The number of Americans who are in favor of legalizing marijuana continues to increase. A new Pew Research Survey says 6 out of 10 Americans now support the measure. Buzz60
Legislation by state Rep. Jeremy Faison of Cocke County for “medical cannabis only” is actually making progress. Part is due to the articulate, intelligent and driven manner with which Faison is pushing this issue. State Rep. Bryan Terry, who is a doctor, is helping him.
Cannabis (marijuana) is picking up steam for people who are in pain. Thirty states have some form of legal cannabis use for significant, chronic pain. Faison wants opinion leaders to know that a majority of the 50 states already have it under a tight and regulated system.
This issue will be hotly debated. State Sen. Steve Dickerson, also a doctor, is the Senate sponsor.
Faison is a conservative who is working hard to make this legal and bring more lawmakers on board. Do not be surprised if this passes the House and goes to the Senate, where its prospects are improving. Clearly, this is an idea that is moving.
State Sen. Brian Kelsey, 40, married Amanda Bunning, granddaughter of the late U.S. senator and baseball player Jim Bunning, on Jan. 13 in Lexington, Ky. Kelsey represents Germantown in Shelby County in the state Senate.
State Rep. Martin Daniel will hold a public meeting for constituents at Cedar Bluff Library on Thursday evening, Feb. 15, from 5:30 to 7. Daniel is one Republican incumbent who is reaching out to any citizen who wishes to speak to him. He held a prior meeting in West Hills last Feb. 8.
The Justice Department is reportedly rolling back the Obama-era policy of not challenging state laws regarding medical and recreational marijuana use. Buzz60
Daniel joined a group of lawmakers at the Executive Residence last week where Gov. Bill Haslam signed Daniel’s qualifying petition to run for a third term this November.
Knoxville businessman Scott Davis is the new chair of the Public Building Authority after the current chair rotated off. He was elected two weeks ago.
More: Shopper News blog: Four West High athletes sign college letters
UT Chancellor Beverly Davenport will travel to Naples, Fla., on Feb. 20 to escape the cold weather in Knoxville and have cocktails with UT alumni at the Grey Oaks Country Club.
It is not clear if she will have ended the suspension of former athletic director John Currie by then. Currie is still being paid a full salary (more than $50,000 a month) and benefits in week 10 after Davenport suspended him without an explanation. It is hard to ask for more donations to the university when UT has two people being paid to be athletic director but only one is working.
Davenport has not told UT alumni her plans for resolving the Currie issue. In government, it appears to be easy to spend money that is not yours.
More: Most candidates for governor not in line with UT board change
Davenport may stay a few extra days in Naples to enjoy the warm weather.
The number of Americans who are in favor of legalizing marijuana continues to increase. A new Pew Research Survey says 6 out of 10 Americans now support the measure. Buzz60
Operators in the growing legal marijuana market reacted Thursday with concern to a move by the Trump administration to lift an Obama-era policy on the enforcement of federal pot laws in states where the drug is legal. (Jan. 4) AP
The U.S. Department of Justice decision to rescind Obama-era guidance on marijuana enforcement elicited furious statements from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Time
Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinds an Obama-era policy that allowed legal marijuana to flourish in states across the country. Sessions says federal prosecutors should decide on their own whether to devote resources to marijuana cases. (Jan. 4) AP
Long lines greeted the opening of legal marijuana retail stores in Southern California. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
Marijuana legalization arrived Monday in California with lots of hoopla, but only a handful of cities will initially have retail outlets ready to sell recreational pot. (Jan. 1) AP
California has now joined a list of other states and the District of Columbia, where so-called recreational marijuana is now permitted. With the start of 2018 comes the legalization of pot for those 21 and older in California. (Jan. 1) AP
California begins legal recreational marijuana sales in 2018 and along with that, there are a host of questions about exactly how the system will work and the rules people need to follow. Wochit
California on Thursday issued its first batch of business licenses for the state’s upcoming legal marijuana market, setting the stage for sales to begin in January. Time
Rebel Coast Winery will soon be rolling out an alcohol free, marijuana infused wine. Buzz60
With California set to become the largest legal pot economy in the country next year, small operators are becoming increasingly worried legalization will bring investment banks and corporate-sized interests that will push them out of the market. (Dec. 20) AP
Survey: Majority of Americans support legalization of pot
Pot purveyors wary of plan to enforce fed law
Lawmakers furious over Justice Department decision on marijuana
AG Sessions rescinds Obama-era marijuana policy
Long lines at SoCal pot stores
Pot shops ring in 2018, ring up legal sales
New year brings broad pot legalization to Calif.
Here’s what Calif.'s legalization of marijuana means for consumers
Calif. gears up for recreational pot sales
Marijuana infused wine soon to be available in California
Companies fight for piece of Calif. pot industry
Debbie Poplin takes her oath of office as the new federal magistrate judge on Feb. 12, and John Medearis takes his oath of office as clerk of the court to succeed Poplin on Feb 13.
BIRTHDAYS: Feb. 11 – Retired coach Herky Payne is 89. Former state mental health commissioner Elizabeth Rukeyser is 74. Knoxville’s energetic attorney Mark Mamantov is 58.
Feb. 13 – New TVA board member Jeff Smith is 59.
Feb. 16 – Former city councilman Chris Woodhull is 59.
Feb. 19 – Knoxville attorney and former GOP county chair Bill Stokes is 66. Former Cumberland Securities executive Thomas Ayres is 84.
Sale: Get complete digital access to knoxnews.com for a full year for $9.99, through Feb. 23