Newsletter
Congressional cannabis & psychedelics amendments (Newsletter: September 12, 2023)
No SAFE Banking vote next week; DEA defends firing agent for CBD; CT & ME record marijuana sales; Latin American & Caribbean leaders: Rethink drug war
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House Rules Committee on Tuesday will begin the process of deciding which marijuana and psychedelics amendments that have been proposed to four separate spending bills will be allowed to receive floor votes.
The Senate Banking Committee will not be holding a vote on a cannabis banking bill next week, a panel spokesperson told Marijuana Moment, despite growing buzz within the industry about the date. But a vote could still come within the next few weeks.
Attorneys for the Drug Enforcement Administration filed a federal court brief defending the agency’s decision to fire an “outstanding” special agent who tested positive for THC after using what he believed was a legal CBD product as an opioid alternative.
California lawmakers sent Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) a bill to legalize cannabis cafes—allowing marijuana retailers to sell foods and beverages along with having on-site consumption as well as live musical or other performances.
Leaders of 19 Latin American and Caribbean nations issued a joint statement calling for reconsideration of the failed war on drugs, saying that “the expected results have not been obtained.”
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection reported that August’s nearly $25 million in legal marijuana sales set a new monthly record.
The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy reported that the state had its fourth month in a row of record-high legal marijuana sales in August, with $21.6 million in purchases.
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission voted to relax restrictions on marijuana-infused foods and drinks—while also levying hefty fines against cannabis companies that were found to have violated labor and patient access laws.
The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Advisory Board voted in favor of allowing podiatrists to recommend medical cannabis.
/ FEDERAL
A U.S. Department of Agriculture article briefly discussed the potential of hemp as a biofuel crop.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) thinks marijuana legalization is inevitable, saying, “it’s going to get there, we know it.”
/ STATES
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) issued commutations and pardons, including to a man with a marijuana sales conviction.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) tweeted, “An overwhelming majority of Wisconsinites support legalizing and taxing marijuana, much like we already do with alcohol. It’s time to join red and blue states across the country and get this done.”
Oklahoma’s attorney general is pressing the state fire marshal to enforce fire codes at marijuana farms. Separately, he told the state Supreme Court that the state’s top medical cannabis regulator is qualified for her job.
Alabama senators and representatives joined a sign-on letter urging U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) to rescind his support for marijuana banking legislation.
A Massachusetts senator is pushing regulators to bar people with prior convictions for sex crimes from working in the marijuana industry. Separately, the Cannabis Advisory Board will meet on Tuesday.
A Pennsylvania senator is hosting a Cannabis Opportunity Conference on September 22 and 23.
An Ohio representative tweeted, “I am: ✅ pro choice ✅ pro marijuana legalization VOTE YES ON ISSUES 1 and 2.”
Oregon regulators are suspending the requirement to test cannabis products for aspergillus. Separately, the Marijuana Tax Compliance Rules Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday.
Vermont regulators posted guidance on marijuana packaging.
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/ LOCAL
New York City’s mayor said city officials “will close down the illegal cannabis shops in three months if we just get the power from Albany.”
The Lancaster County, Pennsylvania district attorney is being sued over the seizure of hemp products.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Polynesian President Moetai Brotherson said the government will soon file legislation to legalize CBD.
Thailand’s Supreme Administrative Court dismissed a lawsuit alleging that the government’s move to remove cannabis from the banned narcotics list was unlawful.
Scotland’s lord advocate said she would not prosecute drug possession within safe consumption sites.
South African officials visited Los Angeles, California to learn about the city’s approach to regulating marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that half of patients “were considered CBD responders with at least a 50% decrease in seizure frequency” and that “no serious adverse effects were found.”
A case study “shows the benefit of psilocybin in a patient with Lupus.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A survey of Ohio medical cannabis patients found that 62.1 percent are satisfied with the state’s program.
The Dallas Morning News editorial board is calling on consumers to be cautious about delta-8 THC products.
A Brookings Institution staffer authored an analysis of the politics of cannabis in Maryland.
/ BUSINESS
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. filed a lawsuit accusing former employees and five Arizona marijuana businesses of engaging in “kickback schemes” to give certain products valuable shelf space.
Leafly Holdings, Inc. effected a 1-for-20 reverse stock split.
The owner of Relief Choices, LLC was convicted of evading federal income taxes and other charges.
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