Newsletter
Sessions’s replacement on cannabis enforcement (Newsletter: Nov. 8, 2018)
DC mayor pushes legal marijuana sales; Midwest is new cannabis reform hub; DOJ’s Marijuana Working Group
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned. Marijuana Moment dug up an old clip of his replacement as acting AG talking about marijuana. In short, Matthew Whitaker seems to acknowledge some medical benefits of cannabis, but his views on federal enforcement might concern marijuana industry operators.
With the change in control of the U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) announced she plans to pursue legal marijuana sales in the nation’s capital in early 2019.
All of a sudden the Midwest is a marijuana reform hub:
- Four new pro-cannabis-reform governors
- Legal marijuana in Michigan
- Medical cannabis in Missouri
- Five new decrim cities in Ohio
- 16 counties and two cities in Wisconsin approve marijuana advisory measures
- Illinois Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker says he wants to enact legalization “right away.”
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. attorney for the District of Oregon was named as chair of the Department of Justice’s National Marijuana Working Group.
The New York Times obtained hundreds of pages of documents this week relating to the Central Intelligence Agency’s mind-control experiments involving LSD.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) tweeted, “More states following Oregon’s lead. More voices calling for reforms to outdated & failed cannabis policies. Now, Congress must act to pass my legislation that will bring our federal approach to cannabis into the 21st century.”
Sen.-elect Kevin Cramer (R-ND) said he wants to focus on rescheduling marijuana “immediately.”
Former Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) tweeted, “Yesterday voters in Michigan passed a recreational marijuana bill, & both Missouri and Utah passed medical marijuana initiatives. As a bonus, Jeff Sessions resigned today. Getting rid of government tyranny is tough, which is why you never want it to take hold in the first place.”
/ STATES
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) said he still has concerns about legalizing marijuana sales, but “wouldn’t be surprised” if the legislature “came out with something that would move us in that direction.”
Michigan Gov.-elect Gretchen Whitmer (D) is considering options to expunge marijuana records. Separately, the State Police released a statement about the state’s new legal cannabis law. And regulators will consider medical cannabis licenses on Thursday.
Tennessee Gov.-elect Bill Lee (R) is skeptical about medical cannabis.
New York marijuana legalization efforts will get a boost under the newly Democratic-controlled Senate.
Massachusetts regulators approved marijuana testing labs to begin operations, meaning that recreational sales are likely just days away.
Iowa’s first dispensary will begin selling low-THC medical cannabis products on December 1.
Washington State regulators issued emergency license suspensions to a marijuana business over alleged diversion.
North Dakota activists say they will keep pressing for marijuana reform following the defeat of their legalization ballot measure.
Two marijuana-focused political parties in Minnesota are poised to gain major party status after their candidates exceeded vote thresholds in the midterms.
Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Information about Ontario, Canada marijuana retail customers was obtained in a hack.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that” the risk of advanced liver fibrosis among [hepatitis C virus]‐infected patients who use cannabis was higher than those who do not use cannabis, but the result was not statistically significant.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of Singaporeans found that 14% support legalizing marijuana and 39% back allowing medical cannabis.
/ BUSINESS
Marijuana stocks jump following electoral wins for cannabis ballot measures and the resignation of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
A criminal defense attorney says Bank of the West is closing his account because of his work for clients facing marijuana-related charges.
Marijuana delivery service Eaze is offering 25% discounts to military veterans starting on Veterans’ Day.
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