THIS WEEK IN CANABIS 10/28-11/03
HempLife420 Staff
TOP THINGS TO KNOW – From Around The Web
A new analysis by Forbes finds that at least 20 major party gubernatorial nominees in this year’s elections support legalizing cannabis—far more than in any previous election cycle.
Rhode Island Republican gubernatorial nominee Allan Fung told prickly independent contender Joe Trillo to smoke a joint to relax during their debate. “You probably smoke it all the time,” Trillo replied.
Activists with NORML delivered 10,000 comments in support of marijuana rescheduling to the Food and Drug Administration headquarters.
A study found that conservatives are less likely to support marijuana legalization when told that it is backed by left-wing politicians. Progressives, on the other hand, “did not significantly shift their opinion” based on the endorsements.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) and Rep Kevin Cramer (R-ND) said they back states’ rights to enact their own marijuana laws but plan to vote against North Dakota’s cannabis legalization ballot measure.
Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Republican challenger Chris DePizzo debated marijuana policy.
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) spoke about his support for marijuana policy reform.
Missouri Democratic congressional candidate Henry Martin supports decriminalizing marijuana and is open to legalization.
/ STATES
New Hampshire’s marijuana legalization study committee released a lengthy report looking at policy considerations for the potential end of prohibition. Separately, Gov. Chris Sununu (R) and Democratic challenger Molly Kelly debated cannabis legalization.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) and Democratic challenger Jay Gonzalez agreed during a debate that they aren’t OK with having marijuana in their houses. Separately, Massachusetts regulators approved more recreational marijuana licenses.
A New Mexico judge ruled that the state’s 450-plant limit on medical cannabis dispensaries is arbitrary and capricious and has no factual basis. Separately, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham tweeted, “As governor, I’ll raise the cap on medical cannabis plants and increase access to licenses for producers so every patient has the access to medical cannabis they need.”
New York attorney general candidates debated allowing safe consumption facilities for people who use illegal drugs.
Maine regulators estimate that the first recreational marijuana stores could open next year.
Ohio regulators are now accepting petitions to add additional medical cannabis qualifying conditions.
Colorado regulators will host a Marijuana Science and Policy Work Group meeting on Monday.
Oregon regulators will hold a public hearing on technical changes to marijuana rules on November 16.
/ LOCAL
Filter Magazine looks at the marijuana and drug policy positions of district attorneys in the nation’s 50 most populous counties.
Manhattan’s district attorney announced that marijuana prosecutions are down 94% in the first quarter of a newly implemented policy. He also tweeted, “We have exited the marijuana business. Now it’s time for New York State to legalize, regulate, and expunge.”
/ INTERNATIONAL
Mexico’s incoming public safety secretary said that the Supreme Court’s move to strike down marijuana prohibition is a “good decision” and will “have a positive impact on the reduction of violence and insecurity.”
Ghanaian presidential candidate John Dumelo said that legalizing marijuana would be a top priority if he is elected.
/ ADVOCACY
Prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana released a music video attempting to articulate their reasons for opposing legalization.
A number of retired Michigan law enforcement officers endorsed the state’s marijuana legalization ballot measure.
The Vermont Medical Society passed a resolution opposing the legalization of marijuana sales.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of U.S. voters in congressional districts with competitive primaries found that Democrats support marijuana legalization, 84%-16%, and Republicans oppose it, 52%-48%.
A poll found that Florida voters support amending the state constitution to reclassify felony drug possession offenses as misdemeanors and to reinvest the savings in rehabilitation programs by a margin of 42%-37%.
The San Francisco Chronicle editorial board said that the city’s marijuana equity policies are flawed.
/ BUSINESS
CBD drug Epidiolex is now available in the U.S.
Constellation Brands Inc. closed its $5 billion investment in Canopy Growth Corporation.
The State Bank of North Dakota said it won’t work with medical cannabis businesses.
Alaska collected about $1.5 million in marijuana tax revenue in September.
