Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Ballot Wins Help Galvanize Movement To Legalize Marijuana
Kaiser Health News: California Lends Its Weight To Wider Marijuana Acceptance
Twenty years ago, California became the first state in the nation to approve the use of marijuana for medical purposes. On Tuesday, Californians voted to legalize it for recreational use — a move expected to reduce drug arrests, raise up to $1 billion in new tax dollars for the state and regulate a growing industry that has largely gone unchecked. (Gorman, 11/9)
The Cleveland Plain Dealer: Marijuana Measures Pass In 4 Ohio Communities, Several States
Tuesday's election notched several wins for marijuana law reformers across the country, including those in four Ohio communities. Three states legalized recreational marijuana and the vote was too close to call in a fourth state, according to unofficial election results. Four states legalized medical marijuana. (Borchardt, 11/9)
Bay Area News Group: Prop. 64: Bay Area Voters Back California Pot Measure By Big Margin
Strong backing from the Bay Area — in money and votes — helped propel the measure to legalize recreational marijuana to victory in California, ending the ban on a long-illicit drug in a state with the world’s sixth largest economy. (Krieger, 11/9)
The Sacramento Bee: What’s Pot Worth To Your Town? California Communities Look To Cash In Locally On Cannabis
The potential impact of Proposition 64 and legalized recreational marijuana in California was driven home by more than 50 city and county measures that set rules for taxing, regulating and governing the pot trade at a community level. (Hecht, 11/9)
The Boston Globe: Mass. Official Wants To Extend The Deadline To Open Pot Shops
Just a day after voters legalized marijuana for recreational use, Massachusetts’ top regulator called on the Legislature to extend the deadline for opening retail shops beyond the January 2018 target date so she has time to build an effective oversight force. (Miller, 11/9)
The Washington Post: As More States Legalize Marijuana, NFLPA To Study Potential As A Pain-Management Tool
In the aftermath of a new set of states legalizing marijuana use in the national elections, the NFL Players Association said Wednesday it is forming a committee to actively study the possibility of allowing players to use marijuana as a pain-management tool. The union is forming an NFL players pain management committee that will study players’ use of marijuana as a pain-management mechanism, among other things, though the union has not yet determined if an adjustment to the sport’s ban on marijuana use is warranted. (Maske, 11/9)
