Newsletter
Top Senate Dem wants delay for hemp final rule (Newsletter: August 11, 2020)
Clinton implies marijuana makes you dumb; VT Dems poised to back drug decrim; Reform org rolls out plan to end federal drug war
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to delay implementation of final legal hemp rules and extend the 2014 Farm Bill’s pilot program, citing coronavirus concerns.
- “As we move into harvest season, farmers will need to operate with as much certainty as possible but timing and testing requirements will likely create bottlenecks that will push farmers to rush harvests. The potential for greater numbers of people working in facilities to meet the rush may create opportunities for COVID to spread among farm workers.”
2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton implied that consuming marijuana makes people do stupid things, an apparent joke made in response to part of a Maureen Dowd column she took exception to.
The draft Vermont Democratic Party platform set to be finalized next month includes planks supporting decriminalizing drugs and legalizing marijuana sales.
- “Adopt an approach to the possession and misuse of drugs that is motivated solely by the principles of public health and harm reduction, rather than punishing undesirable private behavior, while avoiding the criminal justice system altogether.”
The Drug Policy Alliance unveiled a framework for how Congress can end the war on drugs. It includes defunding the Drug Enforcement Administration, eliminating possession penalties, ceasing to fund state enforcement, putting health agencies in charge of drug scheduling, expunging records and funding harm reduction services.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) criticized House Democrats for mentioning “cannabis” more times than “jobs” on their coronavirus relief bill.
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) tweeted, “But wasting trillions of dollars on liberal priorities like cannabis funding, taxpayer-funded abortion and the federalization of our elections – things that have nothing to do with providing COVID-19 relief – does much more than nickel-and-dime them.”
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) tweeted, “#Marijuana reform is #CriminalJustice reform. The war on drugs has targeted and incarcerated Black communities for TOO LONG. We need to decriminalize and deschedule cannabis at the federal level. #LegalizeIt”
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “Marijuana legalization is a racial justice issue. The failed War on Drugs continues to devastate communities of color and low-income communities. Social and economic equity must be at the forefront of any marijuana policy.”
Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX) said in a constituent letter that he will continue to vote to keep marijuana illegal.
Georgia Democratic congressional candidate Barrington Martin tweeted, “Legalize and decriminalize marijuana and hemp. It would do more for the environment than people understand. Hemp legalization is a part of my Green New Deal. With hemp farms everywhere, we wouldn’t need to cut forests down!”
Florida Democratic congressional candidate Richard Thripp tweeted, “I support #marijuanalegalization. Here are some designs for advertisements in the general election. A big issue with Republican and independent voter support. Enough is enough!”
/ STATES
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) appointed a new cannabis regulation oversight officer.
Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “In 86 days, New Jersey will vote to fully legalize marijuana. In PA, we will send you to prison for 2.5 years with *any* number of plants, label you a felon for life, + fine you. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but *maybe* it’s time we figure out cannabis in PA.”
Minnesota’s House majority leader said a marijuana legalization bill might pass if Democrats take control of the state Senate in the November elections.
A Colorado court ruled that possessing marijuana while being booked is not itself a crime.
Oklahoma brought in more than $12 million in medical cannabis tax revenue in July.
Missouri regulators issued four more medical cannabis infused product manufacturing facility licenses.
The Florida Criminal Standards and Training Commission dismissed an administrative complaint against a corrections officer who tested positive for marijuana after using CBD oil.
Washington State regulators released draft conceptual rules for marijuana business premise certificates of compliance.
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/ LOCAL
San Francisco, California police and cannabis industry participants will meet on August 18 to discuss safety issues in light of recent burglaries.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Bermuda’s attorney general gave lawmakers an update on a public consultation on draft marijuana legalization legislation and said an updated bill will be introduced soon.
New Zealand’s justice minister spoke about being offered marijuana on the street.
A Chinese court sentenced a Canadian citizen to death for allegedly producing MDMA.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “daily and near-daily cannabis use is associated with HIV viral load suppression in people living with HIV who use cocaine.”
A study found “an association between maternal cannabis use in pregnancy and the incidence of autism spectrum disorder in the offspring.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The National Governors Association is partnering with 10 states to formulate plans to address impaired driving.
Dakota Rural Action endorsed South Dakota marijuana legalization and medical cannabis ballot measures.
The Drug Policy Alliance led a sign-on letter of health organizations and professionals calling on congressional leaders to pass legislation to reschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair the harms of the war on drugs.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation reported $110 million in quarterly revenue and a net loss of $128 million.
Tilray, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $50.4 million and a net loss of $81.7 million.
Columbia Care, Inc. reported quarterly combined revenue of $33 million and a net loss of $27.3 million.
/ CULTURE
The creators of “The Walking Dead” won a trademark case against a parody cannabis-themed comic “The Toking Dead.”
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