/ CULTURE
Actor Bette Midler tweeted, “Orange #JohnBoehner, who looks like a ghost, compared to #Trumpkin, is headlining a Cannabis event! Guess Republicans figured out how much $$$ they can make from it, and suddenly pot’s not just something you put people you don’t like in jail for!”
Hugh Grant is joining the cast of a Guy Ritchie-penned film about “the collision between European old money and the modern marijuana industry.”
/ MORE TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Mexico’s Supreme Court struck down the country’s prohibition of marijuana. The nation’s Congress has 90 days to repeal cannabis bans now considered unconstitutional.
Activists with Students for Sensible Drug Policy— no matter where they live — are helping to advance marijuana reform by making phone calls this week to voters in states with cannabis ballot measures.
A bizarre new study found that blood-sucking flies really, really love marijuana.
/ FEDERAL
A federal jury ruled in favor of a Colorado marijuana cultivation business targeted in a RICO case that could have had devastating implications for the cannabis industry.
The Drug Enforcement Administration sent a press release about marijuana-infused Halloween candy.
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy hosted an event pressuring the World Anti-Doping Agency to reform its governance.
The U.S. Navy released a video warning service members and their families not to use marijuana, even in states where it is legal.
The former U.S. attorney for Colorado taped a campaign video against Michigan’s marijuana legalization ballot measure.
Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) says she voted against North Dakota’s marijuana legalization ballot measure. Her reelection opponent, Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), also plans to vote against the cannabis initiative.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Republican challenger Matt Corey agreed during a debate that states should be able to set their own marijuana laws. (About 12 minutes into the clip.)
Rep. Peter Welch (I-VT) said he supports legalizing marijuana.
Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) and Democratic challenger Andy Kim both said during a debate that marijuana should not be legalized.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) sent a press release about a new federally funded cannabis research study. He also tweeted about the potential for legal marijuana to help reduce opioid issues.
Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) spoke in support of medical cannabis for military veterans.
The House bill to require the federal government to study the effects of legalizing marijuana got two new cosponsors, for a total of 33.
The House bill to reschedule marijuana and protect state-legal medical cannabis activity got one new cosponsor, for a total of three.
The House hemp legalization bill got one new cosponsor, for a total of 48.
Alabama Democratic congressional candidate Danner Kline posted a lengthy Twitter thread about his and the public’s support for marijuana law reform.
/ STATES
Here’s a look at where Michigan gubernatorial candidates stand on legalizing marijuana.
Washington State regulators sent an update about marijuana packaging and labeling rules, as well as proposed rules on penalties for violations and who qualifies for cannabis licenses.
Alaska regulators sent a bulletin about a new marijuana tax structure going into effect.
Colorado regulators are inviting people to submit comments on proposed changes to medical cannabis rules.
/ LOCAL
The Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin Board of Supervisors voted against placing marijuana advisory questions before voters in April 2019 but did approve a resolution calling on state lawmakers to study medical cannabis.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A Canadian mayor says that some of his local residents have been questioned about past marijuana use at the U.S. border and prevented from entering the country. Meanwhile, cannabis retailers are experiencing product shortages.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is rejecting calls to decriminalize marijuana, instead focusing on making medical cannabis available.
The UK’s new policy allowing medical cannabis prescriptions went into effect on Thursday.
Mexican regulators published guidelines for medical and scientific use of cannabis.
Croatia’s health minister said the country is not considering legalizing marijuana.
/ ADVOCACY
The Distilled Spirits Council has some recommendations for what marijuana legalization should look like.
The National Business League endorsed Michigan’s marijuana legalization measure.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
The National Institute on Drug Abuse is funding a Columbia University and Columbia Care LLC study examining how medical cannabis influences opioid use and overdose risk in patients with non-cancer pain.
Researchers developed a method to “effectively isolate and quantify the controlled substance, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), even in the presence of other noncontrolled cannabinoid isomers including cannabidiol.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
USA Today’s editorial board is urging voters to reject marijuana legalization ballot measures.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial board says Missouri should learn lessons from how neighboring Illinois has implemented medical cannabis.
