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Americans want cannabis regulated less than e-cars & social media (Newsletter: January 30, 2023)

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Congress eyes fed-state drug policy “gulf”; VA psilocybin bill advances; Mexican senator’s psychedelics plan; MA sales top $4 billion

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Congressional Research Service said in a new report that the increasing number of state psychedelics reforms being enacted contributes to a “growing gulf” between federal and state drug policies that’s already widening due to marijuana legalization.

A new poll found that U.S. voters think marijuana should be less strictly regulated—while also wanting to see tougher rules placed on electric cars, social media and cryptocurrencies.

A Mexican senator announced plans to file a bill to legalize psychedelics for therapeutic use—and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) sent a video message for a Senate-hosted event saying he looks “forward to being your American partner” in the global push for reform.

The Virginia Senate Education and Health Subcommittee on Health Professions approved a bill to reschedule psilocybin and create an advisory board to “develop a long-term strategic plan for establishing therapeutic access” to the psychedelic.

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission reported that retailers in the state have now sold more than $4 billion worth of legal recreational marijuana products since sales began in late 2018. Another $975 million in medical cannabis products was purchased over the same time period.

/ FEDERAL

The Drug Enforcement Administration ousted its top Mexican official over allegedly improper contact with lawyers for drug cartels.

A National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health official spoke about the health hazard evaluation services that the agency offers to cannabis businesses.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit rejected a marijuana business’s challenge to an Internal Revenue Service summons.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), in response to the Food and Drug Administration’s announcement that it will not regulate CBD products, said he will soon reintroduce legislation on the topic.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) spoke about broad support for marijuana reform and about her own use of medical cannabis.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) tweeted about the failure of an amendment to block President Joe Biden from selling oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, saying, “Woof. Even my psilocybin amendment did better than this 😅”

/ STATES

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) office tweeted, “In December 2022, CA’s Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce, with @CAcannabisdept & law enforcement, seized 35,287 lbs of illegal cannabis – worth over $54 million – 34 firearms, & made 11 arrests. We’re working to protect & support our safe & regulated cannabis market.” Separately, lawmakers are pushing for investigations into alleged corruption and exploitation of workers in the marijuana industry.

The Montana House Human Services Committee held a hearing on a bill to restrict where marijuana businesses can operate.

A Missouri representative introduced a bill to block regulators from instituting marijuana business licensing caps.

South Dakota lawmakers are considering several marijuana bills.

An Indiana senator discussed his sponsorship of marijuana legalization legislation.

A Maryland senator spoke about the need to remove the odor of marijuana as a justification for police searches.

Colorado regulators issued a health and safety report about marijuana products from Physician Preferred Products LLC with potentially unsafe levels of yeast and mold and Aspergillus contamination.

Information released under pressure by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York reveals issues related to fundraising for the Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture awarded $200,000 in grants for projects aimed at growing fiber and food hemp markets, sales and awareness

The New York Department of Labor hosted a cannabis career summit.

Oregon regulators are conducting a cannabis industry survey.

Ohio regulators published updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.

Vermont regulators will consider cannabis issues at a meeting on Monday and will hold a networking event on marijuana tax compliance on Thursday.


Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of 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

The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Commission on Human Relations said it has received no complaints about unlawful marijuana employment testing.

Albany, New York officials are conducting a cannabis survey.

/ INTERNATIONAL

British Columbia, Canada’s drug decriminalization policy takes effect on Tuesday.

German officials are reportedly considering breaking up their marijuana legalization plan into two steps, with legislation to remove penalties for possession possibly being advanced ahead of that for broader sales regulation, for which the government says it wants to get buy-in from the European Commission.

The UK’s government-owned British Business Bank’s Future Fund invested in psychedelic medicine company Beckley Psytech.

Hong Kong is instituting a ban on CBD on Wednesday.

The Philippine government plans to appeal the resumption of the International Criminal Court’s investigation of the country’s bloody “war on drugs.”

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study of cancer patients found that of those “who had not used [medical cannabis], 35% were interested in trying MC and 72% would consider using MC if recommended by their oncologist/family doctor.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll found that Virginia registered voters support allowing recreational marijuana sales, 60 percent to 34 percent.

The Kansas Democratic Party tweeted that the Senate president’s “comments on medical marijuana were uninformed and insensitive. A strong majority of Kansans support access to this care, and it’s time the legislature took action.”

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association criticized the Food and Drug Administration’s rejection of its CBD petition.

/ BUSINESS

POSaBIT Systems Corporation is acquiring MJ Platform, Leaf Data Systems and Ample Organics from Akerna Corp., which is merging with Gryphon Digital Mining, Inc.

Ayr Wellness Inc. terminated its proposed acquisition of the equity interests of Gentle Ventures, LLC d/b/a Dispensary 33 and its affiliates.

HEXO Corp. won a complete dismissal of a securities class action lawsuit against the Company and its former CEO.

/ CULTURE

Snoop Dogg joked with Jimmy Kimmel that he “relapsed” after previously saying he quit smoking marijuana.

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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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