Newsletter
Cannabis & psychedelics votes in Congress this week (Newsletter: September 26, 2023)
Biden touts marijuana move; State lawmakers push SAFER Banking; CA gov on psychedelics; PA legalization; RI cannabis sales; ME entheogen decrim
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House Rules Committee cleared two psychedelics amendments and a measure on pharmaceutical “drug interactions with marijuana” for floor votes this week.
President Joe Biden touted his cannabis clemency move at a Congressional Black Caucus event, saying that “God Almighty…no one should be in jail merely for the use of, possession of marijuana.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) says he’s not sure how he will decide on a psychedelics legalization bill that’s on his desk. The comments come as a new poll shows that a majority of likely voters in the state support the reform.
The National Conference of State Legislatures, which represents state lawmakers across the U.S., sent a letter calling on Congress to pass a marijuana banking bill.
Black Pennsylvania lawmakers discussed the prospects of legalizing marijuana in the state and the importance of ensuring equity is at the center of any legislation from the start.
The Portland, Maine City Council’s Health and Human Services and Public Safety Committee approved a psychedelics decriminalization resolution.
The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation reported that retailers sold nearly $9.7 million worth of legal marijuana products in August—the fourth month in a row of record-setting cannabis sales.
The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation issued guidance defending its marijuana product testing system in the wake of a large-scale recall.
An Arkansas law firm is facing lawsuits alleging that it manufactured local ownership groups to obtain four of the state’s first 32 medical cannabis dispensary licenses.
/ FEDERAL
Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reiterated his plan to legalize marijuana and use the revenue to fund drug rehabilitation facilities.
The Congressional Research Service noted marijuana and psychedelics provisions included in the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) spoke about her role in crafting a deal to advance marijuana banking legislation.
Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) tweeted, “When the Obama admin wrongfully targeted banks that worked with firearm companies under Operation Choke Point, we saw just how dangerous unchecked big gov can be. The SAFER Banking Act safeguards our liberties by outlawing backdoor attempts to erode our 2nd Amendment rights.”
House Judiciary Committee Democrats tweeted about the reintroduction of a federal marijuana legalization bill.
/ STATES
A lawsuit challenging Illinois regulators’ marijuana dispensary license award process was properly dismissed by a federal judge, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled.
The woman who resigned shortly after being named Minnesota’s top marijuana regulator said press coverage of the issue was “one-sided.”
Utah regulators filed revised medical cannabis rules.
Maine regulators published guidance on increased marijuana product potency limits and on co-location of recreational and medical cannabis cultivation facilities.
Ohio regulators published updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.
The New York Cannabis Advisory Board will meet on Tuesday.
The Nevada Cannabis Advisory Committee’s Subcommittee on Federal Rescheduling/Descheduling will meet on Friday.
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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
Lubbock, Texas activists have collected around 3,800 signatures in support of a local marijuana decriminalization initiative.
The Three Rivers, Michigan City Council rejected a proposal to allow marijuana consumption lounges.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The head of the UK Labour Party said he has “no intention” of reforming drug laws if he gets a chance to form a government.
Portuguese lawmakers plan to file legislation to create a cannabis working group.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cannabinoids show promise as adjunctive therapy in spine surgery, offering potential benefits in pain control, augmenting fusion, neuroprotection, wound healing, inflammation, and mental health.”
A study of fish found that “CBD had a stress reducing effect under stressed conditions.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Albany Times Union editorial board is calling on New York marijuana regulators to apologize for deleting public comment portions of a video of a recent meeting.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf and MPX NJ employees in Winslow and Sicklerville, New Jersey, respectively, voted to unionize.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
