Federal marijuana decriminalization and industry regulation bills introduced, exclusive interview with Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper, Argentina legalizes MMJ, 420 Games return, dabbing distillates & more

March 31: Federal marijuana decriminalization and industry regulation bills introduced, exclusive interview with Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper, Argentina legalizes MMJ, 420 Games return, dabbing distillates & more The Cannabist]( [thecannabist.co]( | [@cannabist]( | [fb/cannabist]( If someone forwarded this to you and you'd like to sign up yourself, just go here: [(. To view this on the web or share a link, [click here.]( [Bipartisan “Path to Marijuana Reform” bills introduced to federally decriminalize, protect, regulate cannabis industry]( U.S. lawmakers have introduced a package of marijuana reform bills aimed at protecting and preserving existing state-based programs while creating a framework for the federal regulation of cannabis. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, announced the “Path to Marijuana Reform,” a bipartisan package of related bills that address issues such as decriminalization for the industry as well as taxation, banking, civil forfeiture, descheduling, research, individual protections and regulation. “This is the most comprehensive package that’s (yet) been advanced,” Blumenauer told The Cannabist. As part of that federal bills package: [Colorado Rep. Polis introduces legislation to decriminalize marijuana and regulate like alcohol]( Colorado Rep. Jared Polis has introduced the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, which would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act. The bill would allow for the federally legal existence of state-based marijuana programs without opening the door for interstate commerce. The bill is similar in format to a measure Polis introduced in 2015. + [List: Get the full scope of federal marijuana legislation introduced this session.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Quote of the Day "I would argue to the attorney general (Jeff Sessions) that the country has potential benefit to be able to see this experiment through to a natural conclusion." [— Colorado Gov. John W. Hickenlooper]( [Exclusive: Here’s how Colorado's governor really feels about marijuana]( In 2012, when Colorado voters wanted their state to legalize weed for adult recreational use, Gov. John Hickenlooper became an extremely reluctant figurehead and participant in one of the most unique social and political experiments in recent years. Nearly five years after that historic vote and a little more than three years since the regulated adult-use sales began, that experiment is ongoing and Colorado’s regulations are evolving. The Cannabist sits down with Hickenlooper to talk about AG Jeff Sessions and federal enforcement, state pot clubs legislation, being the parent of a teen, and much more. [Prosecuting pot: Nation’s DAs seek consensus]( With legal marijuana taking root across the United States, a collective of the nation’s prosecutors is aiming to find consensus. The National District Attorneys Association has a 27-member internal working group devoted to cannabis-related issues and is expected to announce its policy position next month. The Cannabist spoke with two members who have widely-differing backgrounds: one opposed a 2016 statewide initiative to legalize medical marijuana in his state and another who has witnessed the evolution of some of the nation’s first recreational marijuana laws. Lifestyle [420 Games are about defying the "lazy stoner" stereotype, says creator]( The 420 Games are returning to Santa Monica, California, with a couple thousand people expected to pack the pier on April 1 for a race and festival that follows. It's undoubtedly a light event, with runners known to wear weed-themed costumes. But creator [Jim McAlpine, a ski industry executive]( from the Bay Area, says the 420 Games are also focused on spreading some serious messages about defying the "lazy stoner" stereotype while celebrating the [benefits of marrying cannabis and fitness](. [Three questions every cannabis investor should ask before investing]( Cannabis industry investors are a passionate group. Many are willing to take the risk that comes with investing in companies mostly described as speculative. Plus, the overhang of being in a federally illegal industry affects every decision an investor in this group faces. Before committing your hard-earned dollars in this group, you must ask yourself three important questions. Regional News [Argentina legalizes medical cannabis, creates research program with free access]( Argentina's Senate has given final legislative approval to a bill legalizing the use of cannabis oil and other marijuana derivatives for medicinal purposes, and setting up a regulatory framework for prescribing and distributing them to patients. ["Cannabis is what's kept her alive all this time": Parents push to allow medical cannabis in Washington schools]( Meagan Holt sat in the front row of a committee hearing earlier this week holding her 4-year-old daughter Maddie in one arm and a syringe filled with cannabis oil in the other. "Cannabis is what's kept her alive all this time," Holt said. "She isn't supposed to be here." Maddie was born blind, deaf and has many health complications from a rare terminal disease called Zellweger Syndrome. Holt is advocating for legislation that would allow a parent or guardian to administer medical marijuana to a child while at school. [Tennessee gov defers to legislature on preventing cities from reducing marijuana punishment]( As some states and cities around the nation look to ease criminal punishment for marijuana possession, Tennessee’s conservative Republican legislature is blocking that trend in Nashville and Memphis. As a result, police in those cities could soon lose their option of giving minor citations for carrying small amounts of marijuana. GOP Gov. Bill Haslam is deferring to the legislature. [West Virginia Senate votes to create medical marijuana system]( West Virginia's Senate has voted to legalize the use of marijuana to treat certain medical conditions. The bill, approved 28-6, now goes to the House for possible consideration. It would establish a state commission to issue ID cards to patients and caregivers and consider the drug's use for several chronic or debilitating conditions. It would also license growers, processors and dispensaries for cannabis products including food, tinctures, aerosols, oils or ointments. [Despite 40 amendments, North Dakota medical marijuana backers say proposed regs are flawed]( Backers of a successful North Dakota medical marijuana ballot initiative aren't happy with new rules governing its use, despite a major rewrite by lawmakers. [Fargo financial planner Rilie Ray Morgan headed the initiative campaign]( and said another citizen initiative is still possible if the current bill stands. A big sticking point is restrictions on patients smoking marijuana. [Maine looks at reversing policy that removes people from organ transplant list if they use marijuana]( State lawmakers in Maine are weighing a proposal that would prevent hospitals from removing people from organ transplant wait lists for using medical marijuana. Garry Godfrey, who suffers from a hereditary disease that causes kidney failure, was taken off the kidney transplant registry in 2012 for using medical marijuana as a pain reliever. #AllThingsWeed [Energy use by cannabis industry declining with increased efficiency, outdoor grows]( Power suppliers from California to Maine were expecting a little buzz of their own from newly legitimate pot farmers. After all, a 5,000-square-foot warehouse filled with hydroponic growing systems can draw five times the electricity of a typical industrial user. But after an initial jolt in electricity use, when Western states began legalizing marijuana cultivation and sales, demand has fallen off in some areas. Get the inside story on why that's happening. [Why sling pizza when you can sling weed? Denver restaurants face labor competition]( It’s hard to think of an American city that isn’t experiencing a restaurant boom these days, including Denver. However, the city is facing a major problem as a result of one of its biggest recent tourism drivers: recreational marijuana. The state's cannabis industry is taking a toll on local restaurant work forces. [Cannabist Show: He runs Julian Marley’s marijuana biz; He dabs distillates]( Settle into your sofa and enjoy the latest episode of the Cannabist Show with this week's guests: JuJu Royal CEO Travis Belcher and Jim Biviano, founder of concentrates maker Ascend Industries. They're talking about getting into the nitty gritty of strain genetics, expanding cannabis to Puerto Rico, dabbing distillates and where the concentrates craze could take the industry next. 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