A Look Ahead To Likely 2018 Marijuana Victories (Newsletter: Dec. 27. 2017)

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Mexico to legalize cannabis edibles in 2018; HI adds ALS as MMj condition; ONDCP chief of staff fired

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

100% of Oregon marijuana retailers passed a sting operation and refused to sell cannabis to underage minors.

Mexico’s health regulator said the country will legalize sales of marijuana-based medicines, foods, drinks, cosmetics and other products early in 2018.

/ FEDERAL

The acting chief of staff and general counsel at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy was suddenly dismissed.

Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) made one more last-minute unsuccessful attempt to insert a fix to the 280E penalty on marijuana businesses into the tax reform bill. Congressman Ken Buck (R-CO), who is a cosponsor of a standalone 280E reform bill,  spoke up against adding it to the broader tax bill because he sees it as a “poison pill.”

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) said that “federal marijuana policy is an issue where the government is light years behind the times.”

Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) tweeted that “we must continue the fight to modernize our nation’s marijuana policies.”

Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted that expungement programs are an “important step in repairing the damage of past marijuana convictions.”

/ STATES

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) signed into a law a bill allowing expungement of criminal records for possession of marijuana with the intent to sell up to one ounce.

Maine lawmakers will hold a hearing on marijuana legalization implementation legislation on January 5.

Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D) did not include any funding for the state’s industrial hemp licensing program in his budget request, putting its future in jeopardy.

Colorado officials published a journal article on “lessons learned after three years of legalized, recreational marijuana.”

Oregon regulators voted to make changes to marijuana rules to implement approved legislation. They also released updated guidance on pesticide usage.

Hawaii regulators added Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis as a medical cannabis qualifying condition but rejected a petition to add general anxiety disorder.

Alaska regulators are concerned about potential inaccuracies in marijuana potency testing.

A Washington State representative prefiled a bill to earmark some marijuana tax revenue to pay for legal services for indigent defendants.

Ohio regulators released a list of medical cannabis processor business license applicants.

New Hampshire lawmakers prefiled legislation to create a medical cannabis oversight board.

A South Carolina senator discussed his recently filed resolution calling on the federal government to remove barriers to marijuana research.

A Guam senator says a bill to implement medical cannabis regulations is almost complete.

/ LOCAL

Travis County, Texas commissioners approved a proposal to allow people to avoid criminal charges for marijuana possession by taking a diversion program.

The Los Angeles, California City Attorney’s Office is concerned that a proposed public bank to serve the marijuana industry could violate federal laws.

New data shows continued racial disparities in St. Louis, Missouri marijuana enforcement.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The Canadian government is shooting down rumors of a possible delay in its marijuana legalization implementation timeline.

Lawmakers in Portugal will introduce marijuana legalization and medical cannabis legislation in early 2018.

Austria’s new government plans to ban the sale of hemp plants and seeds.

/ ADVOCACY

Longtime activist Dana Beal was arrested again for allegedly transporting large quantities of marijuana.

/ OPINION & ANALYSIS

Utah adults support a proposed medical cannabis ballot measure, 73%-23%.

A poll found that Michigan Republican primary voters oppose legalizing marijuana for adults over 18, 59%-25%.

The San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board is concerned that California still hasn’t solved the marijuana industry’s banking access issues.

The Bismarck Tribune editorial board is criticizing North Dakota regulators for delays in medical cannabis implementation.

/ BUSINESS

Nevada retailers sold $37.9 million worth of recreational marijuana products in October.

MassRoots is at risk of being evicted from its office over owed rent. (Disclosure: I am a former employee and minority shareholder.)

/ CULTURE

HBO released a new trailer for season 2 of “High Maintenance.”