Bonus: The Senators at the center of the 50-50 split

The edge of legalization, Part Two: Ripe for corruption

By making local officials the gatekeepers for million-dollar businesses, states have unintentionally created a breeding ground for bribery and favoritism. POLITICO's Mona Zhang reports. This episode is the second in a two-part series on the unintended consequences of marijuana legalization laws. (This episode of "POLITICO Dispatch" aired May 4, 2021.) Mona  Zhang [https://twitter.com/intent/follow?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.com%2Fstaff%2Fmona-zhang&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw®ion=follow_link&screen_name=zhangmona&tw_p=followbutton] is POLITICO's states cannabis policy reporter. Jeremy Siegel [https://twitter.com/jersiegel] is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. Irene Noguchi [https://twitter.com/irenenoguchi?lang=en] is the executive producer of POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament [https://twitter.com/JennyAment] is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Read more: How state marijuana legalization became a boon for corruption [https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/27/marijuana-legalization-corruption-450529]

The edge of legalization, Part One: Border Weed

Welcome to Ontario, Oregon, home of the tater tot — and now, a massive marijuana market for customers crossing the Idaho border. POLITICO's Natalie Fertig explains how the tiny town border town of 11,000 people became one of America's cannabis capitals — and what it means for other towns as weed legalization spreads. This episode is the first in a two-part series on the unintended consequences of marijuana legalization laws. (This episode of "POLITICO Dispatch" aired May 3, 2021.) Natalie Fertig [https://twitter.com/natsfert] is POLITICO's federal cannabis policy reporter. Jeremy Siegel [https://twitter.com/jersiegel] is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. Irene Noguchi [https://twitter.com/irenenoguchi?lang=en] is the executive producer of POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament [https://twitter.com/JennyAment] is the senior producer of POLITICO audio. Read more: Border weed: How the hometown of tater tots became a cannabis capital [https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/18/ontario-oregon-marijuana-481211]

Bonus: The Senators at the center of the 50-50 split

“If we miss this opportunity, God help us.” Joe Manchin and Lisa Murkowski. Two moderate senators smack in the middle — and on either side — of a split 50-50 Senate. On our first episode of Playbook Deep Dive, the two friends open up in a rare interview with POLITICO’s Burgess Everett. They get personal: about reconciliation, frustration over the Senate’s hurdles — even why Murkowski hogs the best fishing holes. And Manchin reveals a major endorsement, heard first on this show. Subscribe to our new weekly politics show, Playbook Deep Dive, wherever you listen to podcasts. Rachael Bade [https://twitter.com/rachaelmbade] is a co-author of POLITICO Playbook. Burgess Everett [https://twitter.com/burgessev] is co-congressional bureau chief at POLITICO. Adrienne Hurst [https://twitter.com/adriennehurst?lang=en] is a producer for POLITICO audio. Annie Rees [https://twitter.com/annielrees] is a producer for POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament [https://twitter.com/JennyAment] is senior producer for POLITICO audio. Irene Noguchi [https://twitter.com/irenenoguchi?lang=en] is the executive producer of POLITICO audio. Special thanks to Elana Schor, Anthony Adragna and Ben Lefebvre SHOW NOTES * Democrat Manchin backs Republican Murkowski's reelection [https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/23/manchin-republican-murkowski-reelection-484282], by Burgess Everett

Sponsored Content: How Covid-19 accelerated the future of work

Presenting a sponsored episode of “Global Translations”: Over the past year, businesses, employees and families across the globe were forced to rethink what it means to “go to work.” Now, with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout underway, many corporate leaders are focused on ensuring the return to work is equitable for all employees.

Presenting "Nerdcast": The page who took down the GOP

Presenting a special episode of POLITICO's "Nerdcast": In 2006, a young man holding no political office brought down a 180+ years program and reshaped Congress forever. Scott Bland talks to POLITICO magazine reporter Zack Stanton, a former House page who leaked transcripts of sexual messages that former Congressman Mark Foley sent to teen pages... which resulted in his resignation and torpedoed the Republican hold on power for years. Scott Bland [https://twitter.com/PoliticoScott] is a politics editor at POLITICO. Zack Stanton [https://twitter.com/zackstanton?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor] is an editor at POLITICO magazine. Annie Rees [https://twitter.com/annielrees] is a producer for POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament [https://twitter.com/JennyAment] is senior producer for POLITICO audio. Irene Noguchi [https://twitter.com/irenenoguchi?lang=en] is the executive producer of POLITICO audio. Read the full POLITICO Magazine article here: https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/11/the-page-who-took-down-the-gop-mark-foley-dennis-hastert-213378 [https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/11/the-page-who-took-down-the-gop-mark-foley-dennis-hastert-213378]