Newsletter
Congressman threatens tribe over cannabis (Newsletter: August 22, 2023)
MN gov on selling homegrow; NJ marijuana-funded violence prevention grants; USDA hemp effort; Govs on psychedelics; Ramaswamy talks cannabis
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) is threatening the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians that if its members pass a marijuana legalization referendum on the September 7 ballot it could mean a loss of federal funding under a bill he plans to file in Congress.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) is pushing back on some advocates’ arguments that the state Constitution allows people to sell their homegrown marijuana, saying it was “never our intention to do that” with the legalization law he signed this year.
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy discussed his support for federally legalizing marijuana in an interview with Bill Maher, who openly smoked a joint during the chat.
The New Jersey attorney general’s office is accepting applications for a violence prevention grants program that’s partially funded by marijuana revenue.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is teaching farmers how to collect hemp pollen using a Ghostbusters-like backpack vacuum so it can be distributed to breeders and researchers around the world.
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) said Republicans are more supportive of federal psychedelics reform than Democrats are. And Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D), who declined to endorse a psychedelics legalization ballot initiative in his state before voters approved it, said “the people are ahead of the politicians” on the issue.
A new study found that marijuana use is “not associated with an increased psychosis transition rate” and high-risk youth “who continuously used cannabis had higher neurocognition and social functioning over time, and decreased medication usage relative to non-users.”
Maryland lawmakers say it is likely they will need to make changes to the state’s new marijuana legalization law in the 2024 session.
/ FEDERAL
A lawyer for President Joe Biden’s son Hunter told the Justice Department that the law prohibiting people who consume marijuana and other illegal drugs from possessing guns is “constitutionally dubious at best.”
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is moving to deport an Arizona man for growing five more marijuana plants than what is allowed under state law.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) tweeted a link to an article claiming that “many Americans wrongly believe exposure to marijuana smoke is safer than tobacco.”
/ STATES
Florida’s agriculture commissioner hosted an event on efforts to protect children from high-potency hemp products.
The North Carolina House Finance Committee approved a bill on consumable hemp products and kratom.
The South Dakota legislature’s Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee met.
Massachusetts regulators filed draft changes to marijuana rules.
Louisiana regulators filed proposed changes to medical cannabis rules.
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a plan to use marijuana revenue to support nongame wildlife.
Colorado regulators published an updated list of pesticides that can be used on cannabis.
Vermont regulators sent reminders about marijuana business licensing issues and the expiration of plastic packaging waivers.
Georgia regulators will consider issuing medical cannabis business licenses on Wednesday.
The Alaska Marijuana Control Board will meet on Wednesday and Thursday.
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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.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
Estonia’s minister of health expressed concerns about legalizing marijuana.
Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court is expected to take up a case concerning drug criminalization on Thursday.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that cannabinoid extract (THC:CBD) was an appropriate adjuvant agent to reduce [chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting] in patients with gynecologic cancer who received high-emetogenic chemotherapy.”
A review suggested that “psilocybin may be an effective form of treatment for cancer-related psychiatric distress, treatment-resistant depression and addiction” and that “there are some reports of psilocybin being useful when treating obsessive-compulsive disorder and cluster headaches.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Wall Street Journal editorial board criticized the Seattle, Washington City Council for a move that it claims “effectively decriminalized the possession and public use of drugs.”
Americans Against Marijuana Legalization took out a newspaper ad claiming that “marijuana and mass murder go hand in hand.”
The Hemp Beverage Alliance submitted comments to congressional committees about regulating CBD.
/ BUSINESS
COMPASS Pathways plc entered into a securities purchase agreement worth up to $285 million.
Agrify Corporation received a notification that it is not in compliance with a Nasdaq listing rule.
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