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Senators debate cannabis use by judges (Newsletter: Nov. 17, 2017)
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No 280E reform in tax bill yet; MI ballot signature turn in; Peru president signs medical cannabis
TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee held a lengthy debate about how many times judges should be allowed to use marijuana before being confirmed to the federal bench.
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/senators-debate-marijuana-use-judges/
Michigan activists will turn in more than 250,000 signatures to qualify a marijuana legalization measure for the state’s 2018 ballot on Monday.
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2017/11/16/michigan-marijuana-legalization-ballot-signatures/107746780/
The authors of a journal article on an 11-month-old who died after consuming marijuana are pushing back on press reports that they claimed cannabis caused his death.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2017/11/17/the-truth-behind-the-first-marijuana-overdose-death/
POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE
I just authored an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times calling on California’s congressional delegation — especially Democratic U.S. Sens. Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein — to do a better job defending the state’s marijuana laws from federal interference. Legal cannabis did, after all, get nearly half a million more votes than Harris did last year.
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-angell-california-marijuana-20171117-story.html
FEDERAL
The U.S. Senate Finance Committee concluded its work on the tax reform bill on Thursday, and no senators introduced amendments concerning the 280E penalty on marijuana businesses. It remains to be seen whether there will be any floor action on the issue. The House version, which that chamber approved on Thursday, is silent on the matter.
https://www.finance.senate.gov/chairmans-news/finance-committee-passes-historic-tax-overhaul
STATES
California regulators released proposed emergency licensing regulations for marijuana businesses.
https://www.apnews.com/0f51e95aebab443992dfef95aa83b7a2/California-pot-rules-mark-step-toward-2018-legal-sales
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http://www.bcc.ca.gov/law_regs/bcc_prop_text_reg.pdf
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http://www.bcc.ca.gov/law_regs/cdfa_prop_text_emerg_reg.pdf
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http://www.bcc.ca.gov/law_regs/cdph_prop_text_emerg_reg.pdf
Connecticut’s first 2018 gubernatorial debate will be hosted by NORML and Students for Sensible Drug Policy chapters.
http://blog.norml.org/2017/11/16/connecticut-norml-affiliate-to-co-host-gubernatorial-debate/
Pennsylvania Gov Tom Wolf (D) announced that roughly 6,000 patients and 300 caregivers have signed up for the state’s medical cannabis program.
https://twitter.com/GovernorTomWolf/status/931239217665015813
Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous tweeted about the harms of the drug war.
https://twitter.com/BenJealous/status/931397555996512256
Wisconsin Democratic lawmakers are stepping up their push for medical cannabis legislation.
http://wuwm.com/post/democratic-lawmakers-continue-push-medical-marijuana-legalization-wisconsin
Friday is the deadline to submit Ohio medical cannabis dispensary applications.
https://medicalmarijuana.ohio.gov/News?articleID=95
Nevada regulators announced they will accept medical cannabis cultivation and production license applications from rural areas where no such facilities exist.
https://twitter.com/ColtonLochhead/status/931226683629223936
Washington State regulators are proposing changes to marijuana advertising rules.
https://lcb.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/rules/2017%20Proposed%20Rules/Marijuana_Advertising_Rules_FINAL.pdf
A Michigan court reinstated charges against a man accused of running illegal medical cannabis dispensaries.
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2017/11/16/marijuana-charges-reinstated-michigan-dispensary/107736606/
Arkansas’s medical director held a meeting to discuss “Opioid Crisis and the effects of Medical Marijuana Law.”
http://www.state.ar.us/government/calendar/detail?id=25100509
LOCAL
Denver, Colorado regulators are seeking applicants for a newly created Cannabis Health & Safety Advisory Board.
http://mailchi.mp/denvergov/now-scheduling-appointments-2544561
A Buffalo Township, Pennsylvania couple is suing after police mistook their hibiscus plants for marijuana and held them in custody for several hours.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/pennsylvania/articles/2017-11-17/couple-sues-after-police-mistake-hibiscus-for-marijuana
INTERNATIONAL
Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski signed a medical cannabis bill into law.
http://andina.pe/ingles/noticia-peru-president-medical-cannabis-law-breaks-myths-and-prejudices-689953.aspx
Irish lawmakers removed allowances for smoking from a medical cannabis bill in order to earn enough support for it to advance.
https://www.thesun.ie/news/1807835/law-to-legalise-medical-cannabis-only-went-forward-after-reference-to-smoking-was-removed-from-the-bill/
SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “legalization of recreational marijuana did not increase marijuana use for youth who did not use marijuana but did increase use in youth who were already using.”
http://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fadb0000327
A Utah survey found that 73% of epilepsy patients reported a noticeable reduction in seizures after taking CBD medical cannabis extracts in conjunction with other medication.
http://www.sltrib.com/news/2017/11/15/cannabis-oil-is-helping-utahs-epilepsy-patients-though-it-isnt-eliminating-seizures-u-survey-finds/
OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that U.S. likely voters support legalizing marijuana, 49% – 38%.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/november_2017/nearly_half_support_legalizing_pot
An ACLU poll found that 72% of Americans would be more likely to vote for an elected official who supports eliminating mandatory minimum laws, among other findings about attitudes toward criminal justice reform issues.
https://www.aclu.org/news/91-percent-americans-support-criminal-justice-reform-aclu-polling-finds
The Boston Herald editorial board is urging Massachusetts municipalities to tax marijuana as much as they can.
http://www.bostonherald.com/opinion/editorials/2017/11/editorial_max_on_the_pot_tax
The Press of Atlantic City editorial board is wary of legalizing marijuana in New Jersey, it thinks it should still be reclassified.
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/time-to-reclassify-n-j-s-relationship-with-marijuana/article_21a11f52-5558-5095-a2fa-07e680541983.html
BUSINESS
An Arcview Market Research report concludes that “licensed marijuana stores are as profitable as Starbucks stores, if only they were taxed at the federal level like Starbucks, Apple, and other high-end specialty stores.”
https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/11/16/1194273/0/en/NEW-REPORT-Marijuana-Stores-as-Profitable-as-Starbucks.html
Canopy Growth, Organa Brands and Green House are entering a joint partnership.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/these-three-kings-of-cannabis-are-going-into-business-together
Politico looks at former Pittsburgh Steelers player Jack Ham’s involvement in the marijuana industry.
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/11/16/pittsburgh-steelers-jack-ham-medical-marijuana-what-works-215834
CULTURE
Anthony Bourdain toured Seattle-area marijuana businesses — and tested their products — for an episode of his CNN series “Parts Unknown” airing this weekend.
https://www.geekwire.com/2017/anthony-bourdain-lunches-geekwire-dishes-tech-pot-vr-porn-changing-seattle/
Adult film actress Cherie DeVille and rapper Coolio announced they are running on a presidential and vice-presidential ticket in 2020 on a platform that includes legalizing marijuana.
https://fuckingawesome.com/pornstarforpresident/#platform
Actress Kathy Bates spoke about how medical cannabis helps football players deal with injuries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9xEvdZniR8
Rock Band The Dandy Warhols tweeted that voters should work to defeat Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) for opposing marijuana legalization.
https://twitter.com/TheDandyWarhols/status/931206734118449154
