The billionaires and celebrities who gathered at the Beverly Hilton this week occupy a world of tremendous power, massive stress, and acute status consciousness. It’s the sort of place where GOP message maven Frank Luntz gets asked for autographs, and where people take a break by cuddling up with some puppies.

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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.)

The edge of legalization, Part Two: Ripe for corruption

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.)

The edge of legalization, Part One: Border Weed

“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.

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