Chronicle AM: Mexico Murders Hit Record High, Free MedMJ for Federal Workers, More… (1/24/19)

One company is offering free medical marijuana to federal workers affected by the shutdown, New Mexico sees a pot legalization bill filed, Mexican murders hit an all-time high, and more.

Marijuana Policy

New Mexico Legalization Bill Filed. Rep. Javier Martinez (D) and four cosponsors filed a marijuana legalization bill, HB 356, Thursday. The bill is not yet available on the legislative website. It would set up a regulated system of marijuana production and sales, automatically expunge certain marijuana offenses, and allow localities to opt out of marijuana sales, among other provisions.

Washington State Bill Would Allow Home Cultivation. A bipartisan group of legislators has filed HB 1131 and a companion measure in the Senate that would allow home cultivation of marijuana. Washington is the only legal state that so far does not allow it. The bills would allow adults to grow up to six plants at home, with a household limit of 15 plants.
Medical Marijuana

Medical Marijuana Provider Offering Free Product to Government Workers Affected by Shutdown. BudTrader.com, which describes itself as “the largest online cannabis marketplace,” is offering free medical marijuana to federal workers who can't pay because of the shutdown. “I don’t think federal employees are getting enough love and support, in these tough times, we want to extend the offer of a donation of medical cannabis to any federal worker affected by the shutdown,” BudTrader CEO Brad McLaughlin said in a Tuesday news release. The company said it will donate “the maximum legal allowable amount of cannabis” to any affected government employees.

CBS Rejects Medical Marijuana Superbowl Ad. CBS has refused to air a Superbowl ad submitted by Acreage Holdings, an American marijuana company whose board of directors includes former House Speaker John Boehner. The ad would have focused on how medical marijuana helped people cope with pain. Acreage said it may sue over the issue.

International

Driven by Drug Wars, Mexico's Murders Hit All-Time High. The Mexican Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection reported Wednesday that the country saw a record 33,341 homicides last year, up more than 15% over 2017. Many of those killings are directly linked to violence among competing drug cartels and between cartels and the state. The dead included nine journalists, and another one has already been killed there this year.