Newsletter
Utah medical cannabis compromise reached (Newsletter: Oct. 5, 2018)
Legalization opponents don’t show for promised rally; MA gives final approval for first dispensaries; MI marijuana ballot measure leads big in poll
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R), lawmakers, activists behind the state’s medical cannabis ballot measure and opponents like the Mormon church announced an agreement on compromise legislation, which they expect to be considered during a special session in November. All sides said they will “de-escalate” efforts to campaign around the ballot measure and instead focus on the legislation.
Despite a promise of a “strong show of support” from Michigan marijuana prohibitionists, not a single opponent of legalization showed up to protest a talk by travel writer Rick Steves.
/ FEDERAL
Colorado’s U.S. attorney spoke at length about his views on marijuana enforcement.
U.S. Transportation Sec. Elaine Chao, in remarks from a press conference last month that were just uploaded online, seemed to suggest that marijuana legalization causes people to use more of other drugs:
- “After all, thirty states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws broadly legalizing marijuana in some form. And so many people are using opioids, meth, heroin and other drugs which impair motor skills and judgment.”
Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD) authored an op-ed on an altercation with marijuana activists that occurred outside his office earlier this week. An activist who claims she was injured in the scuffle initiated a formal assault claim against the congressman.
Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “In the last two years, marijuana has been legalized in five states, yet arrests for possession have actually gone up. How many people need to have their lives ruined for smoking a plant before we finally end marijuana prohibition in America?”
California Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Kevin de Leon said he is “committed to fighting in the U.S. Senate to deschedule and decriminalize cannabis at the federal level.”
/ STATES
Utah medical cannabis opponents asked a federal judge to issue an injunction to keep the state’s initiative off the ballot next month.
Guam senators approved legislation to allow home cultivation of medical cannabis.
Massachusetts regulators approved the first slate of final recreational marijuana licenses. One commissioner abstained on votes because of local host community agreements that she said require excessive payments from businesses that keep smaller players out of the industry.
Washington State regulators are moving to crack down on marijuana edibles that could appeal to children.
The number of Illinois medical cannabis patients has increased 83% over the past year, with PTSD being the most common qualifying condition.
California’s attorney general announced the results of the state’s illegal marijuana eradication efforts.
Oklahoma regulators appointed a director of the state Medical Marijuana Authority.
Ohio regulators are asking for additional information from medical cannabis processing license applicants.
/ LOCAL
The Superior, Wisconsin City Council approved a marijuana decriminalization ordinance.
Here’s a look at increased marijuana enforcement in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area, along with rising racial disparities.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A Canadian woman is preparing a court fight for the right to use psilocybin mushrooms. Separately, a member of Parliament filed a bill to establish a procedure for expunging certain marijuana-related convictions.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study that questioned the value of safe consumption facilities for illegal drugs has been retracted due to concerns with its methodology.
A study found that “administration of a therapeutic dose of CBD (750 mg) showed significantly low abuse potential in a highly sensitive population of polydrug users.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Michigan likely voters support the state’s marijuana legalization ballot measure, 62% – 35%.
A poll found that North Dakota likely voters oppose the state’s marijuana legalization ballot measure, 59% – 30%.
The Star Tribune editorial board is calling on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to study medical cannabis.
The Deseret News editorial board cheered Utah’s medical cannabis compromise.
/ BUSINESS
Molson Coors Canada and HEXO Corp. announced they closed a transaction to form a joint venture to pursue opportunities to develop non-alcoholic, cannabis-infused beverages for the Canadian market.
The CEO of Constellation Brands said he’s not worried about marijuana cutting into alcohol sales.
The executive director and general manager of the public television network UNC-TV resigned to take a position with Acreage Holdings.
/ CULTURE
Floyd Landis is launching a cycling team sponsored by a cannabis company.
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