California tries another statewide dispensary measure… Cancer not linked to moderate smoking… “God is too big to worry about pot”… Cannabis Cup… and more!
LEGISLATION
HuffPost // The House of Representatives passed an amendment to the federal farm bill Thursday that would allow hemp to be grown for research purposes. One of the sponsors, Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado, waved an American flag made of hemp after the vote was announced.
East Bay Express // Senate Bill 439 passed the California Assembly Public Safety Committee this week, 5-1. It’s another attempt to better protect the state’s medical cannabis dispensaries. The bill now goes to the Assembly Health Committee.
ASA // Let cities set their own policies on cannabis, without the federal government telling them what to do. That’s the purpose of Resolution 32, to be introduced this weekend at the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Las Vegas. Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates, Oakland Mayor Jean Quan and San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy are among the eight co-sponsors.
HEALTH
SFGate // Cannabis smoking, when done in moderation, does not contribute to lung cancer, according to a review of research by a UCLA School of Medicine emeritus professor.
LA Weekly // Researchers at theMayo Clinic say that legal or not, cannabis is not good for teens. In particular, marijuana use before age 16 “has been connected to persistent cognitive damage in adolescents,” among other problems.
BUSINESS
MMJ Business Daily // A growing number of mainstream companies with such diverse products and services as home security and clothing are either adding hemp products to their lines, or actively catering to cannabis businesses.
MMJ Business Daily // One of the world’s most mainstream companies, Google, has awarded a quarter of million dollar grant to Michigan Compassion, a nonprofit organization that seeks to increase awareness of the health benefits of marijuana. It wasn’t too long ago when Google was blocking searches for products containing the word marijuana.
IN OTHER NEWS…
The Tennessean // “Our God is too big to be concerned about somebody smoking a joint, smoking cigarettes, or even drinking,” says a participant in a meeting of clergy at the American Baptist College in Nashville last week.
EVENTS
Cannabis Cup // The High Times Medical Cannabis Cup Awards will be announced Sunday at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond. There are speakers throughout the day Saturday and Sunday, with a concert Saturday night featuring Ghostface Killah, Raekwon and GZA.
CNN // Also on Sunday, CNN premieres a new series titled “Inside Man.” Each program promises “to provide an intimate look into diverse sectors of American life and offer a deep-dive into pressing issues facing the U.S.” Sunday’s premiere is devoted to the inner workings of Oakland’s Harborside Health Center. Morgan Spurlock, who made his name with the documentary “Super Size Me,” hosts.
Booksmith // Will Humboldt County benefit or perish if cannabis is ever legalized? Author Emily Brady spent about a year living in the Emerald Triangle trying to find answers to that question and others. She’s talking about her book, “Humboldt: Life on America’s Marijuana Frontier,” on Monday (06.24) at The Booksmith on Haight Street (of course!) in San Francisco, starting at 7:30 pm.
Huff Post // And in sports, it’s another win for cannabis lobbyists in this year’s baseball game against White House staffers.
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