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Cannabis is safer than alcohol & cigarettes, Americans say in new poll (Newsletter: August 21, 2024)
GOP senator: “Let’s tax” marijuana; DEA psilocybin lawsuit; OH cannabis sales totals; Study: Marijuana linked to lower obesity
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A new Gallup poll shows that Americans view marijuana as less harmful than alcohol or tobacco, and that more people now smoke cannabis than cigarettes.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said “let’s tax” marijuana, adding that rescheduling would be a “good thing” even as he has criticized the Biden administration’s process that led to a recommendation to move cannabis to Schedule III.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held oral arguments in the case of a doctor challenging the Drug Enforcement Administration’s refusal to grant permission for him to treat cancer patients with psilocybin.
The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control reports that retailers sold $22.5 million worth of recreational marijuana products during the first 11 days of legal sales.
A new study found that marijuana use is tied to lower body mass index and that “as legalization and prevalence of the drug in the U.S. increases, the prevalence of obesity may decline.”
- “Daily marijuana users are 32% less likely to be obese than non-users.”
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management awarded more than 2,000 social equity status certificates to people who want to start marijuana businesses, including hundreds to military veterans and people with past convictions.
A former U.S. attorney for Kansas and a Prairie Village City Council formed a new coalition to press lawmakers to legalize recreational marijuana in the state even as limited medical cannabis bills have failed to pass.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) said he is “okay” with marijuana rescheduling” from the standpoint of doing more medical research on it.”
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) discussed his opposition to rescheduling marijuana.
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) tweeted, “In January, I introduced a bill to support the expungement or sealing of low-level marijuana convictions in states like Nevada where it has been legalized or decriminalized. It’s time for federal law to catch up with the times & respect the decisions of communities like ours.”
Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) said he’s “not gonna quit” pushing to get MDMA-assisted therapy approved following the Food and Drug Administration’s rejection.
/ STATES
A campaign committee created by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to defeat marijuana legalization and abortion rights initiatives on the November ballot received a $1 million contribution from Democratic consultant Pradeep “Rick” Asnani.
A Kansas representative who was newly appointed to the Special Committee on Medical Marijuana expressed concerns about “medicating a large portion of society.”
A New Hampshire representative said she is “honored” to receive an award recognizing her as a champion of medical cannabis access.
Washington State regulators updated the list of pesticides that are allowed to be used on marijuana.
California regulators posted a discussion paper about rules on gross receipts for sales of cannabis.
A Maryland Office of Social Equity official provided an update on the cannabis revenue-funded community repair and reinvestment fund.
Vermont regulators are now updating the list of approved cannabis products twice a week.
The New York Cannabis Advisory Board met.
Colorado regulators will hold a stakeholder meeting about draft marijuana implementation and fee-setting rules on Thursday.
The Mississippi Medical Cannabis Legislative Advisory Board will meet on Thursday.
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/ LOCAL
The Charleston, West Virginia City Council approved a proposal to lower marijuana possession penalties.
Los Angeles, California regulators reversed a decision about waiving marijuana business licensing fees.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Moroccan King Mohammed VI pardoned nearly 5,000 people convicted or wanted on charges linked to illegal marijuana cultivation.
The Pakistan National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence recommended amendments to a cannabis bill.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study indicated “potential benefits of Ganja Oil for improving quality of life among Thai patients, as a complementary treatment.”
A study concluded that “the rapid onset and sustained antidepressant effects of vaporized DMT align with the paradigm of rapid-acting antidepressants to be used in the scope of interventional psychiatry” and that “the noninvasive route and short-acting nature of DMT offer practical advantages, potentially enhancing accessibility to psychedelic treatments.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Ukrainians support medical cannabis legalization, 43 percent to 16 percent.
/ BUSINESS
RIV Capital Inc. and Cansortium Inc. provided an update on integration activities ahead of completing a merger.
TerrAscend Corp. announced a $10 million share repurchase program.
/ CULTURE
Snoop Dogg is featured in a new marijuana-themed ad for a smokeless fire pit.
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