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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Newsletter
Another former anti-cannabis congressman joins company board (Newsletter: October 14, 2019)
Mexican leaders to release legalization bill this week; Former FDA head floats cannabis compromise; California gov signs & vetoes marijuana bills
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Former Rep. Stephen Buyer (R-IN) joined the board of cannabis firm FSD Pharma. Marijuana Moment took a deep dive into his record as a congressman, including consistent votes against measures to protect state medical cannabis laws from federal interference and cosponsoring legislation seeking to overturn local policies.
Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb suggested in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that Congress “take marijuana out of the existing paradigm for drug scheduling” and wrote that regulating “potency of THC compounds, the forms they take, how they’re manufactured, and who can make purchases ought to be possible.”
Key Mexican Senate committees have declared themselves in permanent session as they work to merge provisions of various marijuana legalization proposals into a comprehensive bill they plan to propose on Thursday.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed several cannabis bills into law, including measures concerning medical marijuana donations to low-income patients, tax fairness for businesses, a legal hemp program, research and more. But he also vetoed a bill to allow medical cannabis in healthcare facilities.
/ FEDERAL
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued vaping guidance noting that “products containing THC, particularly those obtained off the street or from other informal sources…are linked to most of the cases and play a major role in the outbreak” and recommending that “persons should not use e-cigarette, or vaping, products that contain THC” but also that “persons consider refraining from using e-cigarette, or vaping, products that contain nicotine.”
The House of Representatives is expected to consider legislation on the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy this week.
Rep. Don Young (R-AK) toured several marijuana businesses and said he is optimistic about cannabis banking legislation after speaking to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “1️⃣ Legalize marijuana at the federal level 2️⃣ Legitimize the industry with resources and banking opportunities 3️⃣Provide restorative justice to communities of color most impacted by the failed War on Drugs”
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair the harms of the drug war got one new cosponsor for a total of 48.
/ STATES
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) formed a multi-state agency special task force to investigate potential corruption or criminal influences in the state’s marijuana industry.
Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “‘88,000 people die each year in the United States due to causes related to alcohol use. Cigarette smoking.. more than 480,000 deaths. Yet there’s no serious talk of prohibition of those products.’ It must be all those none cannabis overdose deaths.”
The U.S. Virgin Islands Committee on Rules and Judiciary rejected the nomination of a former senator who authored the territory’s medical cannabis law to serve on an implementation advisory board.
Oregon regulators filed temporary rules for a six-month ban on flavored vaping products and also released a compliance education bulletin.
Washington State regulators published guidance about the state’s flavored vaping ban.
The Colorado Supreme Court will hear a case on Thursday concerning medical cannabis use by people on probation.
Florida regulators proposed hemp rules and will hold hearings to receive public comment this month.
Louisiana regulators published hemp rules they intend to adopt.
The California Legislative Analyst’s Office reviewed two proposed marijuana ballot measures.
The Oklahoma legislture’s interim study on medical cannabis advertising has been delayed.
An Indiana senator authored an op-ed on the need to decriminalize marijuana.
Missouri regulators are hiring attorneys to work to defend against challenges to medical cannabis business license denials.
Alabama regulators began accepting hemp applications.
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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 Pinellas County, Florida sheriff and state attorney issued a memo advising police not to make certain marijuana arrests.
The Broward County, Florida sheriff said it is “only a matter of time” until marijuana is legalized.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Australia’s health minister is asking officials to share information they considered before enacting a local marijuana legalization law.
Canada’s Conservative Party paid for Facebook ads falsely accusing the Liberal government of wanting to “legalize hard drugs.”
A Russian court sentenced an Israeli-American woman to seven and a half years in prison for allegedly smuggling nine grams marijuana into the country after Israel rejected an offer to exchange her for a Russian hacker set to be extradited to the U.S.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A dermatological science review concluded that “cannabinoids have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, anti-aging, and antimalignancy properties by various mechanisms including interacting with the newly found endocannabinoid system of the skin thereby providing a promising alternative to traditional treatments.”
The University of California San Diego School of Medicine’s Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research announced $3 million in grants to study medical cannabis as a supplementary or alternative treatment for schizophrenia, rheumatoid arthritis, insomnia, alcohol dependence and anxiety linked to anorexia.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Florida likely voters support legalizing marijuana, 67%-29%.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial board is calling on Congress to pass a marijuana banking bill.
/ BUSINESS
Ohio medical cannabis companies are jointly moving to disclose vaping product ingredients.
Cura Cannabis settled a defamation lawsuit against Bloom Farms.
Mother Jones looks for clues as to who the unnamed foreign national allegedly involved in funding a scheme to win marijuana business licenses was in a federal indictment filed last week.
/ CULTURE
Anderson Cooper led a 60 Minutes report on psychedelic research.
Actor Woody Harrelson spoke to Ellen DeGeneres about the potency of his marijuana.
The finance editor of The Economist wrote about her experiences with psychedelics.
