Newsletter
Biden pushed for more cannabis clemency (Newsletter: December 13, 2024)
Poll: Legalization support in WI; German legal marijuana sales pilot rules; Ukraine medical cannabis; Study: Cannabis suppositories for better sex
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Marijuana reform advocates are pushing President Joe Biden to expand on large grants of clemency he issued on Thursday by freeing people who are still incarcerated for cannabis offenses—and a new poll shows that 59 percent of Americans support additional marijuana and drug pardons.
A new poll shows that 65 percent of voters in rural Wisconsin support legalizing marijuana as Gov. Tony Evers (D) says the issue is a top priority for the 2025 legislative session.
Germany’s federal minister for food and agriculture approved rules to allow for research-focused commercial marijuana pilot programs to test legal and regulated access to cannabis for consumers in parts of the country.
Medical marijuana is set to become available to patients in Ukraine in early 2025, a key lawmaker on the Committee on Public Health, Medical Assistance and Medical Insurance said.
A new study of cannabis-infused vaginal suppositories and mindful compassion exercises in women who underwent treatment for gynecological cancer found that “cannabis mediated the effects of mindful compassion and supported well-being, sexual self-efficacy and quality of life.”
Jaunty CEO Nicolas Guarino argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) can help the state’s cannabis industry by signing a bill on her desk to shift wholesale cultivation taxes from a quarterly filing cycle to an annual one.
The Nebraska Supreme Court agreed to take up a lawsuit seeking to overturn medical cannabis legalization measures that voters approved at the ballot last month.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration Museum posted a video about Bayer heroin bottles it has in its collection.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) claimed that “lax drugs rules” in Oklahoma and the legalization of medical cannabis has “allowed a lot of organized crime to come in.”
Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) is urging President Joe Biden to expand cannabis clemency, saying, “You got people in Colorado getting wealthy now because we changed the name from marijuana to cannabis, and now it’s fine to grow cannabis, but you go to jail and get a record that you’re saddled with if it were marijuana.”
/ STATES
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) will reportedly press lawmakers to pass legislation restricting intoxicating hemp products on Friday.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) discussed the state’s medical cannabis business licensing process.
Wisconsin’s Assembly minority leader cited marijuana legalization as a priority issue.
Nevada regulators published an annual report on marijuana sales.
California officials ordered the landowner of an unlicensed cannabis cultivation site to pay approximately $410,000 for allegedly repeatedly disregarding required actions and deadlines to resolve ongoing waste discharge violations.
Michigan regulators published a monthly report on disciplinary actions taken against marijuana businesses.
Colorado’s Retail Marijuana Public Health Advisory Committee will meet on Monday.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 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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/ INTERNATIONAL
A new Japanese law criminalizing the use of marijuana went into effect.
Italy’s transport minister said the government will protect medical cannabis patients from a crackdown on driving under the influence.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “antidepressant effects of psilocybin-assisted therapy are superior (with at least medium effect sizes) to comparator interventions for at least up to 6 weeks postintervention.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The British Columbia, Canada Association of Chiefs of Police withdrew its support for a local drug decriminalization policy.
/ BUSINESS
WM Technology Inc. plans to raise $224.3 million by more than doubling its number of shares.
Poseidon Investment Management completed investments into two New Jersey dispensaries, BLKBRN and Dogwood Green.
/ CULTURE
Seth Rogen’s cannabis company Houseplant launched a line of THC-infused sparkling waters.
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