Newsletter
Presidential candidate floats national cannabis referendum (Newsletter: October 15, 2019)
Major UK party backs drug decrim; Dietary supplement industry pushes CBD rules; Former FDA head says feds should regulate marijuana
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer cited marijuana reform as an example of an issue voters have advanced at the ballot box on the state level as part of his push to allow a new nationwide referendum process.
After months of ambiguous comments about marijuana without a specific proposal, former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is finally speaking more clearly, saying in a CNBC interview that Congress should “allow federal regulatory authorities to impose appropriate supervision.
- While he’d prefer recreational cannabis be “shut down entirely” he concedes it’s not “politically practicable” and says FDA and the Drug Enforcement Administration can regulate potency, manufacturing, ingredients and claims on marijuana products.
The Scottish National Party—that country’s biggest party and the third-largest in the UK Parliament—unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing drug decriminalization.
The American Herbal Products Association, Consumer Healthcare Products Association, Council for Responsible Nutrition and United Natural Products Alliance sent a letter urging Congress to “clarify that CBD derived from the hemp plant is a lawful dietary ingredient” as long as it “meets established product safety and quality criteria.”
/ FEDERAL
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating whether marijuana businesses near Sacramento, California have paid public officials in attempts to win licenses.
Attorney General William Barr criticized safe consumption sites for illegal drugs as part of a wide-ranging speech decrying progressive policies.
Surgeon General Jerome Adams tweeted a picture of a “Legalize Marinara” t-shirt, saying, “Okay, I’m a reasonable person- how’s this for a compromise everyone???”
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), a presidential candidate, said that as a school superintendent he was initially worried about kids’ access to marijuana edibles under legalization but it’s “something we’ve been able to fix over time.”
Rep. David Joyce (R-OH) said he thinks restorative justice-focused marijuana legislation “sets a bad precedent for other laws” and is “not germane to the issue of whether or not these states should have the ability to act in the way they see fit.”
Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA) tweeted, “Hemp farming has the potential to transform Southside Virginia and #VA05’s agricultural sector. I am proud of my efforts to add Virginia to the @USDA USDA hemp crop insurance program so that farms like the one I visited yesterday can expand and succeed.”
Iowa Democratic House candidate J.D. Scholten tweeted, “Marijuana should be legal. For vets, it can help treat chronic pain, PTSD, and TBI without the addictiveness of opioids. It would also take some weight off our criminal justice system that has locked up too many people for non-violent marijuana possession.”
/ STATES
A Florida marijuana legalization campaign raised another $535,000 in September.
An Arizona marijuana legalization campaign brought in more than $300,000 in the third quarter.
The California Assembly Governmental Organization, Business And Professions and Health Committees will hold a joint hearing on vaping products on Wednesday. Separately, the Cannabis Advisory Committee will hold meetings next week.
Iowa Senate Democrats posted information about how to encourage regulators to add PTSD as a low-THC medical cannabis qualifying condition.
Colorado regulators will hold a public hearing on Tuesday about proposed rules to ban certain additives in marijuana vaping products.
Oklahoma regulators released an updated list of medical cannabis dispensaries and reported that more than 200,000 patients have now been certified.
Here’s a look at the prospects for marijuana reform in Georgia.
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/ LOCAL
The Fall River, Massachusetts mayor who was indicted on federal charges of allegedly extorting marijuana businesses is taking a leave of absence and suspending his reelection campaign.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Australian Capital Territory officials sent a letter warning the federal government not to interfere with its new local marijuana legalization law.
Zimbabwe’s first hemp crop was planted at a prison.
French lawmakers are considering legislation to fund a two-year medical cannabis trial program.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A survey of multiple sclerosis patients found that medical cannabis “use is common based on volunteer reporting, with approximately one out of four patients who” participated saying they use marijuana products.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that two-thirds of UK adults incorrectly believe CBD oil is illegal, while eight-in-ten think it has the same effects as smoking marijuana.
The Los Angeles County Bar Association created a new practice section focused on cannabis.
The National Association of Cannabis Businesses adopted standards on security.
Conservative commentator Ann Coulter tweeted, “I didn’t realize being a cannabis fanatic creates so many social ills, including: *Hallucinations *Strawmen *Inability to formulate an argument #WhatElseDoesCannabisZealotryCause?”
/ BUSINESS
CannTrust Holdings plans to destroy $65 million worth of marijuana as well as $12 million worth of plants in an effort to regain regulatory approval following the revelation it illegally grew cannabis in unlicensed rooms.
Bonsai Cultivation voluntarily recalled marijuana products in Colorado due to the presence of elevated yeast and/or mold counts.
FedEx tweeted that it “prohibits shipment of plants, leaves & flowers, hemp oil, hemp seed oil and CBD.”
The Sacramento Bee looks at connections between Garib Karapetyan, who holds permits for eight Sacramento, California marijuana dispensaries, and the men indicted on federal charges last week of allegedly attempting to use foreign money to obtain cannabis licenses.
Natria asked Washington State regulators to remove its products from a list of pesticides approved for use on marijuana.
/ CULTURE
Rapper and actor Ice-T narrates a new drug policy documentary called “Public Enemy Number One.”
Actress Kristen Bell spoke about how she uses CBD oil to relax.
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