Sanders pledges cannabis descheduling within 100 days (Newsletter: October 25, 2019)

O’Rourke backs drug decrim; Schumer presses FDA on CBD regs; Study: Americans search CBD more than meditation & exercise

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a presidential candidate, released a plan pledging to “immediately” use executive action to deschedule marijuana, ban tobacco companies from participating in the cannabis industry and encourage businesses to be formed as collective nonprofits.

• “Big Tobacco is already targeting the marijuana industry for its profits. As president, Bernie will not allow marijuana to turn into Big Tobacco.”

Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX), a presidential candidate, released a plan that includes support for decriminalizing possession of all drugs and opening safe consumption facilities, among other harm reduction measures.

• “Beto will treat substance use disorder and opioid use disorder as the public health concerns they are. These are not criminal justice issues that warrant punishment.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called on the Food and Drug Administration to issue guidance allowing the sale of CBD products.

A study found that Americans search Google for CBD more than they do for acupuncture, meditation and exercise.

• “Searches for CBD are now rivaling searches for yoga and electronic cigarettes…and are searched for more than half as much as dieting.”

/ FEDERAL

The U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Florida said he would not prosecute state-legal marijuana activity.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture tweeted about insurance for hemp growers.

A federal judge ruled against a marijuana grower that wanted sanctions imposed on a nearby vineyard for allegedly making false claims in a racketeering lawsuit.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held oral arguments in a case concerning a marijuana business’s tax dispute.

Presidential candidate Andrew Yang spoke about his support for decriminalizing opiates.

Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) tweeted, “VA providers are currently prohibited from recommending or prescribing marijuana to our veterans to help cope with anxiety, depression, and PTS. At the Drug Caucus hearing, I asked experts about researching medical marijuana as a treatment for our veterans.”

The House bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to study medical cannabis got one new cosponsor for a total of 88.

The House bill to protect veterans from losing benefits over marijuana use got one new cosponsor for a total of 11.

/ STATES

Kentucky Democratic attorney general candidate Greg Stumbo tweeted, “For our children, for our veterans and for our families who’ve been impacted by the opioid epidemic, I’ve been an advocate for allowing Kentuckians to use medical marijuana as treatment. Let’s get it done.”

North Carolina lawmakers filed a conference report for an agriculture bill that would ban smokable hemp as of the middle of next year.

New Mexico lawmakers said at a hearing that they would introduce legislation making it clear school personnel can administer medical cannabis to students.

Michigan lawmakers filed three bills to prohibit the use of certain additives in marijuana vaping products.

An Oklahoma court ruled that a positive drug test did not prove marijuana use caused a workplace accident, meaning that the claimant is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

Minnesota prosecutors reached a deal to dismiss charges against former Vireo Health employees who were accused of illegally transporting medical cannabis products from that state to a facility in New York.

Maine’s top marijuana regulator said applications for marijuana retail licenses will be accepted by the end of the year.

Arkansas regulators are considering stripping licenses from medical cannabis businesses that don’t open within a year of being approved.

Oklahoma regulators are working to relaunch a medical cannabis call center to answer questions from the public.

Massachusetts regulators held their first marijuana social equity entrepreneurship training session.

Washington State regulators are conducting a survey of marijuana industry participants about the impact of a ban on flavored cannabis vaping products.

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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 cannabis bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

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/ LOCAL

The Bronx, New York borough president released a report urging that equity and restorative justice provisions be included in marijuana legalization legislation.

Three people have been arrested in the fatal shooting of an El Dorado County, California sheriff’s deputy who was responding to a reported theft from an illegal marijuana growing operation.

/ INTERNATIONAL

A Mexican senator said that consensus on marijuana legalization legislation has not yet been reached.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “cannabis-intoxication results in a distinct acoustic profile” and that “intoxicated speech was characterized by significant and substantial increases to the variability of [voice-onset time], altered prosodic expression (reduced range and flatter trajectories), and decreased shimmer.”

A study offered a “conceptual framework for sustainable development of marijuana tourism.”

The journal The Lancet published an issue focused on drugs.

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Republican pollster Frank Luntz tweeted, “It’s surprising that more candidates haven’t strongly backed marijuana legalization, especially to galvanize younger voter turnout.”

/ BUSINESS

HEXO Corp. cut 200 jobs from its workforce.

Here’s a look at how social media platforms’ anti-marijuana policies are making it harder to spread harm reduction information about the vaping injury outbreak.

The Associated Press looks at how colleges are being pressured to allow students to use medical cannabis, including through lawsuits.

The Cincinnati Enquirer examines how Ohio medical cannabis companies are selling their licenses.

An investigation of Michigan CBD products found that most tested were true to their labels.

/ CULTURE

Former boxer Mike Tyson said he would be an “overweight pig” if not for marijuana motivating him to exercise.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.