The states of Oregon and Colorado have taken steps to control the use of pesticides in cultivation of medicinal and recreational marijuana. In Oregon new rules take effect in June 2016, and in Colorado the governor has signed an executive order that directs state agencies to investigate risks to public safety from marijuana contaminated by pesticides.

Under the Oregon rules, marijuana sold in the state must be screened for nearly 60 pesticides often used in cultivating marijuana, and the screenings must be done in a lab, not by growers or processors. Concentrates used for making edibles or sold as off-the-shelf products must also be tested. Any product that produces higher readings than allowed by state law must be destroyed under state supervision.

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, who opposed marijuana legalization in the state, has the state’s public health department to consider all “off-label” use of pesticides on marijuana crops as a public health risk. Further, he has directed other executive agencies “to utilized all existing investigatory and enforcement authorities established by law to protect against threats to the public safety posed by contaminated marijuana including, but not limited to, placing contaminated marijuana on administrative hold and destroying contaminated marijuana pursuant to existing law.”

Here are other important news stories for the week.

Talk About a Holiday High! Cooking Videos Reveal How to Whip Up a Tasty Thanksgiving Dinner Using Marijuana
Marijuana may not be legal in every state, but for those who have legal access to cannabis, a new video series is showing pot lovers how to make an entire Thanksgiving meal using the drug.

As part of its ongoing series Baked, Cut.com is offering video tutorials on how to make turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, and even cranberry sauce using marijuana. However, these recipes by chef Ben Hodgetts are far more sophisticated than your average tray of pot brownies.

And for those who thing cooking with weed means crumbling it and using it as a spice couldn’t be more wrong. All of the recipes require some sort of cannabis infused oil, butter, or liquid – which calls for some time and a lot of cheese cloth.

Read more at Daily Mail.com.

$20 for Seven Grams of Marijuana at Participating Oregon Dispensaries on ‘Green Friday’
I have never [gone] out shopping on Black Friday. I have gone out to get food, like any other day, but I have never sat in line for deals or woke up early to get to stores when they open. I don’t need a new television every year. Plus I don’t like shopping at huge box stores the day after Thanksgiving, or really any day for that matter. I prefer to keep it local.

This is the first Black Friday since legal recreational marijuana sales started in Oregon. Oregon’s Cannabis Concierge and the CO2 Company have teamed up with OG Analytical to do something new in Oregon – Green Friday. The concept behind Green Friday is very straight forward. Essentially, 50 Oregon growers have pooled together a total of 100 pounds. Those pounds will be distributed to dispensaries all over Oregon that will sell seven grams for $20. When the Green Friday quarters run out, they are out. Below are FAQ’s about the Green Friday effort, via the event’s website […]

Read more at The Weed Blog.

Editor’s Note: The average price of a gram of marijuana in Oregon yesterday was $10.27.

Alaska Marijuana Control Board Votes to Allow Marijuana Bars in Retail Outlets
The Marijuana Control Board voted to allow consumption of marijuana at retail stores, which, if approved by Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, would make Alaska the first state to permit a regulated area for marijuana consumption outside of a person’s home or other private spaces.

The change allows for people to buy marijuana at a retail store and consume it in a designated area on the premises.

The board voted 3-2 in favor of the amendment, with Loren Jones, public health board member, and Peter Mlynarik, the public safety board member, dissenting.

Read more at Alaska Dispatch News.

Senator Harry Reid Signs On To Marijuana Banking Bill
Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) today signed on as a co-sponsor to the Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act of 2015 (S.1726), bipartisan legislation originally introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), which would give state-compliant cannabis businesses access to the banking system. Sen. Reid’s support for the banking measure comes as Nevada’s medical marijuana program has begun serving patients around the state.

“Medical cannabis providers in Nevada are giving compassionate care to critically ill patients, and they shouldn’t be putting themselves in danger to do it,” said NCIA executive director Aaron Smith. “We thank Senator Reid for supporting a fix to an irrational policy that puts people at risk and forces businesses and state officials to deal with massive logistical issues.”

Read more at the National Cannabis Industry Association.

ALSO READ: The Laziest City in Each State

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