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Cannabis amendments blocked in Congress (Newsletter: July 19, 2022)
Biden judicial nominee worked to legalize; European leaders’ marijuana meeting; MO ballot measure uncertain; NY funds college cannabis programs
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House Rules Committee blocked floor consideration of amendments to increase military veterans’ medical marijuana access. Separate proposals to protect people from being evicted from public housing over marijuana were also withdrawn.
Roopali Desai, President Joe Biden’s nominee to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, successfully worked to legalize marijuana in Arizona and served on the National Cannabis Roundtable’s advisory board—prompting critical questioning from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) during a confirmation hearing.
Top government officials from Germany, Luxembourg, Malta and The Netherlands discussed marijuana legalization plans at a joint meeting.
Preliminary signature verification results from Missouri’s secretary of state indicate that a marijuana legalization initiative is in danger of not qualifying for the November ballot.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced that the state is awarding $5 million in funding to community colleges to support credential programs or course offerings providing pathways to employment in the marijuana industry.
Texas’s agriculture commissioner authored an op-ed calling for expanded access to medical marijuana and saying that the “history of cannabis prohibition reflects the failed alcohol prohibition of the 1920’s.”
/ FEDERAL
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) reiterated that marijuana banking legislation must be tied to sentencing reform to have his support.
Rep. Anthony Brown (D-MD) spoke about his National Defense Authorization Act amendment requiring the military to review marijuana penalties for service members.
Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) spoke about his work to increase military veterans’ access to medical cannabis and otherwise reform marijuana laws.
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) tweeted, “The 200,000 veterans who call NV home should be able to candidly discuss medical marijuana with VA health care professionals. I’m proud to have supported the Veterans Equal Access Amendment in the #FY23NDAA”
Oklahoma Democratic Senate candidate Kendra Horn said she signed a petition to put marijuana legalization on the ballot.
Minnesota Democratic congressional candidate Jen Schultz tweeted, “It’s time to legalize cannabis w/ strong, sensible regulation and taxation. People across political, socioeconomic and geographic lines agree. Once again, Republican obstructionists, like Pete Stauber, stand in the way of the will of the people.”
/ STATES
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) tweeted, “Legalization of adult-use cannabis is about creating opportunities, supporting small businesses & farmers, and righting the wrongs of the past. Glad to see these applications approved as we continue to build the strongest and most equitable cannabis industry in the country!”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) helped to cut the ribbon at a new hemp processing facility.
Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke, a former congressman, tweeted, “We are going to legalize marijuana in Texas while generating nearly $1 billion a year in new revenue and savings.”
Many Colorado school districts still don’t have policies allowing personnel to administer medical cannabis to students despite a state law requiring it.
The California State Fair’s cannabis exhibit is now open through the end of the month.
Utah regulators sent an update on the medical cannabis program.
The Kansas Department of Agriculture is hosting a hemp stakeholder meeting on Tuesday.
The Arkansas Legislative Council will consider medical cannabis and hemp rules on Wednesday and Thursday.
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/ LOCAL
Colorado Springs, Colorado voters will see measures on the November ballot to allow and tax recreational marijuana sales.
The Deschutes County, Oregon Board of Commissioners will consider a proposal to place a measure banning psilocybin businesses in unincorporated areas on Wednesday.
The Athens Clarke County, Georgia Commission is expected to vote on a marijuana decriminalization proposal on August 2.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The UK’s home secretary proposed revisions to drug policy that would effectively decriminalize initial possession offenses but also add punitive measures like the revocation of passports in some instances.
Belize Prime Minister John Briceño spoke about the cost of holding a marijuana legalization referendum.
Canadian officials suspended a clinical trial on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy “due to concerns for participant safety.”
Mexican officials captured a former drug cartel leader who was allegedly behind the 1985 murder of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration special agent.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “utilization of biodiesel produced from industrial hemp seed oil in the diesel engine up to 20% (by vol.) will decrease the consumption of diesel and environmental pollution, especially in developing countries.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A survey of Australians found that they support legalizing marijuana, 41 percent to 37 percent, and also revealed their views on the legalization of other drugs.
The American Bankers Association tweeted, “This bipartisan, commonsense [marijuana banking] legislation is urgently needed to help resolve the public safety issues that result from keeping cannabis businesses out of the banking system. ABA joins @RepPerlmutter in urging the Senate to pass the #SAFEBanking Act.”
The National Cannabis Roundtable and the Weldon Project’s MISSION [GREEN] launched a new Cannabis Clemency Campaign.
Arizona NORML published a voter guide on candidates in the state’s primary elections.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf International has a new president.
Wynd Technologies, Inc. launched an indoor environment sensor it says can reliably detect marijuana smoke, along with cigarette and vape usage.
Short sellers are ratcheting down their bets against cannabis stocks.
A spokesperson for Richmond International Airport in Virginia said that lawful marijuana possession will “not elicit a police response.”
/ CULTURE
Drake appeared to confirm a run-in with Swedish police, just hours after his team sought to dismiss what they said were false rumors of his being arrested for marijuana in the country.
Sci-fi author Kim Stanley Robinson spoke about his use of LSD.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis/Side Pocket Images.
