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CA psychedelics veto by governor (Newsletter: October 9, 2023)
Biden marijuana anniversary; Cannabis gun ban in court; OH legalization ads; PA 280E fix; MI tribal cannabis bill; NH marijuana commission
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) vetoed a bill to legalize psychedelics and is calling on lawmakers to send him new legislation next session to allow regulated access to substances like psilocybin with “therapeutic guidelines” and says he will “consider a framework for potential broader decriminalization in the future.”
Lawmakers and advocates are pushing the Biden administration for more marijuana reform action in light of Friday’s one-year anniversary of the president issuing mass cannabis pardons and directing a federal scheduling review.
In oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the Department of Justice defended the federal law banning medical marijuana patients from possessing guns.
With early voting set to begin this week, Ohio’s marijuana legalization campaign launched a new ad about its measure on the November 7 ballot. Meanwhile, Attorney General Dave Yost (R) took the unusual step of releasing an analysis of the initiative, which his office is not required to do.
- The campaign also sent cease and desist letters to TV stations that are airing opposition ads that they say are “filled with lies” about the legalization initiative.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives—over objections from GOP lawmakers—passed a bill to decouple state tax policy from the federal 280E provision, thereby allowing medical marijuana companies to deduct business expenses in their state filings.
Michigan lawmakers sent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) a pair of bills letting licensed marijuana businesses conduct trade with tribal cannabis entities and funneling a portion of tax revenue back to tribes for sales that happen on Indian land.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear(D) issued an executive order creating a new Medical Cannabis Workgroup that will make recommendations as regulators implement a legalization law he signed. The state also launched a new website that provides updates on the program.
A New Hampshire commission held a contentious meeting about its mission to draft a bill to legalize marijuana through a system of state-run stores, with some discussion focusing on the adult-use market’s potential impact on medical cannabis patients.
/ FEDERAL
The Food and Drug Administration published draft guidance on developing treatments for stimulant use disorders.
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) tweeted, “Our bipartisan bill to give legal NV cannabis businesses access to banking + insurance services is one step closer to becoming law. I’ll keep fighting to fix outdated federal policies that put our state’s businesses at a disadvantage.”
The House marijuana banking bill got four new cosponsors for a total of 82.
/ STATES
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) tweeted a video about a marijuana entrepreneur, saying, “Tahir Johnson’s company @SimplyPureTNJ was one of the first Black-owned social equity businesses to get a cannabis retail dispensary license in NJ. From previously being arrested for cannabis possession to now opening his own business, Tahir epitomizes hard work and resilience.”
Wisconsin’s Senate minority leader tweeted a photo of herself visiting a CBD shop.
A New York judge issued an order allowing some marijuana dispensaries to open amid an ongoing injunction.
Missouri courts are considering litigation challenging county marijuana taxes.
Alaska regulators filed proposed changes to rules on marijuana packaging and on seeds and clones.
Colorado regulators removed requirements for marijuana plants to be tracked with RFID tags in proposed rules changes.
Georgia regulators began accepting applications from pharmacies that want to distribute medical cannabis.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles is leading a study on marijuana-impaired driving.
The Guam Cannabis Control Board will meet on Monday.
Maryland regulators will host the first in a series of marijuana social equity business technical assistance events on Monday.
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/ LOCAL
Honolulu, Hawaii’s prosecuting attorney authored an op-ed arguing against legalizing marijuana.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Denmark’s justice minister criticized the head of the opposition Liberal Alliance for endorsing cocaine legalization.
British Columbia, Canada’s government is moving to amend the province’s drug decriminalization policy to ban public consumption.
Australian officials are investigating cases of allegedly unlawful MDMA and psilocybin advertising.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabidiol decreased prostate cancer cell viability up to 37.25% and induced apoptotic cell death in a time and dose-dependent manner.”
A study of rats found that “repeated low doses of psilocybin increase resilience to stress, lower compulsive actions, and strengthen cortical connections to the paraventricular thalamic nucleus.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Attorney General Alliance hosted panels on cannabis policy.
The National Hispanic Cannabis Council’s executive director passed away suddenly.
Prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana sent a press release taunting Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) for helping Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) advance marijuana banking legislation.
/ BUSINESS
X, formerly known as Twitter, is planning to announce further changes to its marijuana advertising policy.
Lowell Farms Inc. repurchased $22 million worth of senior secured convertible debentures.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
