Newsletter
USDA approves first state hemp plans (Newsletter: December 30, 2019)
New Oklahoma legal marijuana measure filed; Buttigieg vs. former drug czar on decrim; U.S. Embassy weighs in on Trinidad & Tobago cannabis law
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued the first approvals for state and tribal hemp programs since the crop was federally legalized under the Farm Bill.
South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D), a presidential candidate, detailed his support for decriminalizing possession of drugs like cocaine and meth in a new interview—a position that 1980s drug czar Bill Bennett says is “nuts.”
Oklahoma activists filed a new version of a proposed 2020 marijuana legalization ballot measure days after withdrawing an initial version that the medical cannabis community had expressed concerns over. A different activist also filed a separate legal marijuana proposal that doesn’t include an age limit for use.
/ FEDERAL
The Food and Drug Administration officially raised the age for tobacco sales from 18 to 21 in accordance with legislation recently approved by Congress and signed by President Trump.
The U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago clarified that the country’s new marijuana law does not exempt people who have past convictions expunged from requirements to disclose them on visa applications.
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) tweeted, “More American adults have access to marijuana than ever before. It’s critical that we expand licenses for research into its potential health and therapeutic benefits.”
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “Marijuana is a legitimate industry that should have legitimate access to banking services to start successful businesses. Especially for people of color who have been disproportionately incarcerated from marijuana criminalization.”
Georgia Democratic congressional candidate Lisa Ring tweeted, “By legalizing #marijuana, we can begin to end the failed “war on drugs” and its racial disparity; tackle the immediate #OpioidCrisis; more effectively meet the #PublicHealth needs of our nation; cut down on crime; and generate public revenue. #legalizeit”
/ STATES
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) tweeted about a study on teen marijuana and vaping use rates.
Louisiana regulators began accepting hemp business license applications after its regulatory plan received federal approval.
Missouri regulators are being sued by a rejected medical cannabis business license applicant.
Washington State regulators suspended the license of Herban Legends for allegedly “engaging in erratic and criminal behavior on the license premises.”
Michigan regulators published an advisory bulletin on how licensed businesses should handle medical cannabis obtained from primary caregivers.
A South Carolina representative introduced a marijuana decriminalization bill.
Indiana lawmakers filed marijuana reform bills.
North Dakota now has 1,944 registered medical cannabis patients.
Oregon regulators discussed pesticide issues at hemp and CBD conference.
Here’s a look at Maryland’s slow progress toward granting more medical cannabis business licenses.
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/ LOCAL
Chicago, Illinois’s mayor tweeted a link to resources about the state’s new marijuana legalization law, saying, “In 2020, recreational cannabis will be legal in Illinois. While studies show that cannabis can be used for certain medicinal purposes, make sure you get a full picture.”
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Philippines banned two U.S. senators from visiting the country in protest of a congressionally approved provision calling out the incarceration of a Philippine senator who criticized that country’s bloody “war on drugs.”
Thailand’s public health and justice ministers signed agreements to remove marijuana and kratom from the country’s narcotics list.
UK Ministry of Justice statistics show that the government has spent £2.5 billion detaining up to 8,000 people a year for marijuana offenses since 2015.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “CBD might be a potent target for modulating the human [blood-brain barrier].”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Los Angeles Times editorial board said California officials should consider revising the marijuana tax structure while prioritizing public health.
/ BUSINESS
Payment processor Linx Card is being sued for allegedly owing money to a number of marijuana businesses.
Arkansas dispensaries have sold more than $28 million worth of medical cannabis in 2019.
/ CULTURE
The band 311 is selling bacon-flavored CBD drops for pets.
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