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CA gov signs cannabis & psychedelics rescheduling bills (Newsletter: October 3, 2023)
HHS sued over marijuana letter; DC cannabis expansion bill; VA psychedelics podcast; Doctors group reframes mission; NY marijuana hearing
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed bills that will allow doctors to immediately prescribe psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA in the event of federal rescheduling and to update THC variance testing requirements for marijuana.
Attorney Matthew Zorn is suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to obtain a copy of its marijuana rescheduling recommendation letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration, which it has failed to release under the Freedom of Information Act.
The Washington, D.C. Council sent Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) a bill that would allow medical marijuana patients to submit products directly to labs for testing. Visiting non-residents could also get temporary cannabis patient registrations that last for up to a year.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs devoted the first episode of its new podcast about the future of veteran health care to a discussion on the healing potential of psychedelics.
The New York Senate Subcommittee on Cannabis is inviting people to apply to testify at a hearing being held later this month on the challenges facing the state’s legal marijuana market.
The advocacy organization Doctors for Cannabis Regulation is rebranding as Doctors for Drug Policy Reform to reflect a growing focus on “a wider range of drug policy issues beyond cannabis,” including psychedelics and broader harm reduction matters.
/ FEDERAL
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences published an article noting that “researchers have suggested that consistent national regulation of contaminants in cannabis, still an illicit substance at the federal level, has the potential to reduce public health risks.”
Sen. John Hickenloopr (D-CO) said he thinks the Drug Enforcement Administration will follow the recommendation to move marijuana to Schedule III.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) discussed the prospects for his marijuana banking bill.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) reiterated that he plans to vote for a marijuana banking bill.
Former Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) said the advancement of marijuana banking legislation he used to be the lead sponsor of “has been a long time coming.”
Maryland Democratic Senate candidate Will Jawando supports federal marijuana legalization.
/ STATES
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) tweeted, “Kentucky, we’re getting results. From record job growth to legalized sports betting and medical cannabis, we’re making progress on issues that are important to Kentuckians. And we can’t stop now—I’m keeping my foot on the gas!”
Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura spoke at a cannabis festival.
New York’s Assembly majority leader and a senator coauthored an op-ed arguing that “corporate behemoths” are working to undermine the equity intentions of the marijuana legalization bill they sponsored.
Wisconsin’s Senate minority leader tweeted, “We know that cannabis legalization is a popular policy in Wisconsin, yet Republican legislators in the Capitol refuse to even schedule a public hearing for my bill to legalize responsible, adult usage of cannabis!”
A South Carolina senator who is sponsoring a medical cannabis legalization bill interacted with law enforcement opponents of the legislation.
Florida regulators filed changes to rules on kratom.
The New York Department of Health posted a second request for information about methods to detect marijuana-impaired driving.
North Dakota regulators published an annual report on the medical cannabis program.
Montana regulators posted guidance about new marijuana laws that took effect at the beginning of this month.
Maryland regulators are conducting a medical cannabis patient survey.
Massachusetts hemp license renewal applications are due by December 1.
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/ LOCAL
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s mayor vetoed a measure to ban safe consumption sites for illegal drugs from operating in most areas of the city.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada officials are moving to take away the business licenses of stores selling psilocybin mushrooms.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “THCV, CBC, and CBN exert anti-inflammatory effects by influencing different stages of gene expression.”
A study suggested that “cannabis use to manage stimulant cravings is a common harm reduction strategy.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Orange County Register editorial board says California should study the experiences of other states that have moved to decriminalize drugs.
/ BUSINESS
Trulieve Cannabis Corp.’s president stepped down.
Tilray Brands, Inc. closed its acquisition of eight beer and beverage brands from Anheuser-Busch.
Canopy Growth Corporation completed the sale of its facility in Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Leafly Holdings, Inc. announced that it regained compliance with The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC’s minimum bid price rule.
Kind Financial investors are attempting a relaunch of the company.
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