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Congressional cannabis legalization amendment blocked (Newsletter: May 24, 2023)

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MN psychedelics bill passes; DEA agent fired for CBD sues; NH legalization; Tim Scott on marijuana; NY safe consumption; Cannabis breathalyzer study

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Minnesota lawmakers sent Gov. Tim Walz (D) a bill to create a Psychedelic Medicine Task Force to study the medical benefits of psilocybin, MDMA and LSD and prepare the state for possible legalization.

The House Rules Committee blocked a federal marijuana legalization amendment filed by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) from receiving a floor vote. Another amendment from Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) to study “the prevalence of fentanyl-tainted” cannabis was also prevented from advancing.

A former Drug Enforcement Administration agent who says he was “wrongfully terminated” for using legal CBD products has filed a federal lawsuit and is seeking to be reinstated to his position.

The New Hampshire House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee took a step toward adding a marijuana legalization amendment to an unrelated Senate-passed bill—the latest development in an ongoing dispute between the chambers on how to handle the issue.

The New York Senate Health Committee approved a bill to authorize safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.

Marijuana Moment compiled a look at where Republican presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) stands on cannabis.

  • He voted against an amendment to protect state medical cannabis laws from federal interference and has expressed concerns about broad legalization as well as incremental banking reform.

A new study conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology concluded that developing a reliable breathalyzer-like device to measure marijuana impairment remains an “ongoing challenge.”

Oregon House Speaker Pro Tempore Paul Holvey (D) is being targeted for recall by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 for killing a bill that would have made it easier for marijuana industry workers to unionize.

/ FEDERAL

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy criticized President Joe Biden for no longer supporting work requirements for welfare, tweeting, “Stop paying people to stay home, binge TV, smoke pot, & be depressed.”

The National Science Foundation awarded a $1 million grant to a Pennsylvania company that will use the money to research new uses for hemp.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) tweeted, “Forcing legal cannabis business to operate entirely in cash is terrible for accountability but great for crime—it’s left these businesses and all those connected to them open to violent crime, money laundering, theft, and tax fraud. We need SAFE Banking!”

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) tweeted, “Without commonsense solutions like my SAFE Banking Act, legal cannabis businesses in Nevada will continue to be locked out of essential banking services they need to keep themselves, their employees, and their customers safe. It’s time to get this done.”

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) tweeted, “The rise of marijuana-laced fentanyl cases highlights the urgent need for increased action at our southern border. President Biden needs to enact border security measures that protect our communities from the dangers of this illicit drug.”

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) criticized Minnesota lawmakers for focusing on marijuana legalization but also referenced the need for Congress to consider cannabis banking legislation.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) criticized the Senate for not acting on marijuana reform at an event hosted by Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America.

/ STATES

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) signed a bill to regulate delta-8 THC and other cannabinoid products.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s (D) office declined to say why he decided not to sign a bill preventing police from conducting searches based on the smell of marijuana and instead opted to let it become law without his signature.

Minnesota’s House speaker signed and enrolled a marijuana legalization bill, a formal step needed to transmit it to Gov. Tim Walz’s (D) desk.

Colorado regulators issued a health and safety advisory about marijuana products from GT Retail LLC with potentially unsafe levels of Aspergillus.

Rhode Island regulators ordered a marijuana business to take down its billboards.

Nevada’s Cannabis Control Board met.

The California ​​Cannabis Advisory Committee’s Public Health and Community Impact Subcommittee will meet on Wednesday.

Vermont regulators will hold a Q & A session on emergency hemp rules on Thursday.


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.

/ LOCAL

Cleveland, Ohio’s mayor spoke about his efforts to expunge marijuana records.

San Francisco, California’s mayor said she is launching a new strategy to be “more aggressive with people struggling with drug addiction.”

The Springfield, Missouri City Council voted to place a local marijuana tax measure on the August ballot.

The New York City Police Department is proposing changes to disciplinary rules for officers, including technical amendments related to marijuana and other drug use.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “marijuana use is inversely associated with liver steatosis.”

A study found that “after [medical cannabis] product availability, Arkansans’ attitudes changed toward less MC regulation and less agreement with the pharmacist’s role in improving MC safety.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A Reason Foundation analysis concluded that “negative public health impacts of legal psychedelic possession in Colorado are negligible.”

/ BUSINESS

Acreage Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly consolidated revenue of $56 million and a net loss of $16.2 million.

Organigram Holdings Inc. is entering the German medical cannabis market through a supply agreement with Sanity Group.

TerrAscend Corp. completed the sale of its facility located in Mississauga, Canada.

/ CULTURE

Hulk Hogan is launching a line of cannabis products.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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