WeedWeek, September 3, 2016

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It was a relatively quiet week:

Politico explains how California’s REC initiative, if passed, will disrupt the existing supply chain and provide a windfall to distributors. No other state has a similar model.

A majority of California Latinos oppose legalization, though it’s somewhat more popular among younger voters.

Arizona REC supporters are suing Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan (R) over the language that will appear on the ballot. The state supreme court threw out a final appeal by opponents to stop voting on the measure.

An error in Montana’s MED initiative could set dispensaries back six months. (And that’s if it passed.)

Nevada AG Adam Laxalt (R) and other top law enforcement officials oppose the upcoming REC vote. "This ballot initiative was written by major marijuana interests, who's biggest concern is making money," he said, among other concerns.

The Washington Post publishes a cannabis election guide. Governing has one too.

East Bay Express looks at the California legislative session as it pertains to you know what. Canna Law Blog says California is still a risky place to invest since current MED laws “do not satisfy federal directives on ‘robust state marijuana regulation.”

Marijuana Business Daily says high turnover at regulatory agencies compounds confusion for businesses. The outlet also compares MED program development in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

A federal circuit court ruled that prohibiting MED card holders from buying guns does not violate the Second Amendment. The NRA did not rush to patients’ defense. An appeal is likely.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) wants to decriminalize.

Press-Democrat writer Paul Gullixson doesn’t want Santa Rosa, Calif. to be a cannabis capital. “ Leave marijuana to the states,” the Toledo Blade editorializes.

New York state will expand its MED program, and allow home delivery. Crain’s New York Business asks if the state will allow the industry to thrive.

Oregon’s industry is experiencing “ growing pains.” The state also licensed its first two testing labs.

Residents of Copenhagen’s Christiania area tore down the area’s open air cannabis booths after two police were shot and a suspect was killed. Police are concerned about organized crime’s involvement in the industry.

Alaska AG nominee Jahna Lindemuth said the state won’t allow standalone consumption lounges. Dispensaries may be able to have consumption areas. Denverites will vote on a limited social use measure in November. If approved it would allow businesses, such as bars, to create consumption areas.

EcoWatch looks into the environmental degradation associated with growing in Humboldt County, Calif.

Correction: Last week I included a story that the D.C. Council won’t allow employers to conduct drug tests until after they’ve made a conditional job offer. That story was from 2014. I regret the error.

Southern California company Terra Tech reversed a reverse stock split proposal that would have enriched company insiders at the expense of ordinary shareholders. The switch came after analyst Alan Brochstein detailed the “outrageous” plan at his site New Cannabis Ventures.

In Colorado, growing supply has pushed wholesale prices down.

Al Foreman, chief investment officer at Tuatara Capital, which recently raised $93 million to invest in cannabis companies said, “We still don’t have a critical mass of institutional investors that are really focused on the space.”

Canadian oil and gas companies want the country to prohibit pot use at potentially hazardous work sites.

Business Insider talks to Oakland business-incubator Gateway. Incubator Canopy started its fourth class of companies in Berkeley.

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The Centers for Disease Control found that more Americans are using cannabis but the abuse rate has fallen. For additional details see here.

At the L.A. Times, Robin Abcarian looks at the links between cannabis use and psychosis.

A study found that being high decreases cannabis users’ motivation, but that it returned when they were sober.

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell (D) signed “ Bob’s Bill” enabling terminally ill patients to access MED.

The Washington Post reports that prescriptions for opioids and anti-anxiety medications are contributing to the growing number of premature deaths among white women. The FDA will require strong warnings against mixing opioids with benzodiazepines, a class of drug used to treat insomnia, seizure disorders and other indications.

The DEA said it would add the psychotropic tropical plant kratom, which some consider to have health benefits, to its list of schedule I substances, alongside LSD, heroin, cannabis and other drugs it considers to have no medical uses.

Israeli doctors will begin a first of its kind study to test the effects of cannabis on individuals with autism. The country also plans to start exporting MED.

In Oregon, cannabis businesses are helping ex-offenders clear their criminal records.

This month, a Manhattan gallery owner known as Mr. Grey will host an exhibit of bongs valued between $500 and $250,000. You can see pieces from his collection on his Instagram page.

The Forward has a “ Pot Shabbat” with “Jeff the 420 Chef.” The challah, matzo balls, Brussels sprouts, potatoes and cookies were all laced.

Vice meets an Englishman who legally changed his name to “ Free Cannabis.” He planted cannabis in Glastonbury’s celebrated flower displays.

A new cannabis social network caters to seniors. Jimi Hendrix is enshrined in a new line of edibles.

The great comedian Gene Wilder died. Though it did not make the connection, The Cannabist reviewed Snozzberry, an indica dominant hybrid, named for a fruit invented by Willy Wonka.

Here's the WeedWeek list of pot journalists on Twitter and the new list of cannabusiness people on Twitter. Both are works in progress. Recommendations welcome.

Want to reach a devoted audience of top cannabis professionals? Advertise in WeedWeek. Contact Adrienne Nascimento at [email protected] for details.

Happy long weekend,

Alex

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