Lawsuit claims DOJ tapping IRS to investigate Colorado marijuana industry, thoughts on a legalization reboot, a million-dollar bribe, tiny town brimming with weed shops, smuggler extradited after decades on run, another yacht bust & more

Sept. 1: Lawsuit claims DOJ tapping IRS to investigate Colorado marijuana industry, thoughts on a legalization reboot, a million-dollar bribe, tiny town brimming with weed shops, smuggler extradited after decades on run, another yacht bust & 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.]( Programming note: The newsletter won't run on Labor Day; it will return Tuesday, Sept. 5. [DOJ is secretly using IRS to investigate Colorado marijuana businesses, lawsuit says]( The U.S. Department of Justice is secretly using the Internal Revenue Service to conduct criminal investigations into otherwise legitimate marijuana businesses in Colorado under the guise of tax audits, lawyers for the companies say in an ongoing federal lawsuit. In recent court filings, lawyers for the companies allege a deeper conspiracy involving at least three federal agencies, and they claim the Drug Enforcement Administration has trained tax agents on how to investigate drug operations. [Learn from Colorado’s mistakes, says former cannabis czar]( If he had to do it all over again, Colorado’s former marijuana czar would approach adult-use legalization by gathering loads more data, taking a calculated approach to edibles and including an even greater cohort of public health voices. Policy consultant Andrew Freedman, speaking at this week's National Cannabis Summit in Denver, dived into home grows, tax revenue spending and why building data is so critical. [Could Trump’s threat get his border wall built?]( President Donald Trump is threatening a government shutdown unless he gets Congress to pony up cash for his border wall with Mexico. But he will need a few Senate Democrats to go along, and even those in red states the president won aren’t budging. Quote of the Day “No one should be afraid to do research on medical cannabis. ... I don’t think anybody’s waving pompoms for cannabis research over at (the Justice Department).” —Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, on a federal budget amendment he has proposed that would [handcuff the DOJ from using its resources to block applications to study marijuana for medicinal purposes](. Numerology 3 of 5 That's the [number of members of the newly named Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission]( that voted against the legalization ballot measure. Business [Scotts Miracle-Gro sells off international operations to focus on core business and hydroponics]( Scotts Miracle-Gro has shed its Australia and European businesses in a deal that frees up the company to direct its attention on lawn-and-garden products and an ambition to become “the world’s most successful hydroponic gardening business.” Cannabist Show [He wants to establish the Navy SEALs of pro trimmers]( Spend some time expanding your canna-knowledge with this hot new Cannabist Show. This week's featured guest is Eric Singleton, managing partner of The Trimmer Store, and he's well-versed in the many ways marijuana is manicured and what works best, as well as what the cannabis industry should do for this important component of product preparation. There's a special bonus in this episode: a preview of the new Cannabist podcast "High Minded." Regional News [Cannabis farmers accused of offering California sheriff $1M bribe]( Two Northern California marijuana farmers have been charged with offering a sheriff $1 million to turn a blind eye to their cannabis-growing operations. Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey contacted federal authorities after he was approached by the growers; the nature of the bribe might surprise you. [NBA All-Star Zach Randolph faces misdemeanor marijuana charge in L.A.]( Sacramento Kings forward Zach Randolph has been charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession and resisting arrest following an incident this month when a large gathering became unruly at a Los Angeles housing project, prosecutors said Thursday. The two-time NBA All-Star had initially been arrested on suspicion of possessing marijuana with intent to sell — a felony. [Tiny Colorado town has a weed store for every 170 people]( Parachute, a community of only about 1,200 people just off Interstate 70 in western Colorado, has approved its seventh marijuana store. As Grand Junction to the west and Rifle to the east don't allow the sale of recreational marijuana, Parachute, which turned to adult-use cannabis when its natural gas tax revenue took a hit, continues to establish itself as a destination for drivers for that stretch of the I-70 corridor. More Regional Headlines + [Oregon ER doctor arrested in raid, accused of making cannabis oils illegally]( + [Another yacht bust: 1,500 pounds of marijuana seized near Greece]( + [Rhode Island police looking for man who left $40K of marijuana in building]( #AllThingsWeed [Leader of marijuana smuggling ring in custody after 30 years on the lam]( U.S. officials say the leader of a California drug smuggling ring in the 1980s who was on the run for almost 30 years was brought from Australia to face charges. Peyton Eidson, 72, was indicted in 1988 for importing tons of high-grade marijuana throughout the 1980s before he left the country with a fake passport, authorities say. Two of his associates tried to fake their own deaths in the '90s. [Last weekend for chance to win a $100 cannabis gift card]( Labor Day means summer is coming to a close, and our pals at [The Know]( hope you take advantage with an adventure. Check out their Colorado Summer Bucket List and the contest details [here](. Several prizes are up for grabs, including a $100 gift card for a local marijuana shop. [Infused barbecue: Eight recipes to fire up the ultimate cannabis cookout]( Staying close to home for the long weekend? Mix and match these eight recipes for an ultimate infused barbecue. --------------------------------------------------------------- You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up at The Denver Post. 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