Newsletter
Congressional cannabis & psychedelics votes (Newsletter: April 17, 2024)
ND legalization; VA marijuana sales prediction; KS medical cannabis vote; CA psychedelics; FL ballot campaign veteran coalition
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee approved GOP-led medical cannabis and psychedelics bills aimed at military veterans’ therapeutic access—even though the Department of Veterans Affairs opposed one measure and asked for changes to the other.
North Dakota activists filed a marijuana legalization initiative they hope to qualify for the November ballot.
Virginia Democratic senators who sponsored legislation to legalize recreational marijuana sales that was vetoed by Gov. Glenn Younkgin (R) this session said it will likely be 2027 or later before adult-use cannabis commerce can launch under a new governor.
A Kansas Republican senator filed a motion to force a vote on a medical cannabis legalization bill that GOP leadership has blocked from advancing.
The California Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee approved a bill to legalize psychedelic service centers where people could access psilocybin, MDMA, mescaline and DMT in a supervised environment with trained facilitators.
The Florida marijuana legalization campaign is recruiting military veterans to help “raise awareness among voters about the importance of cannabis as a safer alternative to synthetic opioids for treating PTSD” as the ballot vote in November approaches.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration is promoting a prohibitionist organization’s data about youth exposure to delta-8 THC products.
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said it’s “the goal” to combine marijuana banking reform with stablecoin legislation and a proposal to claw back compensation for executives at failed lenders.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) tweeted about meeting with Washington Department of Financial Institutions officials “to talk about my work to protect legal cannabis businesses through the SAFER Banking Act.”
Former Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and former Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) discussed the prospects for passing marijuana banking legislation.
/ STATES
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said she and legislative leaders have agreed on budget provisions allowing marijuana regulators and localities to padlock unlicensed businesses and set fines for their landlords.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) announced awards of more than $2.3 million in funding through the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund.
Utah regulators filed proposed changes to medical cannabis and hemp rules.
Oklahoma regulators said they are denying “a large number” of medical cannabis business employee credential applications because they were submitted without a fully completed background check attestation.
North Dakota regulators reported that the state now has nearly 10,000 registered medical cannabis patients.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council, located within North Carolina, held a work session to discuss an adult-use marijuana program as the tribe prepares to launch medical cannabis sales on 4/20.
Missouri regulators published a podcast about 4/20.
Oregon regulators will consider changes to marijuana rules on Thursday.
Nevada regulators will hold a workshop on changes to cannabis testing laboratory rules on April 30.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,400 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
Denver, Colorado officials sent a reminder about marijuana use rules ahead of 4/20.
/ INTERNATIONAL
German states are considering enacting hefty fines for violations of the country’s new marijuana legalization law.
A Jersey lawmaker is planning to introduce a marijuana decriminalization bill.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “cannabis users with [primary spontaneous pneumothorax] might experience lower in-hospital mortality and fewer complications than non-cannabis users.”
A review concluded that “psilocybin treatment for depression is safe and efficacious.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The American Bar Association published an article about cannabis law courses at universities across the country.
The Illinois Policy Institute published an overview of how the state allocates cannabis revenue.
/ BUSINESS
Wana’s CEO is stepping down.
Stiizy is being sued for allegedly selling products billed as hemp but which had high enough levels of psychoactive THC to be illegal.
/ CULTURE
Mike Tyson is refraining from using marijuana ahead of a boxing match against Jake Paul in Texas.
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