Newsletter
Senators put cannabis rider in Justice Dep’t bill (Newsletter: June 13, 2018)
SC voters OK medical marijuana question; CNMI legalization hits snag; DE Senate votes to expunge convictions
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, for the first time ever, included protections for state medical marijuana laws in base Justice Department funding legislation as introduced by Republican leaders. In previous years, the extension of the rider has required votes on amendments.
South Carolina voters approved a medical marijuana advisory question on the Democratic primary ballot by a margin of 81% – 19%, with more than 93% of precincts reporting. Of note, several thousand more people voted on the medical cannabis measure than selected a candidate in the Democratic gubernatorial primary on the same ballot.
A marijuana legalization bill in the U.S. territory of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands that was slated to be voted on by the House was instead referred back to committee for changes.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry will take up the Farm Bill, which contains hemp legalization language, on Wednesday. U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) filed an amendment to exclude “cannabinoids,” “extracts” and “derivatives” from the definition of hemp, which has advocates concerned.
A U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration official said that “the men and women of DEA are empathetic to the needs and concerns of those living with chronic pain or other debilitating conditions” but that the agency opposes medical cannabis ballot measures.
Federal prosecutors charged nine people in Oregon with a credit card scheme in which they allegedly used proceeds “to establish and operate illegal marijuana grows and fund a state-licensed marijuana retail business.”
U.S. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said he supports medical cannabis but has no position on marijuana decriminalization.
U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) tweeted, “Marijuana laws are not applied and enforced in the same way for all people. I’m happy to see some members of the law enforcement community taking steps to address disparities, but we must go further. It’s time to legalize marijuana at the federal level.”
Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL) tweeted that Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s (R) effort to block the smoking of medical cannabis is “neither compassionate nor conservative.”
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) tweeted, “I support the bipartisan, bicameral STATES Act just intro’d to protect states like Maine that have legalized marijuana use. Mainers shouldn’t have to worry about federal prosecution for doing what is legal in their state.”
The U.S. Senate hemp legalization bill got one new cosponsor, for a total of 28.
/ STATES
The Delaware Senate unanimously passed a bill to expunge marijuana convictions. Separately, lawmakers made a procedural move that they hope will allow marijuana legalization legislation to pass within the next two weeks.
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) defended his vetoing several marijuana bills.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R), a candidate for U.S. Senate, said he voted against the state’s medical cannabis ballot measure. Meanwhile, a man suing for the right to grow his own medical cannabis is asking the state Supreme Court to take up the case. And Democratic agriculture commissioner candidate Nikki Fried is running with the goal of increasing access to medical marijuana.
Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous tweeted, “To end the era of mass incarceration, we need to finally legalize marijuana for adult use. It’s time that we confront the racial and economic injustices that result from disproportionate enforcement and make our communities safer at the same time.”
New York senators filed a bill to allow medical cannabis as an alternative to opioids.
Arkansas regulators are coming under fire for granting a medical cannabis cultivation license to one applicant that had the same discrepancies that led to another applicant’s disqualification.
California regulators upgraded their online marijuana business licensing system.
Oregon regulators released a request for information about web-based marijuana inventory tracking systems.
Alaska regulators are being urged to lower marijuana taxes so the legal industry can compete with the illegal market.
/ LOCAL
The St. Louis, Missouri circuit attorney will no longer pursue cases for marijuana in the amount of less than 100 grams.
The Livingston County, Michigan General Government and Health & Human Services Committee failed to pass a proposed anti-marijuana resolution.
Boston, Massachusetts’s mayor isn’t yet joining a new advocacy group made up of other mayors from states with legal marijuana.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canada’s health minister suggested the House of Commons would not accept some Senate amendments to the government’s marijuana legalization bill. Several motions to reject Senate changes have already been filed. Meanwhile, Quebec enacted provisional cannabis regulations.
/ ADVOCACY
Advocates for kratom held three days of lobbying meetings on Capitol Hill last week.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study examined depictions of blunts in YouTube videos.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A survey of parents who consume cannabis found that 79% say using marijuana makes watching their kids’ TV shows with them more enjoyable.
