Newsletter
Congressional vote on cannabis research this week (Newsletter: September 7, 2020)
USDA reopens hemp comments; Top Biden aide talks marijuana decrim; VT lawmakers one issue away from legal cannabis sales deal
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House Energy and Commerce Committee scheduled a vote on a bill to expand marijuana research on Wednesday.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is reopening the public comment period on hemp regulations after a wide range of stakeholders—from industry to members of Congress—have blasted their original proposal for months.
Symone Sanders, a top advisor to Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, spoke about how he plans to decriminalize marijuana and expunge past convictions if elected.
- “Joe Biden and Kamala Harris don’t believe anyone should be in jail for drug offenses only.”
Vermont House and Senate negotiators made significant progress toward a deal on a bill to legalize marijuana sales at their latest conference committee meeting. One outstanding issue of cannabis tax rates remains, and lawmakers plan to resolve it by the middle of this week.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. attorney for Utah tweeted, “In a state where the flood gates of legalized marijuana are wide open, criminal organizations abound.”
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) said his marijuana bill getting a floor vote this month has “probably unanimous” Democratic support and “considerable Republican support.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) included a call to legalize marijuana in his Labor Day message.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) tweeted, “So the bill to decriminalize marijuana will create a new federal crime… selling/buying marijuana without paying taxes on it. smh.”
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair the harms of the drug war got six new cosponsors for a total of 99.
The House bill to seal past marijuana records got one new cosponsor for a total of 12.
/ STATES
New Hampshire Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andru Volinksy tweeted, “Granite Staters must go to ME or MA for legal marijuana & cancer patients aren’t allowed to grow it thanks to @GovChrisSununu’s veto. We need a gov who understands cannabis legalization is about racial justice & is a potential revenue source.”
Illinois lawmakers are urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) to delay the marijuana business licensing over concerns that the process is not equitable.
An independent review found that Maryland’s medical cannabis licensing process had “no evidence of bias or undue influence” and that a former state delegate convicted of accepting bribes had no influence on decisions.
Oklahoma activists gave an update on efforts to collect signatures for a proposed marijuana legalization ballot measure.
Michigan regulators published updated bulletins on coronavirus-related policies for marijuana businesses and on designated consumption establishments.
Maine regulators released updated guidance on marijuana testing and sample collection.
Vermont regulators released a FAQ about the state’s hemp program.
Missouri’s first medical cannabis harvest, followed by testing and sales to patients, is expected soon.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
Chilean police arrested the daughter of former actress Ana María Gazmuri for growing marijuana just as she was preparing to testify before lawmakers in support of medical cannabis legislation.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “current evidence from healthy humans and [post-traumatic stress disorder] patients supports the THC value to suppress anxiety and aversive memory expression without producing significant adverse effects if used in low doses or when associated with CBD.
A study found that “marijuana may have negative effects on the voice.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Former NORML executive director and Drug Policy Foundation and Common Sense for Drug Policy co-founder Kevin Zeese died.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf has reportedly been ordered by New York regulators to stop selling ground flower medical cannabis products.
Politico takes a look at the rise and fall of High Times.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
