CCMA Political greenBrief
Thursday, September 13, 2018
www.cannabismanufacturers.org
The National Cannabis Bar Association Held The Cannabis Law Institute To Tackle Some Issues Related To Cannabis Policy
“For too long the senseless prohibition of marijuana has devastated communities, disproportionately impacting poor Americans and communities of color. Not to mention, it’s also wasted resources and stifled critical medical research. It’s past time to put the power back in the hands of the people. Congress must right this wrong.”Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) On The STATES Act
“While the bill’s consideration represents progress, it’s a drop in the ocean given what we need to do to end federal prohibition and repair the harms of the drug war.”Michael Collins Of The Drug Policy Alliance On Marijuana Policy Reform In The U.S.
CA Governor Vetoes Minimum Penalties for Dispensaries Selling Weed to Minors (CA – Cannabis Legislation)
High Times (September 11, 2018) California Governor Jerry Brown recently vetoed a proposed bill that would have established a series of mandatory minimum penalties for weed shops that sell cannabis to minors. Brown’s decision comes as law enforcement agencies throughout the state continue cracking down on unlicensed or illegal marijuana businesses. Shortly after California voters approved Proposition 64 to legalize recreational weed, Senator Jean Fuller proposed a bill of her own. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Fuller said her bill was aimed at avoiding any problems with dispensaries selling to underage buyers.
https://hightimes.com/news/ca-
As California Raids Illicit Pot Shops, Legal Industry Struggles With Safety Testing (CA – Cannabis Industry)
Merry Jane (September 11, 2018) More than eight months into the Golden State’s experiment with adult-use cannabis legalization, California’s police, cannabis regulators, and operators of marijuana businesses are all still working to shut down the state’s persistent black market while offering safe, transparent, and legal products to customers. According to the Los Angeles Times, L.A. police are ramping up enforcement efforts on unlicensed dispensaries throughout the Southland, with an initial round-up resulting in more than 500 misdemeanor arrests stemming from over 100 unpermitted pot shops.
Lab Tests Find Mold And Pesticides In Marijuana And Cannabis Edibles (CA – Cannabis Testing)
Mic (September 13, 2018) From granola to breakfast cereals, reports have detected pesticides in a number of American foods. And, according to a new study by California’s Bureau of Cannabis Control, these chemicals are making their way into weed edibles. On Tuesday, the Associated Press reported levels of pesticides, mold and bacteria, like e. Coli and salmonella, were discovered in tested batches of marijuana products — and nearly 20% of the samples failed to pass recently introduced purity and potency checks in California. n January, cannabis enthusiasts rejoiced when California legalized recreational marijuana. Crowds lined up at dispensaries, spending an estimated $339 million in just two months of its legalization.
Nearly 20 Percent Of California’s Cannabis Products Failing Lab Tests (CA – State Regulations)
High Times (September 11, 2018) In the two months following the July 1 implementation of California’s new and stricter cannabis industry regulations, the state’s 31 licensed labs managed to test 10,695 product samples. Of those, 1,904 failed Bureau of Cannabis Control requirements, according to the Associated Press. In other words, 18 percent of all cannabis products tested in California did not meet the new standards. But largely the reasons for failure weren’t due to dangerous or harmful products or contaminant levels. Rather, incongruities between package labeling and the product itself were the leading cause of failed lab tests.
https://hightimes.com/news/nea
Sonoma Readies To Pass Cannabis Ordinance Allowing Cultivation, No Dispensary (CA – Local Ordinances)
Sonoma Index-Tribune (September 12, 2018) The City of Sonoma is moving closer to a comprehensive ordinance on cannabis cultivation, distribution and business in the city, following a lengthy public study process and several City Council meetings. The next three weeks things will move quickly, through a Planning Commission meeting on Sept. 13 and two City Council meetings, on Sept. 24 and Oct. 1, which could result in a new ordinance going on the books before the November election. Like many cities in the state, Sonoma was forced to evaluate local policies on cannabis in the wake of 2016’s Proposition 64.
