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Fed judge dismisses medical cannabis charges; NH delays legalization vote; IN speaker open to medical marijuana

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Vermont’s House Judiciary Committee amended a pending marijuana legalization bill to remove language concerning a study commission because the governor already created one by executive order. The full body is expected to approve the legislation on Thursday, setting up a final Senate vote on the amended language next week.

The New Hampshire House voted to delay consideration of a marijuana legalization bill until next week due to the absence of a supportive lawmaker.

/ FEDERAL

A federal judge vacated convictions and dismissed charges against medical cannabis defendants known as the Kettle Falls Five.

Another short-term extension of federal funding levels — and a policy rider protecting state medical cannabis laws — seems likely beyond January 19 as Congress continues talks about full Fiscal Year 2018 appropriations legislation.

A federal court is considering a RICO case against a Boston, Massachusetts medical cannabis dispensary.

Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) tweeted, “There is broad recognition that the War on Drugs is an abject failure. After over $1T spent, the problem is worse than when we started. Its tragic effects felt in every US community & in countries around the globe. It’s past time we change our approach.”

/ STATES

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) predicted that the state will legalize medical cannabis.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said in his State of the State proposal that regulators should consider adding subacute pain as a medical cannabis qualifying condition. He will also advance legislation removing the mandatory suspension of driver’s licenses following drug convictions.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) said that the state is not going to confiscate guns from medical cannabis patients.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) spoke favorably about penalties levied on anti-marijuana-legalization organization that was found to have violated campaign finance laws.

Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alec Ross discussed his support for legalizing marijuana.

Delaware’s marijuana legalization task force will issue its final report in February, and then supportive lawmakers plan to file legalization legislation. (Correction: I reported on Wednesday that the task force held its final meeting this week; at least one more meeting will be held next month.)

Indiana’s Republican House speaker says he is open to considering medical cannabis legislation. A senator filed a CBD medical cannabis bill.

Iowa’s sole licensed CBD medical cannabis producer is waging a court battle to keep its application materials secret. Separately, regulators issued a memo saying that stores selling CBD without licenses are violating the law.

Connecticut regulators plan to add at least three more medical cannabis dispensary licenses.

/ LOCAL

The Erie, Pennsylvania City Council passed first reading of a proposed ordinance to decriminalize marijuana.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Australia is legalizing medical cannabis exports. Separately a Northern Territory lawmaker is pushing drug decriminalization.

New Zealand regulators recommended against allowing chronic pain as a medical cannabis qualifying condition.

A Mexico City mayoral candidate says marijuana cultivation should be legalized.

/ ADVOCACY

The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants disclosed in a filing that it is lobbying Congress on “CPA representation of state-legal marijuana businesses.”

/ BUSINESS

The New York Times Magazine looks at the marijuana industry’s banking access issues.

The+Source marijuana dispensary in Las Vegas, Nevada donated 156,000 pounds of food to charity.

/ CULTURE     

Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham did segments bashing CNN’s marijuana coverage. Meanwhile, CNN’s Anderson Cooper defended the network’s coverage.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers player T.J. Ward was arrested for possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Photo courtesy of M a n u e l.

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