/ BUSINESS
Aurora Cannabis Inc. is acquiring Anandia Laboratories Inc. in an all-stock transaction worth roughly C$115.
Colorado Public Radio looks at marijuana-focused bus tours.
/ CULTURE
The NCAA released a study tracking marijuana and other drug use by student athletes, finding that cannabis use is higher in states with legalization than without it.
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Congressman tours dispensary for Bernie Sanders; Mexican marijuana bill circulating; Vermont statewide psychedelics decrim filed
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) and top lawmakers are saying that 2020 could be the year the state legalizes marijuana, with the Senate Democratic caucus expected to outline the details of a cannabis plan on Thursday.
Mexican lawmakers are circulating a new draft marijuana legalization bill ahead of the start of a new session next month. The nation’s Supreme Court set a deadline of April 30 to end cannabis prohibition.
Vermont representatives filed a bill to decriminalize psychedelics—such as psilocybin, ayahuasca and peyote—at the state level. Kratom is also included.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) toured a Las Vegas marijuana dispensary as part of a delegation representing the presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s chief of operations and other law enforcement officials were appointed to a new Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice.
Former Drug Enforcement Administration and Food and Drug Administration officials are part of a Consumer Brands Association advisory board on CBD products.
Former Veterans Affairs Sec. David Shulkin said that medical cannabis is part of a “multifaceted” approach to prevent suicides by military veterans.
A former Maryland delegate pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of soliciting and accepting bribes from marijuana businesses.
Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA) toured a marijuana cultivation facility.
Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA) tweeted about discussing hemp at the Virginia Agriculture Growers Association conference.
Alabama Republican U.S. Senate candidates discussed marijuana policy during a debate.
/ STATES
Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor tweeted that medical cannabis for military veterans “was a fundamentally recurring theme throughout our 67 county tour. Vet after Vet, often in tears, describing their anguish and how marijuana was the only thing that made them feel “normal” enough to embrace other therapeutic avenues. Marijuana is truly, truly bipartisan.”
Texas’s agriculture commissioner hosted a public hearing on proposed hemp rules.
South Carolina’s House majority leader called for medical cannabis legalization in his response to Gov. Henry McMaster’s (R) State of the State address.
The new chairman of the New Mexico Senate Judiciary Committee opposes legalizing marijuana.
Key New York senators are expressing concerns about including marijuana legalization in the state budget.
The Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to take up hemp legislation.
Pending U.S. Virgin Islands marijuana legalization legislation is being amended to remove a requirement that adult-use consumers register with the territory, among other changes.
Michigan regulators issued a health and safety bulletin about the recall of marijuana vaping cartridges that contain vitamin E acetate.
Oklahoma’s interim top medical cannabis regulator was named to the position permanently.
Alaska’s interim top marijuana regulator is proposing that boards that regulate cannabis and alcohol each get their own administrators instead of sharing one.
Massachusetts cannabis regulators will hold a public forum on Thursday to “to enable applicants to discuss their experience with the licensing process and related concerns.”
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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
Austin, Texas’s police chief said the City Council “does not have the authority to direct APD not to enforce a state law” through a marijuana decriminalization proposal up for a vote on Thursday.
The Alexandria, Virginia commonwealth’s attorney said he will continue pursuing marijuana cases until the state decriminalizes it.
New York City’s City Council speaker tweeted, “Albany must legalize and regulate marijuana and provide justice to the communities that have been and continue to be harmed by decades of misguided drug laws.”
/ INTERNATIONAL
Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said he supports releasing people who are incarcerated for possessing small amounts of marijuana. He also moved the National Commission on Marijuana from the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health following a leak of its draft report.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with the mother of an American-Israeli tourist jailed on marijuana charges and told her that “everything will be okay,” hinting at a possible pardon.
Dutch lawmakers and other leaders issued a manifesto calling for major drug policy reforms.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “unlike [medical marijuana laws], which are associated with fewer fatal crashes, cities experienced a relative increase in fatal crashes involving young male drivers following marijuana decriminalization.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Drug Policy Alliance raised concerned about a lack of specificity in equity provisions in New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D) marijuana legalization budget proposal.
