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Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana.

Most of the international news lately has focused on Canada, and with good reason.  But it’s not only our neighbors to the north who are making news in the cannabis space.

Israel is looking to export medical marijuana while Germany is facing a lawsuit over its medical cannabis plan.  And in New Zealand, the people of Ruatoria are hoping medical marijuana can save the town.

We talked last week about the prospects for Illinois following Michigan’s lead to legalize recreational marijuana.  Now, it seems that, following Missouri and Oklahoma, Kansas might venture into the medical cannabis industry.

Several of us who bring you The Blunt Truth call the DC area home, so we follow the developments in our nation’s capital with particular interest.  Last Friday, the D.C. Department of Health published proposed rules allowing the sale of chocolate medical marijuana-infused products.  Unlike statutes, the District’s regulations are not subject to Congressional oversight, so most likely, in 30 days, these items will be available.  So soon, you’ll be able to get your cannabis, and the munchies you’ll need afterwards, all in one package.

A Word version of the new rule is available here:  Health Department of 22C DCMR Ch. 56 Ingestible Items

See you next week!

With just under four weeks until Election Day, the push to legalize medical marijuana in Utah continues to progress. After years of failed efforts in the state legislature, the issue is being presented directly to voters by way of Utah Proposition 2, the Medical Marijuana Initiative. If the referendum passes, it will legalize medical cannabis for individuals with qualifying conditions. Eligible conditions include autoimmune diseases, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and chronic pain where the patient is unable to use opiates, among several other ailments. Continue Reading Give and Toke: Utah Reaches Compromise Agreement on Proposed Medical Marijuana Policy

Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana.

The latest entry in our “politicians now supporting marijuana” category is Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX).  And no, he’s no relation to Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

The move would be a full 180 for Sessions, who has personally blocked dozens of cannabis policy amendments and bills from consideration on the floor of the House via the Rules Committee, which he chairs.

Not all government officials are in favor of legalization, however.  The former attorney general of North Dakota is actively working against the ballot initiative.

As North Dakota voters look to decide whether to approve adult-use cannabis in the state’s November general election, opposition is mounting.

Apparently, it’s not just young people using cannabis.  Older Americans are lighting up as well.

Boomers are experimenting with marijuana more than ever before.

Finally, when Canada legalized marijuana, it was only a matter of time before the National Hockey League had to issue a statement.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly says the NHL does not expect to change its rules on marijuana with the legalization of cannabis in Canada coming on Oct. 17.

California—already famous (or infamous) as a sanctuary in the immigration area—could soon become a sanctuary for medical marijuana users. A proposed bill would protect medical marijuana users from employment discrimination. Continue Reading Into the Weeds: Will California Employment Law Protect Medical Marijuana Users?

Seyfarth Synopsis: Marijuana businesses must properly label their products if they contain chemicals that can cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive health problems.  Failure to do so will result in a civil penalty or civil lawsuit.

Entrepreneurial Plaintiff’s attorneys have now set their sites on marijuana businesses.  Since January 1, 2017, Plaintiff’s firms have issued approximately 800 violation notice letters to marijuana businesses alleging that producers of cannabis infused edibles and vape cartridge manufacturers failed to warn consumers about specific fungicides and pesticides associated with their products.

California’s Proposition 65, or the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, requires cannabis business owners to provide customers with warning of the chemicals contained in their products which can cause cancer, birth defects, and other health problems.  Among the substances “known to the state of California” to cause cancer, birth defects and other health problems are marijuana smoke itself, and the chemicals myclobutanil (also a fungicide), carbaryl, and malathion, commonly-used pesticides. Continue Reading Beware: Marijuana Businesses Targeted With Product Labeling Violation Letters

We could not let 4/20, National Weed Day, pass without a post, so here is an article from the Associated Press on the history and origins of the “holiday.”