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  Study: Cannabis Use Inversely Associated With Fatty Liver Disease

  by Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director
  

  Adults with a history of cannabis use are less likely to suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) than are those who have not used the substance, according to data published online in the journal PLoS One. “Active marijuana use provided a protective effect against NAFLD independent of known metabolic risk factors,” authors determined. “[W]e conclude that current marijuana use may favorably impact the pathogenesis of NAFLD in US adults.”

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  ACLU Pennsylvania: Blacks Eight Times More Likely Than Whites To Be Arrested For Marijuana Possession

  by Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director
  

  African Americans in Pennsylvania are over eight times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession offenses than are Caucasians, according to an analysis of statewide arrest data by the American Civil Liberties Union.

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  Study: Colorado’s Adult Use Cannabis Access Law Associated With Reductions In Opioid Deaths

  by Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director
  

  Retail cannabis distribution in Colorado is associated with a reduction in opioid-related mortality, according to data published online ahead of print in The American Journal of Public Health. Authors reported: "Colorado's legalization of recreational cannabis sales and use resulted in a 0.7 deaths per month reduction in opioid-related deaths. This reduction represents a reversal of the upward trend in opioid-related deaths in Colorado."

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  Congressman Earl Blumenauer: Medical Cannabis Is Safer Than Opioids

  by Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director
  

  On Wednesday, October 11th, Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-Chair Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) testified before the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health on how to deal with the opioid crisis in America.

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  Eric Holder: Attorney General Sessions “Almost Obsessed With Marijuana”

  by Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director
  

  In recent remarks at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, former US Attorney General Eric Holder spoke about current Attorney General Jeff Sessions' views on marijuana, saying "The Sessions almost obsession with marijuana I think is the thing that's put the Justice Department in this strange place" in regards to potential changes in current policy held up by what is known as The Cole Memo.

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  Testimony Submitted By MassCann/NORML In Massachusetts To Cannabis Control Commission

  by NORML
  

  All of these stakeholders have an interest in treating legal marijuana as a disaster to be delayed and restricted as much as possible. But the voters didn’t vote for a disaster, they voted for an opportunity: new jobs, new revenue, safer communities, better community-police relations. We want you to respect the will of the voters, and that means not working against legalization as some kind of threat, but moving ahead with legalization as a fine new opportunity. Legal marijuana is a great thing for Massachusetts! Make it happen!

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  NORML Founder Keith Stroup to Speak at First Annual Cannabis Fund Gala & Awards

  by Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director
  

  The Cannabis Fund, a PAC created by Representative Earl Blumenauer to support cannabis-friendly candidates, will be hosting its first annual gala & awards on October 6th at the Marriott Waterfront in Portland, OR with NORML founder Keith Stroup as a featured speaker.

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  VA Secretary Shulkin Still Hasn’t Responded to The American Legion’s Call for Marijuana Research

  by Carly Wolf, NORML Political Associate
  

  The Legion recently ramped up their efforts to convince VA Secretary Shulkin to expand research into the therapeutic and medicinal effects of cannabis by sending him a letter demanding for his direct involvement in making sure the medical marijuana study meets its goals. That letter was sent on September 19th. 17 days ago.