Newsletter
Cannabis rescheduling imminent, opponents say (Newsletter: April 30, 2024)
SCOTUS takes CBD case; McConnell on SAFER Banking; Study: Marijuana doesn’t affect motivation; Fed psilocybin research; MA poll
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case on whether a truck driver who was fired after testing positive for THC can sue Medical Marijuana, Inc., which allegedly falsely marketed its CBD product as having “0% THC.”
Officials with the prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana announced they are hearing rumors that a federal cannabis rescheduling decision could be announced “very soon,” possibly as early as “today or tomorrow.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) office told Marijuana Moment that he “continues to oppose marijuana banking” as advocates seek to find a legislative vehicle to advance the reform.
House Financial Services Committee Vice Chair French Hill (R-AR) said he would support combining a marijuana banking bill with a cryptocurrency regulation measure—arguing that “our country will benefit” if both reforms are enacted.
The National Institutes of Health announced it will support research on psychedelic-assisted therapy to treat chronic pain in older adults with a new investment of $8.4 million in federal grant funding.
A new study of frequent marijuana consumers found that “contrary to stereotypes, we observed minimal effects on motivation” and that there was “no evidence of a weed hangover.”
- “Very frequent users…are more motivated than less frequent users.”
A poll of Massachusetts residents found that 65 percent say legalizing marijuana was the “right decision” for the state but that 55 percent want hemp-derived THC products to be restricted to being sold at dispensaries only.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) said marijuana reform is about “privacy issues and personal liberty questions.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) tweeted, “Right now, marijuana has the same status under federal law as heroin and is labeled as more dangerous than fentanyl or cocaine—which makes no scientific sense. President Biden has called on the DEA to review this policy, and it’s time for them to act.”
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) said President Joe Biden should embrace marijuana legalization in order to win reelection.
/ STATES
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) tweeted, “Let me set the record straight: my candid conversation reveals my commitment to our small businesses and patients who rely on medical cannabis. Frustration with federal interference highlights my dedication to fighting for what’s right for New Mexicans.”
The Michigan Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case on a marijuana business licensing dispute on May 8.
Oklahoma’s top medical cannabis regulator spoke about how the program has evolved over time.
The Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on Friday.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,400 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
A judge upheld a $191,000 award to a former Amsterdam, New York wastewater treatment worker who was fired over medical cannabis use.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A Canadian lawmaker is pushing for an emergency debate in the House of Commons about drug decriminalization.
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction posted a request for proposals to design a cannabis policy toolkit “that will support decision makers and planners with the design, implementation and evaluation of national cannabis policies.”
Moroccan regulators have issued nearly 3,000 authorizations for legal cannabis production.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “while sports medicine physicians generally have favorable attitudes toward CBD and cannabis, these perceptions appear to be significantly affected by age, practice type, and gender.”
A study of mice found that “medicinal cannabis oil improves anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors.”
/ BUSINESS
Clever Leaves Holdings Inc. is voluntarily delisting from Nasdaq and deregistering its securities.
Planet 13 Holdings Inc. received regulatory approval for a proposed sale of Planet 13 Florida, Inc. and the proposed acquisition of VidaCann, LLC.
Decibel Cannabis Company Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$27.7 million and a loss and comprehensive loss of C$1.2 million.
Simply Solventless Concentrates Ltd reported annual revenue of C$6.2 million.
/ CULTURE
Basketball player Brittney Griner blamed a “mental lapse” for her bringing cannabis vape cartridges into Russia.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
