Newsletter
Baltimore ends drug prosecutions amid coronavirus outbreak (Newsletter: March 19, 2020)
USDA again blames DEA for restrictive hemp rules; MD lawmakers approve bill to shield marijuana convictions; NORML offers COVID advice
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, for the second time this month, blamed the Drug Enforcement Administration for restrictive hemp rules. He also said current regulations for the crop are essentially a “draft” that will be revised later.
Baltimore, Maryland State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby is directing her staff to stop prosecuting most drug cases amid the coronavirus outbreak “as an attempt to save lives.” She also told Marijuana Moment she’ll consider continuing the policy following the pandemic’s end.
Maryland lawmakers sent Gov. Larry Hogan (R) a bill to shield past marijuana possession convictions from public view.
NORML is offering advice to marijuana consumers on how to limit the spread of coronavirus during sessions.
/ FEDERAL
Democratic Senate candidate Richard Ojeda spoke about his support for legalizing marijuana.
Here’s a look at where Indiana Democratic congressional candidates stand on marijuana.
/ STATES
The Oregon attorney general’s office forced a CBD store to take down misleading coronavirus-focused advertising.
The Florida Supreme Court rescheduled oral arguments in a case on medical cannabis regulations.
Nevada regulators are allowing marijuana retailers to stay open as long as they adhere to social distancing protocols amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Ohio regulators moved to allow doctors to issue medical cannabis recommendations without meeting patients in person.
Michigan regulators published bulletins to provide guidance in the event the state’s marijuana tracking system experiences any outage issues.
Massachusetts regulators issued an updated coronavirus-related bulletin to marijuana businesses.
Washington State regulators sent coronavirus-related guidance for marijuana businesses.
The Texas Department of Agriculture posted a video explaining the state’s hemp program.
Some New York lawmakers are expressing opposition to including marijuana legalization in an expedited budget amid the coronavirus outbreak.
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/ LOCAL
Voters in several Illinois municipalities voted on measures to allow marijuana businesses, and most were approved.
A New York City police officer was caught on video appearing to plant marijuana in a car for the second time.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that in Washington State, “cannabis use ads content tend to focus on solitude and outdoor recreation rather than parties and team sports, a common theme in alcohol ads.”
A study found that “anxiety was a common reason for using cannabis among older adults” and that “overall, use of cannabis for anxiety is perceived to be helpful in alleviating symptoms.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The National Council of Native American Churches and Indigenous Peyote Conservation Initiatives are asking that peyote be left out of psychedelics decriminalization efforts to preserve the indigenous community’s access to the cacti.
/ BUSINESS
Cronos Group Inc. plans to restate and reissue recent quarterly reports, resulting in reduced revenue.
CannTrust Holdings Inc. received a deadline extension on disclosure requirements to avoid being delisted on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
WeedMD is being urged by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union to sit down with workers and bargain for a contract.
California marijuana businesses asked Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to allow legal cannabis access during the coronavirus outbreak.
/ CULTURE
Rapper Xzibit is launching a new cannabis brand.
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