Newsletter
Amazon stops cannabis tests for many workers (Newsletter: June 2, 2021)
CA Senate OKs psychedelics decrim; NV marijuana lounges to gov; CT legalization in question; How Congress can legalize the right way; OR sales data
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The California Senate approved a bill to legalize possession of psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD and MDMA. It now heads to the Assembly.
Amazon said it will stop drug testing many workers for marijuana and will also actively lobby Congress to pass a federal legalization bill. The move to treat cannabis “the same as alcohol use” from one of the U.S.’s largest employers is likely to have a large impact.
Nevada lawmakers sent a bill to legalize marijuana social consumption lounges to the desk of Gov. Steve Sisolak (D).
As Connecticut’s House majority leader works to wrap up a marijuana legalization deal in anticipation of a floor vote later this week, progressive lawmakers are withholding commitments until actual language is ready.
A new bipartisan bill from Reps. Conor Lamb (D-PA) and Peter Meijer (R-MI) would clarify that Department of Veterans Affairs doctors can discuss state marijuana programs with military veterans—but it wouldn’t let them actually issue recommendations to participate.
A new report from Oregon’s Office of Economic Analysis shows that marijuana sales are “setting new records, even as the outlook expected sales to taper somewhat as more entertainment options reopened and employees began to return to the office.”
Former Massachusetts cannabis regulator Shaleen Title wrote in a new op-ed for Marijuana Moment that Congress has just one chance to legalize the right way.
- “We only have one shot to get this right. If we don’t, the consequences will be devastating and difficult to reverse, not just for racial justice but for public health.”
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture published a report about hemp in Taiwan.
Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) tweeted, “The over criminalization of marijuana has disproportionately affected Black and Brown lives in our country. Reforms like and passage of the MORE Act are needed to correct this wrong. Too many people lose job opportunities who are otherwise very well qualified.”
/ STATES
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wold (D) tweeted, “Paul Ezell hasn’t been able to practice medicine for years over a nonviolent marijuana infraction. Multiply this case by tens of thousands each year, and we scratch the surface of lost potential.”
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, the state’s current agriculture commissioner, mentioned her support for marijuana reform in her campaign announcement video.
Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidates discussed how to use marijuana legalization revenue at a debate.
New York lawmakers sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) pushing back against regulators’ position that implementation of changes to the medical cannabis program included in the new marijuana legalization law should be delayed.
Arizona regulators published final marijuana social equity rules.
Michigan regulators published a request for proposals for a veteran marijuana research grant program.
New Jersey regulators held a public meeting about marijuana legalization implementation.
California regulators served a warrant on a multi-location unlicensed marijuana manufacturing and distribution operation.
The Ohio Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee will meet on June 17.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,100 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.
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/ LOCAL
The Sioux Falls, South Dakota City Council is appointing members to a task force charged with creating medical cannabis ordinances.
A federal judge considering a case challenging Detroit, Michigan’s marijuana licensing scheme favoring long-time residents says he will issue a ruling within the next three weeks.
A former Boulder County, Colorado prosecutor published an op-ed on the benefits of legalizing marijuana.
New York City’s chief medical officer sent an email warning doctors about the risks of marijuana use for young people.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said his government is still working to finalize a medical cannabis bill.
South Africa’s finance minister said marijuana should be a “legal, taxable product.”
Argentina’s minister of productive development is set to present a medical cannabis bill on Wednesday.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of rats found that aqueous extract of C. sativa roots “promotes pain control, either by a central or inflammatory mechanism, and has antiasthmatic activity.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that 65% of U.S. registered voters do not think that psychedelic substances have medical uses.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corp. reported quarterly net revenue of C$148.4 million and a net loss of C$616.7 million.
HEXO Corp. is acquiring Zenabis Global Inc.
Harborside Inc. is acquiring Sublimation Inc. The company also reported quarterly net revenue of $12.4 million and a net and comprehensive loss of $2.9 million.
Schwazze is acquiring Southern Colorado Growers.
Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corp. is acquiring Bloom Brands.
Metrc hired a new CFO, launched a product catalog and renewed contracts in three states.
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