Newsletter
Cannabis research expanding, review shows (Newsletter: May 31, 2022)
MD psychedelics funding for vets enacted; GOP congresswoman calls opponent “drug dealer” over hot hemp
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) is allowing a bill to create a state fund to provide “cost-free” access to psychedelics like psilocybin, MDMA and ketamine for military veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injury to take effect without his signature.
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) accused her primary challenger during a debate of being an “illegal drug dealer” for allegedly growing “hot hemp” containing more than the allowable amount of THC.
A new scientific review concluded that “over the past 20 years, the volume of cannabis research has grown steeply, which can be attributed to a large amount of funding dedicated to researching this topic”—although the science base may be biased in that “more cannabis research has focused on the harms associated with the substance, as opposed to its medical uses.”
/ FEDERAL
Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ed Markey (D-MA) led four other senators in sending a letter urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken to reset the U.S.’s relationship with the Philippines, including with the aim of influencing the justice system to hold people accountable for deaths in the nation’s bloody “drug war.”
Former Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA) tweeted, “Let’s not go backwards on marijuana criminalization. This is 2022. Maybe legislators are watching Reefer Madness… I don’t see crazed packs of weed smokers roaming the streets.”
/ STATES
A spokesperson for New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said he would review any marijuana legalization bill that reaches his desk if lawmakers “reach consensus and compromise” on the issue.
Pennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro, currently the attorney general, tweeted, “Look, the majority of Pennsylvanians support legalizing recreational marijuana, and I support boosting the economy — so I’ll legalize it as Governor. It’s going to bring billions of dollars to Pennsylvania.”
Vermont’s agriculture secretary visited a lab that tests hemp and other products.
The Oklahoma House speaker cited efforts to combat illegal marijuana grow operations as a top achievement for “comprehensive conservative policy” this session.
Virginia’s Senate president pro tempore tweeted about a new effort to reinstitute criminal penalties for possessing more than four ounces of cannabis in public, saying, “I voted against this before and I am working to stop this latest effort to criminalize marijuana. This is targeted at black and brown people who have been overcharged with these ‘crimes’ in the past. We do not need to go back to the past with these laws!”
An Indiana senator tweeted, “It’s well past time for Hoosiers to have access to medical cannabis and have the freedom to not face criminal penalties for individual use. There’s no reason for us to wait to join the dozens of states who have legalized cannabis in some form.”
Arizona regulators filed notice of changes to medical cannabis rules.
Florida regulators filed notice of rulemaking on packaging and labeling requirements for low-THC cannabis products.
Montana regulators adopted rules on marijuana business proximity to places of worship or schools and on processing and remittance of local-option marijuana excise tax collections to localities.
California’s top marijuana regulator tweeted about a study finding 100 percent age check compliance by marijuana dispensaries in the state, saying, “LOVE to 👀 this.”
Massachusetts regulators are offering digital applications for physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who want to participate in the medical cannabis program.
Hawaii’s Dual Use of Cannabis Task Force will meet on Tuesday.
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Marijuana Moment is already 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
Los Angeles, California regulators began accepting marijuana social equity individual application verification requests.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Thailand’s public health minister touted his party’s embrace of cannabis reform as a reason for its electoral successes.
Argentina’s minister of science and technology spoke about the expected economic benefits of medical cannabis and hemp exports.
Singapore’s Court of Appeal overturned the conviction of a man facing the death penalty for allegedly trafficking marijuana.
The UK Labour Party’s shadow attorney general raised concerns about legalizing marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “CBD-rich cannabis extract was found to improve one of the diagnostic criteria for [Autism Spectrum Disorder] (social interaction), as well as often co-existing features, and to have few serious adverse effects.”
A review concluded that “recent advancements in clinical trials using pure psilocybin in therapy suggest that it may effectively relieve the symptoms of depression in patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Tennessee Democratic Party tweeted, “@TNGOP actively makes people’s lives worse… ❌ They lock people up for marijuana use… We need to #TakeBackTennessee”
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial board said it is unfair for Pennsylvania officials to block doctors from advertising medical marijuana recommendation services while allowing ads from card companies that connect people with physicians.
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable released a draft version 4.0 of the standard for its certification program.
/ BUSINESS
An Oregon regulator report on how Curaleaf sold THC drops that were mistakenly labeled as CBD products was released via a public records request.
The Ontario Securities Commission dropped some charges against former CannTrust Holdings Inc. executives.
/ CULTURE
George Carlin is shown discussing his use of marijuana and psychedelics in a new HBO documentary on his life.
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