Dozens indicted in Denver drug ring, some folks with strong opinions about Jeff Sessions' policies, UN drug office can't find weed OD, cannabis credit union catches break & more

June 28: Dozens indicted in Denver drug ring, some folks with strong opinions about Jeff Sessions' policies, UN drug office can't find weed OD, cannabis credit union catches break & more 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.]( [Massive trafficking ring in Denver area busted]( A Denver grand jury has indicted 62 people accused in a marijuana trafficking organization that reaped millions of dollars by illegally growing pot and then selling it out of state over a period of four years. Group members also allegedly engaged in financial crimes, luring former Denver Broncos tight end Joel Dreessen and other investors by telling them their operation was legal. [Federal appeals court gives Colorado marijuana credit union another chance]( A federal appeals court has breathed life into [a plan hatched in Colorado]( to open a credit union for the marijuana industry. A three-judge panel for the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday vacated a district court ruling that nixed Denver-based [Fourth Corner Credit Union's]( bid to receive a master account with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Quote of the Day “It's not an exact science. We're dealing with officers who have gotten a very minimal amount of training. They're certainly not scientists. They're certainly not experts. They're not anywhere near pharmacologists. ” [—Matthew J. Ruff, a DUI defense attorney,](on the police methods increasingly used for marijuana DUI prosecution Pushback on Sessions' agenda [Former acting AG Sally Yates: Sessions’ drug policy unjust, dangerous]( Op-ed No. 1: "While there is always room to debate the most effective approach to criminal justice, that debate should be based on facts, not fear," writes former Justice Department acting Attorney General Sally Yates, who was [fired by President Donald Trump in January](. "It’s time to move past the campaign-style rhetoric of being 'tough' or 'soft' on crime. Justice and the safety of our communities depend on it." [Sessions isn't making America safer. He might be making it more dangerous]( Op-ed No. 2: Jeff Sessions has defended this abrupt return to mandatory minimum sentences as necessary to confront the specter of rising crime, claiming "violent crime surged" while "the federal government softened its approach to drug enforcement." Don't believe it, say two legal experts, who offer plenty of stats to back up their argument. Numerology 0 That's the [number of deaths from cannabis overdose reported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)]( in the 2017 version of their World Drug Report. Check out these other stats: 183 million Estimated consumers of cannabis world-wide. 135 Number of countries reporting cannabis cultivation. [Follow this link for more global ganja numbers.]( Interview [[Other Roots: Madeline Martinez a "mover and groover" advocate, entrepreneur and grandma]( The emeritus executive director for the Oregon chapter of NORML and creator of the now-shuttered [World Famous Cannabis Cafe in Portland]( talks with The Cannabist about her long career in cannabis activism. Regional News [Nevada sales set to start Saturday with potential to (temporarily) be country's biggest market]( The marijuana industry is eager for the fast-approaching July 1 kickoff of recreational sales in Nevada, where demand from tourists is expected to eventually make the state's market bigger than other states where it's legal, including Colorado, Oregon and Washington. [Rainbow Family gathering in Oregon has clouds on horizon with fed-state marijuana conflicts]( The U.S. government has sent federal prosecutors to a “pop-up” court in eastern Oregon to process citations against people attending a massive counterculture peace gathering on national forest land that could draw up to 20,000 people. More Regional Headlines]( + [Utah patients file medical marijuana ballot initiative to bypass Legislature]( + [In Massachusetts, small group working behind closed doors to reach cannabis compromise]( + [Bay Area airport screeners accepted bribes to let through coke and weed]( #AllThingsWeed [How to safely try marijuana edibles: A guide for beginners]( Cannabis-infused foods have become a multimillion-dollar market, but eating your weed can be tricky. There’s no record of anyone dying from too much weed. But horror stories whispered by friends or shouted by New York Times columnists might scare off people who’ve never tried edibles before. Or folks who haven’t tried them since eating that special brownie in college. [Tips and tricks for planning a 420-friendly vacation]( Got a case of marijuanderlust that just won't quit? Here are some resources to help you plan your next great weedcation, from where to go to how to book cannabis-friendly lodging to what you should — and should not — bring along. [Special delivery: Postman allegedly delivered weed along with mail]( A U.S. Postal Service mail carrier is in jail after authorities discovered he was allegedly delivering a lot more than letters and magazines on his route. [Recipe: Baked bacon and egg “muffins” are a tasty twist on a breakfast burrito]( This is an easy breakfast that everyone adores. It looks like it was tons of trouble to make, but it’s a cinch. It’s really yummy with shredded Swiss cheese as well, and you can also substitute sautéed spinach for the bacon. 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](. 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