https://www.sonomanews.com/new
Legal Medical Marijuana Stores Could Start Opening Up In Fresno (CA – Cannabis Availability)
ABC 30 News (September 11, 2018) If city Leaders have their way, Fresno would become the latest California city allow the legal sale of medical marijuana. It will still take voter approval, but Fresno is inching closer to making this a reality and start collecting on a cannabis tax. Legal medical marijuana stores could soon start popping up in Fresno. A council subcommittee outlined rules for commercial cannabis businesses Tuesday that would make way for medicinal storefronts and other pot-related businesses within city limits.
https://abc30.com/business/leg
Marijuana Bill Approved By Congressional Committee, Despite Drug Conviction Restriction Dispute (USA – Cannabis Legislation)
Forbes (September 13, 2018) A powerful U.S. House panel that oversees federal drug enforcement efforts approved a bill on Thursday to require the Department of Justice and Attorney General Jeff Sessions to begin issuing more licenses to grow marijuana for research. Prior to the vote, a bitter dispute broke out over a provision of the legislation that prevents anyone with a “conviction for a felony or drug-related misdemeanor” from being affiliated with cannabis research cultivation operations. Legalization supporters scrambled this week to build support to amend the bill accordingly, but House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) refused to go along with a compromise.
Kill All The Lawyers: The Second Annual Cannabis Law Institute Tackles The STATES Act (USA – Cannabis Legislation)
Pot Network (September 12, 2018) The National Cannabis Bar Association held its second annual Cannabis Law Institute in Washington D.C. over the weekend. Keynote speakers included U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer, D- Oregon, and David Joyce R – Ohio, and the hot topic of conversation: the STATES Act. The bipartisan Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act was introduced by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren, D – Massachusetts and Cory Gardner, R – Colorado on June 7 of this year. The proposed legislation would amend the Controlled Substances Act so that its provisions no longer apply to people using or distributing marijuana, so long as they were acting in compliance with their state or tribal laws relating to marijuana.
Will CBD Entirely Eclipse The Cannabis Market? (USA – CBD Market)
Forbes (September 12, 2018) The Brightfield Group is a subscriber-driven market research firm that published a 2018 market overview and analysis on hemp-derived CBD, today. Their view through rose-colored glasses reads like a marketing document outlining the best-case-scenario for CBD’s future. The Brightfield Group’s analysis “lacks an accurate overview of the current and proposed legal landscape and fails to give an analysis of the real market factors in play, which calls into question the projected figures contained in it,”according to Cristina Buccola, Esq., an attorney and business developer in the cannabis and hemp industry. The summary of their analysis states, “Between 2017 and 2018, the U.S. hemp-derived CBD market has nearly doubled in size, but the five-year growth projections for this market are now dramatically higher than they were a year ago.
Did Elon Musk Violate Tesla’s Drug Policy? (USA – Cannabis Use)
Society For Human Resource Management (September 11, 2018) Tesla CEO Elon Musk appeared to smoke weed and drink whiskey on a recent podcast hosted in California. Although recreational marijuana use is permitted in the state, it remains illegal under federal law and employers can still discipline workers for being high. So did Musk violate company policy by sharing a joint on the show? Tesla’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics states that employees should report to work free from the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol. “The use of illegal drugs in the workplace will not be tolerated,” according to the policy. It could be argued that Musk was representing Tesla on the show and therefore was under the influence of drugs and alcohol on the job.
Students Organize First-Ever Cannabis Science Symposium At University Of Michigan (MI – Cannabis Event)
All About Ann Arbor (September 13, 2018) For the first time ever, world-class scientists, researchers and physicians will gather at the University of Michigan to discuss the future of cannabis and “separate fact from fiction” in a science symposium. The event is open to the public and will take place Saturday, Sept. 29, at 10 a.m. at the Ross School of Business’ Robertson Auditorium. The science symposium was organized by Green Wolverine, a student organization focused on discovering opportunities for success in the cannabis field and researching legal business activities in the multi-billion-dollar industry.
