Newsletter
Cannabis dispensaries drive employment, study finds (Newsletter: December 9, 2021)
IN gov open to pre-legalization plan; IRS marijuana biz advice; SD voters don’t like gov’s cannabis stance; Banking debate among reformers
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R)—who opposes marijuana legalization—said he’d be OK with lawmakers passing a bill now to set up a regulatory and licensing structure for cannabis sales in case federal law eventually changes.
The Internal Revenue Service Small Business/Self Employed Division’s commissioner of examination offered tax compliance advice for marijuana businesses during a new webinar hosted by PBC Conference.
A new poll found that South Dakota voters disapprove of Gov. Kristi Noem’s (R) handling of marijuana. She opposed a legalization ballot initiative and her administration funded a lawsuit that overturned the measure after voters approved it.
A new study that Colorado counties that allow legal marijuana dispensaries see increased employment rates.
- “The findings in this paper provide evidence that recreational cannabis dispensaries improved county-level labor market conditions.”
In a new op-ed for Marijuana Moment, Minority Cannabis Business Association President Kaliko Castille argues that cannabis reformers holding out for full legalization instead of supporting the SAFE Banking Act will end up with nothing at all from this Congress.
- “I’m not here saying that SAFE Banking will magically alleviate access to capital problems, but it will help more than the status quo.”
/ FEDERAL
Health and Human Services Sec. Xavier Becerra said he can’t answer a question about safe consumption sites for illegal drugs “because of ongoing litigation” but said “the so-called ‘War on Drugs’ was actually just a War on People.'”
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy released a model law for states to help expand access to syringe services programs.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration launched a grants program to support harm reduction services.
The Department of Veterans Affairs hosted a webinar on using medical cannabis to treat multiple sclerosis.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) spoke about working to get more Republican and Democratic cosponsors for her marijuana legalization bill.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) tweeted about the drug arrest of a St. Lawrence County, New York legislator, saying, “This is the 3rd North Country elected Democrat to be arrested for criminal cocaine possession in recent years. Tim Currier. Simon Conroy. Tony Arquiett. I am calling on Tony Arquiett to immediately resign. Shame on all North Country Democrats who are silent.”
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) tweeted about continuing to “advocate for bipartisan, achievable cannabis reform here in Congress.”
Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) tweeted about illegal marijuana grows, saying, “These operations steal water, poison wildlife, trash our public lands, and increase the chances of a forest fire occurring.”
Former House SpeakerJohn Boehner (R-OH) evaded a question about whether marijuana is a winning issue for the midterm elections.
Former Rep Barney Frank (D-MA) will speak at a cannabis conference on Thursday.
The House bill to require the Food and Drug Administration to regulate CBD got two new cosponsors for a total of five.
/ STATES
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed a bill to ease financial reporting requirements for marijuana businesses.
New Mexico’s secretary of regulation and licensing spoke about efforts to roll out the recreational marijuana market.
Colorado regulators sent a health and safety advisory about potentially unsafe levels of the pesticide Imidacloprid on marijuana produced by Tree Farmers LLC.
New Jersey regulators approved 30 new medical cannabis dispensary licenses.
A Georgia medical cannabis regulator, who is also the police chief of Austell, is under investigation over his department’s K-9 expenses.
Illinois has collected nearly $563 million in marijuana tax revenue since legal sales began.
Oregon regulators sent a compliance bulletin on marijuana sampling and testing.
A Washington State cannabis regulatory board member resigned.
South Carolina regulators published a list of permitted hemp transporters.
Florida regulators sent a reminder about a federal hemp survey for which responses are due this week.
The California Cannabis Advisory Committee will meet on Monday.
Connecticut’s marijuana Social Equity Council will host a forum on Monday.
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/ LOCAL
Ithaca, New York’s mayor joined the Drug Policy Alliance’s board of directors.
Schenectady, New York’s mayor said he is “disappointed” the City Council voted to opt out of allowing marijuana dispensaries and on-site consumption facilities.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Former French President François Hollande said he now supports marijuana legalization after having opposed it while in office.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said his government has no intention of legalizing marijuana or other drugs.
A former UK deputy prime minister is calling for the legalization of all drugs.
Scotland’s government is urging people to stop using words like “junkie,” “addict” and “alcoholic” to reduce stigma surrounding substance misuse.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded there is “no clear conclusion whether cannabis induced positive or negative effects to human cognitive functions.”
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder are recruiting participants for a study on “how varying levels of cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) can impact factors associated with regular exercise, such as enjoyment, motivation, and pain.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Taxpayers Protection Alliance endorsed a Republican-led federal marijuana legalization bill.
The Los Angeles Times editorial board is calling on California lawmakers to pass legislation legalizing safe consumption sites for illicit drugs.
/ BUSINESS
Tilray, Inc. acquired Breckenridge Distillery.
BioHarvest Sciences Inc. announced that it has produced a “meaningful amount” of full-spectrum cannabis biomass without growing the plant itself.
MariMed, Inc. created what it says is the world’s largest marijuana-infused brownie.
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