Newsletter
Senate could vote on legal cannabis study this week (Newsletter: August 20, 2018)
CO baker complains about marijuana cake calls; CA lawmakers kill cannabis farmers markets; Bill lets students with drug convictions keep financial aid
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) filed an amendment that would require the federal government to study the monetary and health impacts of state marijuana legalization. A Senate floor vote could occur this week.
The Colorado baker who took a case about his refusal to make wedding cakes for same-sex couples all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court has filed another lawsuit that complains someone called him with a request to make a cake depicting “Satan smoking marijuana” on it.
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and six cosponsors introduced a bill that would remove the penalty that strips college financial aid from students with drug convictions.
California lawmakers advanced several cannabis bills to floor votes, but killed legislation that would have allowed marijuana farmers markets and direct-to-consumer sales at temporary events.
STAY TUNED later this morning for an embargoed story about a big development at the nexus of marijuana politics and business. Watch my Twitter feed for details…
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Navy removed a marijuana magazine from the shelves of a store on a naval base in Washington State.
The U.S. attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia tweeted a photo of a letter he received from a woman who claimed that marijuana was a “gateway” drug for two children she lost to addiction.
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) spoke in support of federal marijuana decriminalization.
U.S. Sen. Angus King (I-ME) sent a press release about his support for legislation encouraging the Department of Veterans Affairs to study medical cannabis.
West Virginia Democratic congressional candidate Richard Ojeda accused his Republican opponent of trying to block medical cannabis due to “big Pharma ties.”
/ STATES
The Oklahoma secretary of state determined that activists did not collect enough signatures to qualify a proposed medical cannabis constitutional amendment for the ballot.
Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis said he wants to implement the will of the voters on medical cannabis and would consider dropping opposition to a lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on smoking the drug.
A Nevada senator is introducing legislation to allow state-chartered banks to serve the marijuana industry. Several other draft cannabis bill requests have been filed by lawmakers.
Pennsylvania regulators published temporary rules concerning medical cannabis research.
Ohio regulators awarded medical cannabis processing and testing licenses.
/ LOCAL
New York City police are expanding the scope of a new marijuana enforcement policy, exempting from arrest even those who have open summons warrants.
El Paso County, Colorado’s sheriff is denying accusations that his office carried out and publicized marijuana busts as a way to bolster his reelection campaign.
Here’s a look at the troubled rollout of Denver, Colorado’s marijuana social use program.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Former Mexican President Vicente Fox is urging current and outgoing President Enrique Peña Nieto to legalize marijuana before he leaves office. Separately, lawmakers in the state of Guerrero voted in favor of legalizing opium production for pharmaceutical use.
Israel’s ban on exporting medical cannabis is stifling the country’s chances to be a world leader in the marijuana industry.
/ ADVOCACY
The North Dakota Peace Officers Association adopted a resolution opposing the state’s marijuana legalization ballot measure.
The Missouri State Medical Association issued a statement opposing the state’s medical cannabis ballot measures.
Here’s a look at how prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana spun Colorado impaired-driving statistics to suit its agenda.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “leaf extracts of C. sativa…had potential for the control of both hospital- and community-acquired MRSA.”
The Atlantic looks at how more Americans are using marijuana on a daily basis.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Thai adults support medical cannabis, 72%-25%.
The Globe and Mail editorial board is urging the Canadian government to expunge marijuana records when legalization goes into effect.
/ BUSINESS
The Globe and Mail reported on “widespread speculation Aphria pitched hard to be Molson Coors’ partner” before the alcoholic beverage giant decided to team up with Hydropothecary Corp. instead.
Sanjay Gupta tweeted about mistaken press reports that conflated him with another doctor of the same name who is endorsing a line of CBD products.
J-Source takes a look at how Canadian media outlets are covering marijuana.
/ CULTURE
NFL player David Irving bashed the league’s marijuana policy and said, “Every game you see me play in, I was medicated.”
Comedian Pete Davidson was present when a friend was arrested for possesing marijuana and another controlled substance.
Musician Wyclef Jean is entering the marijuana industry.
Here’s a look at how marijuana laws are enforced at Burning Man.
New York City police are furious about a video circulating online that appears to show someone weighing out marijuana on the trunk of a cop car.
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