Newsletter
Congressional report calls on DEA to license cannabis growers (Newsletter: May 24, 2019)
Senate approves hemp crop insurance; Immigration bill has marijuana carve-out; Video: Grandma’s CBD arrest
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A House Appropriations Committee report is pushing the Drug Enforcement Administration to finally process long-stalled applications for new growers of marijuana to be used in scientific research.
The Senate approved a disaster aid funding bill that includes provisions Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) inserted to ensure that hemp farmers are eligible for crop insurance.
The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill—the DREAM Act—to protect immigrants brought to the U.S. as young people, and it carves out marijuana exemptions to provisions barring eligibility for criminal convictions.
Florida police released a body cam video showing the recent arrest of a grandmother for possessing CBD oil at Disney World:
- “I can’t breathe. I feel like I’m going to pass out.”
/ FEDERAL
The Food and Drug Administration’s acting CIO posted a Twitter thread about the agency’s efforts to obtain feedback about CBD regulations.
South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D), a presidential candidate, criticized incarceration policies driven by the 1994 crime bill.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is helping to raise money for a Bronx, New York district attorney candidate who wants to “Stop Prosecuting Drug Use (it’s a HEALTH issue!).”
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) spoke about Congress’s interference in Washington, D.C.’s marijuana laws in a House floor speech.
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) spoke about growing support for his marijuana banking bill.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) tweeted, “Veterans deserve every possible medical option to treat chronic pain and PTSD. @teammoulton and I are proud to have introduced a set of bills to reform the VA’s approach to medical cannabis.”
The Senate marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor, for a total of 29.
/ STATES
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed a bill allowing medical cannabis to be recommended for any condition for which opioids can be prescribed.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) said the federal government “out to be ashamed” of its inaction on medical cannabis reform, arguing that it puts patients in legal states at risk of prosecution.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) said that voters in the state would “like to see movement” on legalizing cannabis for adult use based on public input his lieutenant governor received during a statewide listening tour.
The New Jersey Assembly approved a medical cannabis expansion bill.
The California Senate approved a bill allowing veterinarians to treat animals with cannabis products. Separately, regulators reported that in the first quarter of the year, marijuana excise taxes generated $61.4 million in revenue and cultivation taxes garnered an additional $16.8 million. And the Legislative Analyst’s Office projected that 2018-19 cannabis tax revenue will be $307 million, which is $19 million higher than a previous estimate.
The Louisiana Senate Finance Committee approved a bill to legalize hemp and regulate CBD sales.
An Illinois representative sponsoring marijuana legalization legislation said that revisions to her bill should be filed soon.
The Arkansas Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit seeking to force the secretary of state to approve the wording of a proposed marijuana legalization ballot measure.
Maine regulators held a public hearing to receive feedback about proposed marijuana regulations.
Washington State regulators issued licenses to grow more than 6,000 acres of hemp next year, a huge annual increase.
Michigan regulators hosted a Facebook Live chat to discuss marijuana rules.
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/ LOCAL
A Cincinnati, Ohio City Council vote on a marijuana decriminalization proposal scheduled for Friday has been canceled.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Colombian lawmakers are working on marijuana legalization legislation.
Canadian regulators said that CBD products are subject to the same rules as marijuana.
A North Macedonia lawmaker resigned after a taped phone call of him appearing to order cannabis oil was posted on social media.
/ ADVOCACY
The National Cannabis Industry Association released a report recommending steps to ensure equity in the marijuana industry.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “CBD inhibited MCF-7 breast cancer growth, whereas THC stimulated MCF-7 breast cancer cell proliferation.”
A review suggested that “cannabinoids could improve sleep quality, decrease sleep disturbances, and decrease sleep onset latency.”
/ BUSINESS
Sheetz announced that it will begin selling CBD products.
The Flowr Corporation was approved to trade on Nasdaq.
Arkansas medical cannabis dispensary Doctor’s Orders RX Inc. is being sued for trademark infringement by a pharmacy.
/ CULTURE
Athletes like Mike Tyson, Jake Plummer, Ricky Williams and Floyd Landis are calling on the World Anti-Doping Agency to remove marijuana from its banned substances list.
Musician Ozzy Osbourne is using CBD to treat pain stemming from a fall.
Basketball player Richaun Holmes was arrested for marijuana possession.
Former football player Chris Long revealed that he used marijuana during his career.
Author Tim Ferriss spoke about his reasons for helping to fund psychedelic research.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
