Newsletter
Workplace deaths drop in medical cannabis states, study finds (Newsletter: August 13, 2018)
Rapper who opposed legalization opens marijuana store; Racial equity update in MA; Congressman debates cannabis at town hall
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A study found “evidence that legalizing medical marijuana improved workplace safety,” concluding that workplace deaths significantly decline in medical cannabis states.
Marijuana Moment spoke to Massachusetts cannabis commission Shaleen Title about efforts to ensure participation in the legal marijuana industry by communities harmed by the war on drugs. She also addressed the reasons she publicly rejected an invitation to speak at a cannabis conference last week.
- “You can’t just hope for fairness and inclusion and have it happen…. The main challenge has been to structure the program so that it has a real impact rather than being lip service.”
Rapper B-Real of Cypress Hill, who campaigned against California’s marijuana legalization measure in 2016, is now opening a cannabis retail outlet.
/ FEDERAL
The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City published a magazine article about marijuana legalization’s economic impact in Colorado.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) spoke about racial disparities in marijuana enforcement.
Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD) debated marijuana policy with constituents at a town hall meeting.
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) is “confident” state medical cannabis protections will be extended.
Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA) said, “I believe states like Massachusetts that have legalized marijuana should be allowed to regulate distribution and use within its borders. Businesses and communities should not be penalized when they are in compliance with state laws.”
Congressman James Comer (R-KY) said, “There’s no question that industrial hemp is economically viable. I get a call from a farmer every other day. More and more farmers want to grow it.”
Congresswoman VIcky Hartzler (R-MO) tweeted, “In Colorado, the annual rate of marijuana-related emergency room visits increased 35% between 2011 and 2015.”
Congressman John Carter (R-TX) and his Democratic challenger disagree on marijuana policy.
The U.S. House bill to respect state marijuana laws got one new cosponsor, for a total of 27.
Florida Democratic congressional candidate Andrew Learned tweeted that the war on drugs is ” a lost cause, a waste of resources, and terrible for our marginalized communities. Mandatory minimums are abhorrent, marijuana scheduling is stupid, and our law enforcement has its hands tied enforcing dated laws instead of keeping our community actually safe.”
/ STATES
Florida has spent nearly $2 million in legal bills in various lawsuits concerning the state’s medical cannabis program.
Minnesota Democratic gubernatorial candidates debated marijuana policy.
New York Democratic attorney general candidate Letitia James, currently New York City’s public advocate, tweeted, “Last year, over 85% of people arrested for possessing less than TWO ounces in a public place in NY were people of color. Let’s restore the justice in our criminal justice system by legalizing recreational marijuana.”
Maryland regulators issued a bulletin clarifying how patients should report potential adverse reactions to medical cannabis products.
Indiana lawmakers and advocates held a town hall meeting to discuss 2019 marijuana reform efforts.
North Dakota regulators received 19 medical cannabis dispensary license applications.
Alaska regulators adopted rules concerning marijuana handler permits.
/ LOCAL
Manhattan’s district attorney tweeted about how local prosecutors across the country are “ending the unnecessary criminalization of marijuana, which alters lives and perpetuates racial disparities for virtually no public safety reason.”
Harris County, Texas District Attorney Kim Ogg ran as a reformer who pledged to reduce marijuana prosecutions, but her office is pushing for high bond amounts for cannabis possession.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Politicians in Northern Ireland are pushing for a medical cannabis expansion.
Here’s a look at Bangladesh’s bloody “drug war.”
The Organization of Legalizing Medical Cannabis in Korea was formed.
/ ADVOCACY
The Colorado Bankers Association hosted a national conference on marijuana banking issues.
New Mexico marijuana industry players are increasing their political donations.
Here’s a look at funding behind Utah’s medical cannabis ballot campaign.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of children with epilepsy found that “cannabidiol as an adjunct treatment had some subjective benefit for overall health, with a manageable adverse event profile.”
A study of rates concluded that “CBD exert an antiinflammatory effect in early phase of wound healing process although it was not sufficient promote clinical improvement of oral traumatic ulcerative lesions.”
Spinal Cord Series and Cases published dueling opinion pieces on the role of medical cannabis in treating spinal cord injury.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Tampa Bay Times editorial board says Florida’s attorney general should stop defending the state’s ban on smoking medical cannabis.
The Journal Times editorial board is worried that Wisconsin marijuana advisory ballot questions could increase turnout and affect the results of other elections.
The Boston Herald editorial board is concerned about legal marijuana’s impact on workplaces and road safety.
The Tulsa World editorial board slammed Oklahoma activists for lying about marijuana legalization signature counts.
/ BUSINESS
The Guardian profiles women leaders in the marijuana industry.
/ CULTURE
Rapper Action Bronson was arrested for smoking marijuana onstage at a concert in Kosovo.
Rappers Method Man and Redman missed a scheduled appearance at a High Times event in Alaska due to the airplane theft incident that occurred at the Seattle airport.
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