Newsletter
UN delays cannabis rescheduling recommendation (Newsletter: Dec. 10, 2018)
Where Trump AG pick stands on drugs; Study: Marijuana improves working memory; Cannabis bills already being pre-filed for 2019
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
President Trump announced that he intends to nominate William Barr as U.S. attorney general. Marijuana Moment took a look at his record on drug policy.
In a surprise move, the World Health Organization decided not to publicly release its recommendations on whether marijuana should be rescheduled under international treaties.
Elon Musk told 60 Minutes that his on-camera marijuana smoking earlier this year was just a fluke:
- “I have no idea how to smoke pot or anything. I don’t know how to smoke anything, honestly.”
2018 isn’t even over yet but lawmakers in a number of states are already pre-filing marijuana bills for 2019 legislative sessions.
A new study seems to undermine the stereotype about forgetful stoners. The research, which involved rats, found that “cannabis smoke improved working memory accuracy.”
/ FEDERAL
President Trump tweeted, “Hopefully Mitch McConnell will ask for a VOTE on Criminal Justice Reform. It is extremely popular and has strong bipartisan support. It will also help a lot of people, save taxpayer dollars, and keep our communities safe. Go for it Mitch!”
Surgeon General Jerome Adams said “there’s no such thing as medical marijuana.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration clarified in a Federal Register filing that it increased 2018 marijuana production quotas “based solely on increased usage projections for federally approved research projects.”
The Buffalo News looks at the effects of a Department of Housing and Urban Development policy allowing landlords to evict people from public housing for medical cannabis.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is endorsing criminal justice reform legislation after successfully seeking an amendment to “exclude violent offenders from being released early” from prison.
/ STATES
A spokesperson for Florida Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis (R) indicated he plans to drop at least one of the state’s fights to appeal court rulings striking down medical cannabis regulations.
California regulators publicly released final marijuana rules that have been submitted to the state Office of Administrative Law. The plan would allow cannabis delivery throughout the state, even in cities that ban dispensaries.
New Jersey’s Assembly speaker won’t commit to bringing a marijuana legalization bill to a vote by the end of the year. Gov. Phil Murphy (D) reiterated that he supports ending prohibition for social justice reasons. Separately, an Assemblyman filed legislation to apply conflict of interest standards to marijuana regulators and to put constitutional amendment on the ballot directing cannabis revenue to property tax relief.
Oklahoma regulators have licensed 743 medical cannabis dispensaries.
Kentucky’s Senate president is under fire for making a joke comparing medical cannabis to bourbon.
Michigan regulators approved a plan to let medical cannabis businesses obtain products from individual caregivers in order to avoid a shortage. They also rejected a business license application filed by former National Football League players.
Wisconsin’s Supreme Court threw out a marijuana conviction stemming from a police officer’s illegal entry into a home.
Pennsylvania regulators officially launched a process to accept applications for new medical cannabis qualifying conditions.
Utah regulators are hiring a cannabis program manager to oversee the state’s industrial hemp and medical marijuana programs.
Maine regulators hired a consulting firm to help write marijuana rules.
Here’s a look at the prospects for legalizing marijuana in Minnesota.
North Dakota is likely a few months away from patient access to medical cannabis.
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/ LOCAL
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) suggested funding the subway with “all the proceeds that can come from legalizing marijuana.”
The New York Times looks at how Needles, California is banking on marijuana businesses to boost its economy.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley said the country will “put a framework in place for medical cannabis within the next week or so.”
Malawi’s parliament voted to move forward on considering medical cannabis legislation.
Ireland’s health minister supports medical cannabis.
Canadian lawmakers debated a bill to expunge marijuana convictions.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “cannabidiol tolerance exists and it limits the efficacy of this antiseizure treatment in the long-term clinical management of epilepsy.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
An online survey found that more Americans would choose to ban alcohol than marijuana if forced to choose.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial board is urging Missouri officials not to deny welfare benefits to medical cannabis patients.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial board called Altria’s investment in the marijuana industry “promising.”
/ BUSINESS
Altria Group, Inc. is investing $1.8 billion in Cronos Group Inc., for a a 45% equity stake.
Instagram admitted that it inappropriately closed down some Maryland medical cannabis businesses’ accounts.
Maryland’s first year of legal medical cannabis saw $96.3 million in sales to nearly 52,000 patients.
Alaska collected $1.8 million in marijuana tax revenue in October, a monthly record.
Shoppers Drug Mart got a license to sell medical cannabis online in Canada.
Prominent marijuana attorney Robert Raich is being accused of molesting his stepson, which he denied in court testimony.
/ CULTURE
The New York Times looks at how more older Americans are using medical cannabis.
A Kentucky racehorse tested positive for CBD.
MMA fighter Elias Theodorou gave an after-win speech about the need to allow marijuana use.
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