Newsletter
Cannabis and psychedelics election results (Newsletter: November 3, 2021)
NDAA marijuana amendment; Vote scheduled on veterans cannabis research; IL tops $1B in 2021 sales; Study: legalization reduces racial disparities
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania voters overwhelmingly approved a marijuana legalization ballot referendum that calls on state lawmakers to enact the policy change.
Detroit, Michigan voters strongly approved a ballot measure to decriminalize psychedelics such as psilocybin, ayahuasca and ibogaine.
The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee scheduled a Thursday vote on a bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a series of clinical trials on the medical benefits of marijuana for military veterans with PTSD and chronic pain. The Biden administration testified against the legislation last month.
Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) filed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that’s aimed at streamlining marijuana research.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Health Forum concluded that legalizing and decriminalizing marijuana are tied to “large reductions in race-based arrests” while states that kept prohibition saw “increases in arrest rate disparities.”
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced that retailers have officially sold more than $1 billion worth of legal recreational marijuana products so far this year.
/ FEDERAL
Customs and Border Protection added information about hemp and CBD products to its prior drug use guidelines for prospective employees.
Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) tweeted, “Kratom is being researched and shows promise of being used to treat chronic pain with less addicting potential than opioid based drugs.”
/ STATES
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Cranley, currently Cincinnati’s mayor, tweeted, “If we taxed and regulated marijuana like alcohol we could reinvest millions back into our communities. We could create good-paying jobs and tackle our largest challenges. It’s time we #LegalizeIt.”
The Washington, D.C. Council approved legislation to extend the validity of expired medical cannabis cards, create a new two-year card and double the amount a person can buy from four to eight ounces.
Missouri regulators have received several federal subpoenas for information about the state’s medical cannabis program.
Oklahoma regulators proposed rule changes to “help ensure the safety of medical marijuana.”
Oregon regulators filed proposed changes to hemp rules.
Delaware regulators proposed hemp rules.
Vermont regulators issued recommendations on THC caps for marijuana products and oversight of the state’s medical cannabis program.
Connecticut’s marijuana Social Equity Council discussed local marijuana commerce bans at a meeting.
Minnesota regulators began accepting 2022 applications to grow or process hemp.
The New Hampshire Medical Oversight Board will consider medical cannabis issues on Wednesday.
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission will meet on Thursday.
Kansas regulators will host a hemp outreach event on Thursday.
Tennessee’s Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on Friday.
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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.
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/ LOCAL
Gwinnett County, Georgia commissioners delayed a final vote on a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
Rapid City, South Dakota officials issued the city’s first provisional medical cannabis dispensary license.
Denver, Colorado regulators sent an update on new rules for storage of cannabis and cash and for drive-up and walk-up windows.
/ INTERNATIONAL
UK lawmakers and activists are pressing the secretary of state for health and social care to expand medical cannabis access.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “medicinal cannabis users perceive a significant improvement in insomnia with cannabinoid use, and this study suggests a possible advantage with the use of predominant indica strains compared with predominant sativa strains.”
A study found that “adults in [recreational cannabis laws] and [medical cannabis laws] states were more likely to use high-potency cannabis than those in no-[cannabis legalization] states.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A Consumer Choice Center official authored an op-ed calling on Missouri lawmakers to enact a marijuana legalization law that “free-market Republicans and social justice Democrats” can both endorse.
Americans for Safe Access has a new director of government affairs.
/ BUSINESS
JPMorgan Chase & Co told prime brokerage clients it will no longer let them buy U.S. cannabis-related securities starting next week.
Filament Health Corp. announced that it received Food and Drug Administration approval for what it says is the first clinical trial using naturally-sourced psychedelic substances.
Green Thumb Industries and Happy are partnering to offer free mental health support to military veterans and their families.
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