Newsletter
Cannabis research bill heads to Biden’s desk (Newsletter: November 9, 2021)
Another poll: Americans want legalization; TX judge blocks delta-8 ban; SD ballot measure setback; Study: Marijuana intensifies psychedelic experience
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Congress sent President Joe Biden a large-scale infrastructure bill that contains provisions aimed at letting scientists study the actual marijuana that consumers buy from dispensaries—instead of using only government cannabis.
- “Americans support legalized marijuana, and now Congress is catching up,” Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO), who sponsored the provision, told Marijuana Moment. “When it’s signed into law, our bill is an important step toward researching how we can regulate cannabis-impaired driving safely and accurately.”
A poll found that 62 percent of U.S. adults support the “national legalization of marijuana.” The survey, which shows that 54 percent of Republicans and 68 percent of Democrats are on board, is the second in recent days to show broad public support for ending cannabis prohibition.
A Texas judge granted a temporary injunction blocking the state’s ban on hemp-derived delta-8 THC products.
South Dakota activists did not collect enough signatures to qualify a marijuana legalization initiative for the 2022 ballot by the state’s initial deadline, but they believe a federal court ruling gives them more time to keep petitioning.
A new study found that simultaneous use of marijuana with substances like psilocybin, LSD or DMT is associated with a “more intense” psychedelic trip, including “mystical-type experience, ego-dissolution and visual alterations.”
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture sent a reminder for hemp farmers to fill out a federal survey on the market.
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) wrote about his support for federal decriminalization of marijuana in a constituent letter.
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) spoke about how his marijuana research bill would provide “legal cover” for the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct the studies.
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) said he would consider adding cannabis banking language to other big pieces of legislation if it doesn’t get enacted through the National Defense Authorization Act.
Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-OR) sent a letter calling on Attorney General Merrick Garland to provide federal assistance to combat illegal marijuana cultivation.
Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) tweeted about a new documentary on illegal marijuana cultivation, saying, “I’ll continue to do everything in my power to combat these illegal grows threatening our community.”
/ STATES
Pennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro, currently the attorney general, tweeted, “New Jersey and New York have both legalized marijuana. It’s time that we join our neighbors in the Northeast and legalize recreational marijuana. Legalize it. Regulate it. Tax it — and expunge the records of those who have served time for possessing small amounts of marijuana.”
Texas Democratic attorney general candidate Lee Merritt tweeted, “Our government decided to respond to drugs with incarceration and violence. It’s a strategy that has failed and I’ve seen it personally. It’s time to end the war on drugs and meet our communities with care and compassion.”
Mississippi’s House speaker said lawmakers are ready to move on a medical cannabis bill if Gov. Tate Reeves (R) would call a special session.
Kentucky’s Senate Judiciary Committee chairman said he could potentially support a medical cannabis bill in the upcoming session.
The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice posted forms to help people expunge marijuana convictions.
South Dakota regulators begin accepting applications for medical cannabis patient cards.
Alaska regulators are proposing changes to rules on marijuana enforcement action processes.
Oklahoma regulators sent an update on rules for non-infused medical cannabis pre-rolls.
New Jersey regulators are expected to set a date to begin accepting recreational marijuana business license applications on Tuesday.
A Michigan regulator spoke about ongoing efforts to implement recommendations from the Racial Equity Advisory Workgroup.
Idaho regulators began accepting hemp license applications for 2022.
New Mexico regulators say they are moving to process marijuana production business licenses as fast as they can, but questions are being raised about whether they will be able to meet the expected April launch of legal sales.
Ohio regulators released updated medical cannabis industry data.
South Carolina regulators posted a list of permitted hemp seedlings/transplants.
Vermont’s Cannabis Control Board and its advisory subcommittees will hold several meetings this week.
Nevada’s Cannabis Advisory Commission will meet on Tuesday.
The Washington State Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force’s Licensing Workgroup will meet on Wednesday.
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/ LOCAL
The Leon County, Florida Commission is considering hosting workshops to discuss the potential decriminalization of marijuana.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Thailand’s public health minister said he will take steps to make marijuana a cash crop for the nation.
Mexico’s Senate president discussed cannabis issues with Morocco’s ambassador.
A Western Australia lawmaker resigned as a consultant to cannabis company Creso Pharma following questions about a possible conflict of interest.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review of rodent studies suggested “the neuroprotective potential of [cannabis-derived phytocannabinoids] and [resveratrol] for in vivo models of” Parkinson’s disease.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that 65 percent of Indiana voters support legalizing marijuana and 79 percent back allowing medical cannabis.
U.S. Cannabis Council pushed back against a news report about a presentation on marijuana market dynamics that the group received but says it did not endorse.
Simply Pure CEO Wanda James announced she is running for a seat on the University of Colorado Board of Regents.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $317 million and a net loss of $57 million. The company also announced it is acquiring Tryke Companies.
iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $49.3 million and a net loss of $15.8 million.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. is investing an equity stake in Growery B.V.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. says it will open West Virginia’s first medical cannabis dispensary on Friday.
Fyllo raised a $40 million Series C round.
The U.S. International Trade Commission is investigating a patent- and trademark-infringement complaint from Smoore Technology that seeks to block imports of cannabis vaping products made or sold by more than three dozen companies and their distributors.
/ CULTURE
Paul McCartney spoke about Bob Dylan introducing The Beatles to marijuana.
Megan Fox said boyfriend Machine Gun Kelly told her, the first time they met, “I am weed.”
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