Newsletter
Congress advances immigrant and veteran cannabis protections (Newsletter: July 1, 2021)
NC Senate panel approves medical marijuana; Austin cannabis decrim ballot measure; Harvard psychedelics project; PA gov signs medical cannabis bill
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House Appropriations Committee approved spending bills and attached reports that include marijuana-related protections for immigrants and military veterans, as well as directives to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration to loosen hemp and CBD restrictions.
The North Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee approved a medical cannabis bill. It’s the first time comprehensive medical marijuana legislation has advanced in the state legislature.
Austin, Texas activists announced a campaign to put a marijuana decriminalization measure on the November ballot. Their press conference was held next to a statue of local cannabis icon Willie Nelson.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) signed a medical marijuana expansion bill into law that continues policies enacted during the coronavirus pandemic—such as curbside delivery, telehealth and increased possession limits, among other changes.
Harvard Law School launched a new project to “promote safety, innovation and equity in psychedelics research, commerce and therapeutics.” One of its leaders spoke to Marijuana Moment about how it will engage with the decriminalization movement.
/ FEDERAL
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is planning changes to a federal drug use survey to include questions about CBD, update questions on the mode of administration and include changes to market information.
Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) wrote in a constituent letter that he agrees with marijuana’s Schedule I status.
/ STATES
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) sent a press release celebrating mariuana legalization taking effect. She also spoke at a cannabis conference.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) issued an executive order that allows college athletes to monetize through sponsorships, but not with marijuana and certain other businesses.
Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate Doug Gansler, a former state attorney general, tweeted, “Yet another state has done the rational, practical, and fiscally responsible thing and legalized cannabis. Maryland should be next.”
Alabama’s lieutenant governor and other top officials made appointments to the Medical Cannabis Commission.
Virginia’s attorney general tweeted about touring a medical cannabis business.
The South Dakota Department of Public Safety issued guidance directing police not to arrest people for medical cannabis, within certain limitations. Separately, regulators released a list of qualifying conditions for the program.
Oregon lawmakers sent Gov. Kate Brown (D) a bill to increase access to harm reduction and treatment services under the state’s voter-approved drug decriminalization law, among other related changes.
California’s Senate minority leader is calling for “a statewide approach to ending illegal marijuana grows.”
Washington State regulators sent a notice about the July 31 expiration of some COVID-related policies for marijuana businesses, including the allowance of curbside service and walk-up windows.
Alaska regulators proposed rules concerning marijuana business employee badges.
Nevada regulators will consider changes to marijuana rules on July 27.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,100 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
Minnehaha County, Lincoln County and Sioux Falls, South Dakota officials will no longer arrest or prosecute low-level marijuana offenses in light of medical cannabis legalization’s impact on law enforcement’s ability to distinguish legal and illegal marijuana.
Manhattan, New York’s district attorney moved to dismiss more than 4,500 marijuana cases.
The New Orleans, Louisiana City Council’s Criminal Justice Committee approved a series of ordinances to remove penalties for marijuana possession and pardon people with past convictions.
The Springfield, Massachusetts city auditor is investigating the process for local marijuana business approvals.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies blamed the Senate for the legislature’s failure to pass a marijuana legalization bill by the Supreme Court’s most recent deadline.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cannabis was associated with a reduction in overall PTSD symptoms and improved [quality of life] but that “dry mouth, headaches, and psychoactive effects such as agitation and euphoria were the commonly reported adverse effects” and that “in most studies, cannabis was well tolerated, but small proportions of patients experienced a worsening of PTSD symptoms.”
A study found “no evidence that lifetime cannabis use and cannabis use disorder affect obesity related traits.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
DC Vote and dozens of other organizations sent a letter urging congressional leaders to remove riders blocking local decisionmaking in Washington, D.C., including one preventing the city from legalizing marijuana sales.
South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws is pushing state officials for clarity on how they will carry out the medical cannabis law taking effect on Thursday.
/ BUSINESS
Glass House Brands Inc. will begin trading on the NEO Exchange on Monday.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. is not renewing its contract to produce marijuana in Uruguay.
Tilray, Inc. partnered with Broken Coast Cannabis Ltd. to launch a new lager beer that does not contain cannabis.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. completed its acquisition of a licensed marijuana dispensary location from Nature’s Remedy of Massachusetts, Inc.
Aphria Inc. gave its then-CEO a compensation package worth C$10.5 million to change his employment status from independent contractor to full-time employee.
Jushi Holdings Inc. has a new chief operations officer.
MedMen Enterprises Inc. announced updates on its operations in Arizona, California and Illinois.
Tumblr is partnering with Civilized.
/ CULTURE
Chelsea Handler and Wiz Khalifa spoke about the time they smoked marijuana at a dinner with Shania Twain and other celebrities.
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