Justice Dept. blocks DEA research ... Brave bank serves cannabis industry ... Tiger Woods, Teen Vogue, music and more
COPS & COURTS
U.S. District Court stops federal prosecution of Humboldt growers // L.A. Weekly
Citing the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment, and the fact that the growers were in compliance with state laws, the court “stayed the prosecution, so the case is closed.”
Liquor distributors monopoly upheld // SF Chronicle
“For now, Nevada marijuana regulators won't be able to issue pot distribution licenses to businesses other than liquor wholesalers after all. ... The ruling comes a day after the Nevada Department of Taxation decided on Thursday to open up the market in order to meet demand since legal recreational marijuana sales started July 1.” [See related story in Business.]
Justice Dept. backtracks on research // MAPS, via Washington Post
“The Justice Department under Attorney General Jeff Sessions has effectively blocked the Drug Enforcement Administration from taking action on more than two dozen requests to grow marijuana to use in research, one of a number of areas in which the anti-drug agency is at odds with the Trump administration, U.S. officials familiar with the matter said.”
BUSINESS
A bank brave enough to service cannabis businesses // Leafly.com
“While most major US banks have steered clear of cannabis companies due to convoluted rules around working with the still-federally-illegal industry, First Green Bank has more than just a commercial connection to cannabis.”
Nevada’s “green rush” hampered by lack of product // Reno News & Gazette
“A shortage of businesses able to deliver product to dispensaries has stunted the market, leaving dispensaries with a product selection that's been reduced by more than half, the report [from the Nevada Department of Taxation] said.”
HEALTH
NIH study examines cannabis as weapon in opioid crisis // pharmiweb.com
“The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System a five-year, $3.8 million grant for the first long-term study to test whether medical marijuana reduces opioid use among adults with chronic pain, including those with HIV.”
EVENT
Special Alameda council meeting to address marijuana // East Bay Times
“Mayor Trish Spencer and City Coucilman Jim Oddie are calling the Aug. 20 meeting, which also has been noticed as a special council meeting.”
Find details above by clicking the headline.
OPINION
How to end the cannabis black market: full legalization // Denver Post
“Most importantly, federal law must legalize marijuana so that marijuana businesses can access the legal banking sector and comply with federal tax codes without putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage.”
Tiger Woods and THC // ESPN
“Golf star Tiger Woods had Vicodin, Dilaudid, Xanax, Ambien and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in his system when he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in May, according to a toxicology report released Monday.”
And the guest in this short video says the emphasis on THC “is wrong” when the nation is in an over-the-counter pain medication crisis.
IN OTHER NEWS....
Teen Vogue debunks marijuana myths // Teen Vogue
“As more states pass medical and recreational cannabis policy, it’s important to separate fact from fiction to be well-informed consumers. Even if you don’t consume cannabis, chances are you already know someone who does.”
“Little Too Stoned” // Alex Williams
NPR Music says the new Alex Williams album has “phenomenal performances.” Rolling Stone says “his twang-soaked debut hit is a candidate for country’s greatest stoner jam ever.” Click on the link above to see if you agree.
[New content is posted on Fridays.]