Newsletter
Biden FDA pick prescribed cannabis meds (Newsletter: November 15, 2021)
DEA again boosts psychedelics production; OH medical marijuana expansion bill; Study: Legalizing cannabis didn’t increase traffic injuries
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Robert Califf, President Joe Biden’s nominee for Food and Drug Administration commissioner, says he has prescribed cannabinoid drugs as a doctor and has spoken about the need to expand research on the therapeutic benefits of marijuana and its components.
- “We know we need to facilitate the work of companies interested in appropriately bringing safe, effective and quality products to market, including scientifically based research concerning these medicinal uses.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration is again significantly boosting 2021 legal production quotas for psychedelics like psilocybin, MDMA and DMT to be used in research—on top of separate increases recently proposed for 2022.
A bipartisan duo of Ohio senators filed a bill to massively expand the state’s medical marijuana program by allowing any patient who could “reasonably be expected” to benefit from cannabis to qualify—regardless of specific medical conditions.
A new study found that Canada’s legalization of marijuana did not result in an increase in traffic injuries, contrary to prohibitionist fears.
/ FEDERAL
More details emerged about the Drug Enforcement Administration’s seizure of cash being transported from Missouri medical cannabis dispensaries.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) tweeted, “Our country’s senseless cannabis laws have devastated Black and Brown communities. @EdMarkey and I are calling on President Biden to start righting this wrong and issue a blanket pardon for nonviolent cannabis offenses.”
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) tweeted, “We’re asking President Biden to pardon all nonviolent federal cannabis offenses.”
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) tweeted that the marijuana legalization bill she is introducing on Monday is a “a clean framework at the federal level. Most Americans will find something they can agree with in this thing, no matter where you land politically.” She also tweeted that she’s “been working on this bill a long time. Tried to be thoughtful about the diversity of #cannabis reforms across the US. There’s something for everyone on both sides of the aisle in this thing.”
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) spoke about the prospects for his marijuana banking legislation.
Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman, currently the state’s lieutenant governor, tweeted, “State-legal cannabis ranks 5th among USA most valuable crops – trailing only corn, soybeans, hay, + wheat. In 5 states – AK, CO, MA, NV, + OR– cannabis grown for the adult-use market is the ‘single most valuable crop.’ PA’s #1 industry + farmers deserve a new ca$h crop.”
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair drug war harms got two new cosponsors for a total of 98.
/ STATES
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) signed a bill that allows the attorney general to appoint replacement prosecutors in places where district attorneys refuse to pursue marijuana or other cases.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) granted pardons to people convicted of marijuana and other offenses.
New Jersey Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D), who long championed marijuana legalization, was selected as the state’s new Senate president following the electoral defeat of the incumbent.
A California senator tweeted, “We’re working very hard to decriminalize psychedelics in California. Psychedelics help so many people, including veterans, & save lives. We need to stop criminalizing people for using them.”
Texas regulators adopted medical cannabis research and reporting rules.
New Mexico’s acting health secretary rejected recommendations to add ADHD, anxiety disorder, Tourette’s syndrome, tobacco use disorder, hallucinogen use disorder and stimulant use disorder as medical cannabis qualifying conditions but accepted recommendations to increase purchase limits.
Oregon regulators are proposing marijuana rules changes required by recently enacted legislation.
The chairman of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission spoke about efforts to implement legalization.
Washington State regulators withdrew a policy on marijuana laboratory certification and accreditation requirements.
Arizona regulators filed a policy statement on hemp performance based sampling.
West Virginia’s first medical cannabis dispensary opened.
Vermont regulators plan to release marijuana business licensing rules this month.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is encouraging farmers to complete a national hemp survey.
The Illinois legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules will consider cannabis regulations on Tuesday.
Michigan regulators will hold a marijuana social equity education session on Thursday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,200 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
A Las Cruces, New Mexico mayoral candidate was charged with allegedly selling cannabis products to undercover agents.
Denver, Colorado officials sent a reminder that marijuana business license applications and renewals can now be submitted online.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Irish President Michael Higgins and lawmakers were sent cannabis by a legalization activist.
Malta’s opposition Nationalist Party is divided over the government’s marijuana reform plans.
The Vernon, British Columbia, Canada mayor and City Council are opposing the province’s plan to decriminalize drugs.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “THC inhibits β-haematin (synthetic haemozoin) and malaria parasite growth.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The National Black Justice Coalition’s executive director testified before the House Financial Services Committee about how marijuana prohibition causes economic hardships for black LGBTQIA+ people.
/ BUSINESS
Columbia Care Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $132.3 million and a net loss of $37.2 million.
TerrAscend Corp. shareholders approved its proposed acquisition of Gage Growth Corp.
Colorado retailers sold $181.1 million worth of legal marijuana products in September.
Michigan retailers sold $163.5 million worth of legal cannabis products in September.
/ CULTURE
Tom Petty’s estate is partnering with Willie Nelson to sell a hemp-infused tea in support of the MusiCares charity.
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