Newsletter
Congress to vote on studying dispensary cannabis today (Newsletter: September 9, 2020)
IA to ask for DEA marijuana exemption; ME issues 1st cannabis licenses; Biden pledges forced drug treatment; USDA funds studies on hemp as cattle feed
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A marijuana research bill up for a vote in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Wednesday is likely to be amended to finally let scientists study the same cannabis that consumers get from state-legal businesses.
The Iowa Department of Public Health plans to apply for a formal exemption from federal marijuana prohibition in order to address impediments its limited medical cannabis law is encountering.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden discussed his view that people convicted of low-level drug offenses should be forced to enroll in mandatory treatment programs in order to stay out of jail. His campaign didn’t respond to Marijuana Moment’s request for clarification about whether that applies to people caught with cannabis.
- “Mandatory. They’ve got to go to mandatory rehab, but it’s not part of the record when they get out if they finish it.”
Maine regulators issued the state’s first marijuana business licenses—nearly four years after voters approved a legalization ballot measure. Legal cannabis sales are set to begin next month.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is funding research on whether hemp-based cattle feed could lead to unacceptable concentrations of THC and other cannabinoids in milk or meat.
/ FEDERAL
Former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci said he thinks marijuana be legalized during the next presidential term regardless of who wins the election.
Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA) tweeted, “Decriminalizing marijuana will be a big step toward ending the failed “war on drugs” that contributed to institutionalized racism and the criminal justice epidemic. It’s about time we right this wrong.”
Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) tweeted, “Despite its legalization in California, the illegal activity involving marijuana does not seem to have dropped.”
/ STATES
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) said he is open to changes to the state’s marijuana legalization law to better ensure equity in the cannabis industry.
Former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant (R) authored an op-ed urging voters to reject a medical cannabis ballot measure.
Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “There’s already a thriving marijuana market in Pa. Why not make it legal, why not make it safe and why not make it taxable to help Pa. get back on its feet?”
A Texas judge extended a temporary restraining order against a smokable hemp ban until September 14.
The Michigan Court of Appeals ordered the Port Huron city clerk to certify a local ballot measure to allow marijuana businesses/
An Oregon senator authored an op-ed endorsing a ballot measure to legalize psilocybin therapy.
Wisconsin regulators tweeted about the reopening of a public comment period on federal hemp rules.
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/ LOCAL
Houston, Texas officials adopted a testing method to differentiate between marijuana and hemp.
San Antonio, Texas’s cite and release program led to a 35% reduction in the number of arrests for small amounts of marijuana.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A Colombian marijuana reform proposal survived an attempt to kill it by just one vote.
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines cabinet approved the country’s first medical cannabis dispensary.
Philippine regulators sent a warning about cannabis vaping products.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “CBD possesses anti-arthritic activity and might ameliorate arthritis via targeting synovial fibroblasts under inflammatory conditions.”
A study found that “the main difference in the subjective effects of marijuana and concentrates is in terms of their positive effects, with marijuana producing greater positive effects than concentrates” and that “negative effects of marijuana and concentrates were small, suggesting that extreme negative effects are unlikely for regular cannabis users.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Drug Policy Alliance’s new executive director began her tenure.
The Tennessee Democratic Party tweeted, “The failed War on Drugs has torn Black families apart; they deserve restorative justice. That means a fair release from prison: support services and equitable probation. As a Senator, Marquita Bradshaw will push for restorative justice.”
/ BUSINESS
Aurora Cannabis Inc. named a new CEO and projected that its quarterly revenue will be between $70 million and $72 million.
Columbia Care Inc. announced plans to acquire Project Cannabis for approximately $57 million in stock and $12 million in cash.
WeedMD is being accused of creating a “chill” effect by allegedly firing a union organizer without cause.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