The Drug Policy Alliance published a report warning against moves to ramp up punishments for fentanyl.
The legislative director of Concerned Women for America wrote a white paper criticizing federal marijuana reform legislation.
South Carolina medical cannabis supporters held a rally.
/ BUSINESS
MedMen Holdings Inc. is reportedly struggling to pay owed sums to vendors.
The CEO of Powerplant Global Strategies, a cannabis-focused PR firm, endorsed former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (D) for president even though he opposes legalizing marijuana.
Canopy Growth Corporation named a Constellation Brands, Inc. director as the chair of its board.
Investor Peter Thiel discussed his involvement with Atai Life Sciences AG, a company developing psychedelic medicines.
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Feds want help IDing marijuana studies; Lawmakers caution against changing cannabis banking bill; NM gov’s State of the State: ‘high time’ to legalize
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There are now 1,081 cannabis-related bills moving through state legislatures and Congress for 2020 sessions.
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) included marijuana legalization in the Fiscal Year 2021 budget proposal he submitted to the legislature.
- “I believe the budget is the opportunity, frankly, to make some tough decisions and work through tough issues that without the budget can often languish, and I suggest that we get it done in the budget.”
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) told lawmakers in her State of the State speech that it’s “high time” to legalize marijuana.
- “This is the fact: recreational cannabis can be the next frontier of our economic expansion. We can get in on the ground floor or we can try to play catch up—I know which one I prefer. And I know which one New Mexicans prefer.”
The lead sponsors of a House-passed marijuana banking bill—Reps. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Denny Heck (D-WA) and Warren Davidson (R-OH)—sent a letter cautioning Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) against making broad cannabis policy changes they say are unrelated to the legislation.
A division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is asking for the public’s help in identifying studies on the benefits of medical cannabis for people suffering from migraine headaches and acute pain.
/ FEDERAL
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 9 Regional Tribal Operations Committee is scheduled to discuss tribal cannabis programs on February 13.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a presidential candidate, reiterated his pledge to end the war on drugs, “legalize marijuana in every state in the union” and expunge past records.
Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) decried barriers to marijuana research in an e-newsletter.
New York Democratic congressional candidate Adam Schleifer tweeted, “In Congress, I’ll support removing marijuana from Schedule I; creating unified federal financial framework, health and safety studies and regulation, and revenue-raising taxation of marijuana.”
/ STATES
Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner said the state will continue to operate its hemp program under the provisions of the prior 2014 Farm Bill instead of newer federal rules. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives approved a hemp testing and transportation bill.
Texas’s agriculture commissioner will hold a public hearing on proposed hemp regulations on Wednesday.
Supporters of a proposed Florida marijuana legalization ballot measure filed briefs urging the state Supreme Court to approve its language.
The New York Senate unanimously passed a hemp and CBD bill.
The Michigan Senate Regulatory Reform Committee approved legislation to prohibit labor peace agreements for marijuana businesses. Separately, regulators sent a memo about marijuana businesses’ access to financial services.
The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee and House Judiciary Committee held hearings on legislation to amend medical cannabis regulations.
California’s Veterinary Medical Board will discuss medical cannabis use by animals at a meeting later this month.
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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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
The Detroit, Michigan City Council voted to extend a moratorium on recreational marijuana businesses.
Austin, Texas City Council members are working to build support for an expected Thursday vote on a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
/ INTERNATIONAL
New Zealand’s government is moving to repeal a law banning marijuana vaporizers.
The European Food Safety Authority warned that eating hemp foods can cause elevated THC levels.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “92.3% [of] respondents found that cannabis positively impacted upon their physical and/or mental wellbeing and 56.4% reported that they used less of other substances which are known to be more harmful as a result.”
A study concluded that “individuals with high pain are more likely to consume cannabis multiple times a day, but this use may not be related to better health.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that New York voters support legalizing marijuana, 58%-38%.
/ BUSINESS
The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Renewable Technologies Solution, Inc., Green Acres Pharms LLC, SMRB LLC and individuals behind the companies for an alleged scheme to defraud investors.
