Untenable conflict between feds and legal states, decriminalization in Israel, vets connect using cannabis, microdosing in your fitness routine & more

Mar. 3: Untenable conflict between feds and legal states, decriminalization in Israel, vets connect using cannabis, microdosing in your fitness routine & more The Cannabist]( [thecannabist.co]( | [@cannabist]( | [fb/cannabist]( [‘Something’s going to have to give’: An untenable conflict between feds, legalized states]( Legal weed is at a crossroads. While some cannabis legalization proponents claim their movement has grown too big to fail, it has also proved too significant for the federal government to ignore. The Trump administration is mulling its approach to the state-regulated systems that conflict with federal law. Amid a time of unknowns surrounding federal marijuana policy, one thing is certain: The status quo is no longer sustainable. State-legal marijuana is a multibillion-dollar business with varied regulations and no firm banking and taxation rules. Regulated sales of cannabis have trended favorably among the American public, but high-ranking federal officials have questioned the effects legal marijuana programs have on public health and safety. “This whole situation is untenable,” says Zachary Bolitho, a former federal prosecutor and current law professor. “It cannot continue the way that it is.” --------------------------------------------------------------- SUBSCRIBE: Did you catch this newsletter on the web or get it via a friend? [Click here to get these updates in your inbox](. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Colorado looks to ban co-op marijuana grows to block black market]( Colorado may ban collective marijuana growing under a bill that calls some patient-owned marijuana grows a “public nuisance.” A bill up for its first hearing in a House committee Monday would ban co-op pot growing by setting a statewide limit of 12 marijuana plants per residential property. The change would effectively force some medical marijuana patients to buy from a licensed grower instead of growing their own plants. [Israel cabinet approves marijuana decriminalization]( The Israeli government has taken a step toward decriminalizing marijuana use. Israeli media say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet has approved a measure that would reduce penalties for possession of marijuana. If caught, smokers would pay a fine, instead of facing criminal charges. Netanyahu said ahead of Sunday’s meeting that a “new enforcement policy” should be drawn up “cautiously and in a controlled manner.” [Weed for Warriors: California cannabis growers help vets connect and heal]( An average of 20 veterans in the United States commit suicide every day, according to a U.S. Veteran’s Association report in 2016. Iraq War veteran and Arcata resident Art Gutierrez, 31, had met three friends while in service who would eventually become part of this troubling statistic. He came close to being part of it as well after falling into a pattern of depression and painkiller addiction after his service ended in 2010. Gutierrez said what prevented him from taking his life was rediscovering the camaraderie with his brothers and sisters in arms through cannabis as part of the Weed for Warriors Project. “I chose not to use pharmaceuticals,” Gutierrez said. “There was a relief that came from cannabis, a spiritual relief that happened over time.” [Maryland eyes recreational marijuana bill while still embroiled over medical cannabis program]( Legalization of recreational marijuana is getting a full airing in the Maryland legislature this week, even as the main proponents of allowing adults to legally smoke pot acknowledge there’s little chance of passage this year. Lawmakers and advocates pushing to authorize sales of the drug for general use believe that a robust debate this year will put them in a good position for next year’s legislative session, when they are planning an all-out effort to get the Democratic-majority General Assembly to either legalize the drug or approve putting the issue to voters as a ballot question. The legislature is also wrestling with several bills relating to Maryland’s sputtering medical marijuana program. [Complete guide to federal marijuana bills, Congressional Cannabis Caucus]( There may be uncertainty in regards to cannabis on the federal stage, but some U.S. lawmakers are trying to keep the legislative gears churning. As part of that effort, a bipartisan quartet of congressmen in February launched the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, a group formed to develop a united front to further congressional action on cannabis. Here’s your go-to guide for the cannabis bills before the 115th U.S. Congress, including medical measures and a proposal to end federal marijuana prohibition, plus a current listing of the Cannabis Caucus