LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN
Anti-drug coalition funded by Purdue Pharma opposes the CAOA
The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) is asking supporters to write to Senators to oppose the recently introduced Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act on the basis that the legislation doesn’t cap THC levels on products or require packaging to include warning labels, among other issues.
“Research on marijuana shows that it is contraindicated for fetal and adolescent brain development and is linked to attention, memory, motivation and learning problems in youth,” says the organization’s website, citing the opioid epidemic’s ongoing challenges. “Marijuana use is also linked to negative health and societal outcomes, such as increased workplace injuries, increased fatal car accidents, physical ailments, and serious mental health issues.”
Dr. Peter Greenspoon, a well-known cannabis advocate, noted that the organization is supported by a long list of corporate sponsors, including pharmaceutical companies such as Purdue Pharma, which paid out USD $6 billion in settlements for its role in the opioid crisis. Other sponsors include banks, consulting firms and the NFL.
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DANK BILL
DANK Cannabis Research bill introduced
The bipartisan research bill, Developing and Nationalizing Key Cannabis Research Act, doesn’t use the acronym DANK in its full text, according to Marijuana Moment—but it’s still funny to wonder if Reps. Scott Peters (D-CA) and Dave Joyce (R-OH) knowingly nodded to cannabis lingo when they filed the bill last Wednesday.
At any rate, the act would allow universities to study cannabis with federal grant money, whether cannabis is federally legal or not.
It would also instruct the National Institutes on Health (NIH) to work collaboratively with agencies like the CDC and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to create “a national cannabis research agenda that addresses key questions and gaps in evidence.”
CUTTHROAT CANNABIS
John Boehner lawsuit reveals the ‘cutthroat’ atmosphere in DC cannabis advocacy
This past spring, a lawsuit filed against James Boehner, the former speaker of the US House of Representatives by Washington lobbyist James Pericola shows just how ‘cutthroat’ the DC cannabis landscape is, reports Politico.
Pericola alleges:
- Boehner stole the lobbyist’s talking points and strategy
- Started his own advocacy group that was nearly identical to his own
According to Boehner:
- Pericola’s talking points and strategy are obvious, such as the economic boost cannabis reform would have, or the therapeutic benefits of cannabis
- For that reason, they can’t be considered intellectual property
The lawsuit also shows Boehner’s dramatic shift from “drug warrior” to an advisor for Acreage Holdings—where Pericola alleges his talking points were remarkably similar to those his team had shared with the former elected official.
CBD SAFE
Scientists advise Health Canada that CBD is ‘safe and tolerable’
A panel of researchers have deemed cannabidiol (CBD) is “safe and tolerable,” and should be available without medical authorization from a healthcare provider, reports MJBizDaily.
Health Canada asked researchers to evaluate CBD’s safety three years ago to help inform whether or not products containing the non-impairing cannabinoid should be available in unlicensed, mainstream retail stores.
While it’s unclear if Health Canada will change the way CBD products are regulated in response to the report, sellers are hopeful. “Anywhere that sells vitamins, we’re excited to be able to sell CBD in those environments,” said Paul Pedersen, CEO of Vancouver, British Columbia-based Nextleaf.