/ BUSINESS
The CEO of Molson Coors spoke about the company’s interest in cannabis products.
/ CULTURE
Musician David Crosby lent his voice to a radio ad in support of North Dakota’s marijuana legalization ballot measure.
Singer Justin Timberlake wrote in his new book that he started smoking marijuana at age 13 to cope with the end of the Mickey Mouse Club.
EVEN MORE TOP THINGS TO KNOW
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) is touting the medical benefits of CBD as well as the uses of industrial hemp.
Two more new studies add to evidence suggesting legal marijuana reduces opioid issues. One concluded that legalization laws are associated with lower prescriptions, doses and Medicaid spending. Another found that counties with cannabis dispensaries have fewer overdose deaths.
New Utah campaign finance reports show that fundraising and spending for committees supportive of and opposed to the state’s medical cannabis ballot measure significantly died down in the wake of a deal reached on compromise legislation earlier this month.
/ FEDERAL
A 2016 Drug Enforcement Administration filing on marijuana extracts is being challenged by the Flowering HOPE Foundation, a nonprofit.
Sen. Angus King (I-ME) and his challengers all said they support marijuana legalization during a debate.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said in a speech that he is proud of Vermont and other states that are legalizing marijuana.
Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH) and Republican challenger Steve Negron debated marijuana policy.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) spoke in support of legalizing marijuana.
/ STATES
A Michigan judge granted a temporary restraining order on a Wednesday medical cannabis licensing deadline, which will allow dispensaries to stay open.
A New Mexico judge ordered regulators to approve two medical cannabis dispensaries.
New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) spoke about expansion of the state’s medical cannabis program.
Nevada Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Sisolak tweeted photos of himself attending the grand opening of a marijuana store.
Kansas gubernatorial candidates debated marijuana policy.
The Florida House of Representatives is seeking to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the state’s medical cannabis law. Separately, Democratic agriculture commissioner candidate Nikki Fried and Democratic chief financial officer candidate Jeremy Ring proposed a state-run bank to serve the marijuana industry. And Democratic attorney general candidate Sean Shaw tweeted, “The voters of Florida have made their stance on medicinal marijuana extremely clear. As Attorney General, I will hold the legislature accountable and ensure that Floridians have access to the medicine that they want and need.”
California regulators issued the state’s first full annual marijuana business licenses.
Massachusetts regulators are expected to issue more final marijuana retail licenses on Thursday, but it’s still not clear when sales will begin.
Some Utah voters believe their ballots were stolen from their mailboxes due to their support for the state’s medical cannabis initiative.
South Carolina regulators offered nearly twice as many industrial hemp permits this year as in 2017.
Here’s a look at where Alabama lieutenant governor candidates stand on marijuana.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Thailand National Legislative Assembly’s public health committee is taking steps to legalize marijuana and kratom for medical research purposes by the end of the year.
Malaysian lawmakers are working on medical cannabis legislation.
Many UK doctors are wary of prescribing medical cannabis.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “cannabis abstinence is associated with improvements in verbal learning that appear to occur largely in the first week following last use.”
A review concluded that “in persons <25 years old, greater cannabis use is associated with more psychological symptoms, especially among those with a predisposition or existing vulnerability to such outcomes.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of Michigan likely voters found that they support the state’s marijuana legalization ballot measure, 57%-40%.
A poll found that Rhode Island likely voters support legalizing marijuana, 56%-37%.
The Seattle Times editorial board is urging adults to do a better job of keeping marijuana edibles away from kids.
/ BUSINESS
Coca-Cola’s CEO said the company has no plans to make a cannabis beverage anytime soon.
Aphria Inc. will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Friday.
Wednesday is the deadline for the public to buy stock in Hightimes Holding.
/ CULTURE
Actor Ron Perlman said he doesn’t care about legalization because he’s going to obtain marijuana “wherever, however.”
