Newsletter
Cannabis decrim bill hits Virginia governor’s desk (Newsletter: March 9, 2020)
Biden frustrated by ‘gateway drug’ perception; DEA admits legal marijuana undercuts illegal market; 50 state banking groups want cannabis vote ASAP
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Former Vice President Joe Biden (D), a presidential candidate, expressed frustration in a new interview that so many people think he still believes marijuana is a gateway drug. In fact he has claimed in the past that cannabis leads to use of other drugs, and as recently as four months ago said it may.
Virginia lawmakers sent a marijuana decriminalization bill to the desk of supportive Gov. Ralph Northam (D). Separate legislation that was approved will require an official state study of the possibility of more broadly legalizing cannabis.
The Drug Enforcement Administration admitted—buried within a 190-page submission to Congress—that state-level cannabis legalization reduces illegal market demand.
Fifty state banking associations sent a letter urging Senate Banking Committee leaders to hold a vote on a marijuana financial services bill “as soon as possible.”
/ FEDERAL
The Department of Veterans Affairs sent a reminder to its employees that they may not use marijuana.
A National Credit Union Administration inspector general’s report found that former counsel for the agency used marijuana and visited strip clubs during work hours.
The House bill to remove roadblocks to marijuana research got one new cosponsor for a total of 19.
The House bill to require the Food and Drug Administration to allow CBD as a dietary supplement got one new cosponsor for a total of 10.
New York Democratic congressional candidate Nate McMurray tweeted that part of his jobs plan is “Agriculture (hemp/marijuana included).”
California Republican congressional candidate Nikka Piterman tweeted, “It’s time to legalize medical marijuana, and commute the sentences for non-violent drug offenders. This plant has shown far too many medical applications. We should reclassify it to a Schedule V substance.”
/ STATES
A Pennsylvania judge heard arguments in a case on whether the firing of a Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority worker over state-legal medical cannabis use was lawful.
Missouri’s House Democratic leader said the rollout of the state’s medical cannabis program has been “atrocious.”
The Utah House of Representatives passed a bill to amend medical cannabis rules.
The West Virginia House of Representatives pulled a Senate-passed bill to revise medical cannabis policies off its calendar.
The Wyoming House of Representatives approved a bill to establish fees for inspection to ensure hemp crops are not too potent.
The Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee held a hearing on a bill to expunge prior marijuana convictions.
Texas regulators finalized hemp rules.
Florida regulators proposed changes to hemp rules.
Illinois regulators launched a public education campaign about the effects of marijuana and the details of the state’s legalization law.
Washington State regulators released an agenda for a March 17 meeting on marijuana licensee true party of interest rules.
The Oglala Sioux Tribe, located in South Dakota is set to vote on measures to legalize marijuana and allow medical cannabis on Tuesday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 cannabis 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
The Webster Groves, Missouri City Council gave initial approval to a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
Although Bethlehem, Pennsylvania decriminalized marijuana in 2018, local police are still using state law to make arrests.
The first recreational marijuana dispensary in Boston, Massachusetts is set to open on Monday.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review on CBD concluded there “was evidence to support single dose positive effect on social anxiety disorder, short medium-term effects on symptomatic improvement in schizophrenia and lack of effect in the short medium-term on cognitive functioning in psychotic disorders” and that “overall, the administration was well tolerated with mild side effects.”
A study found that “women with depression are more than three times more likely to use cannabis during pregnancy.”
/ BUSINESS
Harvest of Ohio LLC will “voluntarily” donate $500,000 to the state’s prescription drug reporting database to settle an ownership dispute with regulators.
/ CULTURE
The New York Times is looking to speak with parents who give CBD oil children under six years of age.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