Akerna completed its acquisition of a majority interest in solo sciences inc.
From The Earth, an American marijuana retailer, is seeking to trade on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
/ CULTURE
Actor Tom Hanks and Dr. Mehmet Oz decried false claims that they’ve endorsed CBD products.
Musician David Crosby said he still smokes marijuana every night.
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USVI gov pushes legal marijuana in annual speech; Idaho senator files drug decrim bill; White House official voices cannabis concerns
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
There are now 1,076 cannabis-related bills moving through state legislatures and Congress for 2020 sessions.
Never let a marijuana bill catch you by surprise with exclusive access to Marijuana Moment’s custom-built cannabis legislation tracker for just $25/month.
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. (D) pushed lawmakers to legalize marijuana in his State of the Territory speech, saying that the move will help fund a struggling government employees retirement fund.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office awarded a company a trademark for the word “psilocybin,” and some decriminalization advocates are not happy about it.
An Idaho senator filed a bill to decriminalize possession of currently illegal drugs.
/ FEDERAL
Office of National Drug Control Policy Director James Carroll discussed his opposition to safe consumption sites for illegal drugs and spoke about the potential harms of marijuana.
A Drug Enforcement Administration official said the agency won’t “turn our head away from” marijuana just because it is legalized under state law.
Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang said that the last time he smoked marijuana was “a past life.” (Around 1:27:55 into the linked video.)
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), a presidential candidate, said you’d “have to go back to college days” when asked about the last time she smoked marijuana. (Around 3:55:15 into the linked video.)
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a presidential candidate, tweeted, “Marijuana must be legalized. All our people imprisoned because of it must be returned home to their families and their records expunged.”
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) tweeted, “We owe a national apology to the Black men and women who were targeted, harassed, and incarcerated in the failed war on drugs.” He also tweeted, “It is up to us to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with action — to march for environmental justice, to demand equal pay for our Black brothers and sisters, and to fight for justice for those incarcerated in the failed war on drugs.”
California Democratic congressional candidate Ben Emard tweeted, “To bring the US into the 21st century, we must federally legalize the sale and use of cannabis. To right the wrongs of the past, we must expunge criminal records, release those currently incarcerated, and create equity programs to repay impacted communities.”
/ STATES
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) said he thinks the state will consider legalizing marijuana at some point but that he’s focused on implementing medical cannabis right now.
New York’s lieutenant governor said that legalizing marijuana is an opportunity to help raise revenues in the budget but also to correct the injustices of the criminal justice system. Meanwhile, the chairman of the Senate Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Committee is now on board with legalizing cannabis.
Twenty-seven West Virginia delegates are calling on the state Department of Commerce to study the economic impact of legalizing marijuana.
The Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on legislation to change medical cannabis regulations on Tuesday.
Michigan regulators removed a series of public service announcements videos that advocates had criticized as perpetuating anti-marijuana stereotypes.
Oregon regulators approved marijuana violation stipulated settlement agreements and adopted rules changes.
Arizona regulators reported that 41% of hemp plants tested have excessive THC levels.
California regulators are hosting a series of cannabis permitting workshops this month and next month.
Arkansas regulators rejected the sale of two medical cannabis licenses.
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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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—
/ INTERNATIONAL
A candidate for leadership of the UK Labour Party said there needs to be a “national discussion about the war on drugs.”
Italian regulators set THC limits for hemp foods.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “there is currently encouraging, albeit embryonic, evidence for medicinal cannabis in the treatment of a range of psychiatric disorders.”
A study found that “cannabinoids can promote progression of [human papilloma virus] positive [neck squamous cell carcinoma] through p38 MAPK pathway activation.”
/ BUSINESS
FSD Pharma Inc. is scheduled to ring the Nasdaq Stock Market opening bell on Wednesday.
Surterra Wellness stopped making most medical cannabis deliveries.
Wellcana Group plans to significantly expand its Louisiana medical cannabis operation.
/ CULTURE
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow spoke about an “emotional” experience she had on MDMA.
A UFC vice president spoke with former boxer Mike Tyson about efforts to remove marijuana from state athletic commissions’ lists of banned substances.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
