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Cannabis arrests dropped amid COVID, FBI says (Newsletter: September 28, 2021)

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NY gov touts marijuana’s jobs potential; FL psychedelics bill; MA drug decrim hearing

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

New Federal Bureau of Investigation data shows that marijuana arrests dropped by more than a third in the U.S. last year as both the COVID-19 pandemic and the legalization movement spread. Still, there was a cannabis bust every 90 seconds on average, and an arrest for drugs in general every 27 seconds.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said the state’s new marijuana market will create “thousands and thousands of jobs.”

  • “So count me in as an ally—someone who’s going to be there for you.”

Florida’s Senate minority leader filed a bill that would require the state to study the medical benefits of psychedelics such as psilocybin and MDMA.

The Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use & Recovery held a hearing on bills to decriminalize drugs and allow safe consumption sites where people could consume illegal substances under medical supervision.

Mississippi’s agriculture and commerce commissioner held a press conference to reiterate his opposition to having any part in regulating medical cannabis while it remains federally illegal.

/ FEDERAL

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is being asked to reconsider a decision to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the Drug Enforcement Administration’s marijuana scheduling decisions.

The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a public safety alert about fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.

The State Department published a readout of a meeting with Colombian officials to discuss counternarcotics issues.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) tweeted, “Legalize marijuana so we can bring these jobs to communities hit hardest by the War on Drugs.”

Former Rep. Greg Ganske (R-IA) authored an op-ed calling for marijuana legalization.

/ STATES

Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Niki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, tweeted, “We need to legalize marijuana and expunge most marijuana convictions. And we can do that in Florida right after we beat @GovRonDeSantis.”

Illinois’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “Justice is more than jails, policing, and prisons—it includes healthy communities. I commit to fairness and equality. That’s why @govpritzker, @ICJIA_Illinois, and I aim to Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (#R3) communities devastated by the failed war on drugs through grantmaking. #DYK the #R3 Program receives 25% of tax revenue from adult-use cannabis? Depending on the growth of the market, the R3 Board could disburse up to $125 million per year to address: -Economic development -Violence prevention -Re-entry -Youth development -Civil legal aid.”

The Washington, D.C. Council scheduled a hearing on a marijuana legalization bill for November 19.

A Wisconsin senator who is sponsoring a marijuana legalization bill posted a photo of herself riding a tractor at a hemp farm.

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands regulators are endorsing pending legislation to make changes to marijuana rules.

Massachusetts’s top marijuana regulator criticized how municipalities impose impact fees on marijuana businesses.

Washington State’s Office of Fiscal Management said cannabis revenues appear to be moderating.

Vermont’s Cannabis Control Board and its advisory subcommittees will hold several meetings this week.

California regulators will discuss dual cannabis and gaming licensing on Monday.

Nevada regulators will consider marijuana rules amendments on October 26.


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.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.

/ LOCAL

The Los Angeles County, California district attorney dismissed nearly 60,000 marijuana convictions.

Here’s a look at which New York municipalities are opting out of allowing certain cannabis businesses before the deadline.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Toronto, Ontario, Canada is moving to ask the federal government for permission to decriminalize drugs.

Italian activists are pushing the country’s Council of Ministers to extend the deadline to certify signatures on a marijuana referendum because some local officials are taking too long to do so.

Thailand’s government produced a video touting the country’s medical cannabis laws.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study concluded that “medicinal cannabis use may reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms in clinically anxious and depressed populations.”

A study found “no overall protective relationship between state [medical cannabis laws] and opioid overdose.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

District of Columbia Marijuana Justice is holding a rally on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to push for a legalization vote in Congress.

The Washington Post editorial board criticized a Virginia judge who jailed a witness for admitting that she smoked marijuana earlier in the day before testifying against her alleged domestic violence abuser.

A marijuana stocks investor created a video juxtaposing Sen. Cory Booker’s (D-NJ) pledge to block cannabis banking legislation with news coverage of robberies at dispensaries.

The Maryland Minority Cannabis Business Association was recently formed to advocate for diversity in the marijuana industry.

/ BUSINESS

Aurora Cannabis Inc. reported quarterly revenue of C$54.8 million and an adjusted EBITDA loss of C$13.9 million.

MarinHealth Medical Center is calling on California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to sign a bill requiring hospitals to allow medical cannabis use.

Sedona Ranch Retreats, which has held cannabis coaching sessions, has banned people who get COVID-19 vaccinations.

Harborside Inc. intends to transition to domestic issuer status in the U.S.

Missouri dispensaries have sold more than $113 million worth of medical cannabis since sales began.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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