Newsletter
White House finalizes CBD policy review (Newsletter: July 13, 2020)
VA says marijuana industry-employed vets not blocked from home loans; Canadian cops back drug decrim; ID medical cannabis campaign seeks e-sigs
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Department of Veterans Affairs clarified in a report to Congress obtained by Marijuana Moment that it has no policy automatically blocking veterans who work in the cannabis industry from getting home loans, despite denials by some lenders. Now, the House Appropriations Committee is pushing VA to make this more broadly known.
The White House Office of Management and Budget has completed its review of CBD guidance submitted by FDA. An agency spokesman told Marijuana Moment that it’s not clear when—or even if—the document will be released to the public.
The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police issued a report saying it’s time to decriminalize drug possession and provide a legal “safe supply” to some consumers.
- “Merely arresting individuals for simple possession of illicit drugs has proven to be ineffective.”
Idaho medical cannabis activists are asking the secretary of state to let them collect electronic signatures for a proposed ballot measure in the same way that a separate education funding campaign is able to do under a federal court ruling.
/ FEDERAL
President Trump met with military officials for a briefing on drug interdiction efforts.
The Federal Trade Commission reached an administrative settlement with Thrive that bars the company from making claims that its CBD products prevent and cure cancer.
Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) celebrated the release of updated federal hemp banking guidance.
Reps. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) and Jared Huffman (D-CA), along with several cosponsors, filed a bill focused on eradicating illegal marijuana grows on public lands and establishing a fund to restore land that has been damaged by such activity.
Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) tweeted, “There are kids in prison right now because they got caught with some marijuana in their backpack. Roger Stone lied to Congress, obstructed justice and tampered with witnesses and will not spend one night in prison. Where is the justice?”
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “In California, Black & Brown people are arrested at higher rates for marijuana-related charges than white people despite legalization. My Marijuana Justice Act would center social equity as a key part of the marijuana industry & invest in our communities.”
California Democratic congressional candidate Shahid Buttar tweeted, “In my first Term in Congress, we’ll organize Democrats & Republicans alike to finally remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act. Neither Biden nor Trump is going to stop us. Federal prohibition is senseless, and untenable. Many states have already welcomed the future.”
/ STATES
Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer Carroll Foy tweeted, “We should legalize marijuana in Virginia.”
Hawaii lawmakers sent a bill to legalize medical cannabis edibles to the desk of Gov. David Ige (D).
Illinois’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “You spoke & we listened! The Restore, Reinvest, & Renew (#R3) program supports communities harmed by the fail war on drugs. Funding addresses disparities with: ✅Community-based response ✅Targeted resources ✅Local design”
The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled that lower courts must consider a case claiming that a sentence of life without parole for the sale of $30 of marijuana was excessive.
Missouri’s top medical cannabis regulator said dispensaries could begin making sales by the fall.
Massachusetts regulators defeated a motion to ask state lawmakers to let them use marijuana business fine money to fund social equity programs.
Colorado regulators announced that Kinfolk Farms LLC is recalling marijuana products due to the use of banned pesticides.
Nevada officials said they’ve only received a handful of applications under a new effort to pardon past marijuana convictions.
Washington State regulators proposed rules on marijuana vaping products and certificates of compliance and withdrew rules on cannabis retail title certificates.
Mississippi regulators said that because lawmakers failed to allocate funds for a state hemp program, farmers must apply for licenses directly from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Pennsylvania regulators posted information on hemp sampling agent certification training.
The Oregon Cannabis Commission will meet on July 20.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,500 cannabis bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
The La Crosse, Wisconsin Common Council approved an ordinance to lower the fine for marijuana possession to $1.
The Columbus, Ohio city attorney tweeted, “The War on Drugs has been a failure. Senate Bill 3 takes needed steps to correct some of its wrongs. This drug sentencing reform bill will ensure people struggling with addiction get the help they need, rather than felony convictions & prison sentences.”
/ INTERNATIONAL
A Nepali lawmakers filed a marijuana legalization bill.
Israel overtook Germany as the world’s biggest importer of medical cannabis flower.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that medical cannabis users say it is “helpful in reducing [chronic musculoskeletal pain] and other chronic non-cancer pain with only minor adverse effects; in addition, they reported improved psychological well-being.”
A study examined “the use of hyperspectral near-infrared imaging to identify the Cannabis sativa plant components such as flowers, stems and leaves on the crop,” which could provide “a real-time monitoring system that would support decision-making on the optimal daily growing conditions to improve crop yield and profitability.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
MassCann board members say they have been locked out of the organization’s bank accounts and storage locker by the group’s president.
The Press of Atlantic City editorial board is urging New Jersey lawmakers to pass marijuana decriminalization legislation.
/ BUSINESS
Five Point Holdings is partnering with Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong to open Cheech & Chong-branded dispensaries.
Mercedes-Benz tweeted about how “hemp fibres are included in the lining of the load compartment” of one of its cars.
A judge lifted a temporary restraining order that had blocked Bloom Farms from closing on a new round of financing while a case on allegations it cooked its books to fool an investor is ongoing.
/ CULTURE
Wrestler Rob Van Dam said that WWE Chair Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon told him to be discreet about his marijuana use.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
