Newsletter
Cannabis provisions in bipartisan congressional leaders’ bill (Newsletter: March 5, 2024)
Feds question marijuana-impaired driving laws; Study: Legal cannabis hurts beer market; NM touts $1B sales; DE legalization implementation
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A new bipartisan spending bill filed by House and Senate Appropriations Committee leaders extends state medical cannabis protections, pushes federal agencies to study legalization laws, urges broader researcher access to cannabis strains and advocates hemp as a plastic alternative.
A new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration draft report calls into question state laws that determine marijuana-impaired driving using a “per se” limit of THC in the blood, saying there’s “relatively little research” to support the policy.
Delaware’s top marijuana regulator and the representative who sponsored the legalization law spoke about efforts to launch the market, including reacting to concerns about letting existing medical cannabis businesses start sales sooner.
The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department is touting new data showing that retailers in the state have now sold more than $1 billion in legal marijuana products since the adult-use market launched.
A new study found that marijuana legalization was tied to “an immediate decline in beer sales” in Canada that is “economically meaningful” and continues over time—”suggesting that individuals are moving away from beer towards legal cannabis.”
Custom Cones USA and its rolling paper brand DaySavers are hiring for what they call the “ultimate stoner dream job”—a content creator who will “get paid to smoke weed.” The salary is $70,420.
Highland Park, New Jersey officials are facing a lawsuit claiming that the town’s approval of cannabis businesses violates federal laws.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) expressed concerns about Chinese-backed illegal marijuana farms in the U.S.
Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) discussed his support for legalizing medical cannabis, especially for military veterans.
/ STATES
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) tweeted, “I’m calling on tech companies to make it clear where consumers can find licensed cannabis shops, instead of unlicensed vendors that undermine our legal market. The vast majority of consumers want to buy safe, tested product, so let’s make it easier for them to do it!” Separately, regulators are being sued over hemp rules.
South Dakota lawmakers sent Gov. Kristi Noem (R) several bills to amend various medical cannabis rules.
Washington State lawmakers sent Gov. Jay Inslee (D) a bill to allow the sale of cannabis waste products.
A Virginia delegate coauthored an op-ed calling on Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) to sign his marijuana sales legalization bill into law.
A Kentucky senator filed a bill to add new medical cannabis qualifying conditions.
Maryland lawmakers are considering legislation to raise marijuana and other taxes to support a reparations fund.
A Missouri senator spoke about her legislation to legalize psilocybin therapy for military veterans.
Kentucky regulators posted rules on professional standards for medical cannabis practitioners.
Illinois’s top cannabis regulator discussed efforts to ensure an equitable industry.
California regulators issued a recall of cannabis products due to obstructed labeling information. Separately, a regulatory lawyer spoke about the state’s steps to prepare for interstate marijuana commerce.
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission will meet on Thursday.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 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.
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/ LOCAL
The Kaua‘i County, Hawaii Council is considering a resolution calling on state lawmakers to oppose marijuana legalization.
The Carroll County, Maryland Board of Commissioners will consider proposed marijuana sales rules on Thursday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet reiterated that he will not support legalizing marijuana.
Germany’s health minister tweeted, “The judiciary has a lot of work to do with cannabis law because of amnesty for unenforced convictions. That’s correct. But foregoing the amnesty would be a gross injustice, especially with the argument of ‘a lot of work.’ And in the long term, legalization reduces the burden on the judiciary.” Separately, the Union parliamentary group is claiming that the government’s cannabis plan violates. international and European law.
Sicily, Italy officials are launching a program to develop local hemp supply chains.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found “strong evidence for the protective use of CBD in [lead] exposures.”
A study of rats found that “CBD can be protective against brain injury caused by cardiac [ischemia–reperfusion] damage through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.”
/ BUSINESS
Planet 13 Holdings Inc. commenced an underwritten public offering of units.
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