Newsletter
Cannabis could be on the ballot in these states in 2022 (Newsletter: August 13, 2021)
Biden exploring clemency for drug prisoners; WY marijuana ballot measures cleared for signatures; SXSW wants votes on cannabis & psychedelics panels
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Marijuana Moment put together a comprehensive guide to states that could have marijuana and drug policy measures on their 2022 ballots.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said President Joe Biden is considering using his clemency powers to help people with drug convictions. Many people in prison for drugs now were sent there under laws Biden championed as a senator.
Wyoming’s secretary of state has cleared activists to begin a signature gathering drive to put initiatives to decriminalize marijuana and legalize medical cannabis on the 2022 ballot. Petitioning can begin once the attorney general finalizes summaries.
SXSW is asking people to vote on proposed panels for the 2022 event in Austin. Unlike recent past events, there’s no specific cannabis track this time—but there are nearly 100 potential sessions focused on marijuana and psychedelics to choose from.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a Mexican man’s deportation over a marijuana possession conviction.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) sent a letter urging President Joe Biden to rescind a legal opinion that would force people on home confinement to return to federal prison following the COVID-19 pandemic.
/ STATES
Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ashwani Jain added a plank on legalizing marijuana and expunging records to his platform.
The California Supreme Court ruled that it is still a crime to possess marijuana in prisons.
Nebraska activists say they will file revised ballot language for proposed medical cannabis initiatives within the next week to 10 days.
Ohio regulators issued a mandatory recall of medical cannabis edibles produced by Beneleaves Limited after receiving a report of mold. Separately, the Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee held its last meeting before the body sunsets.
A federal judge struck down Maine regulators’ residency requirements for medical cannabis businesses.
Alabama’s Medical Cannabis Commission held its first meeting and elected a chair.
Illinois regulators are being accused of making errors in their marijuana licensing lottery process.
Massachusetts regulators held a meeting to act on marijuana business issues.
The fate of Virginia legal marijuana sales could be decided by who wins the state’s upcoming gubernatorial and legislative elections.
Oklahoma regulators sent a reminder about the need for medical cannabis businesses to file an ownership attestation by August 30.
An Alaska policy allowing marijuana edibles to be twice as potent as before takes effect on September 1.
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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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
Newington, Connecticut became the first municipality in the state to approve a recreational marijuana retailer.
The Sioux Falls, South Dakota mayor is proposing to cap the number of medical cannabis dispensaries in the city to five.
Sturgis and Meade County, South Dakota police are making less of an emphasis on marijuana arrests at this year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Newark, New Jersey officials will hold cannabis information forums on Friday and Monday.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “there is evidence that chronic osteoarthritic pain in dogs can be reduced by supplementation with CBD” and that “preliminary evidence exists to support the analgesic properties of CBD in treating chronic canine osteoarthritis.”
A review concluded that “there is insufficient evidence for an effect of THC or CBD on symptoms, cognition, and neuroimaging measures of brain function in schizophrenia.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The president of prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana spoke about how the group is adapting its messaging as legalization spreads.
The Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation submitted comments in response to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s request for input on equity issues.
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable criticized the Food and Drug Administration’s rejection of dietary ingredient notifications for full spectrum hemp extracts.
/ BUSINESS
Harvest Health & Recreation Inc. shareholders approved a resolution on the company’s acquisition by Trulieve Cannabis Corp.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. reported quarterly revenue of $215.1 million.
Columbia Care Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $109.7 million and a net loss of $10.9 million.
WM Technology, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $47 million and an operating loss of $15.3 million.
Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $24.2 million and a net loss of $5.4 million.
HERBL is reportedly in talks to go public by merging with blank check company BGP Acquisition.
/ CULTURE
Snoop Dogg commented on a new industry-funded study showing that cannabis consumers are well-educated, physically active and are more likely to participate in the workforce than the average American.
Football player Marshawn Lynch’s Dodi Blunts brand is teaming up with the Last Prisoner Project to train people who have been harmed by marijuana criminalization to work in the cannabis industry.
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