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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NH legal marijuana bill advances; ND activists plan 2020 ballot measure; Baltimore billboard urges end to cannabis arrests; Banking testimony
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A document Marijuana Moment obtained through a public records request shows New York’s licensed medical cannabis companies urged Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) to ban consumers from growing their own. And that’s exactly what he recommended in his budget last month.
The New Hampshire House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted to approve a marijuana legalization bill.
Just hours after North Dakota lawmakers narrowly voted down a marijuana decriminalization bill, activists announced that they plan to put a full cannabis legalization measure before voters on the 2020 ballot.
A group of Baltimore, Maryland mothers is calling on cops and the mayor to end marijuana arrests and instead focus on solving murders, and they’re driving a truck with a huge billboard featuring that message around City Hall and police headquarters.
Marijuana Moment compiled some of the nearly 100 pieces of written testimony that National Cannabis Industry Association members submitted to Congress last week about why their businesses need access to banks.
/ FEDERAL
Surgeon General Jerome Adams and other federal officials met to discuss “the state of science around marijuana.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration is bringing its “Drugs: Costs and Consequences” travelling museum exhibit to New Mexico.
Former Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Jack Riley spoke about his concerns with marijuana legalization in a C-SPAN appearance.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a presidential candidate, tweeted, “We need to invest in jobs and education for our kids, not more jails and incarceration. We need to end the destructive ‘war on drugs,’ eliminate private prisons and cash bail and bring about major police department reform.”
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) said he will “work for” cannabis rescheduling and that “medicinal marijuana is one thing, recreational is another. I do not favor recreational marijuana.”
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) tweeted, “#TBT That time I rode in a car with an Oregon cannabis business owner to deliver a $70,000 tax payment. I fully support removing #cannabis from the list of controlled substances to ensure they have safe access to banking.”
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), a presidential candidate, during an appearance in Iowa, said, “Stop throwing people in prison for smoking a joint and instead go after those like Purdue Pharma who are proliferating their opioids on our streets and taking people’s lives.”
Rep. Barbra Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “The United States has a long and dark history of racial oppression. We must work to correct our wrongs by reforming our criminal justice system — including decriminalizing marijuana and abolishing private prisons.”
Former Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) joined the Cannabis Trade Federation as a strategic adviser.
Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang tweeted, “I’m for full legalization of marijuana; remove it from the Controlled Substance List. I would go a step further and pardon everyone who’s in jail for a low-level, non-violent drug offense. It makes no sense to have people in jail for something that is legal in other states.”
/ STATES
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) and legislative leaders are working to persuade a list of seven key Democratic senators to support marijuana legalization legislation. The Senate president said not to expect legal sales before January.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) spoke about the research showing medical benefits of cannabis and public support for reform. Meanwhile, the Assembly speaker is upset that the governor is including broader marijuana decriminalization in his medical cannabis plan.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) tweeted that the state’s medical cannabis program “is working and patients are realizing its benefits.”
The South Carolina House of Representatives passed a bill to remove the cap on the number of hemp growers that are allowed in the state.
The Florida House Appropriations Committee approved a bill to let patients smoke medical cannabis.
The Oklahoma House Rules Committee advanced legislation to revise the state’s medical cannabis framework.
Michigan regulators have started the process of drafting rules for recreational marijuana businesses.
Massachusetts regulators discussed ways to boost women- and minority-owned marijuana businesses.
The Oregon Senate Committee on Business and General Government will hold a hearing on Thursday on a bill to allow marijuana social consumption lounges. Separately, regulators approved amendments to hemp rules.
An Iowa representative filed a bill to allow regulators to reschedule MDMA for medical purposes.
Colorado regulators will meet on March 20 to consider changes to medical cannabis rules.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 700 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.
We followed more than 900 pieces of cannabis legislation in 2018. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
Bridgeport, Connecticut officials are asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a man who claims he was blocked from becoming a firefighter due to his state-legal medical cannabis use.
The Bronx, New York’s borough president said that “if we are going to legalize marijuana the state must pardon and expunge marijuana convictions, and ensure that marginalized communities have a chance to profit from a new cannabis market.”
Denver, Colorado officials developed a food safety course for marijuana businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Timothy Harri said the government is accepting the recommendations of a commission to legalize medical cannabis and hemp and decriminalize marijuana possession.
The British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, which receives some funding from the Canadian province, issued a report recommending the legalization and regulation of heroin sales.
/ ADVOCACY
Conservative commentator Glenn Beck spoke about the harms of the drug war.
Here’s a look at the Medical Cannabis Alliance of Illinois’s efforts to shape marijuana laws.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “cannabis likely does not have widespread effects on brain structure.”
