Newsletter
Surgeon general deletes cannabis tweet (Newsletter: Jan. 25, 2019)
DC mayor weighs legal marijuana sales move; PA gov announces legalization listening tour; Another congressional cannabis bill
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams posted and then deleted a tweet about how children should never use marijuana. But a slightly revised tweet he posted later makes an exception for the use of medical cannabis products.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) told Marijuana Moment in a brief interview that she isn’t ruling out quickly passing a bill to legalize cannabis sales during the federal shutdown while a congressional rider blocking the city from doing so is expired.
Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) said on the House floor that his party could one day replicate President Trump’s strategy of using the federal government shutdown to force funding for his proposed Mexican border wall to instead further progressive priorities like decriminalizing marijuana.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D), who only weeks ago said the state wasn’t ready to consider marijuana legalization, launched a listening tour on the issue. Pro-legalization Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) will oversee the effort, which will visit all of the state’s 67 counties. Meanwhile, a Philadelphia city councilman introduced a proposal to let the city’s voters weigh in on legalization via the ballot.
Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN) filed the third congressional bill so far this month that would force the Department of Veterans Affairs to study the benefits of medical cannabis for military veterans. He and other lawmakers who back marijuana research have a sharp disagreement on bill language, hence the competing proposals.
/ FEDERAL
A federal judge criticized confusing federal marijuana enforcement policy, saying the Department of Justice “at some point ought to make a decision, to either fish or cut bait on the issue.”
Former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci said that “the train has already left the station” on marijuana legalization and that he expects federal reform under President Trump.
Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) tweeted about the veterans medical cannabis research bill he filed this week.
The House bill to enshrine the provisions of the rescinded Cole memo into law got one new cosponsor, for a total of nine.
The House bill to force the licensing of additional cultivators of marijuana for research got two new cosponsors, for a total of six.
/ STATES
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said he thinks lawmakers should legalize marijuana this year.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) said he’s “not opposed” to medical cannabis but doesn’t want it to be a “gateway into recreational.”
South Carolina’s attorney general walked back his statement that marijuana is the “most dangerous drug” and claimed that he didn’t say it, even though there is video of him doing so.
The Virginia Senate Committee on Education and Health approved bills to allow medical cannabis at schools, enable caregivers to pick up medicine for patients and add nurse practitioners and physician assistants to the list of medical professionals who can recommend it.
The Wyoming Legislature House Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Committee approved a hemp bill.
New Mexico representatives filed a marijuana legalization bill.
West Virginia delegates introduced a marijuana legalization bill.
Alaska regulators announced that rules on marijuana license residency requirements, license conversions, public notices, ownership changes and other issues will become effective on February 21.
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/ LOCAL
The Cook County, Illinois state’s attorney announced her support for legalizing cannabis and tweeted that her office will “begin the process to expunge all misdemeanor marijuana convictions.”
Antioch, California’s interim attorney ordered the Oklevueha Native American Church of Antioch to stop providing marijuana for its healing ceremonies.
A Boston, Massachusetts City Council committee held a hearing on equity in marijuana licensing.
Denver, Colorado officials are asking for the marijuana industry’s help to raise awareness about the city’s “Turn Over a New Leaf” program to vacate and seal low-level cannabis convictions. The mayor also tweeted about the effort.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s mayor spoke about the benefits of legalizing marijuana.
/ ADVOCACY
The Nebraska Democratic Party is helping to publicize a fundraiser for the effort to qualify a medical cannabis measure for the state’s 2020 ballot.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said it doesn’t intend to be heavily involved in Utah medical cannabis legislation going forward.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “healthcare providers generally believe that medical cannabis is a legitimate medical therapy.”
A study concluded that “among HIV-infected participants, recent marijuana smoking was associated with increased risk of infectious pulmonary diagnoses and chronic bronchitis independent of tobacco smoking and other risk factors for lung disease.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that New York voters support legalizing marijuana, 65%-31% and that 59% back legal sales in their communities, while want to 67% erase criminal records for cannabis possession.
A poll of Wisconsin voters found that they support legalizing marijuana, 59%-35%.
/ BUSINESS
Caliva closed a $75 million funding round, including investors like former Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz and former NFL player Joe Montana.
Marijuana jobs recruiting platform Vangst raised $10 million.
The Wall Street Journal looks at investment banks’ interest in marijuana stocks.
/ CULTURE
Rapper Killer Mike and Joe Rogan discussed high marijuana taxes and regulations that keep smaller players out of the industry.
Actor Michael Caine recounted the time he smoked marijuana and “laughed for five hours.”
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