Newsletter
Cannabis biz could advertise under Schedule III, congressional report says (Newsletter: July 30, 2024)
Senators approve medical marijuana protections; OH dispensary guidance; NH medical cannabis expansion; NFL cannabis discrimination lawsuit; TX decrim
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved spending bills and reports with provisions to continue protecting state medical marijuana laws from federal interference and to press the Biden administration to do more to free American citizen Marc Fogel, who is jailed in Russia over cannabis.
The Congressional Research Service said in a new report that moving marijuana to Schedule III would allow cannabis businesses to advertise in newspapers and magazines—but that most other criminal penalties and collateral consequences “would remain the same.”
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) signed a bill to allow medical cannabis recommendations to be issued by physician assistants and other providers who are licensed to prescribe drugs.
The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control sent guidance about what marijuana businesses can and can’t do on the opening day of recreational sales, which is expected imminently. The document also covers advertising, packaging and other issues.
The Lockhart, Texas city secretary certified that activists collected enough signatures to put a marijuana decriminalization initiative on the local ballot in November.
The National Football League and Denver Broncos are seeking to dismiss a player’s lawsuit alleging discrimination over penalties he incurred due to positive THC tests from his use of a prescribed cannabis medication, saying marijuana it “can lead to on-the-field injuries, to alienation of the fans, [and] diminished job performance.”
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID) said he opposes rescheduling marijuana.
/ STATES
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) touted his state’s cannabis reform moves, saying, you “cannot celebrate the benefits of legalization without addressing the consequences of criminalization.”
Nevada’s Assembly speaker and other state and local officials toured a cannabis consumption area in California.
A Florida senator is urging voters to approve the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.
A federal judge denied a motion to temporarily block Iowa rules restricting intoxicating hemp products.
California regulators are scrambling to test cannabis products for pesticides following a media investigation that indicated they have failed to keep vapes and pre-rolls containing toxic chemicals off of dispensary shelves.
Minnesota regulators published guidance on hemp-derived cannabinoid products.
Colorado regulators will hold a stakeholder meeting on draft changes to marijuana rules on Thursday.
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/ LOCAL
The Louisville, Kentucky Metro Council is considering medical cannabis business rules.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin Common Council candidates discussed their views on marijuana legalization.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Germany’s health minister criticized the head of the Christian Democratic Union for implying his party would recriminalize marijuana if it takes power.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cannabinoids have promising anxiolytic effects and favourable safety profile compared to contemporary anxiolytics.”
A study of cannabis cultivation found that flushing “induced only minor effects on plant development and yield quantity,” “had only minimal effects on the physiological function of the plant” and “had only minimal effects on cannabinoids and terpenoids concentrations.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Kentucky Association of Counties posted an overview of actions that counties around the state are taking on medical cannabis rules.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editorial board is calling on the City Council to approve a proposal to protect medical cannabis patients from adverse employment decisions due to positive marijuana tests.
/ BUSINESS
Verano Holdings Corp. entered into agreements to acquire all of the ownership interests of three subsidiaries of The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc.
MedMen NY Inc. is reportedly closing all of its dispensaries in New York.
IM Cannabis Corp. regained compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement.
/ CULTURE
Macy Gray said she uses cannabis edibles and cocaine for “healing.”
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