Newsletter
Mexican president forms cannabis committee (Newsletter: January 28, 2020)
Pentagon sends CBD warning to soldiers; VT gov “at the table” in legal marijuana sales talks; More USDA hemp approvals; Legalizers bash Trump comments
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said the government is forming a commission to study marijuana issues and make recommendations on legalization legislation ahead of an April 30 deadline to end prohibition.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) is “at the table” in ongoing negotiations about legislation to legalize marijuana sales, the state’s House majority leader said in a new interview.
- “I think there’s a lot of interest from the governor on this bill and even use some of the funding for some of his programs and ideas, taking some of the money that would come from a taxed system for marijuana.”
The Department of Defense and Air Force issued notices warning service members not to use CBD products.
- “Bottom line, even if legal on the state level, and even if the label of the CBD product states there is no THC content, CBD use remains prohibited for military members.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture gave federal approval to more state and tribal hemp plans—including those for Delaware, Nebraska and Texas.
Marijuana legalization advocates are pushing back against President Trump’s secretly recorded claim that cannabis use lowers IQ.
- “What truly causes a decline in an individual’s intelligence is adhering to false Reefer Madness rhetoric that flies in the face of available science,” NORML Executive Director Erik Altieri, said. “If President Trump truly believes that responsible marijuana use by adults leads to a loss of IQ points, we suggest he immediately consults his physician to see if he is suffering from this affliction or at the very least consults the wide body of available research that debunks this old talking point.”
/ FEDERAL
The House of Representatives is expected to vote this week on legislation to grant the Drug Enforcement Administration class-wide scheduling authority for fentanyl analogues.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) tweeted about discussing marijuana legalization with medical professionals.
North Carolina Democratic congressional candidate Steve Woodsmall tweeted, “Hemp is the perfect crop for North Carolina’s agricultural future – we must invest in this industry. In congress I’ll fight for hemp and hemp farmers.”
/ STATES
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said he’ll work to get bipartisan support for marijuana legalization.
Nebraska Gov Pete Ricketts (R) authored an op-ed outlining his concerns about marijuana reform.
New York’s lieutenant governor said legalizing marijuana is “an important way to right a wrong that has historically disadvantaged communities of color.” On Tuesday, the Assembly speaker is scheduled to speak alongside other lawmakers and advocates at a rally to build support for legalization legislation.
Kentucky’s Senate president said there is a “narrow path” to pass medical cannabis legislation.
The Florida Supreme Court will hear oral arguments regarding the language of a proposed marijuana legalization ballot measure on February 4.
The Maine legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs held a hearing on several marijuana bills.
Rhode Island lawmakers are amending pending medical cannabis regulatory reform legislation that Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) opposes.
California regulators announced they seized more than 10,000 illegal vape pens from unlicensed marijuana retailers.
Arizona regulators announced that more than half a billion dollars of medical cannabis was sold in the state last year.
New Mexico regulators reported that the state’s medical cannabis program now has more than 80,000 registered patients.
Kansas regulators said that hemp license applications are up 30% since last year.
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/ LOCAL
The Cleveland, Ohio City Council approved a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
/ INTERNATIONAL
New Zealand’s marijuana legalization referendum has been scheduled for September 19.
Uganda’s government proposed medical cannabis rules.
Trinidad and Tobago’s government is being pressured to include the concerns of Rastafarians when it crafts legal marijuana rules.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cannabis may have medicinal benefits for treating symptoms of advanced chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease including as a pain adjuvant potentially reducing the need for opioids” and that “cannabis does not seem to affect kidney function in healthy individuals.”
A study found that “legalization and greater retail availability of recreational marijuana are positively associated with marijuana use among adolescents.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that 40% of Baltimore, Maryland residents want the city to stop punishing people for possessing small amounts of marijuana.
Independent Community Bankers of America and other financial services industry groups are pushing Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) to approve marijuana banking legislation in his panel.
Kevin Sabet of prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana said he is working on a new book in which he talks to “whistleblowers and regulators” who think the legal cannabis system “is a joke.”
The National Cannabis Industry Association published recommendations for safe vaping.
/ BUSINESS
Evolve Funds Group Inc. announced that it plans to close its Evolve Marijuana Fund and the Evolve U.S. Marijuana ETF by the end of March.
Hexo Corp. is reportedly the unnamed marijuana producer being sued by MediPharm Labs Corp. over an alleged failure to pay owed sums.
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. entered into a long-term lease for an Ohio property with Cresco Labs Inc.
Massachusetts marijuana company CommCan had a donation rejected by a local homeless shelter.
/ CULTURE
Actress Olivia Newton-John credits medical cannabis for helping her fight cancer.
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