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Here's the news:
President Trump called Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte to praise Duterte’s war on drugs. “I just wanted to congratulate you because I am hearing of the unbelievable job on the drug problem,” Trump told Duterte, according to a transcript obtained by The Intercept. Duterte has attracted international condemnation for the conflict's thousands of extrajudicial killings.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) vetoed the REC bill that had passed the legislature. Scott sent it back with concerns about road safety and access for kids. A revised bill could pass during next month’s session. If so, Vermont would be the first state to legalize REC through the legislature. The Burlington Free Press explains.
On Twitter, anti-legalization activist Kevin Sabet claimed some of the credit for the veto.
U.S. House majority leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) apologized to pro-cannabis Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) after a 2016 recording caught McCarthy saying he thinks Russian president Vladimir Putin pays Rohrabacher and then candidate Donald Trump. Rohrabacher denied accepting money from Putin.
Canada wants to maintain the “spirit” of its international treaty commitments, while legalizing REC, which violates the letter of those commitments.
The L.A. Times looks at how states are moving to protect their cannabis industries in the event of a federal crackdown. The paper also learns that product testing in California is likely to be delayed by months.
Trump’s proposed budget included massive cuts to most discretionary programs, but not the drug czar’s office, despite earlier threats. Lawmakers worried that zero-ing out the office would exacerbate the opioid crisis.
Boston mayor and legalization opponent Marty Walsh (D), blasted the suburbs that have banned pot shops. "If they voted for it, they should have a pot shop in their neighborhood, they shouldn't have to drive to Boston for it," he said.
Cleveland is reconsidering its ban on MED grows.
Both houses of Oregon’s legislature have voted to strengthen MED tracking rules in a bid to keep U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions at bay.
Miami New Times discovers that the Miami city attorney who compared MED to pedophilia has a history of sexual harassment.
After the state legislature couldn’t reach a deal, the Florida Health department released a framework for MED regulation. In other news, Gov. Rick Scott (R) vetoed a much debated bill that would allow liquor sales at Wal-Mart and other big box stores.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) vetoed industrial hemp growing. In addition, a state study contradicted Ducey’s assertion that legalizing REC last year would have drained state coffers.
It’s hard to be a MED activist in Utah.
Conservative veterans group The American Legion wants the Trump administration to reschedule cannabis to enable medical research.
Embattled Trump advisor Roger Stone will be a keynote speaker at a cannabis conference in New York. Stone tweeted: “I will reveal my plans to convince @realDonaldTrump to reaffirm his support for State’s Rights when it comes to marijuana on June 16.” (The conference declined to comment to WeedWeek on whether it was paying Stone. Stone did not respond to a Twitter message.)
An essay in the Wall Street Journal argues that the return of federalism -- states' rights -- on the left is good for America.
Under new president Emmanuel Macron, France is moving towards decriminalization.
Home growing MED is increasingly popular in Chile, a country considered one of the most conservative in South America. MED is also available in some Santiago pharmacies.
A leftist political party in Malta wants to legalize cannabis and decriminalize all drugs.