Newsletter
CO cannabis revenue outweighs alcohol or cigarettes (Newsletter: August 21, 2023)
DEA sued for marijuana license delay; OH GOP divided on legalization; Lubbock cannabis decrim campaign; Regulators press Congress on cannabinoids
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) and U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) are on opposing sides of the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot, with the governor opposing the reform and the GOP congressman telling Marijuana Moment he’ll vote for it.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is being sued by MMJ BioPharma Cultivation Inc., which says the agency has improperly delayed acting on its application to grow marijuana for research and has “flagrantly ignored” deadlines in a cannabis bill signed by President Joe Biden.
A new Colorado Legislative Council Staff report shows that the state generated more tax revenue from marijuana than alcohol or cigarettes during the last fiscal year. It also details how cannabis money funds services like K–12 education and health care.
Activists in Lubbock, Texas launched a campaign to place a marijuana decriminalization initiative on the local ballot.
The Cannabis Regulators Association responded to congressional committees’ request for information on CBD by urging lawmakers and regulators to consider all hemp-derived cannabinoids, not just cannabidiol.
The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians is launching a mobile marijuana “food truck” to expand on the success it has seen with its first-in-Minnesota dispensary location by bringing cannabis sales elsewhere across tribal lands.
In a new Marijuana Moment op-ed, NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano pushes back on what he describes as “misleading” and “disingenuous” media coverage implying that cannabis smoke is equally or more dangerous than tobacco smoke.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee (D) and leaders of the House and Senate appointed members to the state’s new Cannabis Advisory Board.
An Alabama judge issued a stay on processing medical cannabis business licenses amid a lawsuit alleging that regulators violated the state’s Open Meetings Act when nominating companies for approval.
/ FEDERAL
The Congressional Research Service noted a recent federal appeals court ruling striking down the ban on gun possession for marijuana consumers.
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) said “they’re even lacing marijuana with fentanyl.”
/ STATES
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) discussed the process for selecting a top marijuana regulator for the state.
Wisconsin’s Senate minority leader tweeted, “It’s time to legalize opportunity in Wisconsin!”
A New York judge ruled that an injunction barring regulators from processing additional marijuana dispensary licenses will continue indefinitely.
A Florida judge issued a legal memo advising that defendants on probation should not be prohibited from using medical cannabis.
Colorado regulators issued a health and safety bulletin about potentially unsafe levels of yeast and mold on marijuana products.
An Oklahoma medical cannabis business owner filed a lawsuit claiming that actions taken by regulators should be invalidated because the executive director of the agency doesn’t have necessary legal qualifications.
The Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission is considering a marijuana company’s appeal of regulators’ recall of its products.
New Jersey regulators approved additional marijuana business licenses.
Oregon marijuana regulators are relocating to new office space.
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/ LOCAL
New York City police officials discussed enforcement efforts against unlicensed cannabis businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A German lawmaker tweeted, “The #Cannabis draft law passed in the cabinet falls short of expectations. In the parliamentary deliberations, we will fundamentally revise the draft in order to finally pass a practical and meaningful law.”
Victoria, Australia lawmakers discussed public support for marijuana legalization.
A Taipei, Taiwan City Council member criticized the Ministry of Justice for threatening to prosecute people over certain marijuana-related speech.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cannabinoids stand to be one of the most interesting, safe, and accessible tools available to attenuate the devastation resulting from the misuse and abuse of opioid narcotics.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The New York Post editorial board criticized people and organizations that support drug decriminalization.
/ BUSINESS
Tilray Brands, Inc. is acquiring the remaining equity of Truss Beverage Co. that it does not already own from Molson Coors Canada.
Cheeba Chews released an ad that spoofs pharmaceutical commercials.
Canopy Growth Corporation will hold its annual shareholder meeting on September 25.
Texas A & M University police are instituting a policy to reduce arrests for marijuana possession.
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