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White House opposes legalizing all drugs (Newsletter: July 19, 2018)
How many medical marijuana states are there really?; Israel approves decrim; OK to revisit medical cannabis regulations
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, asked about the incoming Mexican presidential administration’s consideration of legalizing marijuana and other drugs, said President Trump “would not support the legalization of all drugs anywhere” but did not respond to the part of the question about whether the U.S. would do anything to stop another country from ending prohibition.
Have you ever wondered why different marijuana organizations use varying tallies for the total number of medical cannabis states? It’s complicated, but Marijuana Moment has a new explainer laying it all out.
The CEO of DoorDash said the company isn’t quite ready to start delivering marijuana, though they’ve “certainly considered delivery of all products.”
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment to increase funding for “eradicating, enforcing, and remediating illegal marijuana grow operations on National Forest System land.”
The U.S. attorney for Massachusetts plans to issue a statement on Thursday about proposed plans to open a safe consumption facility for illegal drug users.
The U.S. attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia tweeted, “Study: Increasing self-exposure to non-medical cannabis was a predictor of GREATER ODDS of opioid dependence. Many conflicting studies. Much more research needed. We must “look” before we “leap” BEFORE potentially making huge mistake legalizing marijuana.”
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) tweeted a video of himself touring a hemp farm.
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Congressman David Joyce (R-OH) coauthored an oped calling for federal cannabis reform:
- “It’s time for Congress to get in the game and represent the will of the people to end the failed prohibition of marijuana.”
Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) included, “Legalize marijuana and end mass incarceration and cash bail,” in a list of items for a “bold vision for the future of the Democratic Party.”
The U.S. House bill to require the licensing of more cannabis producers for research got one new cosponsor, for a total of 40.
The U.S. House CBD medical cannabis bill got one new cosponsor, for a total of 32.
Georgia Democratic candidate Josh McCall tweeted, “I don’t smoke #marijuana – never have. But I still believe people should make their own decisions over what they do with their bodies in the privacy of their own home.”
Two Alaska Republican congressional candidates agreed during a debate that the federal government should respect state marijuana laws.
/ STATES
Oklahoma’s attorney general told health officials they acted outside their authority by banning the sale of smokable medical cannabis products and requiring dispensaries to employ pharmacists. Gov. Mary Fallin (R) said that regulators should rescind those rules. The president of the Board of Health called a special meeting to make amendments. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are joining House Democrats in calling for a special legislative session to address the issue.
The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that local governments can’t restrict where medical cannabis growers can operate if there isn’t a conflict with state law.
Florida regulators forced a medical cannabis business to stop processing product after it missed a little-known inspection deadline. Meanwhile, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jeff Greene said he isn’t sure whether he favors legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana.
Here’s a look at where Michigan gubernatorial candidates stand on legalizing marijuana.
Colorado’s new top marijuana regulator spoke about her priorities.
The Kentucky House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on medical cannabis legislation on September 7.
Massachusetts lawmakers included the full $7.9 million requested by marijuana regulators in new budget legislation.
A key anti-legalization New Jersey senator raised fears of “sex toys and oils with marijuana” being sold if prohibition is ended.
/ LOCAL
Jersey City, New Jersey is implementing a marijuana decriminalization policy.
The Sauk County, Wisconsin Board placed a medical cannabis advisory question on the November ballot.
The Brown County, Wisconsin Board also voted to place a medical cannabis question before voters.
The Rogers County, Oklahoma sheriff denied in court documents that he assaulted a medical cannabis advocate.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Israel’s Knesset voted 41-1 to approve a marijuana decriminalization bill.
Lebanon’s Parliament speaker informed the U.S. ambassador that lawmakers are preparing to legalize medical cannabis.
The Canadian government’s point man on marijuana said he’s not worried that citizens will face issues at the U.S. border after legalization is implemented.
/ ADVOCACY
Pew looks at how marijuana legalization efforts are increasingly focused on social justice.
The Democratic Party of New Mexico tweeted, “The government should not stand between medical marijuana patients and their doctors — that’s why it’s never been more important to elect a Democrat in November.”
A scholarly article in the Ohio State Law Journal looks at the failure of the 2015 “ResponsibleOhio” marijuana legalization ballot measure.
Prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana cheered the recent blockage of two congressional cannabis amendments.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “nonpsychoactive compounds, such as cannabidiol, have gained attention due to preclinically established anticancer properties and a favourable risk‐to‐benefit profile” and that “cannabinoids may complement the currently used collection of chemotherapeutics, as a broadly diversified option for cancer treatment, while counteracting some of their severe side effects.”
/ BUSINESS
Marijuana producer Tilray begins trading on the Nasdaq on Thursday.
Khiron Life Sciences Corp. added former Mexican President Vicente Fox as an advisor and brand ambassador.
Phyto Management, a marijuana producer in Washington, D.C., is co-owned by former Ronald Reagan campaign attorney Edward Weidenfeld, who uses medical cannabis to treat Parkinson’s disease.
- “I respected Mrs. Reagan and the ‘Just Say No’ program, but the more I learned about the war on drugs, the more I learned it was really a war selectively fought against minorities in the country.”
Leafwire is a new online marketplace that aims to connect marijuana industry entrepreneurs with investors.
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