Newsletter
Senate committee slams Schedule I barriers to cannabis research (Newsletter: July 5, 2018)
Mexico’s new administration open to legalization; UK gov’t finds support for medical cannabis; NY’s Cuomo wants banks to work with marijuana biz
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee issued a report slamming marijuana’s federal status, saying that its Schedule I designation blocks research.
Here’s a look at where Mexican President-Elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador stands on marijuana and drug policy. His incoming interior secretary — a very high-ranking cabinet position — said she will push to legalize cannabis as well as the growth of opium poppies.
A UK government review found “conclusive evidence of medicinal benefit of cannabis based products for certain medical conditions.” That could pave the way to medical marijuana rescheduling soon.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D) administration issued a document that “encourages” banks to work with medical marijuana and hemp businesses.
/ FEDERAL
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is talking up his hemp legalization push at town hall meetings in Kentucky.
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) toured hemp fields.
Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “In America, you’re labelled as a criminal if you seek political asylum across the border or smoke marijuana, but destabilize an entire economy and you’ll be rewarded with a golden parachute.”
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ruled against a Colorado marijuana dispensary that argued the Internal Revenue Service inappropriately applied the 280E tax penalty on it.
/ STATES
A Florida appeals court rejected a lower judge’s decision to allow patients to smoke medical cannabis while a lawsuit seeking to overturn the state’s smoking ban is considered.
Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló (NPP) released medical cannabis regulations.
California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) named members to a panel that will consider objections from marijuana businesses that are denied permits or are facing penalties for violating regulations.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) received a $20,000 campaign contribution from a marijuana business.
New Hampshire’s top Senate Democrat launched a petition to legalize marijuana. Meanwhile, law enforcement is concerned about the impact of legalization in nearby states.
Oklahoma activists say they have collected nearly half the required signatures to qualify a marijuana legalization ballot measure.
The Nevada Department of Public Safety reported that traffic deaths have dropped more than 10 percent in the year since marijuana legalization was implemented. Meanwhile, the state Democratic Party is calling out Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Laxalt for not doing more to defend the state’s cannabis laws as attorney general.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) tweeted, “Our medical marijuana program sets us apart from the rest of the nation. I am proud to sign a bill that will help Pennsylvania’s premiere medical schools shape the future of treatment for patients.”
/ LOCAL
The Los Angeles, California City Council gave preliminary approval to place a measure on the November ballot to enact new marijuana taxes and fees.
Los Angeles County, California supervisors voted to crack down on unlicensed marijuana businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Swiss government is moving to allow local pilot projects on marijuana legalization and wants to increase access to medical cannabis.
Luxembourg lawmakers voted to legalize medical cannabis.
A survey found that the majority of UK members of Parliament support legalizing medical cannabis.
An organization of Caribbean nations is expected to release a report recommending marijuana legalization next week.
The Canadian government is spending nearly a million dollars on research about marijuana-impaired driving.
/ ADVOCACY
Headcount launched a project to track the marijuana law reform positions of elected officials. They also have a related effort to register marijuana reform supporters to vote.
Prohibitionist organization Parents Opposed to Pot penned a lengthy blog post attempting to blame mass murders on marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “support for [marijuana] legalization was significantly related to students’ attitudes towards police officers,” which suggests “that non-legalization of marijuana will lead to less support for law enforcement by an important sector of the population.”
A study concluded that “low-strength evidence suggests that smoking marijuana is associated with cough, sputum production, and wheezing” but that “evidence on the association between marijuana use and obstructive lung disease and pulmonary function is insufficient.”
A survey found that more than one-third of homeless jail inmates who have come to Colorado since 2012 moved there, at least in part, because of legal marijuana.
/ BUSINESS
The New York Times looks at local pushback that marijuana businesses often face.
Alaska collected more than $1 million in marijuana tax revenue in May.
/ CULTURE
Willie Nelson’s marijuana brand is teaming up with New Belgium Brewing and Vote Hemp to build support for commercial hemp farming.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
