State treasurer explores “marijuana banking” ... Oregon at a standstill due to testing ... New ‘drugged driving” rules ... Meet the trimmigrants ... Cannabis and Cabernet considered ... and more.
LEGISLATION
State Treasurer explores “marijuana banking” // abc10
"Of primary concern to my office are the limits federal rules place on the cannabis industry’s ability to effectively participate in the state and nation’s banking system," [California Treasurer John] Chiang wrote in a letter...”.
How will California reap taxes on legal marijuana? // abcnews.go.com
"‘It's just going to be the wild, wild West out there,’ predicted Jerome Horton, who sits on the state's tax-collecting Board of Equalization.”
Mendocino voters say no to cannabis measure // Ukiahdailyjournal
“ The grower-sponsored ballot initiative to regulate the county’s marijuana industry, lost by a 24 percentage-point margin.”
Pesticide testing strangling Oregon pot businesses // Oregonlive/The Oregonian
“Within months of Oregon's full recreational marijuana market coming online, the industry has come to a standstill with low supplies and big price jumps for consumers.”
COPS & COURTS
"Pot POW" Lepp released under Prop. 64 // Mercury News
"Charles “Eddy” Lepp, a frail but outspoken 64-year-old Vietnam vet and ordained Rastafarian minister, was convicted in 2007 in federal court for doing something that the state now calls legal: growing marijuana.
"Supporters revere him as a 'Pot POW' in the war against drugs, a hero who paid dearly in the fight for rights that many now enjoy."
DUI applies to pot, other drugs // finance.yahoo.com
“Drunk driving” isn’t what it used to be.
“Multiple studies show that with increasingly larger doses of THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, in the blood, drivers tend to weave in and out of lanes more, react slower to traffic lights and unexpected obstacles, and are less aware of their speed and surroundings in general.” And that can get you arrested.
Assemblyman introduces "drugged driving" bill // The Sun News
The tests would use saliva samples. "A similar bill last year did not make it to the governor’s desk amid concerns that field testing devices are not dependable."
BUSINESS
The people behind those expertly trimmed buds at the dispensaries // SFChroncle
“If John Steinbeck were alive, he’d probably add a chapter about the trimmigrants to his epic novel, 'The Grapes of Wrath.' Indeed, the Joad family who flees the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma for sunny California would recognize them as kinfolk.”
Dispensaries helping Oakland fire victims // Culture Magazine
Two locations "are collecting money to support victims and families of the victims of the [Ghost Ship artist compound] fires, and also taking clothing, food, toiletries, and other simple human essentials, to help provide the injured, the displaced and survivors with clothing, blankets, food and canned goods."
Wineries consider joint ventures with cannabis field // Press Democrat
“Vintners are still excited about joint marketing ventures with cannabis, particularly as a recent Gallup survey found 13 percent of Americans use marijuana.” An attorney says “she has received calls this year from winery clients interested in the ideas and issues that legal cannabis presents.”
HEALTH
Warriors coach expands views on cannabis for pain // Culture Magazine
While Steve Kerr, coach of the Golden State Warriors, admits he’s no expert on cannabis, he “was quick to give his opinion on how cannabis could help athletes. ‘But I do know this: if you’re an NFL player, in particular, and you’ve got a lot of pain, I don’t think there is any question that pot is better for your body than Vicodin.'”
Increase in older smokers // Daily Democrat
There are plenty of studies on the effects of cannabis use on young users, but not much on older users, which is a growing segment.
EVENT
Emerald Cup expects thousands, adds new rules // SFGate.com
“Now in its 13th year and breaking records for entries and attendance, [The Emerald Cup,] the state’s biggest pot celebration since the general election is enticing a bumper crop of new guests.” So many new attendees are expected this weekend that the Sonoma County Fairgrounds site insists that only “low-dose” edibles be offered as samples.
[New content is generally posted on Friday.]
