FEDERAL
It’s a big topic on PBS radio this morning
Marijuana enforcement policy to be reviewed by Justice Department
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/marijuana-enforcement-policy-to-be-reviewed-by-justice-department/
A task crime reduction task force created by Attorney General Jeff Sessions will review how the Department of Justice enforces marijuana laws, among other things, according to a memo Sessions issued Wednesdays to 94 U.S. attorneys.
The new Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety will “review existing policies in the areas of charging, sentencing, and marijuana to ensure consistency with the department’s overall strategy on reducing violent crime and with administration goals and priorities,” according to the memo obtained by CBS News’ Paula Reid.
ARKANSAS
Arkansas Governor Signs Another Batch of Medical Marijuana Bills
CALIFORNIA
Gov. Brown proposes fix for conflicts in California’s cannabis laws
Gov. Jerry Brown has made his wishes clear: He wants the conflicts between California’s medical and recreational cannabis laws resolved by the end of the year.
On Tuesday night his office published a 92-page document offering up recommendations for how to settle key differences in laws regulating both segments of the industry, with the governor choosing sides on everything from how many licenses marijuana business owners can hold to how weed should be distributed statewide.
The proposals were included in a trailer bill to Brown’s 2017-18 budget. The Legislature will vote on whether those proposals become law, before they ultimately head back to Brown for final approval.
More At Link Above
ILLINOIS
A federal judge from the U.S. Northern District of Illinois recently ruled that an Illinois state law banning (i) medical cannabis cultivation centers and dispensaries from making campaign contributions to any political committee established to promote a candidate for public office, and (ii) candidates and political committees from receiving such contributions, violated the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The court took the position that because the law singles out medical cannabis organizations, it is another way of restricting or discriminating against content of speech or a particular viewpoint.