Newsletter
Biden “open minded” on psychedelics, his brother says (Newsletter: June 30, 2023)
RFK Jr.s’ marijuana & psychedelics plan; NH legalization study passes; NC medical cannabis; NBA contract; Union wants worker protections
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
President Joe Biden is “very open-minded” about the use of psychedelic medicines to treat addiction and other mental health issues, his younger brother says.
Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he’d legalize marijuana and psychedelics, using the revenue to fund farms where people recovering from drug addiction can grow organic food. He also voiced support for cannabis business banking access.
New Hampshire lawmakers sent Gov. Chris Sununu (R) a bill to create a commission tasked with drafting legislation to legalize marijuana sales through a system of state-run stores. The governor said in a new interview that the reform is “inevitable.”
The North Carolina Senate approved an amendment saying an unrelated House-passed bill cannot be enacted unless and until a medical cannabis legalization measure that’s stalled in the other chamber is allowed to advance.
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union is urging Biden administration officials to not only deschedule marijuana, but also take steps to protect cannabis workers, prevent industry monopolization and repair past drug war harms.
The National Basketball Association and its players union officially signed a collective bargaining agreement removing marijuana from the league’s banned substances list and allowing players to invest in and promote cannabis brands, with some exceptions.
/ FEDERAL
The Department of Justice now has until July 21 to file its position in a lawsuit from supporters of a proposed safe consumption facility for illegal drugs.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) tweeted, “Letting legal cannabis businesses access banking services is just common sense. It’ll make it safer for the businesses, employees, and customers, and it’s time to get it done.”
The National Institute of Justice will host a webinar on “cannabinoid conundrums” on August 3.
/ STATES
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) spoke about this weekend’s launch of marijuana legalization. Separately, the health and human services secretary discussed her department’s role in monitoring the outcomes of marijuana legalization.
A Kentucky law decriminalizing fentanyl test strips went into effect.
A Pennsylvania court overturned regulators’ decision to require medical cannabis companies to have their products tested by two separate labs.
Indiana regulators filed revised hemp rules.
Connecticut regulators posted a reminder that medical cannabis patient and caregiver registration fees are being eliminated on Saturday.
Ohio regulators sent an update about the acceptance of expired medical cannabis patient registration cards at dispensaries.
Vermont regulators will consider approving an outdoor cannabis cultivation license on Friday.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 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
Denver, Colorado’s mayor-elect appointed marijuana business owner Wanda James to his transition team.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The St. Kitts and Nevis government launched a public education campaign about marijuana laws.
Canadian federal government documents raise questions about the government’s ongoing cannabis policy review process.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that following legalization, “recent cannabis use in Canada has modestly increased among adults but not among adolescents” and that “there is evidence of increased acute adverse effects of cannabis among adults and children.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Associated General Contractors of America opposes moves to ban employee marijuana testing.
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable posted an update on progress for its priorities in the 2023 Farm Bill.
/ BUSINESS
TerrAscend Corp. will begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange on July 4 and announced the closing of a second tranche of private placements for total aggregate proceeds of $20.5 million.
Curaleaf workers at all the company’s New Jersey retail locations have elected to unionize with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 360.
Canopy Growth Corporation completed the sale of its facility in Modesto, California and appointed a new auditor.
/ CULTURE
Football player Travis Kelce estimated that 50 to 80 percent of NFL players use cannabis marijuana.
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