Newsletter
Youth cannabis use down in California since legalization (Newsletter: August 22, 2018)
Dem senator sponsors marijuana bill amid primary challenge; PA rep launches legalization petition; DEA says don’t call it “synthetic marijuana”
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- Victor Malloy: “I’m a disabled Vet with PTSD living in a strict Prohibition State. I’m looking at how to change the law without the aid of a ballot Initiative. Indiana doesn’t have a ballot initiative law. Being informed on cannabis issues interests me a great deal!”
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A new state-funded study shows that youth marijuana use is down sharply in California across all grade levels since voters legalized cannabis in 2016.
Over 17 years in the Senate (and 10 years in the House before that) U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) has never cosponsored a cannabis reform bill. That changed this week when he signed onto the Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act amid a primary challenge from progressive insurgent Kerri Evelyn Harris.
A Pennsylvania state representative launched an online petition to build support for a marijuana legalization bill he plans to introduce.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York office tweeted that people should not refer to synthetic cannabinoid products as “synthetic marijuana,” echoing a criticism that legalization advocates have repeatedly made about news media usage of the term.
The U.S. attorney for Indiana said he has the discretion to prosecute possession and distribution of marijuana regardless of state laws.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said she feels confident that far-reaching marijuana legislation could pass if given a vote on the Senate floor (roughly 14 minutes into the video).
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) is working to defeat bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation.
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) spoke about his support for legislation to encourage more research on the benefits of medical cannabis for military veterans.
- “Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country – the least we can do is provide them with the care and support they deserve when they return home. Prohibiting research on any viable treatment option does nothing to serve our veterans – which is why the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, along with many other veterans groups, support the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act.”
Congressman Beto O’Rourke (D-TX), a U.S. Senate candidate, said, “Not only must we end the prohibition on marijuana, we must expunge the arrest records of those who arrested solely for the possession of something.”
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) discussed his support for legalizing hemp in a newsletter.
Former Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) tweeted, “No law or regulation justifies cancelling account of marijuana advocate @nikkifried adding this to their record of cheating consumers @WellsFargo hits the trifecta: dishonesty, incompetence & bigoted stupidity.”
/ STATES
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said he hopes lawmakers will pass a marijuana legalization bill this year.
The California Senate approved a bill to allow safe consumption sites for illegal drugs. Separately, the state’s controller is urging the marijuana industry to do more to prevent impaired driving. And regulators will hold a public hearing in Sacramento on Monday to receive input on proposed marijuana rules.
An Oklahoma judge denied a move for a temporary injunction against the state’s medical cannabis regulations.
Idaho Democratic gubernatorial candidate Paulette Jordan tweeted, “I look forward to decriminalizing Cannabis and leading the way for medicinal cannabis as an alternative medicine that is taxed and well regulated.”
Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous tweeted, “I’m running for Governor with the heart of a civil rights leader and mind of business person. Legalizing and taxing marijuana to fund universal pre-k is a civil rights issue and makes good fiscal sense.” He also tweeted, “It’s time we ensured all of our kids get the education they deserve. It’s time we provide universal pre-k and pay for it by legalizing marijuana for adult use.”
New Mexico regulators revoked a medical cannabis dispensary’s license for allegedly submitting falsified audits.
Utah’s commissioner of financial institutions made comments discouraging banks from working with marijuana businesses.
The Michigan Court of Appeals sided with a man who argued that a lower court erred in a ruling about his processing of medical cannabis oils.
Louisiana regulators are considering raising patient limits on medical cannabis doctors.
Here’s look at contentious disputes about Massachusetts’s system for testing marijuana for contamination. Regulators will consider approving provisional licenses for marijuana testing labs on Thursday.
Washington State regulators released an updated list of pesticides that are allowed for use in marijuana production.
Oregon regulators are accepting public comments on proposed medical cannabis rule changes until August 29.
/ LOCAL
The Eau Claire County, Wisconsin Board voted to put a marijuana advisory question before voters.
The Kenosha County, Wisconsin Board placed a medical cannabis advisory question on the November ballot.
The Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin Board killed a proposed marijuana advisory ballot question.
Newark, New Jersey’s mayor is hosting a forum on marijuana policy on Thursday.
Activists behind a Troy, Michigan proposed ballot measure to allow medical cannabis commerce are suing after the measure was disqualified due to apparently forged signatures.
/ ADVOCACY
The Drug Free America Foundation is running an anti-marijuana commercial in movie theaters.
The Cato Institute included a cannabis variable in its Freedom In The 50 States ranking tool.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study “observed accelerated brain aging in cannabis use disorder.“
/ BUSINESS
Venice Cookie Company issued a voluntary recall of marijuana products after a changed passing grade from a testing laboratory.
MassRoots said in a filing that it “does not have cash sufficient to fund operations for the next fiscal year.” (Disclosure: Marijuana Moment’s publisher is a former employee and minority shareholder in the company.)
/ CULTURE
NBA player Kenneth Faried was arrested for marijuana possession.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
