Newsletter
Colombian legal cannabis bill nears final vote (Newsletter: June 7, 2023)
Congressional marijuana research reform; RI psilocybin vote; NY 280E reform; New rescheduling coalition launches
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Colombian Senate First Committee approved a marijuana legalization bill that has already cleared the Chamber of Representatives, sending it to the Senate floor—where it previously passed last year—for a final vote on enactment.
Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV) and Joe Neguse (D-CO) filed a new bill that would authorize $150 million to support marijuana research at universities while allowing them to obtain cannabis for studies from state regulatory agencies.
The New York Senate passed a bill to allow marijuana companies to deduct business expenses from local New York City taxes—expanding a partial 280E workaround that has already been enacted for state taxes.
The Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee approved a bill to legalize possession and cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms.
The Coalition for Cannabis Scheduling Reform is a new group of major marijuana companies and organizations that are pushing to highlight the benefits of incremental rescheduling even if full legalization takes more time—but other advocates have concerns about the unintended consequences of the incremental reform.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) tweeted, “All law-abiding Alaskan business owners should have the ability to utilize safe financial services. That’s why I’m supporting the SAFE Banking Act, which would ensure that legal cannabis businesses have banking access.”
Indiana Democratic Senate candidate Marc Carmichael supports rescheduling marijuana.
The House bill to ease restrictions on hemp growers got one new cosponsor for a total of two.
/ STATES
New Hampshire Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cinde Warmington discussed her support for legalizing marijuana.
South Dakota’s attorney general said marijuana legalization in neighboring Minnesota will create “additional issues” for law enforcement in his state.
Oregon’s former secretary of state is reportedly under federal investigation over the consulting work she did for a marijuana business while her office conducted an audit of cannabis industry issues.
Connecticut lawmakers sent Gov. Ned Lamont (D) a bill to ban synthetic THC products, create a new Office of the Cannabis Ombudsman and update how the Social Equity Council determines areas that have been disproportionately impacted by the drug war.
An Ohio senator argued that medical cannabis companies oppose a bill he filed because it would upend their “monopoly” on cultivation licenses.
The Minnesota representative who sponsored a now-enacted marijuana legalization bill spoke about the long road to passing it.
A lawsuit challenging Hawaii rules banning the sale of Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC products was dismissed by a federal judge.
Virginia regulators published enforcement guidelines for consumable hemp products.
Colorado regulators published a “roadmap” on cannabis industry access to banking.
The California Cannabis Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday.
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/ LOCAL
The Kenosha, Wisconsin City Council voted to reduce marijuana possession fines.
Tulsa, Oklahoma’s mayor said he is “open minded” about a proposal to allow city employees to use medical cannabis.
New York City officials launched a public health vending machine that provides access to free harm reduction supplies, including naloxone.
The Baltimore County, Maryland Council voted to allow marijuana dispensaries to operate more closely to one another.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A European Commission working group determined that hemp leaves are now no longer classified as a Novel Food.
Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan said he supports holding a referendum on marijuana legalization.
Malta’s government published updated marijuana rules.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabis was not associated with overall in-hospital mortality or morbidity” and that “there was a slight decrease in the incidence of [pulmonary embolism] in the cannabis positive group.”
A review concluded that “results support narrative reports of a subacute psychedelic ‘afterglow’ phenomenon comprising potentially beneficial changes in the perception of self, others, and the environment.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Democratic Governors Association tweeted, “Legalizing marijuana is the right step forward for Wisconsin, and Gov. @Tony4WI has a plan to get it done.”
Speakers for an upcoming Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies conference are reportedly concerned over contract clauses, including one that could restrict their ability to participate in other events.
/ BUSINESS
Fire & Flower Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries received an order for creditor protection from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
Verano Holdings Corp. announced changes to its leadership team.
SNDL Inc. has a new chief financial officer.
COMPASS Pathways plc patents were upheld by the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
A The Parent Company shareholder authored a letter arguing against the company’s proposed merger with Gold Flora Corp.
/ CULTURE
Drew Barrymore said she may “need to try an MDMA treatment or psilocybin as a way to get to some state where I could see things in a different way” to grapple with why she is not open to being in a romantic relationship.
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