Newsletter
Cannabis research bill approved by congressional panel (Newsletter: September 10, 2020)
NY counties push for legal marijuana; Navy explains CBD & hemp shampoo ban; TX cannabis arrests drop after hemp legalization
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Paid for by readers like you. Marijuana Moment’s newsletter and in-depth cannabis reporting is made possible by the 475 people who subscribe to us on Patreon.
Support our work for $25/month and gain access to valuable insider data, exclusive interview audio, and more: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a marijuana research bill and amended it to finally allow scientists to study cannabis from state-legal dispensaries.
The New York State Association of Counties is calling on state lawmakers to legalize marijuana as a way to offset economic losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The U.S. Navy issued a new statement explaining why it banned sailors from using hemp and CBD products—including shampoos and lotions—earlier this year.
- “We have to be fit to fight and can’t take a risk in allowing our Sailors to consume or use these types of products.”
Marijuana arrests in Texas dropped nearly 30 percent in a year—thanks largely to the legalization of hemp and law enforcement’s resulting difficulty in telling the two crops apart without testing devices.
/ FEDERAL
The U,S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled against a Montana man who claimed that a congressional medical cannabis rider barred him from prosecution for hash oil offenses.
The Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy published a post about the U.S. Department of Agriculture reopening hemp comments.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said in a Senate floor speech that “if Democrats didn’t get their diversity studies for the cannabis industry, stimulus checks for illegal immigrants, and tax cuts for blue-state millionaires, they’d make sure millions of Americans would lose their unemployment benefits and the PPP would close. That’s what they threatened… and that’s what they did.”
Sen. John Thune (R-SD) again criticized House Democrats in a Senate floor speech for including the word “cannabis” more times than “jobs” in their coronavirus relief bill.
The House bill to respect state marijuana laws got two new cosponsors for a total of 65.
Texas Democratic Senate candidate MJ Hegar tweeted, “I’m in favor of legalizing marijuana and always have been.”
California Democratic congressional candidate David Kim tweeted, “The STATES Act was supported by progressives, conservatives, and independents, but not Rep. Gomez. It would strengthen the Tenth Amendment and federally decriminalize cannabis for states that legalized. What’s stopping him? His ties to police PACs, private prisons, Big Pharma?’
/ STATES
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) tweeted, “Last year, @FettermanLt toured Pennsylvania to talk with you about adult-use marijuana. Overwhelmingly, Pennsylvanians asked for legalization. I’m for it — we could use the profits to help small businesses harmed by COVID. Tell your legislator to get a bill legalizing adult-use marijuana to my desk. I’d be happy to sign it into law.” Meanwhile, the lieutenant governor tweeted, “New Jersey is poised to legalize adult-use cannabis in November. This means about 40% of our Commonwealth’s population will be a 30 minute or less drive from legal access just over the border. Pennsylvania needs action now!”
Candidates for Indiana attorney general clashed over the issue of decriminalizing marijuana.
New Jersey activists are launching an online, phone and mail-based effort to pass a marijuana legalization referendum.
Michigan regulators published an advisory bulletin on marijuana social equity plans.
Iowa regulators plan to award a new medical cannabis manufacturing license on November 20.
Colorado officials launched a new ad campaign aimed at deterring marijuana-impaired driving.
South Carolina regulators released a list of approved hemp brokers.
Michigan regulators tweeted about a hemp event being held on Thursday.
Oregon’s Marijuana Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday.
/ LOCAL
Birmingham, Alabama’s mayor said he thinks first-time marijuana offenses should be pardoned.
The Juneau, Alaska City and Borough of Planning and Zoning Commission voted to allow onsite consumption of edible marijuana products at a marijuana dispensary.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canadian officials granted an exemption to legally use psilocybin for two additional patients.
Police groups in the UK are endorsing a new system of medical cannabis cards for patients.
Thailand’s Government Pharmaceuticals Organization acknowledged the efficacy of cannabis-based medicines.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “CBD could be a potential protective agent for keratinocytes against the harmful effects of irradiation and chemical environmental factors that cause oxidative stress.”
A study found “preliminary support for the efficacy and safety of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treating PTSD across ethnoracial groups.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Students for Sensible Drug Policy named new interim co-executive directors.
/ BUSINESS
An employee of KPMG, which was awarded a no-bid contract to grade applications for Illinois’s latest marijuana licensing round, is a partner in one of the cannabis companies that won a spot in the upcoming lottery to determine winners.
Oregon marijuana businesses are facing threats from large wildfires.
Cronos Group Inc. has a new CEO.
Schwazze appointed a new chief operating officer and members of its board of directors.
Sira Naturals employees voted to unionize.
Cresco Labs launched a new brand aimed at taking market share away from alcohol.
/ CULTURE
Model Kathy Ireland spoke about her involvement in the CBD industry.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
