Newsletter
Cannabis safer than legal substances, Americans say in poll (Newsletter: June 14, 2023)
DEA weighs in on minor cannabinoids; CT marijuana biz 280E fix signed; NM cannabis jobs report; Prohibs raise SAFE Banking fears
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Drug Enforcement Administration is weighing in on the legality of lesser known cannabinoids such as THCA, delta-8 THC and hydrogenated CBD—but an attorney says the agency’s new letter “is bound to create more confusion in an already confusing area of law.”
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) signed budget legislation that includes provisions to decouple state tax policy from the federal 280E provision, thereby allowing marijuana companies to deduct business expenses in their state filings.
The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions reported that there are 4,666 people employed in the state’s legal marijuana industry and that workers who came from other sectors are now typically earning more than in their previous non-cannabis jobs.
A new poll conducted by the American Psychiatric Association found that U.S. adults consider marijuana to be significantly less dangerous than cigarettes, alcohol and opioids—and they believe cannabis is less addictive than each of those substances, as well as technology.
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America is urging Congress to reject a marijuana banking bill, arguing it would lead to “negative consequences…including increased traffic fatalities, youth use rates, ER visits and hospitalizations.”
Indiana lawmakers will formally study marijuana legalization’s potential impact on the workforce and teen use in the legislative interim ahead of next session.
/ FEDERAL
National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf coauthored a journal commentary arguing for more research on fentanyl test strips and other drug checking and screening tools.
The Senate bill to ease restrictions on hemp growers got two new cosponsors for a total of three.
The House marijuana banking bill got seven new cosponsors for a total of 47.
/ STATES
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) responded to an agreement between the state’s Republican Party and Libertarian Party by tweeting that “if you run more pro-liberty candidates who support…legal Cannabis and Psilocybin small businesses then…maybe you can start calling your nominees Democrats.”
New Jersey’s Senate president said he doesn’t “see anyone getting rowdy after using marijuana.”
The Massachusetts legislature’s Judiciary Committee held a hearing on legislation to decriminalize psychedelics.
A Louisiana representative spoke about her bill to streamline marijuana expungements.
A Minnesota representative discussed his support for a now-enacted measure to create a psychedelic medicine task force.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands regulators issued the territory’s first marijuana processor license.
Utah officials appointed members to the Medical Cannabis Policy Advisory Board.
Michigan regulators posted a monthly report on disciplinary actions taken against marijuana businesses.
Nevada regulators toured cannabis businesses.
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/ LOCAL
The Dallas, Texas Office of Community Police Oversight issued a report finding that police carry out marijuana enforcement on a racially disproportionate basis.
Seattle, Washington’s mayor created a task force to study approaches to public drug use.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “in severe Tourette syndrome, treatment with THC and CBD reduced tics and may reduce impairment due to tics, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder; although in some participants this was associated with slowed mentation, memory lapses, and poor concentration.”
A review highlighted “CBD’s promising biological features for its application in dentistry, despite existing patents that suggest the current compositions for oral care as the main interest of the industry.”
/ BUSINESS
Glass House Brands Inc. is being sued by Catalyst over claims that it is “one of the largest, if not the largest, black marketers of cannabis in the State of California, if not the country.”
A subsidiary of CULTA is acquiring Growing Ventures and K&R holdings.
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