Newsletter
CO cannabis sellers pass underage sales checks (Newsletter: October 23, 2023)
Fed psilocybin case in court; MI gov signs tribal marijuana bills; NJ cops slam city’s cannabis lawsuit; Kimmel & Snoop’s new weed holiday
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division reported that licensed cannabis retailers have a 99 percent compliance rate in underage sales checks conducted this year.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit heard oral arguments in a case challenging the Drug Enforcement Administration’s decision to deny a psilocybin rescheduling petition outright instead of referring it to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed a pair of bills to allow licensed marijuana businesses to conduct trade with tribal cannabis entities and funnel a portion of tax revenue back to tribes for sales that happen on Indian land.
The New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police is lashing out against a lawsuit filed by Jersey City officials that seeks to overturn a state policy allowing off-duty marijuana use by officers—calling the legal challenge “an unfortunate waste of taxpayer dollars.”
A new study finds that people who practice yoga after consuming marijuana experience improved mindfulness and mysticality—indicating that “set and setting during cannabis use may significantly impact the therapeutic benefit.”
Jimmy Kimmel presented Snoop Dogg with a proclamation declaring the rapper’s October 20 birthday—the midway point to 4/20—to be a new marijuana-themed holiday called DoggFather’s Day.
/ FEDERAL
The National Institute of Justice sponsored research on developing a method for potency testing of up to sixteen cannabinoids.
The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations heard testimony about illegal marijuana cultivation on public lands during a hearing on border issues and national parks.
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) tweeted, “In Nevada, legal cannabis businesses have created jobs and boosted our economy. I recently toured Deep Roots Harvest with @NVCannOrg to discuss the bipartisan SAFER Banking Act I’m fighting to pass. Legal cannabis businesses deserve full access to basic banking services.”
Former Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) spoke about the prospects for the current version of marijuana banking legislation that he used to sponsor.
/ STATES
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) tweeted, “The @CO_Revenue (DOR) recently released a monthly cannabis sales report showing that adult-use and medical cannabis sales surpassed $15 billion since 2014, generating $2.5 billion in tax revenue.”
The Florida Senate Health Policy Committee heard an update from regulators about the medical cannabis program.
New York lawmakers are sending letters to landlords who are allegedly renting to illegal marijuana businesses.
An Ohio senator authored an op-ed detailing his concerns about the marijuana legalization initiative on the November 7 ballot.
The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission appointed a new executive director.
The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation’s chief equity officer spoke about the awarding of marijuana microbusiness licenses.
Arizona regulators announced a voluntary recall of marijuana products due to possible contamination with aspergillus.
Rhode Island’s top marijuana regulator said that a ban on marijuana advertising “probably” led to a slow start for recreational sales.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development said that a loan for a proposed cannabis facility is not finalized despite approval by the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. Meanwhile, a senator who is a member of that body explained why he voted against the funding.
Virginia regulators launched a public education campaign to deter marijuana-impaired driving.
Washington State regulators sent a marijuana newsletter with updates on equity, revenue allocations, floor plan requirements for retailers and more.
Alabama regulators will begin accepting applications for 2024 hemp licenses on November 1.
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/ LOCAL
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s mayor said he was “depressed” to see the City Council approve legislation to restrict where safe consumption sites for illegal drugs can open.
Howard County, Maryland’s state’s attorney said the county had a secret policy of not prosecuting certain cannabis cases for several years that he did not publicly announce because he didn’t “want to in any way encourage the use of marijuana.”
A federal judge dismissed charges in a case against a former Wilton, Maine police officer and a former Oxford County sheriff’s deputy related to an alleged illicit marijuana and money laundering operation.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Canadian government is moving to legalize medically assisted dying for people with substance misuse disorders.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “Δ9-THC induced the death of colorectal cancer cells.”
A review showed “robust decreases in depressive symptoms following psilocybin administration.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Australian Lawyers Alliance is pushing for police to stop prosecuting people who drive after using medical cannabis if there is no evidence that their driving is impaired.
The Security Industry Association is publishing an updated guide to cannabis security requirements.
/ BUSINESS
SNDL Inc. is consolidating all cannabis cultivation activities at its Atholville, New Brunswick, Canada facility.
Intercure said that some of its employees and their loved ones have been kidnapped, murdered or injured amid the Israel-Hamas war.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission is considering a proposal to ban marijuana smoking at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Canadian retailers sold C$464.2 million worth of legal marijuana products in August.
New York retailers sold $83 million worth of legal recreational marijuana products in the first three quarters of 2023.
/ CULTURE
An Ohio judge dismissed some claims in a police lawsuit against Afroman stemming from his use of footage of their marijuana raid on his home in a music video, but other claims are being allowed to proceed.
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