Bloomberg evolves to back cannabis decrim (Newsletter: December 5, 2019)

Study: Legal marijuana cuts sleep aid use; Castro cites alcohol ban repeal to push legalization; Willie Nelson’s son confirms continued cannabis use

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Federal Deposit Insurance Commission Chairwoman Jelena McWilliams said she will look into offering further clarity on hemp businesses’ ability to process credit cards in response to questioning from Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) during a hearing.

Former Housing and Urban Development Sec. Julian Castro (D), a presidential candidate, said that Thursday’s anniversary of the repeal of alcohol prohibition is a good time to get serious about legalizing marijuana.

• “86 years later, it’s time we end the federal prohibition of Cannabis once and for all.”

A study found that people are purchasing far fewer sleep aids as legal marijuana access expands.

• “The magnitude of the market share decline increases as more dispensaries enter a county and with higher county-level cannabis sales.”
  

Willie Nelson’s son clarified that while his dad may have quit smoking marijuana, he still consumes cannabis in other forms.

• “Between vaping, edibles, gummies, drops, etc. I think it’s safe to say Willie will never stop enjoying Mary Jane!”

/ FEDERAL

The head of the Department of Veterans Affairs’s Veterans Health Administration said it would be a “mistake” for the department to conduct studies on THC levels in medical cannabis.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health published a fact sheet on cannabis and cannabinoids.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will consider a bill on marijuana- and drug-impaired driving and transportation on Wednesday.

Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) are asking the Department of Justice’s Office of Professional Responsibility to investigate Attorney General Williaam Barr’s approval of a Drug Enforcement Administration surveillance program.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) applauded new federal hemp banking guidelines.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) discussed how “our criminal justice system and the failed war on drugs continue to disproportionately impact communities of color” in a House floor speech honoring  the legacy of activist Fred Hampton.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), who is backing Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for president, tweeted, “[email protected] deserves to be in the debate. He led the fight in Congress on the Marijuana Justice Act & criminal justice reform. How is 21st century America going to become a truly multiracial, multiethnic democracy if strong voices of color are not making even the Democrat stage.” In response to criticism from a supporter, he added, “Booker is a strong voice on criminal justice and legalizing Marijuana and worked with Barbara Lee and me on it.”

Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) cited his cosponsorship of medical cannabis legislation in a flyer touting his work for military veterans.

/ STATES

Massachusetts health officials revealed that six people with “probable” cases of vaping-related lung injuries reported using marijuana products from state-licensed businesses, but they “declined to say which licensed producers, products and retailers were implicated.”

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) tweeted, “Hemp production is a perfect example of value-added agriculture, an essential component of growing & diversifying New Mexico’s economy – this year’s Hemp Manufacturing Act is already resulting in industry expansion & job creation across the state.” Meanwhile, the state’s Economic Development Department is investing $400,000 in a hemp manufacturing company.

Vermont’s attorney general hosted a panel on legalizing marijuana sales.

The Washington, D.C. Council Health Committee unanimously approved a bill to let students use medical cannabis in schools.

The sponsors of a proposed Florida marijuana legalization ballot initiative filed a brief with the state Supreme Court arguing that the measure is legally valid.

Maine regulators made applications for marijuana cultivation, manufacturing and retail business licenses available.

Missouri regulators announced they will issue medical cannabis dispensary licenses next month.

Rhode Island regulators will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to medical cannabis rules on Friday.

An Indiana lawmaker is planning to file bills to decriminalize marijuana and legalize medical cannabis.

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/ LOCAL

Chicago, Illinois’s mayor and interim police superintendent said that “an individual using cannabis in their own backyard or balcony poses no direct threat to public safety, and no resident should be arrested or ticketed solely for such a scenario.”

Ankeny, Iowa police arrested the owner of a CBD business.

/ INTERNATIONAL

An Irish lawmaker pressed the government on its restrictive medical cannabis program.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “there was a statistically significant reduction in intense pain, sharp pain, cold and itchy sensations in the CBD group when compared to the placebo group,” concluding that  “transdermal application of CBD oil can achieve significant improvement in pain and other disturbing sensations in patients with peripheral neuropathy.”

A study comparing marijuana markets in Washington State and Oregon found that “Oregon’s relatively faster initial growth, quicker stabilization and current lower prices for concentrates could be related to more established pre-legalization medical markets, the state’s ‘soft opening’ approach, and lower tax rate.”

A study found that “young adults who were male and who reported more frequent marijuana use were at greater odds of acquiring a medical marijuana card.”

A study found that people who microdose psychedelics  are commonly doing so as a self-managed therapy for mental health, either as an alternative or adjunct to conventional treatments.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A survey of U.S. voters that pitted issues against one another to determine not only individual support but also level of importance included questions on legalizing marijuana.

The Drug Policy Alliance brought on former Center for American Progress staffer Maritza Perez as its new director of national affairs.

The Baltimore Sun editorial board is urging Maryland lawmakers to take steps to prepare for marijuana legalization, including by making it easier to expunge records.

/ BUSINESS

The publisher of High Times warned shareholders that there is “substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.” Meanwhile, the website of MassRoots has gone dark, though its CEO said it will “be back online shortly.” (Disclosure: Marijuana Moment’s publisher is a former employee of and minority shareholder in MassRoots.)

Experian predicted that burgeoning industries such as cannabis retailers “will be targeted for cyberattacks as a result of online activism or ‘hacktivism.’”

Chanel and other “luxury” retailers are trying to prevent a marijuana dispensary from opening in San Francisco’s Union Square.

The Global Alliance for Cannabis Commerce launched a voluntary industry certification standard for safety and purity in marijuana product testing.

Financial Times looks at marijuana businesses’ difficulties obtaining insurance.

/ CULTURE

Football player Antwaun Woods was arrested for marijuana possession.

Cannabis-themed names for dogs and cats, such as Budder, Dank, Doobie, Blaze and Kush are becoming more common, according to Rover.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.