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10 GOP governors talk cannabis in SCOTUS brief (Newsletter: October 18, 2024)

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KS medical marijuana hearing; MA psychedelics poll; Safe drug consumption sites; Cannabis as insecticide; Snoop’s marijuana weather report on TODAY

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Ten Republican governors signed a U.S. Supreme Court brief arguing that “just as States have the flexibility to regulate on medical marijuana,” they should also be able to “choose how to approach transgender medical procedures for children.”

A Kansas Department of Revenue Official testified at a hearing of the legislature’s Special Committee on Medical Marijuana that it would be “easier to implement” recreational cannabis legalization right away instead of creating a medical-focused program first.

A new poll shows that Massachusetts residents are evenly split on the psychedelics legalization initiative on the November ballot. A separate recent survey found likely voters slightly against the measure.

The advocacy group Doctors for Drug Policy Reform is pushing states and cities to invest funds from settlements with opioid companies into supporting safe consumption sites for illegal drugs, saying they can “save lives, improve public health and advance racial equity.”

A new scientific review concludes that cannabis has “proved to be a promising plant” as an insecticide against disease-carrying bugs “in terms of mortality and has shown effects on insect fertility, birth rates and adult emergence.”

  • “The potential use of this plant that has ovicidal, larvicidal, pupicidal and adulticidal properties is evident.”

Snoop Dogg played guest meteorologist on the TODAY Show, taking viewers through a personalized marijuana-themed weather map featuring real cities like Blunt, South Dakota; Stoner, Colorado; Blaze, Kentucky; Weed, California; Tokeland, Washington and High Point, North Carolina.

/ FEDERAL

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) discussed her support for marijuana banking legislation.

/ STATES

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) is allowing temporary firearm restrictions, enhanced drug monitoring and other public safety measures enacted in response to gun violence and substance misuse to expire.

The Kentucky legislature’s Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee approved medical cannabis rules.

The Texas Senate State Affairs held a hearing on THC beverages.

An Alabama judge held a hearing in ongoing litigation challenging regulators’ medical cannabis business licensing processes.

California regulators announced a recall of marijuana products due to the presence of arsenic. Separately, regulators are denying claims that a former top official was fired in retaliation for whistleblowing.

A Connecticut marijuana regulatory spokesperson said it’s “always easier to start strict and loosen regulations.”

Washington State officials sent an update on a community reinvestment project that’s designed to “uplift communities disproportionately harmed by the war on drugs.”

Virginia marijuana regulators touted awards their public education campaign about impaired driving received.

Missouri regulators sent a newsletter about various cannabis issues.

The Colorado Retail Marijuana Public Health Advisory Committee will meet on Monday.


Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.

/ LOCAL

Bradford County, Florida’s sheriff authored an op-ed urging voters to support the marijuana legalization initiative on the state’s November ballot.

The Wilmington, Delaware City Council is considering zoning rules for marijuana businesses.

/ INTERNATIONAL

A former Mexican secretary of public security was sentenced to more than 38 years in U.S. prison for accepting bribes from drug cartels.

A New South Wales, Australia lawmaker said he will introduce a motion urging regulators to reconsider their “punitive” approach towards medicinal cannabis prescribers.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study suggested that “CBD demonstrates potential antidepressant effects in male rats, mediated by serotonergic, neuroinflammatory and estrogenic mechanisms.”

A review concluded that MDMA-assisted therapy “demonstrates significant efficacy in improving PTSD symptoms, enhancing both response and remission rates in individuals with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD, while maintaining a favorable safety profile.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Wall Street Journal editorial board criticized Vice President Kamala Harris’s inclusion of a pledge to legalize marijuana in her plan focused on Black men.

The U.S. Hemp Authority launched what it says is “the nation’s first Adult Hemp Product certification program.”

/ BUSINESS

Nature’s Herb and Wellness Center will pay $95,000 to settle a disability and retaliation discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Canopy Growth Corporation made an early prepayment under its senior secured term loan in an aggregate principal amount equal to $100 million at a discounted price of $97.5 million.

A subsidiary of MedCana in Colombia entered negotiations with an Australian pharmaceutical firm to supply medical-grade cannabis to that country.

Illinois retailers sold $136.5 worth of legal recreational marijuana products in September.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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