members. [Judge allows hundreds of disputed Humboldt County marijuana biz permits to be considered]( A Humboldt County judge has denied a petition for an enforcement order against the county, sparing hundreds of cannabis business permit applications from possible invalidation. Superior Court Judge Christopher G. Wilson wrote in his ruling that he found it ironic that the petition used environmental protection arguments to prevent the county from permitting these businesses. "The court interprets this ordinance as intending to bringing in as many of those unlawful operations 'out of the cold' so as to mitigate the environmental damage suggested by these operations," he wrote. [Medical marijuana could help combat opioid epidemic]( After a 12-year battle with debilitating abdominal conditions that forced her to stop working, marijuana has helped Lynn Sabulski feel well enough to look for a job. Sabulski is among nearly 14,000 patients in New York state who are certified to use medical marijuana for one of 10 conditions. Marijuana doesn’t address her underlying disease, but it does relieve her painful symptoms. Nationwide, an estimated 1.4 million patients in 28 states and the District of Columbia use legal medical marijuana for a varying list of conditions. In the midst of an opioid crisis, some medical practitioners and researchers say they think that greater use of marijuana for pain relief could result in fewer people using the highly addictive prescription painkillers that led to the epidemic. [Can microdosing enhance your fitness routine?]( Cross trainers? Check. Water bottle? Check. Headphones? Check. Tincture? Shoot. Of all the things to forget. The bitter winter wind whips my already-frozen cheeks, as I turn tail and trudge back to the end of the parking lot to fetch the little amber bottle from my trunk. It’s bro-dude rush hour at my gym and I just want to get my workout over with, but the walk is worth it – over the past 10 days, cannabis has become the most essential support element of my fitness routine. [State of Montana replies to court case over definition of “usable marijuana”]( The state of Montana argues a Billings medical marijuana cardholder charged with possessing more than an ounce of undried marijuana can appeal a pre-trial ruling after the District Court case is decided. Wayne Steven Penning sought to have the charge dismissed, arguing that humid marijuana does not fall under the state's definition of usable marijuana and is not subject to the one-ounce possession limit. [Missouri men arrested for "bootlegging" 55 pounds of marijuana get five years probation]( Two Missouri men caught driving a rental car with 55 pounds of marijuana in Wyoming last year have been sentenced to five years of probation. Both were sentenced to probation last week with underlying prison terms of four to five years. Court documents say a trooper became suspicious of the 31-year-old men after stopping them in Cheyenne for driving too close to another vehicle. Both men approved of a search of their vehicle and a K-9 helped locate the 55-pound bag of pot. [Food & Weed: Julie Berliner believes in the hidden power of cooking]( Most of what Julie Berliner learned about cooking came from her father, who lived in France as a teenager. From basic kitchen techniques, to sauces to simple recipes, he showed his daughter how to wield the tools that later would define her life as an award-winning edibles baker in Colorado. “His love and passion for food and the way it brought people together, that’s inspirational to me, and it’s the reason I love cooking,” said Berliner, adding that it was her grandmother who taught her father these core values in the first place. Now, the 30-year-old takes those same principles and applies them to her marijuana bakery, Sweet Grass Kitchen. [Cherry Diesel (marijuana review)]( Our critic Sohum Shah writes: “One of my favorite things about the cannabis plant is the diversity of effects we can experience by consuming different strains. Some varieties are good for ending a long day just chilling on the couch watching TV. Others are more energetic or mentally stimulating and are a good precursor to doing something physical or creative. Personally, I enjoy playing with different strains and activities to find what works best for me.” Read how Shah put this philosophy to the test as he smokes Cherry Diesel live on Facebook and then attends “Puff, Pass & Pottery.” --------------------------------------------------------------- You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up at The Denver Post. Please add "members@mail.denverpost.com" and "members@direct.denverpost.com" to your trusted senders list. To unsubscribe from this mailing, [click here.]( To change your e-mail preferences, [click here](. To view this newsletter on the web [click here.]( The Denver Post 101 West Colfax Ave. Denver, CO 80202