Newsletter
Congressional cannabis champion retiring (Newsletter: November 1, 2023)
DEA wants more psychedelics; Marijuana amendments in Congress; MN cannabis rules underway; PA licensing bill advances; Drug legalization handbook
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), a founding co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, announced he won’t run for reelection next year. His co-chairs of the caucus and outside advocates spoke to Marijuana Moment about his legacy and carrying the torch forward.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is moving to dramatically increase the amount of marijuana compounds and psychedelics like psilocybin and ibogaine that can be produced this year for research—on top of massive expansions already announced previously.
The House Rules Committee is set to consider amendments to remove the block on marijuana sales in Washington, D.C. and to end the practice of drug testing federal job applicants for cannabis.
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management is taking the first step toward crafting rules for the newly legal marijuana market with a survey seeking public input on issues such as technical considerations for cultivation, processing and manufacturing.
The Pennsylvania House Health Committee approved a Senate-passed bill to allow licensed medical marijuana grower-processors in the state to sell cannabis products directly to patients, along with a new amendment restricting ownership transfers.
A new “Drug Legalization Handbook” published by a coalition of advocacy groups including Reason Foundation, Law Enforcement Action Partnership and Students for Sensible Drug Policy offers perspectives on how drugs could be regulated under a post-prohibition framework.
A federal judge denied hemp businesses’ request for an injunction against Virginia’s strict new cannabinoid product law.
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration reports that the state has generated $23.5 million in medical cannabis tax revenue so far in 2023, with an official saying “we remain on track to set a new sales record this year.”
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration is accepting public comments about non-incineration methods to destroy controlled substances.
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) tweeted, “My Higher Education Marijuana Research Act would eliminate barriers for studies on cannabis and create entities within the @NIH and @DEAHQ to assist researchers. I applaud the NIH for announcing a new research resource center that accomplishes many of the goals of my bill.”
/ STATES
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) tweeted, “entrepreneurs who follow the law. New York is committed to building the nation’s most equitable legal cannabis industry — and we’ll do it the right way.”
An Oklahoma representative said he will probably stop sponsoring medical cannabis reform legislation because it has “become such a toxic issue.”
An Alabama judge denied medical cannabis companies’ request for a temporary restraining order on regulators’ business license application scoring system.
Utah regulators filed rules on medical cannabis home delivery.
Colorado regulators are proposing to ban marijuana businesses from participating in unlicensed events.
Kentucky regulators are hiring a top medical cannabis enforcement and compliance official.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
Oakland, California’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission will meet on Thursday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The UK Home Office reported that the amount of medical cannabis imported to the country has tripled in volume this year.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that medical cannabis legalization “did not contribute to certain states having rapid increases in Schedule II stimulant distribution rates over time.”
A study found that “the combination of CBD and THC isolated from the Lebanese cannabis sativa exerts anti-cancer effects in breast cancer cells.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The New York Daily News editorial board criticized state officials for a lack of enforcement against unlicensed marijuana sellers.
/ BUSINESS
Homestate Dispensary workers in Kansas City, Missouri voted to unionize with Teamsters Local 955.
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