whether marijuana legalization and other issues should be priorities for the 2020 legislative session.
Kentucky Democratic attorney general candidate Greg Stumbo launched a video ad about his support for medical cannabis.
Former Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich (R) spoke about his support for medical cannabis but said the issue of broader marijuana legalization is “very difficult.”
A Massachusetts judge ordered the state to amend a ban on vaping products to allow the sale of crushed marijuana flower for vaping.
Utah regulators began accepting applications for medical cannabis pharmacy licenses.
Rhode Island regulators are facing a potential lawsuit from a medical cannabis company if they do not license additional dispensaries.
Michigan regulators scheduled additional marijuana social equity outreach sessions.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 cannabis bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.
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/ LOCAL
Adena, Ohio voters will see a marijuana decriminalization measure on their ballots next month.
A former Philadelphia, Pennsylvania mayor who was reluctant to sign a marijuana decriminalization ordinance is now working for a medical cannabis company.
Activists staged a protest at a Rolla, Missouri City Council meeting over a police officer’s treatment of a medical cannabis patient.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The French National Assembly approved an amendment for a two-year medical cannabis pilot program. President Emmanuel Macron said he is not in favor of broader marijuana legalization.
Here’s a look at various Mexican marijuana legalization proposals that have been filed. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador seemed to avoid a cannabis question at a press conference. Separately, regulators disputed claims that they are hosting a legalization event.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “there has been some progress in expunging previous cannabis-related convictions, particularly misdemeanors, and decreasing cannabis-related arrests” but that “encouraging diversity in the cannabis industry and the funding of equity programs has been very limited,” although “there is no evidence to-date that populations that have suffered most as a result of cannabis prohibition are at increased risk from its legalization.”
A study found that “removing brand imagery reduced the appeal and youth orientation of cannabis products” and that “health warnings and THC symbols reduced perceived appeal of cannabis products.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The chairman of the New Mexico Republican Party criticized Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s (D) push to legalize marijuana.
The Kansas City Star editorial board is urging lawmakers to pass medical cannabis legislation.
The New York Post editorial board criticized moves to remove consideration of parental marijuana use in child custody cases.
60 Minutes aired a segment about California’s challenges in implementing marijuana legalization.
/ BUSINESS
Leafly is freezing hiring and canceling non-essential employee travel to rein in spending.
Tilray Inc. shared jumped on news that it imported medical cannabis into the U.S. for a trial in treating disorders caused by breast cancer treatments.
/ CULTURE
Musician Melissa Etheridge tweeted, “Wow…there is not enough legal #cannabis in California to help me get through this @Chiefs @packers game…#ChiefsKingdom”
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
