Newsletter
BoA cancels cannabis researcher’s bank account (Newsletter: October 19, 2021)
States hype USDA hemp survey; Oakland psychedelics sales initiative; Americans want to live where marijuana’s legal; CA fails to seal cannabis records
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Hold on, just one second before you read today’s news. Have you thought about giving some financial support to Marijuana Moment? If so, today would be a great day to contribute. We’re planning our reporting for the coming year and it would really help to know what kind of support we can count on.
Check us out on Patreon and sign up to give $25/month today:
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Bank of America canceled the account of marijuana and psychedelics researcher Sue Sisley’s Scottsdale Research Institute—even though they have Drug Enforcement Administration approval for their studies.
- “This decision is final and won’t be reconsidered.”
A U.S. Department of Agriculture survey of more than 20,000 hemp producers across the country is officially in the mail as of this week—and state agriculture departments are working to make sure that farmers in their jurisdictions participate.
The Oakland, California City Council member who sponsored the nation’s first broad psychedelics decriminalization ordinance is partnering with activists on a new “Go Local” initiative to allow people to purchase psilocybin and other entheogens from local producers.
California officials failed to seal thousands of marijuana conviction records in accordance with state legislation.
A new survey from real estate company Redfin found that Americans prefer to live in places where marijuana is legal.
/ FEDERAL
The Congressional Research Service published a report on COVID-19’s impact on Mexican drug cartel operations.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “In state after state, Americans are sending a clear message—they want an end to marijuana prohibition. @SenBooker, @RonWyden, and I released our Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act to end the federal prohibition & undo harms of the War on Drugs.”
A spokesperson for Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) blamed the growing market for unregulated cannabinoid products on ongoing marijuana prohibition and on inaction by the Food and Drug Administration.
Florida Democratic congressional candidate Jesse Philippe tweeted, “The ‘War on Drug’ has been a war on American minorities.”
/ STATES
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) issued a proclamation declaring Monday as Wisconsin Hemp Day.
Medical cannabis public service announcements featuring South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) were paid for with taxpayer dollars on a contract that was originally for a marketing campaign about opioid misuse. Separately, the chairman of the legislature’s Adult-Use Marijuana Study Subcommittee is proposing a “compromise” bill that would legalize adult-use cannabis, and which his panel will consider on Tuesday.
Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate Doug Gansler, a former state attorney general, discussed his support for marijuana legalization with the Maryland Black Caucus Foundation.
California’s attorney general announced that the state eradicated nearly 1.2 million illegally cultivated cannabis plants and seized more than 180,000 pounds of illegally processed marijuana as part of an annual effort.
A Maine law decriminalizing drug paraphernalia took effect.
Ohio’s House speaker said he thinks new marijuana legalization legislation will get hearings.
Oregon’s Senate president is calling for the National Guard to combat illegal marijuana cultivation.
Florida lawmakers filed legislation to allow medical cannabis patients to obtain recommendations via telemedicine.
An Illinois judge will hold a hearing on regulators’ motions to dismiss lawsuits challenging marijuana business licensing award processes on Tuesday.
Texas regulators issued guidance on delta-8 THC.
Connecticut regulators increased medical cannabis purchase limits.
Utah regulators proposed rules for medical cannabis testing labs.
Colorado regulators are convening a work group to examine existing rules concerning wholesale marijuana cultivation.
Michigan regulators published guidance about pesticide use on cannabis.
Vermont’s Cannabis Control Board and its advisory subcommittees will hold several meetings this week.
—
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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—
/ LOCAL
The Rapid City, South Dakota Area Schools Board of Education will consider a medical cannabis policy on Tuesday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Italian activists are collecting signatures for a marijuana referendum at in-person events across the country.
A UK lawmaker pressed the government on rescheduling psilocybin.
A Yukon, Canada lawmaker filed an amendment to allow private cannabis retailers conduct e-commerce and home delivery.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabidiol inhibits SARS-Cov-2 spike protein-induced cytotoxicity and inflammation.”
A review concluded that “ingestion of psychedelics is associated with an increase in mindfulness, specifically relating to domains of acceptance, which encompasses non-judgement of inner experience and non-reactivity.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The National Urban League tweeted about the difference between marijuana legalization and decriminalization.
/ BUSINESS
HEXO Corp.’s CEO has departed the company.
Jushi Holdings Inc. has a new CFO.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. opened its 100th medical cannabis dispensary in Florida.
/ CULTURE
Former basketball players Allen Iverson and Al Harrington spoke about their involvement in the cannabis industry.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
