Newsletter
Why is Facebook hiding cannabis pages from searches? (Newsletter: August 2, 2018)
State lawmakers org pushes feds to respect marijuana laws; Dem Congressman calls cannabis “gateway drug”; IL gov OKs allowing medical use in schools
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
By starting a $10 per month pledge on Patreon — or about 45 cents per issue of this newsletter — you can help us rely less on ads to cover our expenses, hire more journalists and bring you even more marijuana news.
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The National Conference of State Legislatures, which represents thousands of state lawmakers across the U.S., adopted new policy directives calling on the federal government to end marijuana prohibition and allow cannabis businesses to access banks.
Facebook appears to be hiding all marijuana- and cannabis-related pages from search results, including ones for official government regulatory bodies like California’s Bureau of Cannabis Control and the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.
Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) called marijuana a “gateway drug” during a TV interview.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Senate appointed its conferees for the Farm Bill, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who is championing hemp legalization.
The U.S. military is granting an increasing number of drug and conduct waivers to recruits, new data shows.
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) penned an op-ed about the looming end of marijuana prohibition. He also tweeted, “The War on Drugs has destroyed lives, disproportionately impacting low-income communities & people of color. We need to do more than end this discriminatory policy.”
/ STATES
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) signed a bill allowing medical cannabis in schools.
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant (R) says he would vote against a medical cannabis measure if it qualifies for the ballot. And here’s a look at the political dynamics behind the new initiative effort.
New Jersey regulators began accepting medical cannabis dispensary applications, and Gov. Phil Murphy (D) tweeted, “We are working every day to ensure that New Jersey finally has a medical marijuana program that is compassionate, progressive, and meets the needs of patients—for the thousands of New Jerseyans whose relief from pain has been blocked by years of bureaucratic obstacles.” Meanwhile, former Gov. Jim Florio (D) is joining the advisory board of a cannabis edibles company.
Hawaii Democratic gubernatorial candidate Colleen Hanabusa, currently a congresswoman, says she’s not opposed to legalizing marijuana but is pessimistic about the chances of enacting it.
Wyoming Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rex Wilde focused on marijuana during a debate.
Colorado attorney general candidates agreed they wouldn’t seek to overturn the state’s marijuana legalization law.
Oklahoma regulators unanimously adopted revised medical cannabis rules that remove previously approved restrictions. And the legislature’s medical marijuana working group held its second meeting.
Autism and obstructive sleep apnea became Minnesota medical cannabis qualifying conditions on Wednesday.
California’s treasurer awarded a contract to study the feasibility of a publicly owned bank to serve the marijuana industry. Separately, regulators announced the dates and locations for three public hearings on proposed cannabis rules this month.
Colorado gubernatorial candidate Jared Polis, currently a congressman, included a question about marijuana legalization in a Twitter quiz.
Nevada regulators released a redesigned symbol that is required to be displayed on edible marijuana products. Separately, Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Kate Marshall, a former state treasurer, proposed solutions to the cannabis industry’s banking access issues.
Arkansas regulators expect to finish scoring medical cannabis dispensary license applications by October.
/ LOCAL
The Eau Claire County, Wisconsin Administration Committee voted to advance consideration of marijuana advisory ballot questions.
Los Angeles, California regulators began accepting marijuana cultivation, manufacturing and testing license applications.
The Boston, Massachusetts City Council is considering a resolution calling for equity in the marijuana industry.
District attorneys for New York City’s boroughs are taking differing approaches to marijuana prosecution policy.
/ ADVOCACY
A Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America official published an op-ed arguing that the “the alcohol industry’s regulatory model offers a proven, effective framework” for legal marijuana sales.
Here’s a look at California lobbying expenditures by the marijuana industry.
Prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana released a rebuttal to a pro-legalization report from New York’s Department of Health and also filed a public records request for information about its drafting.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that a THC-CBD medicine was “safe and well tolerated” and “resulted in a reduction in seizure counts, spike index on EEG, and improved quality of life measures.”
The University of California Irvine received a $9 million federal grant to study how cannabis affects young people’s brains.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Tax Policy Center analyzed state marijuana tax issues.
Fox News’s Tucker Carlson criticized the scope of pending congressional drug sentencing reform legislation.
/ BUSINESS
Here’s a look at how a trade war with China could affect the marijuana industry.
Alaska marijuana tax revenue for Fiscal Year 2018 exceeds state projections by nearly $2 million.
Endocanna Health claimed in a press release that is has developed a product that “analyzes an individual’s DNA markers and provides science backed [marijuana] recommendations based on their specific DNA.”
A Bloomberg analysis suggests that retirement investment firms are largely staying away from the marijuana industry.
/ CULTURE
Musician John Legend said he supports decriminalizing drugs and legalizing marijuana.
Leafly takes a look at marijuana-focused photo exhibit, “Stories from the Underground: Reflections from the Shadows.”
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
