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Texas GOP endorses cannabis decrim & more (Newsletter: June 18, 2018)

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Senate panel misstates marijuana & driving info; OK oppo gets $ for anti-cannabis ads; Tax Court rules against marijuana biz

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Republican Party of Texas approved new platform planks endorsing marijuana decriminalization, expanded medical cannabis access, industrial hemp and federal rescheduling.

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee — which has recently approved a number of cannabis measures — included misinformation about marijuana legalization and driving in a new report attached to a funding bill.

/ FEDERAL

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions confirmed again that President Trump hasn’t spoken to him about the administration’s plans to endorse marijuana legislation.

U.S. Tax Court ruled against a marijuana business’s effort to deduct expenses from its taxes that it alleged where not related to cannabis sales.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill to give the attorney general greater powers to permanently schedule drugs.

The U.S. attorney for West Virginia’s Southern District posted anti-marijuana views on Twitter again.

Former White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Weyeneth spoke to the media about the controversy that led to his stepping down this year.

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) spoke about hemp legislation that is advancing in Congress.

U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) tweeted, “Nevada voters made it clear that they favor the regulation & taxation of marijuana in our state. The federal gov’t must respect the rights of states to do so.”

Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) appeared at the opening of a marijuana dispensary.

Congresswoman Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a U.S. Senate candidate, sent a press release about her support for marijuana federalism legislation.

Congressman Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) said that Justice Department moves against marijuana helped strengthen lawmakers’ push for reform.

Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “The War on Drugs didn’t just fail. It criminalized minorities and disproportionately destabilized communities of color. They deserve to be acknowledged in our drug policy debate.” He also tweeted about the fiscal impact of legalizing marijuana.

The U.S. House bill to respect state marijuana laws got two new cosponsors, for a total of 21.

Utah congressional candidates debated marijuana.

/ STATES

A former Missouri Supreme Court chief justice voiced support for a medical cannabis ballot measure.

Oklahoma prohibitionists are going on the air with a nearly half-million-dollar ad buy opposing the state’s medical cannabis ballot measure being voted on this month.

Opponents of Utah’s medical cannabis initiative filed an updated claim in their lawsuit to remove the measure from the ballot.

Colorado marijuana tax revenue is being used to fund the state’s largest ever school construction effort.

The Rhode Island House of Representatives approved a plan to raise medical cannabis dispensary licensing fees from $5,000 to $250,000, and to give reciprocity to Connecticut and Massachusetts patients. Meanwhile, the legislature’s rejection of a proposal from Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) to add significantly more dispensaries threatens cultivation jobs.

Alaska regulators delayed a decision on allowing on-site consumption at marijuana retail outlets until August. They also fined organizers of an event for allegedly illegally selling cannabis and promoting public consumption.

With just weeks to go until the first Massachusetts adult-use marijuana sales are set to begin, no banks are willing to work with recreational cannabis businesses in the state.

The sponsor of marijuana legalization legislation in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is urging a House committee not to shelve the bill.

A Guam senator filed a bill to allow medical cannabis home cultivation.

Virginia regulators received 49 applications for the state’s first five medical cannabis business licenses.

Washington, D.C. police arrested dozens of people at a marijuana pop-up event.

/ LOCAL

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) said new police department marijuana enforcement plans will be released this week.

The Genesee County, Michigan Board of Health is opposing marijuana legalization.

Denver, Colorado officials are cracking down on marijuana tour busses.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The UK government reversed course and returned seized CBD medicine to an epileptic boy. And the government’s health secretary announced a review into restrictions on medical cannabis oil.

Portugal’s Parliament approved a bill to legalize marijuana-based medicines.

Canada’s House of Commons may begin voting on the Senate’s marijuana legalization amendments on Monday. The government’s cannabis point man said if the bill is passed this week, legal sales should begin in September.

Colombia voters elected Ivan Duque, a supporter of the war on drugs, as president.

The Bahamas government is considering marijuana law reform.

/ ADVOCACY

Here’s a look at the influence of Colorado marijuana businesses on state lawmakers.

/ OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Los Angeles Times editorial board thanked U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions for sparking a debate that could lead to federal marijuana law reform.

The Boston Herald editorial board is urging Massachusetts regulators not to “rush” to open marijuana retailers.

The Albany Times Union editorial board says marijuana should be considered as an opioid alternative.

/ BUSINESS

Poynter takes a look at the decline of The Cannabist.

Banking industry groups are stepping up the push for legislation to allow financial institutions to serve marijuana businesses.

/ CULTURE

Rapper The Game “created” a new marijuana strain to lure LeBron James to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Actor Christopher Plummer, who plays a marijuana dealer in a new film, says he personally prefers alcohol.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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