TMZ looks at the rise of marijuana mansions in Los Angeles.
/ EVEN MORE TOP THINGS TO KNOW
New campaign finance filings from supporters and opponents of Michigan and Missouri marijuana ballot measures showed late contributions pouring in, including a sizable anti-legalization donation from the Dow Chemical Corporation.
Here’s an overview of TV and web ads supporting and opposing marijuana ballot measures in the lead-up to Election Day.
/ FEDERAL
U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Karl Schultz suggested that Canada’s legalization of marijuana wouldn’t necessarily increase smuggling over the border, since there has already been significant trafficking under prohibition.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Republican challenger Lawrence Zupan debated marijuana policy.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) spoke about his support for marijuana law reform.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and her challengers debated marijuana policy.
As some Democratic congressional candidates are running on marijuana reform platforms, others are slow to embrace the issue.
Utah Democratic Senate candidate Jenny Wilson tweeted in support of the state’s medical cannabis ballot measure.
/ STATES
Utah lawmakers and advocates are working to tweak provisions of proposed medical cannabis compromise legislation. The House speaker also held a public forum on the issue.
Colorado gubernatorial candidates debated marijuana policy.
A P.R. person for an unnamed Massachusetts dispensary said the company was preparing to make its first recreational marijuana sales this week, but later retracted the claim.
North Dakota regulators began accepting medical cannabis patient and caregiver applications.
Michigan regulators approved a number of medical cannabis license applications but many dozens of others dispensaries are facing shutdown as a Wednesday licensing deadline looms. They also sent a clarification about applicants who miss the deadline but maintaining existing inventory while their proposals are considered.
/ LOCAL
San Francisco, California’s mayor announced the expansion of the city’s cannabis equity program.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Malaysia’s law minister said that legalizing marijuana and other drugs could reduce prison costs.
Belizean Prime Minister Dean Barrow criticized an opposition party over its support for marijuana legalization.
Lawmakers in Bangladesh approved a bill to expand the use of the death penalty for drug offenses.
The Chinese government cautioned its citizens against using marijuana in Canada.
Singapore’s government warned its citizens not to consume cannabis in other countries.
/ ADVOCACY
Attorney Michael Avenatti made a bizarre marijuana reference as part of a criticism of President Trump’s request for attorneys’ fees in a lawsuit, but later deleted the tweet. He made a similar comment in an email to a reporter.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study added to evidence of “MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as an innovative, efficacious treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder” and found that “there were no drug-related serious adverse events, and the treatment was well-tolerated.”
A review of medical cannabis in treating inflammatory bowel disease found “benefit in controlling symptoms and improving quality of life, but no studies have established true disease modification.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that New Jersey adults support legalizing marijuana, 58%-37%.
The Kansas City Star editorial board endorsed one of Missouri’s medical cannabis ballot measures and is opposing the other two.
/ BUSINESS
MedMen is reportedly trying to trademark the use of the word “cannabis” on t-shirts.
The co-founder and former CEO of Eaze started a new cannabis logistics and compliance platform called WAYV.
Uruguayan medical cannabis company Cannapur is considering filing an IPO.
Instagram is still pulling down some Canadian marijuana accounts even under legalization.
Shares in Curaleaf Holdings Inc. fell in its first day of trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange.
Other cannabis stocks dipped as well.
The Philadelphia Inquirer looks at why so many marijuana companies are stacking their boards with political heavyweights.
Slate’s Working podcast looks at what it’s like to be a marijuana dispensary compliance specialist.
/ CULTURE
Former NBA player Paul Pierce is launching a vape pen business and says he regularly uses CBD oil.
Jimmy Kimmel Live had a segment on the Utah lawmaker who tried a marijuana gummy bear.
Jimmy Fallon had some jokes about marijuana and the midterms.
People are wondering if a surveillance videos shows that an Oregon marijuana dispensary is haunted.
