Newsletter
These Ohio cities will vote on cannabis decrim in November (Newsletter: Oct. 3, 2018)

Study: Legalization doesn’t increase problematic cannabis use; Utah oppo outraising medical marijuana supporters; DEA raids Michigan dispensary
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A Marijuana Moment analysis of Utah campaign finance filings for committees on both sides of the state’s medical cannabis ballot measure show that opponents have more overall funds to play with, but supporters have broader support from a much larger pool of individual donors.
A study found that state marijuana legalization laws do not lead to increased levels of problematic cannabis use.
At least six Ohio municipalities will vote on marijuana decriminalization measures in November.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration raided a Michigan medical cannabis dispensary.
The U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control held a hearing on fentanyl trafficking from China.
Activists smoked marijuana outside of Congressman Andy Harris’s (R-MD) Capitol Hill office, an incident from which both the congressman and the advocates claimed minor physical injuries.
Louisiana Democratic congressional candidate Rob Anderson supports legalizing marijuana.
/ STATES
Utah medical cannabis supporters have reached a tentative agreement with opponents on potential compromise legislation.
Michigan lawmakers sent Gov. Rick Snyder (R) a bill to ban marijuana-infused alcoholic beverages. Separately, the House Agriculture Committee will consider an industrial hemp bill on Wednesday.
Guam senators debated medical cannabis implementation bills.
Rhode Island gubernatorial candidates debated legalizing marijuana.
Here’s a look at where Oklahoma gubernatorial candidates stand on marijuana.
Idaho Democratic gubernatorial candidate Paulette Jordan called for marijuana decriminalization during a debate.
Here’s a look at where Colorado attorney general candidates stand on marijuana.
A Montana judge reinstated a medical cannabis business’s license that he said was improperly revoked.
Massachusetts regulators are poised to approve final licenses for two recreational marijuana retailers on Thursday.
Missouri’s competing medical cannabis campaigns released statements on why their proposed measure is preferable to the others.
/ LOCAL
San Francisco, California’s mayor is still considering authorizing safe injection facilities for illegal drug consumers despite the governor’s veto of legislation to provide state protections.
The Grand Haven, Michigan City Council passed a resolution opposing the state’s marijuana legalization ballot measure.
A medical cannabis tax proposed by Phoenix, Arizona’s mayor was unanimously defeated by the City Council.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canada’s transport minister confirmed that people will be allowed to carry small amounts of marijuana with them on domestic flights, but not on international ones.
A UK member of Parliament is calling for a Royal Commission to study the impacts of drug prohibition.
/ ADVOCACY
Here’s a look at the finances of prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana.
Prohibitionist group National Families in Action announced that Mahmoud A. Elsohly, who directs the University of Mississippi’s marijuana farm, joined its science advisory board.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Boston Herald editorial board is concerned about marijuana stores being located near schools.
/ BUSINESS
PepsiCo’s CFO said the company has no plans to produce cannabis products but that it will look “critically” at doing so in the future.
Marijuana industry executives are hopeful about the growth of the European market.
/ CULTURE
The Onion had a little fun with the news that Coca-Cola is considering producing CBD beverages.
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Photo courtesy of Brian Shamblen.