An analysis found that “with respect to male factor fertility using semen parameters as a surrogate, cannabinoids likely play an inhibitory role” and that “data on marijuana and male sexual function are mixed but suggest that marijuana may enhance the subjective experience of sexual intercourse while potentially contributing to [erectile dysfunction] in a dose‐dependent manner,” among other findings.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation’s losses doubled in an amended quarterly report as compared to the initial version, with the company blaming a spreadsheet error for the first filing.
/ CULTURE
Former NFL player Calvin Johnson’s proposed medical cannabis dispensary received preliminary approval from Michigan regulators.
Melissa Etheridge’s new song “Faded by Design” is about her relationship with marijuana.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson said, apparently sarcastically, that “there’s literally nothing cooler than marijuana. Cool people smoke weed. And that’s why total legalization nationwide seems inevitable.”
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
North Dakota marijuana decrim narrowly fails; Obama urges youth to work on drug reform; Study: The munchies are real
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This issue of Marijuana Moment, and our original reporting that is featured in it, are made possible by the generous support of 377 Patreon sponsors. Cannabis industry professionals receive valuable rewards for pledges of $25 and up.
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) both spoke about the fiscal and other benefits of legalizing marijuana in budget speeches. Pritzker included legal cannabis revenue in his formal budget proposal to lawmakers, while Lamont’s plan includes a system of hemp licensing.
Former President Barack Obama, who has in the past scolded young people for caring about marijuana policy, said during an event with young men of color that it is important for them to be involved in the process of shaping drug laws.
- “Nothing changes if citizens…aren’t paying attention and aren’t educating themselves about…how are decisions made about drug laws.”
The North Dakota House of Representatives narrowly defeated a bill to decriminalize marijuana by a vote of 43-47.
A study showed that sales of “junk food” rise after states legalize marijuana, seemingly confirming that the munchies are a real phenomenon.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a drug case that the Constitution places limits on civil asset forfeiture policies that allow states and localities to seize private property that was allegedly used to commit crimes.
A federal judge denied a request to release a disputed cannabis crop that Idaho law enforcement seized as illegal marijuana but the Colorado company in question says is legal hemp.
The Department of Justice announced that the owners of a Colorado unlicensed marijuana business pled guilty to filing a false federal income tax return.
Several major news outlets have picked up a Jamaican website’s claim that the father of Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), a presidential candidate, pointedly took issue with the way she discussed her Jamaican heritage in relation to her past marijuana use. Marijuana Moment has not been able to verify the original report.
/ STATES
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed a bill to let farmers plant hemp crops earlier than originally planned. Separately, the House Committee on Public Safety advanced legislation to clarify that medical cannabis extracts and edibles are legal.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) has no plans to change the state’s marijuana legalization laws, a spokesman said, despite concern from industry players about his appointments to a regulatory body.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) is pushing lawmakers to hold hearings on marijuana legalization.
Delaware’s attorney general said her office will stop prosecuting people for possessing less than six ounce of marijuana in most cases.
The Florida Senate Rules Committee voted to approve a bill to let patients smoke medical cannabis.
Iowa regulators added ulcerative colitis and severe pediatric autism with self-injurious or aggressive behaviors as CBD medical cannabis qualifying conditions.
Michigan regulators will consider medical cannabis license applications at a meeting on Thursday. Separately, the state appeals court ruled against a woman who had a job offer rescinded for state-legal medical cannabis use.
The Nevada Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor held a hearing on a bill to make it illegal to disqualify job applicants due to positive marijuana tests.
No hearings on Indiana marijuana legalization or medical cannabis bills have been scheduled ahead of key deadlines, indicating the issues are likely dead for the year.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 700 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.
We followed more than 900 pieces of cannabis legislation in 2018. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
Salt Lake City, Utah’s former mayor, a medical cannabis supporter, sent a letter warning local officials that the law legislators passed to replace a voter-approved ballot initiative is preempted by federal law.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Thailand’s king signed a decree legalizing medical cannabis and kratom.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May defended her government’s approach to medical cannabis in response to a question from a lawmaker.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said his nation’s bloody “drug war” will get “harsher in the days to come.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
The first clinical trial looking at whole-plant marijuana in treating PTSD was completed, with data now being analyzed and prepared for publication.
A study on marijuana consumers found that “solitary users were significantly more likely to screen positive for psychosis, endorse more symptoms of cannabis abuse/dependence, report using cannabis to cope, and use cannabis on more days within the previous 30 days,” while “social users were significantly more likely to report using alcohol in addition to cannabis during their most recent cannabis‐using occasion.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of U.S. voters commissioned by prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana found that when given options, 39% support medical cannabis, 33% back marijuana legalization, 18% want decriminalization and 11% want broad prohibition. The survey also asked whether voters were more or less likely to support presidential candidates who take cannabis industry money.
A poll of South Carolina likely voters found that when given options, 50% support medical cannabis and 23% back marijuana legalization, with roughly 23% saying the oppose any form of legal access.
