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Cannabis biz called out for federal focus (Newsletter: October 26, 2022)
Revised German legalization plan; Biden admin slams Russian ruling for Griner; MO marijuana campaign edits ads; Study: psychedelics & nature
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Germany’s health minister is circulating a revised marijuana legalization framework that removes a THC potency limit and other restrictions that were criticized in an earlier draft. The Federal Cabinet will discuss the proposal on Wednesday.
The Biden administration loudly condemned a Russian court’s denial of American basketball player Brittney Griner’s cannabis vape conviction appeal, but the White House has remained silent on reports that Marc Fogel—another American detained in Russia for medical marijuana—was recently sent to a penal colony.
As a third poll in a row shows South Dakota’s marijuana legalization ballot measure behind, a top activist is calling out big cannabis businesses, which he says are pumping money into “expensive fancy D.C. lobbyists” that have achieved “virtually nothing” at the federal level while state campaigns are “starving” for resources.
Missouri’s marijuana legalization campaign took down and reedited ads showing police officers after getting a cease and desist letter from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
A new study found that people who use psychedelics are more connected to nature and are more knowledgeable about environmental issues.
- “Psychedelic use (primarily the use of psilocybin) predicted objective knowledge about climate change directly, and indirectly via nature relatedness” and “predicted concern about climate change indirectly via nature relatedness,” suggesting that “the relationship of psychedelics with pro-environmental variables is not due to psychological biases, but manifests in variables as diverse as emotional affinity towards nature as well as knowledge about climate change.”
A Detroit, Michigan assistant police chief said the city’s 95 percent drop in drug raids over the past decade is being driven largely by marijuana legalization, whereas cannabis used to account for a large share of narcotics busts.
/ FEDERAL
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Rahul Gupta and Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Todd Robinson coauthored an essay on the U.S.’s approach to international drug issues.
The U.S. attorney in Oregon charged six men with disguising themselves as Drug Enforcement Administration agents during an armed robbery of marijuana.
Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) tweeted about a letter from the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation on “effective ways to debate #cannabis reform.”
Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) said marijuana is a state-level decision and voiced support for banking access and research. Democratic challenger Thomas McDermott, currently the Hammond mayor, discussed his support for legalization.
Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) tweeted, “My bipartisan bill with Rep. @RodneyDavis would help expunge the records of people with simple marijuana misdemeanors. This is an important move toward true #justice and #CannabisReform.”
Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) discussed his support for marijuana law reform.
South Dakota Democratic Senate candidate Brian Bengs tweeted, “John Thune claims he doesn’t want government in your life. Yet he thinks the government should enforce a federal abortion ban and should prevent cannabis legalization in South Dakota, despite South Dakotans already voting to legalize it in 2020.”
/ STATES
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) indicated during a debate that he could potentially sign a marijuana legalization bill into law at some point, but it “really depends what the bill looks like” and “now is definitely not the time.” Democratic challenger Tom Sherman, currently a state senator, said there are several good reasons to enact legalization.
South Dakota Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jamie Smith, currently the House minority leader, spoke about his support for legalizing and taxing marijuana during a debate. Separately, the legislature’s Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee endorsed changes to the state’s medical cannabis program. And campaign committees supporting and opposing the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot reported contributions.
The Colorado campaign supporting the psychedelics legalization initiative on the November ballot brought in $1.1 million in contributions this month.
Iowa House Democrats circulated infographics about the benefits of legalizing marijuana.
Here’s a look at where Kentucky House and Senate candidates stand on marijuana policy.
A North Dakota representative tweeted, “I’m voting YES on legalizing marijuana. This is a conservative approach with many limits: it restricts use to adults 21+, it restricts the amount a person can possess & grow, and it restricts use to private homes and property, not public places.”
A Missouri senator wrote about his opposition to the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot. Separately, a representative tweeted, “Imagine having to depend on a legislature that doesn’t support the release of those wrongfully convicted & then asking that same legislature to allocate $$ for you to get your record expunged if you get caught smoking marijuana?! I will be voting NO on #Amendment3”
Michigan’s top marijuana regulator previewed plans to crack down on illicit cannabis sales and “expose” bad actors in the industry.
The California Department of Industrial Relations posted information about cannabis industry health and safety.
The Nevada State Police issued a warning to parents about cannabis-infused candy ahead of Halloween.
Vermont regulators will review recommendations for marijuana social equity status and licensure on Wednesday.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture is hosting a hemp summit on November 14 and 15.
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/ LOCAL
The Denver, Colorado City Council approved the use of $15 million in marijuana tax revenue for a new investment fund to support minority- and women-owned businesses.
The El Paso County, Colorado Board of Commissioners adopted resolutions opposing a statewide November ballot initiative to legalize psychedelics and expressing opposition to Colorado Springs measures to legalize and tax recreational marijuana sales.
The Jersey City, New Jersey City Council is expected to consider a proposal to cap the number of recreational dispensaries at 55 on Wednesday.
Detroit, Michigan officials are hosting a cannabis industry job fair on Wednesday and Thursday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Brazil’s Federal Council of Medicine suspended recently enacted restrictions on medical cannabis.
A representative of Jamaica’s Cannabis Licensing Authority criticized the Ministry of Justice for failing to create a framework to accommodate Rastafarians’ spiritual use of cannabis.
Israel’s communications minister announced an action to combat unsolicited text messages offering cannabis for sale.
Government officials from The Netherlands and Luxembourg met to discuss cannabis and drug policy.
The Australian Capital Territory’s police chief spoke about the local move to decriminalize drugs.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A National Institute of Standards and Technology study of hemp products found that “of the 53 samples examined, 49 were incorrectly labeled as hemp because they technically fit the federal classification of marijuana.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
SEIU, Service Workers International Union endorsed the marijuana legalization initiative on Missouri’s November ballot.
The Marijuana Policy Project published a voter guide for gubernatorial races across the country.
Americans for Safe Access published a medical cannabis voter guide.
Here’s a look at companies and organizations that disclosed they are lobbying Congress on cannabis issues.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation announced a plan to accelerate its entry into the U.S. cannabis market through the creation of a new holding company, Canopy USA, LLC, which it says will allow it to exercise rights to acquire Acreage, Wana and Jetty.
Curaleaf employees in Edgewater, New Jersey voted to organize with the United Food and Commercial Workers.
A Cresco Labs board member resigned.
Warren County, Ohio’s prosecutor is charging two men with defrauding investors in a fake cannabis business.
Metrc launched new radio frequency identification cannabis plant tags it says are sustainable and were developed to reduce waste.
/ CULTURE
Snoop Dogg’s professional joint roller spoke about her job.
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