Newsletter
California psilocybin decrim measure filed (Newsletter: October 1, 2019)
Poll: Virginians back legal marijuana; SNL roasts Harris’s anti-cannabis record; Industry equity advocates work to shape govs’ legalization plans
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Activists in California submitted language for a measure to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms. The attorney general has 65 days to prepare a ballot title and summary, and then signature collection can start.
The Minority Cannabis Business Association announced it will host an event aimed at shaping Northeast governors’ regional marijuana legalization plans. The group also elected new board members, including representatives from Cresco Labs, The Arcview Group and The National Cannabis Industry Association.
A poll found that Virginia residents support legalizing marijuana, 61%-34%.
Saturday Night Live roasted the anti-marijuana prosecutorial reputation of Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), a presidential candidate,
- “I’m also America’s cool aunt. A fun aunt. I call that a ‘funt’—the kind of funt that will give you weed but then arrest you for having weed.”
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture tweeted about the availability of hemp crop insurance.
Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said, apparently without intentional irony, that the federal government should enact a policy that “firmly outlaws certain forms and uses” of marijuana products.
Presidential candidate Andrew Yang said he wants to decriminalize marijuana and opiates “because I believe we can learn from Portugal’s experiences.”
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) tweeted, “I’m proud to co-sponsor the Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act, which removes marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and provides funding to expunge prior marijuana convictions.”
Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) published an op-ed on why he voted against the marijuana banking bill.
Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) tweeted, “Isn’t autumn in #Maine the best? You can pick your own apples, blueberries, and now HEMP!”
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) tweeted about wanting to work with Democrats on marijuana reform.
The home of Missouri Republican congressional candidate Adela Wisdom was the target of a police marijuana raid.
/ STATES
New York Gov Andrew Cuomo (D) said he wants to put marijuana legalization in his budget proposal next year.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) appointed an executive director for the Cannabis Compliance Board.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers spoke about public support for medical cannabis. The Assembly speaker said the legislation would need to provide for “a very controlled environment” and that broader marijuana legalization is a “non-starter.”
Utah’s attorney general is asking that a lawsuit challenging the legislature’s replacement of a voter-approved medical cannabis ballot measure be moved back to state court.
Texas’s agriculture commissioner said he will work to have regulations in place in time for farmers to plant hemp this spring.
Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner released information about hemp license applications.
The Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy will hold a hearing on several marijuana bills on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the state’s top cannabis regulator said that a ban on vaping devices could negatively impact medical marijuana patients.
Colorado regulators approved new rules expanding medical cannabis access.
Illinois regulators approved the state’s first recreational marijuana cultivation licenses.
Here’s a look at former California politicians and regulators now working for the marijuana industry.
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/ LOCAL
Marion County, Indiana’s acting prosecutor announced his office will no longer prosecute cases of possessing less than an ounce of marijuana. The Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police and chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said officers should continue enforcing cannabis laws.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne discussed marijuana with former boxer Mike Tyson.
Jamaica’s minister of industry, commerce, agriculture and fisheries announced a cannabis partnership with the Harvard International Phytomedicines and Medical Cannabis Institute.
Argentinian governors signed a medical cannabis cooperation agreement.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabis use by inflammatory bowel disease patients can induce clinical improvement and is associated with reduced use of medication and slight weight gain.”
A study concluded that “the marijuana protection hypothesis is not supported by recent U.S. data on opioid mortality trends” and that “legalizing marijuana appears to have contributed to the nation′s opioid mortality epidemic.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Brazilians support medical cannabis, 75%-20%.
The Arizona Cannabis Chamber of Commerce is opposing a proposed marijuana legalization ballot measure and plans to offer its own alternative.
/ BUSINESS
MindMed raised $6.2 million to support development of therapeutic forms of psychedelic drugs that don’t have hallucinogenic effects, with investors including Shark Tank host Kevin O’Leary and former Canopy Growth Corp. CEO Bruce Linton.
Medicine Man removed marijuana vape products containing propylene glycol or vitamin E acetate from its shelves.
Encentus Federal Credit Union said it will stop serving Oklahoma medical cannabis businesses.
/ CULTURE
311 urged cannabis reform supporters to register to vote.
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