Newsletter
Addiction doctors org backs federal cannabis reforms (Newsletter: October 22, 2020)
Regulators push Congress to legalize marijuana; NJ Senate cancels referendum hearing; VA gov wants cannabis odor bill change; SD cop’s legalization ad
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The American Society of Addiction Medicine adopted a new marijuana platform calling for rescheduling cannabis and exempting people who comply with state legalization laws from federal prohibition, as well as expunging prior convictions.
- A portion of the new policy paper appears to have largely copied and pasted language from an Elizabeth Warren press release about her STATES Act—which would exempt people complying with state marijuana laws from federal prohibition—to describe its new stance. ASAM previously partnered with prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana to oppose marijuana rescheduling and Obama-era moves to respect state laws. SAM has now removed mentions of ASAM from some pages on its website, though it downplayed the new stance when contacted.
A coalition of state and local marijuana regulators sent a letter urging the House of Representatives to move forward with plans to pass a bill to legalize cannabis and fund programs to repair the harms of the war on drugs. The expected vote has already been delayed once.
The New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled and then canceled a Thursday hearing meant to get a head start on considering how to implement marijuana regulations if voters approve the state’s legalization referendum. A staffer told Marijuana Moment it is “unknown” if the event will be rescheduled.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) is asking lawmakers to make some changes to a bill they sent him to ban police searches and seizures based on the smell of marijuana. His suggested amendment is about the unrelated issue of break lights and headlights, however.
A retired South Dakota police officer appears in a new TV ad urging the state’s voters to approve separate marijuana legalization and medical cannabis ballot measures.
/ FEDERAL
The Internal Revenue Service is building special audit teams focused on enforcing marijuana industry tax compliance.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit upheld the Internal Revenue Service’s ability to investigate and impose tax consequences on marijuana businesses.
The Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy is highlighting the opportunity to submit feedback on a U.S. Department of Agriculture plan to survey hemp businesses.
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) touted his efforts to successfully extend the federal hemp pilot program.
Sen. John Barasso (R-WY) touted the fact that Senate Republicans’ coronavirus relief bill doesn’t include marijuana banking provisions.
Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) and his challengers discussed marijuana during a debate.
Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) cited his work on CBD legislation during a debate as an area where he has bucked his party.
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) tweeted, “Legalizing marijuana in New Jersey will create jobs and save our state money. While I often argue for legalization from a criminal and racial justice standpoint, there is a strong argument to be made for the economic benefits of legalizing marijuana.”
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair the harms of the drug war got one new cosponsor for a total of 117.
Mississippi Democratic Senate candidate Mike Espy, a former U.S. agriculture secretary, endorsed the activists-driven medical cannabis measure on his state’s ballot.
/ STATES
Pennsylvania’s agriculture secretary was announced as the opening speaker for a Hemp Summit being held in December.
The Louisiana Senate Education Committee amended a House-passed bill that would have allowed school personnel to administer medical cannabis to students by replacing it with language to simply conduct a study on the issue.
The campaign pushing to pass South Dakota’s marijuana legalization and medical cannabis ballot measures has raised five times as much funding as opponents have.
Missouri regulators are investigating a complaint about moldy medical cannabis sold at a dispensary.
Maine regulators are being sued by small local marijuana businesses for allegedly improperly granting licenses to other businesses with out-of-state owners.
Nevada regulators filed complaints against marijuana businesses for violations, including having unlicensed employees and failing to maintain proper documentation.
Oregon regulators published updated guidance on disclosing interests in marijuana businesses.
West Virginia regulators selected Metrc to run the state’s medical cannabis track and trace system.
Michigan regulators made updates to several marijuana application forms due to changes in ownership disclosure rules.
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/ LOCAL
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania officials are being sued for allegedly discriminating against a job applicant over his medical cannabis use.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The UK boy whose story prompted the government to begin allowing cannabis-based medicines is receiving his first legal prescription.
The Court of Justice of the European Union will rule on the legality of France’s CBD ban on November 19.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found “further evidence for the effects of [medical cannabis] on chronic pain and related symptoms, demonstrating an overall mild to modest long‐term improvement of the tested measures.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police is urging voters to reject the state’s activist-driven medical cannabis ballot measure.
A leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints published an op-ed on why the religious group opposes Arizona’s marijuana legalization ballot initiative.
CNBC’s Jim Cramer predicted that the marijuana industry will see a boost if Democrats win the White House and Senate.
/ BUSINESS
Workers at DC Holistic Wellness signed a collective bargaining agreement.
Harvest Health & Recreation Inc. announced it is raising C$30,000,144 selling shares at a price of C$2.26 each.
Jushi Holdings Inc. is offering 10,000,000 subordinate voting shares at a price of C$3.55 per share.
/ CULTURE
Baseball player Luis Campusano was arrested on felony marijuana possession charges.
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