Newsletter
Army wants sniper outfits made from hemp (Newsletter: July 5, 2022)
Congressional panel urges psychedelics research; Neil deGrasse Tyson asks what other plants get you high; AZ medical marijuana oversight report
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House Appropriations Committee is calling on the National Institutes of Health to study the benefits of psychedelics in treating PTSD, depression and other mental health conditions.
The U.S. Army is looking for contractors who can supply hemp yarn to make new uniforms that will help snipers “remain undetected within close proximity of the enemy forces.”
Neil deGrasse Tyson wants to know what other plants besides marijuana can get you high that we don’t know about yet just because no one has gotten around to trying to smoke them.
Arizona’s auditor general issued a followup report finding that regulators have been slow to implement previously recommended changes needed to stop the misallocation of money from the medical cannabis fund.
An ACLU of New Jersey official argues in a new op-ed that restrictive local marijuana licensing policies in municipalities across the state are undermining legalization’s equity goals.
/ FEDERAL
The Department of Transportation is requesting comment on the level of interest in making drug testing data publicly available.
Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI) tweeted about Colombia’sTruth Commission recommending drug policy reforms, saying, “I hope the Biden Administration and my colleagues in Congress take in this report. The searching review of nearly 60 years of internal conflict in Colombia concludes that nearly a half million people died, and US policy played a disastrous role. We can move away from our indiscriminate war on drugs and cozy relationships with human rights violators, and we must.”
Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) noted a new Minnesota law allowing cannabinoid-infused foods and drinks, tweeting, “Cannabis should be federally legalized, decriminalized and responsibly regulated for adult use. In the meantime, I am glad that the state is working on responsible regulation of certain products.”
/ STATES
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) vetoed a kratom regulation bill.
Pennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro, currently the attorney general, tweeted, “The majority of Pennsylvanians support marijuana legalization, and the boost it will bring to our economy. Tell you what, let’s win this race for Governor of Pennsylvania so we can get it done.”
Minnesota’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “Proud that @Tim_Walz signed this important law legalizing edibles but there’s more to do. We must work to legalize adult use cannabis *and* expunge marijuana convictions. It makes Minnesota a more just place to live and helps strengthen our economy.”
A top Massachusetts marijuana regulator called out the racially disproportionate harms of the war on drugs.
Alaska regulators amended rules on reinstatement of marijuana business licenses after a failure to renew.
Oregon regulators are calling on the state’s congressional delegation to support passing marijuana banking legislation as a priority.
Washington State regulators issued guidance about counting pathways between rows of cannabis plants in calculating canopy size.
Michigan regulators issued guidance on marijuana tinctures.
Mississippi regulators sent a reminder that they will begin accepting medical cannabis dispensary license applications on Tuesday.
Vermont regulators will consider recommendations for marijuana license prequalification approval, full licensure and social equity status on Wednesday.
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/ LOCAL
Boulder, Colorado activists are pushing the city to decriminalize psychedelics.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canadian lawmakers are advancing legislation to sequester drug possession conviction records.
The Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government said the new administration will work to “sustain the gains” made in the nation’s bloody “war on drugs.”
Thailand’s Interior Ministry issued local cannabis guidance for governors.
An Albanian opposition party is criticizing the government’s draft cannabis law.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabidiol improves thyroid function via modulating vitamin D3 receptor in vitamin D3 deficiency diet-induced rat model.”
A survey of mental health experts suggests that “a higher level of knowledge about psilocybin is associated with more optimistic views about its use in a therapeutic setting.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Chacruna Institute of Psychedelic Plant Medicines published a blog post criticizing Decriminalize Nature’s support for decriminalizing peyote.
The R Street Institute is hosting an event on the public safety benefits of cannabis reform on July 14.
/ BUSINESS
Bud’s Goods & Provisions agreed to repay more than $33,000 in tips that were improperly kept from employees.
The creator of Blue Moon beer is now marketing a new cannabis-infused beer called Ceria.
/ CULTURE
American basketball player Brittney Griner, who is being detained in Russia after allegedly being caught with cannabis vapes at an airport, sent a handwritten letter urging President Joe Biden to “do all you can” to bring her home.
Wiz Khalifa is launching a psychedelics brand called Mistercap.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
