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Crosscurrents

Cannabis News Roundup: Oakland moves to aid former "pot prisoners"

Darris Harris Frisby / Drug Policy Alliance. Used under CC BY / Cropped (Modifications allowed)

Oakland passes War on Drugs equity program ... Oakland’s past mayor wants to open a dispensary ... Breast milk and cannabis studied ... and more. 

LEGISLATION

State cannabis advisory committee applications due next week // bmmr@dca.ca.gov

“The Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation (BMCR) ... announced March 17 as the final filing date for those wishing to submit an application to serve on the Cannabis Advisory Committee.

“The committee will advise BMCR and the other licensing authorities – the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the California Department of Public Health – on the development of cannabis regulations that protect public health and safety while ensuring a regulated market that helps reduce the illicit market for cannabis.

“For additional information about BMCR, or to subscribe to email alerts to hear about updates as they become available, please visit our website - http://www.bmcr.ca.gov/.”

Oakland first in the nation with “equity program” // East Bay Times

“Newly released city data shows over the past two decades African Americans have been arrested for pot at a disproportionate rate compared to white residents, even though the two groups make up a similar percentage of the population.

“With those stats from the City of Oakland Race and Equity department in hand, City Council voted unanimously to overhaul the nation’s first equity program to set aside 50 percent of medical marijuana and cannabis business permits for people affected by the War on Drugs.”

High approval for Los Angeles marijuana licensing measure // L.A.Weekly

The measure overturns an existing rule that “essentially outlawed pot shops” and puts the city in compliance with the state Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MCRSA).

COPS & COURTS

Is A.G. Sessions doing a good cop/bad cop routine? // Politico.com

“Sessions has rattled both libertarians and liberals in ordering a review of the hands-off pot policy under President Barack Obama. But Sessions provided some private assurances to senators before he was confirmed that he was not considering a major shift in enforcement, despite his opposition to the use of marijuana.”

Senator Rand Paul believes he’ll “have some respect for states’ rights on these things.”

UC-Davis avoids cannabis research // The Davis Enterprise

If the school is “the No. 1 agricultural school in the nation,” one might think they’d look into cannabis after passage of Prop. 64. But one would be wrong. That’s because the plant is still a Schedule 1 drug under federal law, so UC-Davis is staying away.

What to expect if you’re stopped for drugged driving // The Cannifornian

“Driving while high isn’t new. But since Prop. 64 legalized cannabis last November, CHP officers are seeing — and testing — more impaired drivers, although there are no numbers yet to confirm how many more.

“If you’re pulled over, what can you expect?” Read on for answers.

Dispensary raided in So. Cal. // MynewsLA.com

The dispensary, in Corona, CA, “was allegedly selling cannabis products — in violation of the municipal code, which strictly prohibits dispensaries of any kind.”

“The California Supreme Court ruled four years ago that local jurisdictions have the authority to regulate or restrict commercial cannabis activity.”

BUSINESS

Dispensary hearing shouted down in San Francisco neighborhood // SFChronicle.com

Oakland’s former mayor, Jean Quan, and her physician husband, Floyd Huen, would like to open a marijuana dispensary in San Francisco’s Sunset district. But last week’s overflow crowd didn’t want to hear about it.

Breitbart report: Expect 300,000 new jobs through cannabis // Breitbart.com

“A cannabis industry research and lobbying consultant is using Obama administration Department of Labor research to claim that legally supplying medical and recreational pot will lead American job growth, with a gain of 300,000 jobs over the next three years.”

HEALTH

Study to examine breastfeeding and marijuana use // The Denver Channel

“The study is being conducted by Dr. Thomas Hale and his team at the Infant Risk Center at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Hale’s past research includes the effects of medications on a mother's milk - from aspirin to cancer medications.”

Patrick Stewart likes his cannabis spray // esquire.co.uk

The seasoned actor says of aging: “’[M]y main problem is my hands don't work very well. But thanks to cannabis they work much better than they used to. Thanks to the law in California now, it's just a spray that I put on.”

IN OTHER NEWS....    

The news never takes a break, but I do. That means there will be no CNR next week (3/17). But expect things to be back on schedule for March 24.  Thank you for staying informed. 

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Crosscurrents OaklandUC-Davis