Newsletter
Vermont House vote on legal cannabis sales this week (Newsletter: February 25, 2020)
New Ohio marijuana ballot measure; Sanders TV ad touts legalization support; Mississippi lawmakers seek to undermine medical cannabis initiative
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Vermont House Appropriations Committee amended and approved a bill to legalize marijuana sales, setting up a full House floor vote that’s expected later this week.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a presidential candidate, launched a South Carolina TV ad touting his support for legalizing marijuana and broad criminal justice reform days ahead of the state’s primary.
Ohio activists plan to file a proposed marijuana legalization measure aimed for the November ballot this week.
Mississippi lawmakers are trying to undermine a medical cannabis initiative that activists qualified for the ballot by pushing alternate measures that would lead to a much more restrictive program for patients. As a result, voters could see multiple marijuana questions in November.
/ FEDERAL
The U,S. Department of Agriculture tweeted about a hemp conference it is co-hosting in Connecticut on Wednesday.
A video surfaced of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (D), a presidential candidate, saying last year that a father and son who died from heroin overdoses at the same party were “not a good family” and seeming to link marijuana legalization with the opioid epidemic. He also said in the same appearance that the 1994 Crime Bill was “pretty good.”
Former Housing and Urban Development Sec. Julian Castro tweeted, “Elizabeth Warren doesn’t just have a progressive vision for cannabis reform—she gets into the weeds on policy like no candidate has.”
Former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona spoke about being on the advisory board of CBD company Kadenwood.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) posted a series of tweets about the government trying to protect people from themselves that he says were “motivated by discussions I’ve been having with other legislators about medical marijuana in KY,” adding that “legislators shouldn’t be called to decide whether MM is good or bad (or efficacious), but rather whether someone should have the right to decide that for themselves.”
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “Only 3% of people in CA who qualified to clear their records of marijuana convictions received help after Prop 64 passed. We need more innovative ways to ensure restorative justice for communities impacted by the failed War on Drugs.”
Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA) tweeted about speaking at a hemp conference.
Texas Democratic Senate candidate Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez tweeted, “I support legalizing marijuana, as well as efforts to address the long-term harm of the war on drugs on communities of color.”
/ STATES
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) appointed another member of the state’s Cannabis Compliance Board.
The Utah Senate unanimously approved a bill to amend medical cannabis regulations.
The New Jersey Assembly approved a bill to shield insurance companies from being punished for working with marijuana businesses and consumers.
The Indiana House of Representatives voted to uphold a ruling that an amendment to legalize medical cannabis was not germane, blocking its consideration.
The Kansas House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee rejected a bill to make possessing marijuana a misdemeanor no matter how many times a person has been convicted.
The Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on marijuana regulators’ budget request.
Illinois regulators announced that the state generated more than $10 million in tax revenue from the first month of legal recreational marijuana sales.
Maine regulators issued marijuana advertising guidance.
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/ LOCAL
The Boston, Massachusetts police chief said officers are “confused” about enforcing the law against unlicensed marijuana sellers.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Luxembourg Ministry of Health is reportedly circulating a draft marijuana legalization plan.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats are calling for drug decriminalization and a regulated cannabis market.
A candidate for leader of the Conservative Party of Canada said he opposes marijuana legalization and that “the entire issue was rushed.”
Colombia’s government is reportedly ending its coca crop substitution monitoring deal with the United Nations’ Office on Drugs and Crime.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “through its favourable anti-oxidant and sodium channel inhibitory effects, CBD may protect against high-glucose induced arrhythmia and cytotoxicity.”
A study found “moderate evidence to support cannabinoids in treating chronic, non-cancer pain at 2 weeks” and that “similar results were observed at later time points, but the confidence in effect is low.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that New York voters support legalizing marijuana, 55%-40%.
A poll found that Minnesota voters support legalizing marijuana, 51%-37%.
The New York Daily News editorial board urged Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) to ask tough questions during his upcoming tour of states that have legalized marijuana.
/ BUSINESS
Stocks for Aurora Cannabis Inc., Tilray Inc. and Sundial Growers Inc dropped in premarket trading after they were downgraded by Cowen.
Cronos Group Inc. delayed the release of its quarterly and full-year financial reports.
Lake County Growers filed a federal lawsuit against Moest Holdings over a hemp crop that was destroyed in a fire.
/ CULTURE
Former basketball player Isiah Thomas signed on to promote CBD company VESL Oils.
Comedian Chelsea Handler said she uses THC capsules to “get in the zone” for workouts.
An Alabama Media Group editorial cartoon suggests that legal medical cannabis could help the state’s “bassackward politics.”
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
