Newsletter
Trump appears in GOP candidate’s medical cannabis ad (Newsletter: July 23, 2018)
Prominent Dem congressman backs legalization; NJ AG voids local decrim policy; German medical marijuana apps resume
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Tennessee Republican gubernatorial candidate Beth Harwell, currently the state House speaker, released a new campaign ad touting her — and President Trump’s — support for medical cannabis.
U.S. House Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus Co-chair Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) wrote an op-ed saying that “marijuana should be legal in all 50 states” and endorsing U.S. Sen. Cory Booker’s Marijuana Justice Act.
- Republican challenger Chris DePizzo criticized Ryan, saying he prefers U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s STATES Act.
New Jersey’s attorney general issued an opinion declaring Jersey City’s new marijuana decriminalization policy “void.”
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled in an immigration case that a state conviction for sale of marijuana in the third degree is “not categorically an aggravated felony” for the purposes of removal from the country.
The U.S. Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit is considering a case concerning whether a commercial landlord’s debt repayment plan can be invalidated because he leased property to a licensed marijuana business.
The U.S attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia tweeted, “I’m sure the lobbying & investing in federally-prohibited marijuana by powerful special interests is not about potential profits but because they care so much about citizens & future of WV. I’m sure that’s it. Right?”
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said, “One of the most difficult things about criminal justice reform is that we have institutional racism in a lot of our institutions across all sectors. One of those places that is quite stark is how we enforce laws against marijuana.”
Congresswoman Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a U.S. Senate candidate, tweeted, “A majority of Nevadans made it clear at the ballot box in 2016 where we stand legalizing marijuana. I’m supporting a number of commonsense bills to protect the will of Nevada voters.”
Congressman Bill Johnson (R-OH) said medical cannabis is “opening a door in our culture that is going to be awfully difficult for us to walk back through” but that “it is a state and not a federal issue.”
Virginia Democratic congressional candidate Elaine Luria tweeted, “In Congress, I will advocate for ending federal marijuana prohibition so that states can set their own priorities regarding adult use.”
/ STATES
California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed a bill giving police powers of arrest to Department of Food and Agriculture cannabis business inspectors. Separately, regulators released a discussion paper about proposed rulemaking on marijuana taxes.
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) spoke about his decision to veto a bill that would have allowed medical cannabis for autism spectrum disorders. Meanwhile, here’s a look at whether drug cartels are really involved in the state’s marijuana economy.
Hawaii Democratic gubernatorial candidate Colleen Hanabusa, currently a congresswoman, tweeted, “The regulation of #Marijuana is a states’ rights issue. If Hawaii wants to generate new revenue to help pay for government programs by legalizing #cannabis for recreational use the legislature must explore regulation and enact policies to ensure public safety.”
Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Casey Cagle, currently the lieutenant governor, tweeted, “I’m fully committed to providing all Georgia’s patients access to their prescribed medical cannabis treatment!”
Florida regulators allowed a medical cannabis company to resume operations after it completed a required food-safety inspection.
Maryland regulators turned off the state’s electronic medical cannabis tracking system after is experienced repeated crashes.
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, which currently only oversees recreational marijuana, is on track to assume oversight of medical cannabis too.
An anti-legalization New Jersey senator defended comments about the end of prohibition leading to the sales of “sex toy oils with marijuana.”
/ LOCAL
The Nelsonville, Ohio city attorney identified what he believes to be fatal defects with a proposed marijuana depenalization ballot measure.
The Chicago, Illinois Police Department eliminated past marijuana use as an automatic disqualifier for hiring new officers.
The Wayne County, Michigan sheriff’s office has made it practice to impound cars seen leaving medical cannabis dispensaries.
The mayor of White House, Tennessee is scheduled to appear in court on marijuana possession charges this week.
/ INTERNATIONAL
German regulators resumed accepting medical cannabis cultivation licenses after temporarily suspending the program amid litigation.
The president of France’s Confederation of Tobacco Shops, a trade association, said the businesses he represents are ready to start selling marijuana under legalization.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he would continue to wage a “relentless and chilling” drug war.
The Canadian government launched a youth education campaign about marijuana.
/ ADVOCACY
The president of the Oklahoma Society of Addiction Medicine said he doesn’t “really see marijuana as a gateway” and that he doesn’t “anticipate a huge marijuana addiction problem with legalized marijuana.”
MedMen requested a refund of its donation to a political action committee after it was revealed that the money went to hardline anti-immigration lawmakers.
The Foundation For An Informed Texas launched a new TV ad to educate people about medical cannabis.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “CBD lacks activity as a drug of abuse” and its results “should stimulate the development of the basic and clinical studies needed to elucidate its potential therapeutic use for the treatment of neuropsychiatric and drug use disorders.”
A study found that “regular marijuana smoking is not associated with untoward effects on select biomarkers of oxidative stress and cardio-metabolic health.”
A study found that “perioperative opioid use was significantly higher in the [marijuana]-user group despite lower subjective pain scores.”
A study of marijuana businesses in Washington State determined that “the first [market] entrants have higher sales revenues than late entrants.”
A study found that “among all women, cigarette use decreased and blunt use increased over time, whereas cigar use remained stable.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of U.S. adults found that 56% think states should be responsible for regulating marijuana and 26% think the federal government should play that role.
A poll of U.S. adults found that 63% support legalizing marijuana but that sizable majorities oppose decriminalizing other drugs.
A poll of Vermont residents found that they support allowing retail sales of marijuana, 56%-31%.
The New York Daily News editorial board is pushing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) to take marijuana legalization seriously.
New York Times columnist David Leonhardt is concerned about the rush to legalize marijuana.
The Star-Ledger editorial board cheered Jersey City, News Jersey’s move to decriminalize marijuana.
/ BUSINESS
GRN Funds is offering banking services to Florida medical cannabis businesses.
Adweek looks at how marijuana brands are using packaging to differentiate themselves.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
