Newsletter
Schedule I blocks research, top fed research official testifies (Newsletter: Dec. 6, 2017)
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DOJ warns on cannabis bankruptcy cases; Conservative orgs push for state protections; OH app controversy
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TOP THINGS TO KNOW
National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins testified before a Senate committee that marijuana’s Schedule I status blocks research on its medical benefits.
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/schedule-blocks-marijuana-research-top-federal-health-research-official-says/
U.S. Department of Justice officials issued a reminder that bankruptcy trustees are not allowed to handle any cases involving marijuana-related assets.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomangell/2017/12/05/no-bankruptcy-aid-for-marijuana-businesses-justice-department-officials-say/
A coalition of conservative organizations like the American Enterprise Institute, the Competitive Enterprise Institute and others is urging Congress to continue a budget rider that protects state medical marijuana laws from federal interference.
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/conservative-groups-want-marijuana-protections-extended/
FEDERAL
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported that it seized more than 2.14 million pounds of illegal drugs (including 1.59 million pounds of marijuana) in Fiscal Year 2017.
https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/12/05/dhs-announces-progress-enforcing-immigration-laws-protecting-americans
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https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2017-Dec/cbp-border-security-report-fy2017.pdf
STATES
Ohio democratic gubernatorial candidate Richard Cordray, who until recently led the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, evaded questions about his position on marijuana legalization.
https://twitter.com/BenWSYX6/status/938074229152604161
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http://statenews.org/post/cordray-will-oneill-bow-out
Separately, regulators are under fire after it was revealed that they hired someone with a past felony drug conviction to score medical cannabis business license applications.
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/12/ohio_hired_convicted_felon_to.html
The Missouri Supreme Court rejected a case arguing that marijuana should be covered by the state’s right to farm amendment.
http://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/missouri-man-loses-supreme-court-fight-to-grow-marijuana/63-497175654
Florida regulators will testify before lawmakers about medical cannabis implementation on Wednesday and Thursday.
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Committees/meetingnotice.aspx?MeetingId=11564&SessionId=86&CommitteeId=2918
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http://www.leg.state.fl.us/public/GetFile.cfm?File=whUQ4J3ml8%2B5Zz3em0CAJkd4eg4%3D%7C25%2FPublic%2FCommittees%2FJAPC%2FMeetings%2F2017-12-07%200345PM%2FMeeting%20Notice%2EPDF
Washington State regulators stopped issuing hemp licenses because of a budget deficit.
http://www.capitalpress.com/Washington/20171204/hemp-on-hiatus-as-wsda-asks-for-money
Massachusetts regulators received an advisory board’s recommendations on marijuana social use areas.
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/marijuana/open-bar/
An Illinois Republican senator says he wants to work with Democrats on marijuana legalization legislation.
http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/gops-barickman-wants-work-jointly-democrats-marijuana-bill
Two California lawmakers say proposed marijuana cultivation regulations would hurt small growers.
http://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-lawmakers-say-california-s-proposed-new-1512499008-htmlstory.html
Indiana lawmakers are preparing to introduce CBD medical cannabis and industrial hemp legislation.
http://www.goshennews.com/news/local_news/statehouse-senator-plants-plan-for-industrial-hemp-cbd-reform/article_efebd860-5d19-520a-8b74-fb3a5bd320b8.html
A marijuana company named a strain after Nevada Sen. Tick Segerblom (D), who is a candidate for the Clark County Commission.
https://twitter.com/deeprootsNV/status/937085736624541696
LOCAL
San Francisco, California Mayor Ed Lee (D) is expected to sign marijuana legalization regulations on Wednesday.
http://www.sfexaminer.com/mayor-lee-expected-sign-law-sfs-recreational-cannabis-regulations-wednesday/
INTERNATIONAL
Paraguay’s Senate approved a medical cannabis research and production bill.
http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20171205/433441992389/paraguay-aprueba-marco-legal-para-uso-medico-y-cientifico-del-cannabis.html
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https://www.reuters.com/article/us-paraguay-marijuana/paraguay-congress-legalizes-planting-of-medical-marijuana-idUSKBN1DZ2ZW
Here’s a look at the Canadian Senate’s slow consideration of the marijuana legalization bill.
https://news.lift.co/senates-slow-legalization-debate/
And British Columbia officials released proposed marijuana regulations.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/bc-sets-minimum-age-of-19-to-consume-marijuana-plans-mix-of-retail-sales/article37198570/
An Irish lawmaker says the country will eventually legalize marijuana.
http://www.dublinlive.ie/news/health/debate-legalise-recreational-cannabis-ireland-13999280
SCIENCE & HEALTH
The National Institute on Drug Abuse issued a notice of intent to publish a funding opportunity to support research that will “elucidate the therapeutic potential of the cannabinoids and endocannabinoid system in the development of mechanism-based therapies for pain.”
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-DA-17-057.html
A study found that “daily cannabis use occurs predominantly among cigarette smokers.”
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2017.304050
OPINION & ANALYSIS
A NorthJersey editorial urges Gov.-elect Phil Murphy to immediately decriminalize marijuana and remove impediments to medical cannabis, but wants him to proceed with caution on legalizing marijuana.
http://www.northjersey.com/story/opinion/editorials/2017/12/05/editorial-take-time-legalizing-marijuana/924201001/
The Orange County Register editorial board says states should be able to set their own marijuana laws.
http://www.ocregister.com/2017/12/05/allow-states-to-decide-marijuana-legalization-for-themselves/
BUSINESS
NectarBee marijuana products are being recalled in Denver due to non-food grade ingredients being used.
http://mailchi.mp/denvergov/little-brown-house-recall-2555909
GW Pharmaceuticals stock price fell after it announced a plan to sell $225 million worth of shares.
https://www.greenmarketreport.com/gw-pharma-stock-falls-announcing-offering/
Bloomberg examines how marijuana businesses that franchise can’t transport their products across states.
https://www.bloombergquint.com/onweb/2017/12/06/pot-sellers-can-expand-to-other-states-but-they-can-t-bring-pot
A Brigham Young University student who runs his own fertilizer business says most of his clients are in the marijuana industry.
http://www.sltrib.com/news/business/2017/12/05/brigham-young-university-student-makes-organic-fertilizer-from-worm-poop-his-market-marijuana-growers/
