The DEA
removed language from its Web site saying that pot causes lung cancer, psychosis and permanent cognitive damage, following a petition from the activist group Americans for Safe Access. ASA said the language violated the Information Quality Act.
Tom Price, the new secretary of health and human services,
ignored questions from Senators about cannabis, prior to his confirmation this week.
Congress’s bipartisan cannabis caucus held its
first press conference.
President Trump met with
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) to discuss drug policy. As a presidential candidate Christie vocally opposed legalization, but spoke movingly about the ravages of the opioid epidemic.
Christie signed a bill
limiting initial opioid prescriptions to five days and requiring insurers to cover addicts seeking treatment.
During an impromptu press conference, President Trump said drugs are “
cheaper than candy bars.” It’s worth noting that Trump rarely distinguishes between marijuana, opioids, cocaine, amphetamines and other drugs.
With administration approval, the House of Representatives passed a measure that would
make it easier to drug test unemployment recipients.
Pro-legalization state senator Patricia Jehlen (D) will
lead the Massachusetts' legislature’s regulatory panel, beating out legalization opponent Jason Lewis (D).
Former New Hampshire congressman Frank Guinta (R), who created a task force to fight opioids, is a contender to be the Trump administration’s “
drug czar.” In an interview he said he considers addiction an illness that can be treated.
The Web site of the Office of National Drug Control Policy
has been down since the inauguration. Acting drug czar Kemp Chester said the agency is creating a new “
drug policy framework.”
White House press secretary Sean Spicer
denied a claim published at the Joint Blog, that the administration is unlikely to interfere with legal cannabis states
Vermont Governor Phil Scott (R) said he
wouldn’t support legalizing REC without strong safeguards against impaired driving. An effort is underway to
expand the state’s MED program.
Kristi Kelly, director of the Marijuana Industry Group in Colorado said
dismantling the industry could cause a recession in the state.
Legalization is a bonanza for
lobbyists in Rhode Island, which has not legalized REC. Decriminalizing is an issue in this year’s
Virginia governor’s race.
California is seeking residents to apply for a
marijuana advisory committee that will help shape policy in the state. (
Here’s how to join.) Meanwhile local regulations are turning the state allowance to grow six plants at home is a “
civil rights battle zone.”
State lawmaker Mike McGuire said the California’s cannabis tracking system
will not be ready by the January 1, 2018 deadline.
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D)
spoke to lawmakers in Sacramento about the road ahead for REC. “It’s one of the hardest things we’ve ever done, one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in public life, but also one of the things I’m most proud of,” he said. He advised California legislators to focus on edibles, pesticides and home growing.
Hickenlooper also suggested that allowing
social use in Colorado could attract attention from the feds.
Colorado licenses to manufacture infused-products are
way up since 2014.
A REC bill has
stalled in New Mexico. The state legislature’s top Democrat is
under fire for representing a cannabis company in his private legal practice.
REC is
unlikely to make the 2018 Minnesota ballot, despite pressure from Democratic lawmakers.
Wisconsin attorney general Brad Schimel (R)
said doctors, not voters, should decide if cannabis is medicine.
Maine is studying
other legal states. A bill in Maine would use pot taxes to
fund local jails.
Arizona activists
want the state to vote on REC again in 2018. It voted no in 2016. A MED initiative in Wyoming
failed to make the ballot.
Denver cannabis entrepreneur and activist Kayvan Khalatbari is
running for mayor. Previously, he lost a race for city council.
Departing Drug Policy Alliance chief Ethan Nadelmann
gave an exit interview to Marijuana Business Daily.
San Francisco is on track to
create its own cannabis regulatory agency.
