Newsletter
Why Feinstein isn’t on the cannabis bill this time (Newsletter: April 8, 2019)
Hawaii marijuana decrim clears committee; FDA taking CBD comments online; Seth Rogen on shrooms; Michigan gov tapes Hash Bash message
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Sources told Marijuana Moment that Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) overruled her staff and removed herself as an original cosponsor of a bill filed last week to protect state cannabis laws. She had signed onto last year’s version of the legislation amid a reelection battle.
The Food and Drug Administration is now accepting online comments about CBD regulations. Marijuana Moment spoke to a medical cannabis advocate who gave some advice about how people can effectively make their voices heard and help shape the process.
The Hawaii Senate Ways and Means Committee approved a marijuana decriminalization bill. It already passed the full House, and a Senate floor vote is expected next week.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) taped a video celebrating marijuana legalization to be played at the Hash Bash festival.
Actor Seth Rogen spoke about the time he took psilocybin mushrooms and went to every Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas as part of research for a film.
/ FEDERAL
Veterans Affairs Sec. Robert Wilkie spoke about why his department doesn’t allow its doctors to recommend medical cannabis.
Sens. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), along with three cosponsors, filed a resolution condemning “the Government of the Philippines for its role in state-sanctioned extrajudicial killings by police and other armed individuals as part of the ‘War on Drugs.'”
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) said he plans to file legislation allowing insurance companies to work with marijuana businesses.
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) released a video about his support for legislation to let states set their own marijuana laws.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) tweeted about her cosponsorship of marijuana legislation saying, “By reinforcing that the states have supremacy when it comes to marijuana regulation, we are eliminating confusion, and more importantly empowering and protecting states’ rights.”
Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) said in a speech at the Hash Bash festival that she wanted her husband, the late Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) to try medical cannabis to treat pain before he died.
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “Our federal marijuana laws are discriminatory and outdated. The bipartisan #STATESAct would prevent the federal government from interfering in states where marijuana is legal. Forty-six states have legalized some form of cannabis — it’s time the federal government caught up.”
Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D), a presidential candidate, touted his state’s legalization of marijuana—which he initially opposed.
Former San Antonio, Texas Mayor Julian Castro (D), a presidential candidate, spoke about his support for legalizing marijuana and expunging records.
The House marijuana banking bill got five new cosponsors, for a total of 158.
/ STATES
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) spoke about his ongoing efforts to legalize marijuana.
Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean (D) spoke about his evolving position on marijuana.
Guam’s attorney general addressed question about the implementation of the territory’s new marijuana legalization law.
Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner tweeted, “My family has been working in tobacco in the New World since the 1650’s. As tobacco declines, my administration has championed hemp. Will it replace tobacco? We don’t know yet, but if ever there is a place hemp calls home it will be Kentucky!”
Rhode Island’s Senate president said he has a lot of concerns about legalizing marijuana and is leaning toward expanding the state’s current medical cannabis program instead.
The New York Assembly majority leader published an op-ed on the need for equity in the marijuana industry.
An Idaho House committee approved a bill to allow interstate transportation of hemp.
An Iowa House committee amended a bill to restructure a hemp advisory committee.
The Connecticut legislature’s Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on a marijuana legalization bill on Monday.
The Texas House Public Health Committee will hear several medical cannabis bills on Thursday.
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives is considering legislation to amend the territory’s marijuana legalization law.
California regulators are being sued by 24 cities over a rule that allows marijuana deliveries in places that have banned cannabis retail stores.
Michigan regulators released guidance on medical cannabis home delivery procedures.
Pennsylvania regulators are weighing whether to add anxiety and Tourette syndrome as medical cannabis qualifying conditions.
North Dakota activists revealed some information about their plans to pursue a marijuana legalization ballot measure in 2020.
Nebraska medical cannabis advocates are pursuing both legislation and a ballot measure.
The Oregon Cannabis Commission will meet on Tuesday.
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/ LOCAL
The New York City Council is expected to pass legislation on Monday to block the city from testing people on probation for marijuana.
The Carson City, Nevada Board of Supervisors voted to oppose pending state legislation on marijuana consumption lounges.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A small Israeli political party that supports marijuana legalization could be a kingmaker in what is expected to be a close election on Tuesday.
The Mexican Senate Health Committee will discuss marijuana legalization on Monday.
/ ADVOCACY
The Democratic Party of New Mexico tweeted, “Our state has wasted millions of dollars and thousands of worker hours on low-level marijuana offenses, diverting resources away from communities that desperately need it — that ends on July 1st.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cannabinoids are efficacious for PTSD in animal models of the disorder.”
Participants in a study on a blistering condition “reported a significant reduction in pain levels experienced whilst undergoing [cannabinoid‐based medication] oil treatment relative to their previous drug regime.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of Massachusetts voters found that 40% percent believe marijuana legalization has had a positive impact on the state, 31% say it has been negative and 30% think it has had no impact.
The New York Times editorial board takes issue with “baseless” claims about police officers and emergency workers accidentally overdosing by handling fentanyl.
/ CULTURE
Kim Kardashian West is planning a CBD-themed baby shower.
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