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Mexican cabinet member accepts marijuana gift; Trucking org adopts cannabis stance; Scratch-n-sniff cannabis packaging; Texas cancels dispensary apps
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Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
This issue of Marijuana Moment, and our original reporting that is featured in it, are made possible by the generous support of 445 Patreon sponsors. Cannabis industry professionals receive valuable rewards for pledges of $25 and up.
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Marijuana Moment got a look inside a private luncheon Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) held with cannabis industry representatives during a marijuana-focused visit to Southern California.
Ahead of an expected vote on marijuana legalization this month, a key Mexican cabinet member happily accepted a lawmaker’s gift of a joint during a legislative session.
American Trucking Associations adopted new cannabis policy recommendations, including removing federal research roadblocks, creating a “marijuana victim’s compensation fund” paid for by the industry and reporting purchases to prescription drug monitoring programs.
The congressional marijuana banking vote “signals a positive shift in House members’ attitudes toward marijuana” but “does not go nearly far enough,” The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights wrote in a letter asking lawmakers to cosponsor a comprehensive cannabis descheduling bill.
Texas regulators won’t explain why they suddenly suspended the application process for low-THC medical cannabis dispensary licenses.
Inventors filed a patent application for scratch-and-sniff marijuana packaging. One concept uses terpenes to mimic cannabis smells, while another would use scents like bacon, fish and chips, the seaside, shampoo and a Sunday roast.
/ FEDERAL
Two associates of President Trump’s attorney Rudolph Giuliani were arrested on charges that they, along with two other defendants, allegedly plotted to illegally funnel foreign money to politicians in an effort to secure marijuana business licenses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that there are now 1,299 known cases of severe lung injury believed to be associated with vaping, including 26 deaths.
The Drug Enforcement Administration published technical corrections to information about marijuana cultivation license applications.
Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb suggested in an op-ed that Congress “take marijuana out of the existing paradigm for drug scheduling” and that “regulation of the potency of THC compounds, the forms they take, how they’re manufactured, and who can make purchases ought to be possible.”
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) spoke about the importance of solving banking and tax issues for the marijuana industry.
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) tweeted, “The House did the right thing by passing the SAFE Banking Act to allow legal marijuana businesses to bank without fear of federal interference. Now, the Senate should do the same.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said, “I come from the pro-science wing of the Republican Party. I understand that the Earth is warming, that medical marijuana can help people live better lives and no one chooses to be gay.”
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “The failed War on Drugs has disproportionately targeted and continues to harm communities of color. As our country continues to move forward on decriminalizing cannabis, it’s critical we prioritize real marijuana justice.”
Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Ted Terry, the Clarkston mayor, touted his local marijuana decriminalization policy and launched an online petition calling on Congress to enact cannabis reform.
/ STATES
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) defended his administration’s temporary ban on vaping products in response to criticism. Separately, regulators are publishing guidance warning marijuana entrepreneurs about scams targeting small businesses. They also approved licenses for companies to train cannabis business employees.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said it is important to legalize marijuana for social justice reasons. (About 16:45 into the audio.)
Mississippi Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Hood, currently the state attorney general, said medical cannabis should be up to doctors to decide and that he has seen studies indicating it can help people get off of opioids. Republican candidate Tate Reeves, the current lieutenant governor, said he plans to vote against a medical marijuana ballot measure.
Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor clashed with prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana on Twitter.
Florida’s surgeon general appointed a new marijuana coordinator.
Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner visited a hemp farm at harvest time.
A Louisiana judge halted juror selection in a felony marijuana case after too many potential jurors in the pool said they support legalization.
The California Veterinary Medical Board’s Multidisciplinary Advisory Committee discussed guidelines for the appropriate administration of medical cannabis to animals. Separately, regulators are being sued over a decision to allow some marijuana billboards.
Oregon regulators will discuss vaping issues in a special meeting on Friday.
Michigan regulators will hold a meeting to take public comments on marijuana on October 28.
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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
Kansas City, Missouri’s mayor tweeted, “Why is municipal government in the marijuana ordinance enforcement business at all? #KCMO is considering 100 gram decriminalization as an ordinance matter, but the better move may be to remove marijuana as an offense from the municipal code altogether. It doesn’t change state treatment of marijuana possession, distribution, etc., as an offense, and thus our 4 local prosecutors would still have ability to prosecute or decline. We won’t create inconsistency with state law… instead we will just get out of the business.”
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Quebec, Canada government is appealing a court ruling that invalidated the province’s ban on marijuana home cultivation.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “although cannabis use is mostly found to be associated with increased incidence of anxiety disorders, these findings are generally not sustained in adjusted analyses controlling for multiple confounders” and that “the scarce data available indicates no clear effect of cannabis use on the course and treatment outcomes of anxiety disorders.”
A study examines how environmental movement organizations “have avoided America’s fastest growing agricultural sector: newly legalized cannabis.”
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation named Constellation Brands, Inc.’s chief financial officer as the chair of its board.