/ BUSINESS
GoDaddy announced that the number of Canadian cannabis websites built on its platform increased 700% over a year.
The Globe and Mail looks at how Canadian marijuana companies and government agencies are tracking information about visitors to their websites.
/ CULTURE
Comedy Central’s Jim Jeffries Show hosted a debate between third party candidates, including a member of the U.S. Marijuana Party.
A brick of marijuana was found in a clothing donation bin for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks.
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Bernie Sanders’s marijuana record; Analysis: Liberal & conservative Dems divided on legalization; NY Senate president doubts legal cannabis in budget
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 696 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.
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A bipartisan group of members of Congress is pushing the Food and Drug Administration to hurry up and allow CBD-infused food products in light of hemp legalization.
Marijuana Moment’s latest analysis takes a comprehensive look at the cannabis reform record of presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who in 2015 filed the Senate’s first-ever bill to end marijuana prohibition.
An analysis by Gallup shows that within the Democratic Party, self-described liberals and conservatives are sharply divided on marijuana legalization.
/ FEDERAL
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Moses-Ones spoke at an Albanian event about the “fight against cannabis production.”
Rep. Ben McAdams (D-UT) discussed the need to increase marijuana businesses’ access to banks.
Rep. Don Young (R-AK) tweeted photos of himself meeting with members of the Alaska Marijuana Industry Association.
/ STATES
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said he and lawmakers are still working to finalize details of a marijuana legalization deal but that’s he’s “optimistic” about getting it done.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) said he can “absolutely” win over Republicans on his plan for medical cannabis but that full marijuana legalization is “not going to happen right now.” He also described decriminalization as “a fairness issue.”
New York’s Senate president said she doesn’t think marijuana legalization will end up in the state’s budget this year.
Maryland’s Senate president and House speaker formed a working group to study marijuana legalization.
Ohio’s attorney general said he supports federally rescheduling marijuana. Meanwhile, senators filed a bill to legalize hemp-derived CBD.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court agreed to take a case on whether the odor of unburnt marijuana can be relied on to establish probable cause for a warrant to search a commercial building.
Florida regulators are appealing a court ruling that struck down a limit on the number of medical cannabis dispensaries that a given business can operate.
Guam’s House speaker is pushing regulators to implement the voter-approved medical cannabis law.
The Arizona Senate defeated bills that would have allowed surprise inspections at medical cannabis dispensaries and required that products be tested for carcinogens.
The New Mexico Senate Public Affairs Committee advanced a marijuana decriminalization bill.
The West Virginia House Health and Human Resources Committee passed a bill to raise the number of medical cannabis growers and processors that are allowed and to allow vertical integration.
The Utah Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously passed a bill to make technical changes to the state’s medical cannabis law.
An Iowa Senate subcommittee unanimously approved a bill to legalize hemp.
The Vermont Senate Agriculture Committee unanimously approved a bill setting fees for hemp cultivation.
Nevada Senate and Assembly committees discussed the long-term reliability of marijuana tax revenue as a school funding source.
Oklahoma regulators are urging businesses that manufacture or sell CBD-infused or medical cannabis food products to obtain food licenses.
California regulators reported that the state generated $345 million in tax revenue in 2018, far less than an originally projected $1 billion.
Maine regulators signed a three-year deal with Franwell Inc. to track marijuana products in the state.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 600 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.
We followed more than 900 pieces of cannabis legislation in 2018. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
The Denver, Colorado City Council voted to repeal the sunset date of the cannabis social consumption pilot program. Separately, officials compiled tips and best practices for transferring ownership of marijuana businesses.
Seattle, Washington’s mayor spoke about the city’s moves to vacate misdemeanor marijuana convictions during her State of the City address.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said his administration will explore the legal regulation of less-harmful drugs like marijuana.
/ ADVOCACY
The Rhode Island Republican Party’s chairman criticized moves to legalize marijuana, expand gambling and study allowing sex work.
The Democratic Party of New Mexico tweeted, “Our last governor tried to deprive our state of billions in potential economic benefits because she couldn’t tell the difference between hemp and marijuana — the @NMHouseDems are fixing her mistake.”
The Drug Policy Alliance released a report looking at the costs and benefits of supervised consumption sites for illegal drugs.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study did not find a “statistically significant association between policy ‘liberalization’ and higher odds of adolescent cannabis use.”
A study concluded that marijuana dispensaries “are associated with statistically significant increases in rates of neighborhood crime and disorder” but that associations weakened significantly over time.
/ CULTURE
Comedian Paula Poundstone tweeted, “We have an unstable man in the Presidency. He does not tell the truth about anything. How can we allow this to go on? Our forefathers couldn’t have predicted this because the marijuana wasn’t as potent back then.”
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