Harris dodges question on Gabbard cannabis prosecution criticism (Newsletter: August 2, 2019)

NY gov signs marijuana decrim; Schumer cuts ribbon at hemp facility; St. Kitts & Nevis government filing legalization bill

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed a bill expanding the state’s marijuana decriminalization law and creating a process to expunge prior cannabis possession convictions.

The National Credit Union Administration, a federal agency, proposed rules changes that would let people with low-level marijuana and other drug convictions work at credit unions.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) cut the ribbon for the opening of a large new Canopy Growth hemp facility in New York.

The Saint Kitts and Nevis government announced that it will file a bill to legalize marijuana “for medicinal and scientific, religious and recreational purposes” on Tuesday.

/ FEDERAL

President Trump pardoned five people, including one man convicted of transporting marijuana from Mexico to Oklahoma

A Drug Enforcement Administration spokesperson said the agency is “still working through the process and those applications [to cultivate marijuana for research] remain under review.”

A federal judge ruled that the owners of the Woodstock music festival name can license it to a marijuana brand, over the objection of another company, Woodstock Roots.

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), a presidential candidate, tweeted, “It’s time we brought justice to those harmed by the failed War on Drugs. My bill will: ✅decriminalize marijuana ✅expunge marijuana convictions ✅create economic opportunities for communities disproportionately impacted by the failed War on Drugs”

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) tweeted, “For months, I’ve been calling on the FDA to end its stonewalling and update CBD regulations. The outdated policies in place are hurting economic and job growth in Oregon and nationwide. Happy to see the agency is taking this seriously and moving forward.”

Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) tweeted, “W/out casualty coverage, no worker’s compensation. W/out property coverage, no natural disaster assistance. W/out title coverage, no protection against ownership claims. When we talk about our #cannabis sector, it is time we talk about #insurance products to prevent legal distributors from losing all their capital & livelihood in a flood/fire. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the #CLAIMAct to help our #businesses obtain insurance products.”

Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) tweeted, “I’ve worked for years to give #CT farmers a chance to cash in on industrial #Hemp, a highly versatile product. It’s a great encouragement to see that 67 #Connecticut farms have acquired growing licences so far—a clear sign of Hemp’s place in our #ag future.”

/ STATES

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) plans to sign a hemp bill during an appearance at the state fair on Tuesday. Separately, regulators said that “adverse effects have been reported” in relation to medical cannabis drops that are currently under a voluntary recall.

A spokesperson for Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) pushed back against misleading media reports suggesting that his boss supports marijuana legalization.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) posted on Facebook, “We’re moving forward with developing rules to allow legal, safe medical marijuana delivery to your home. Not only will this help those physically unable to go out to get their medicine, but it will also shut down dangerous, risky illegal marijuana delivery outfits and increase safety on our roads for all of us by testing and monitoring drivers.”

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) said, “With each hemp-related announcement, Kentucky cements its place at the forefront of this rapidly growing industry.”

Louisiana’s agriculture commissioner said that final testing on medical cannabis products has begun and they could be available to patients early next week.

Washington, D.C.’s attorney general spoke about efforts to encourage federal CBD regulations.

A South Carolina attorney general opinion is causing confusion about the legality of smokable hemp.

Massachusetts lawmakers held a hearing on social marijuana consumption facilities and host community agreements between municipalities and cannabis businesses.

Utah regulators said they received appeals from six companies that were not awarded medical cannabis cultivation licenses.

Pennsylvania regulators denied the renewal of a medical cannabis growing and processing company’s permit.

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/ LOCAL

Marijuana-related traffic fatalities in Clark County, Nevada are down since legalization was implemented.

The Davis County, Utah attorney is recommending that local officials not distribute medical cannabis, saying he won’t defend them from federal prosecution.

The New York City Council speaker tweeted that a new expanded marijuana decriminalization law “is a real step forward in righting years of injustice against New Yorkers of color. Next year let’s get full legalization and restorative justice done.”

/ INTERNATIONAL

New Zealand’s government filed legislation to enable a 2020 referendum on legalizing marijuana.

The Israeli Health Ministry is pushing to subsidize medical cannabis for people with autism.

An Indian court dismissed a petition to legalize medical cannabis.

UK lawmakers who went on a fact-finding trip to Canada say they believe their country will legalize marijuana within five to 10 years.

/ ADVOCACY

The Louisiana Democratic Party tweeted, “Louisiana legalized medical marijuana in 2015, but, under @MikeStrain4LA as LDAF commissioner, it’s been delayed for 4 years. Every day this process continues is another day Strain shows how he’s not competent enough to lead the LDAF. It’s time to vote him out.”

NAACP tweeted about the marijuana remarks that Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), a presidential candidate, made at its convention.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study suggested that “CBD may have therapeutic effects on gastric cancer.“

A study of mice and rats found that “CBD treatment improved seizures, motor  function and cognition without producing any adverse effect on gait” and that “CBD treatment extended survivability.”

/ BUSINESS

Strava Craft Coffee announced plans to produce psilocybin-infused coffee and tea, potentially as soon as next year.

Columbia Care Inc. was awarded New York State Schedule I controlled substance manufacturing and export licenses, which the company says is a step toward receiving federal approval to distribute cannabis for research purposes throughout the U.S. and for research and commercial medical purposes internationally.

The former chair of CannTrust Holdings Inc. and another director reportedly sold $6 million in company stock in the weeks after he was informed about illegal growth of marijuana plants in unlicensed rooms.

GW Pharmaceuticals’s CBD drug Epidiolex got preliminary approval from a European Medicines Agency panel.

Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. announced that Kroger will carry its CBD products.

Kroger is also expanding its distribution of Veritas Farms, Inc. hemp oil products.

Cresco Labs Inc. is rebranding its marijuana dispensaries under the name Sunnyside.

Nevada’s legalization of marijuana does not appear to have reduced alcohol sales.

/ CULTURE

Former basketball player John Salley joined Leading Edge Pharms, Inc.  as executive vice president of marketing.

Filmmaker Oliver Stone spoke about his experiences with LSD.

Comedian Stephen Colbert tweeted, “New York State just decriminalized marijuana. The law takes effect in 30 days, so if you just took a hit, don’t exhale till Labor Day.”

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