Canopy Growth Corporation and Go Farm Hemp are suing each other in federal court over allegations of missed payments and poor crops.
New Frontier Data announced plans to acquire Civilized Worldwide Inc.
HEXO Corp reported that quarterly revenues are below initial expectations.
Leafly informed customers of a breach of one of its databases involving customer records.
Colorado retailers sold more than $173.2 million in marijuana products in August, a new monthly record.
/ CULTURE
Former basketball player Jamal Mashburn was appointed as an advisor to the board of directors of cannabis company Revolution Global.
Anderson Cooper will lead a 60 Minutes report on psychedelic research on Sunday.
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Gabbard backs legalizing drugs; Congress pushed on pesticides & marijuana; Rogen & Snoop offer cannabis tips; Study: Marijuana reduces opioid use
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There are now 1,204 cannabis-related bills moving through state legislatures and Congress for 2019 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.
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) plans to meet with marijuana industry representatives and tour at least one California cannabis business this week.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), a presidential candidate, said the country should move toward legalizing drugs like cocaine and heroin.
The Oregon Education Association says it supports the aims of a proposed drug decriminalization ballot measure but is concerned about provisions to redirect cannabis tax revenue away from schools and toward drug treatment.
The advocacy group Beyond Pesticides is urging Congress to take action to prevent the misuse of pesticides on marijuana. The lack of federal regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency leaves states making up their own rules, and that puts consumers at risk, the group says.
A study on medical cannabis and chronic pain found that more than a quarter of patients stopped taking opioids altogether after using marijuana, while another 55% of participants reduced their opioid use by an average of 30%.
Seth Rogen and Snoop Dogg spoke to Howard Stern about how they enjoy smoking marijuana together, and they offered advice for cannabis novices.
/ FEDERAL
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director James Carroll discussed his concerns with marijuana legalization in a Drug Enforcement Administration podcast.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture official participated in a Pennsylvania hemp summit.
The U.S. Supreme Court denied a request to take up a case challenging a Michigan court’s ruling overturning marijuana charges that stemmed from police “knock and talk”interviews.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit directed a lower court to take another look at a case challenging a Kansas police raid on a home that resulted from officers mistakenly thinking tomato plants and loose-leaf tea were evidence of a marijuana grow.
Former Housing and Urban Development Sec. Julián Castro, a presidential candidate, tweeted, “Addressing the injustice of the failed war on drugs means that we must legalize and regulate marijuana, and ensure victims of these policies — a majority of whom were Black and Brown—have their records expunged and are given access to economic development opportunities.”
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) said that “the impact on the ability of small and large businesses to operate justifies our attention” to marijuana banking issues.
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair the harms of the drug war got one new cosponsor for a total of 47.
/ STATES
Washington State regulators approved a 120-day ban on flavored marijuana vaping products.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill to let parents administer medical cannabis to students at schools. He also signed legislation to remove a sentencing enhancement that added an extra year to sentences for each prior prison or felony jail term a person had. Separately, regulators awarded grants to local jurisdictions to support marijuana equity efforts.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said he is continuing to push for marijuana legalization.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) tweeted, “The majority of Pennsylvanians told @FettermanLT they want adult-use, recreational marijuana to be legal. I’m asking the legislature to seriously consider a legalization bill and get it to my desk.”
Louisiana gubernatorial candidates agreed on opposing legalizing marijuana during a debate.
Maine lawmakers are starting to file marijuana reform bills for the new legislative session.
Texas regulators unexpectedly suspended the application process for low-THC medical cannabis business licenses.
Illinois regulators released information on social equity cannabis loans, dispensary licenses and industry scams.
Michigan regulators sent a bulletin about marijuana business employee background checks. They also updated inspection guides.
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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.
—
/ LOCAL
The Anchorage, Alaska Assembly voted to place a question about allowing on-site consumption at marijuana dispensaries before voters.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “CBD did not consistently influence the effects of THC across all studies and outcomes” but suggested that “CBD may interact with some acute effects of THC.”
A survey of pharmacy students found that “91% of students believed that [medical cannabis] should be legalized nationally” but that “a low number of students correctly identify approved indications.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Drug Policy Alliance is hiring a director for its office of national affairs.
/ BUSINESS
A hypothesis put forth by Colorado Green Lab suggests that the outbreak of vaping-related lung injuries could be caused by a metal ingredient in vaping devices themselves—instead of a contaminant in nicotine or cannabis oils.
Nielsen and Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. teamed up to launch a CBD retail market analysis program.
New Frontier Data is acquiring Zefyr, Inc.
Iron Laboratories, LLC paid a $100,000 fine as part of a settlement with Michigan regulators over violations related to its marijuana testing and reporting results.
The marijuana-focused app Social Club was removed from Apple’s App Store after it was reportedly flooded with posts about drug sales, weapons and pornography.
/ CULTURE
Musician Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth spoke about the time she got busted smoking marijuana at Disneyland.
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