Newsletter
Sessions meets with anti-legalization Canadian senators (Newsletter: April 5, 2018)
MPP launches search for new exec; OR county sues state over legal marijuana; NJ poll shows narrow legalization support
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions met with three Canadian senators that are working to defeat their country’s pending marijuana legalization legislation.
The Marijuana Policy Project launched its search for a new executive director to replace founder Rob Kampia.
/ FEDERAL
Josephine County, Oregon filed a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the state’s laws allowing medical and recreational marijuana.
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) responded to the lawsuit by saying, “Oregon voters have spoken—medical and adult-use marijuana are legal in the state of Oregon. Now, a handful of county officials are trying to invalidate the will of our voters. Why are they trying to prolong the failed War on Drugs?! What a waste.”
Congressman Joe Kennedy III (D-MA) discussed his opposition to legalizing marijuana.
White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway spoke in support of lowering thresholds to trigger mandatory minimum drug sentences.
Federal agents seized more than 100 homes in a crackdown on illegal marijuana growing operations in California run by Chinese groups.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a mandatory recall after some kratom herbal supplements tested positive for salmonella.
/ STATES
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper spoke about navigating federal uncertainty surrounding state marijuana laws. Separately, the Senate Committee on Business, Labor & Technology defeated a bill to establish marijuana social use licenses. Also, the House Appropriations Committee will hold a Friday hearing on legislation to allow cannabis “tasting rooms” at licensed establishments. And the Senate approved $3 million for medical cannabis research grants.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) met with medical cannabis stakeholders.
Massachusetts lawmakers approved a sweeping criminal justice reform bill that includes expungement for marijuana offenses.
The Iowa Senate unanimously approved an industrial hemp bill.
Maryland’s Senate approved a bill to increase medical cannabis business licensing.
New York Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon spoke more about her support for legalizing marijuana.
West Virginia’s treasurer released a request for information about solutions to medical cannabis businesses’ banking access issues.
Some Michigan lawmakers are considering legalizing marijuana before voters get a chance to do so at the ballot this November.
The Missouri Legislative Oversight Committee defeated a medical cannabis bill, though it may revisit the proposal soon.
New York regulators granted hemp research permits to more than 60 farms and businesses.
Guam regulators are pessimistic that the medical cannabis program will get off the ground anytime soon.
A Rhode Island representative filed a bill to allow school nurses to administer medical cannabis.
New Mexico’s medical cannabis program now has more than 50,000 patients.
Ohio’s medical cannabis advisory committee will meet on Thursday.
Washington State regulators proposed several new marijuana rules.
Here’s a look at the latest verified signature counts for Utah’s proposed medical cannabis ballot initiative.
/ LOCAL
Voters in Naturita and Berthoud, Colorado approved ballot measures allowing marijuana businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Lawmakers in The Netherlands are considering legislation to allow six and 10 municipalities to experiment with regulated cannabis cultivation and sales.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
Wired looks at the problems with drug testing hair.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that New Jersey adults support legalizing marijuana, 49%-44%.
A poll found that 51% of U.S. likely voters want the U.S. to “take a tougher line in the current renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to force Mexico to strengthen its efforts to stop illegal immigration and illegal drugs from entering this country.”
/ BUSINESS
An analysis from Cowen & Co. projects that the legal marijuana industry is will reach $75 billion in sales by 2030.
Marijuana Business Daily launched a new hemp-focused publication.
Sony Pictures fired its domestic marketing chief following employee complaints about alleged marijuana use at the workplace.
Alaska collected $897,082 in marijuana taxes in February.
/ CULTURE
The Boston Globe looks at the evolution of 4/20 events.
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