Newsletter
DC lets tourists get medical cannabis without doctors (Newsletter: October 21, 2022)
Australian drug decrim approved; Congressional researchers’ marijuana report; MO cops frown on legalization ad; Banking poll
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) signed a bill allowing tourists to self-certify to buy medical cannabis while they are visiting the nation’s capital—without needing a doctor’s recommendation.
Lawmakers in the Australian Capital Territory—which includes the national capital of Canberra—approved a bill to locally decriminalize drugs.
The Congressional Research Service published a new report laying out lawmakers’ options to change marijuana’s federal status as the Biden administration conducts its own scheduling review.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is objecting to a new ad from the campaign supporting the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot, saying they did not give permission for police officers to be depicted in the spot.
A new poll from the American Bankers Association found that two in three Americans want Congress to pass marijuana banking legislation.
Louisiana’s Employment and Medical Marijuana Task Force met to discuss workplace cannabis issues.
/ FEDERAL
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) said during a debate that she supports President Joe Biden’s cannabis clemency move even though she doesn’t think it goes far enough. Democratic challenger Annie Andrews criticized the incumbent for voting against a cannabis legalization bill on the House floor.
Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY) and Republican challenger Colin Schmitt, currently a state assemblyman, disagreed on marijuana legalization during a debate. The congressman tweeted, “I support legalizing marijuana at the federal level. @colinschmitt does not.”
Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) spoke in favor of President Joe Biden’s cannabis clemency move.
/ STATES
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) said during a debate that he opposes the marijuana legalization initiative on the March ballot but that he has personally used cannabis. Democratic challenger Joy Hofmeister, currently the superintendent of public instruction, said she is undecided on the ballot measure and has not used marijuana. Separately, the State Board of Elections said the special election that Stitt called for the legalization vote will cost $1.3 million to carry out.
New York’s comptroller said during a debate that he does not plan to buy marijuana when legal sales launch.
The Minnesota Senate Democratic–Farmer–Labor Caucus tweeted, “Senate DFLers listened to Minnesotans and tried to bring legislation to legalize cannabis to a vote in the 2022 Legislative Session – out of touch Republicans blocked it.”
A New Hampshire representative said he plans to file a marijuana legalization bill next year.
Maryland’s marijuana legalization campaign held a rally in support of the initiative on the November ballot.
Pennsylvania’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission approved medical cannabis rules.
Illinois regulators issued the first operational permits for marijuana social equity infuser businesses.
Florida regulators are asking for a $6.2 million funding increase for the Office of Medical Marijuana Use.
The Oregon Task Force on Cannabis-Derived Intoxicants and Illegal Cannabis Production will meet on Friday.
Tennessee’s Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on Monday.
Nevada regulators will consider marijuana business issues on Tuesday.
Utah regulators are hosting a medical cannabis market analysis public input meeting on Tuesday.
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/ LOCAL
Detroit, Michigan officials received 90 applications for 60 available recreational marijuana business licenses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Hong Kong’s government announced that CBD will be banned by February.
The Canadian government conducted a focus group on drug decriminalization.
A French lawmaker filed a marijuana legalization amendment.
New Zealand lawmakers have held cross-party talks about potential marijuana decriminalization legislation.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review of medical cannabis in treating comorbid symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder concluded that “CBD-rich cannabis oil (CBD: THC 20:1), appears to have a good safety profile.”
A study of rats concluded that “THC may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential in metabolic disorders.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The New Jersey Democratic Party tweeted, “You probably read the news about how @POTUS is pardoning Americans with simple marijuana charges, but did you know that @GovMurphy decriminalized marijuana and expunged all low-level marijuana offenses in NJ last year?”
The Indiana Democratic Party tweeted, “Oklahoma could legalize cannabis before Indiana. Let that sink in. About 80% of Hoosiers support legalizing cannabis in some form and the @indgop won’t do a thing about it. A vote for @INDems is a vote for legal marijuana: #LegalizeIt”
The Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board praised President Joe Biden’s cannabis clemency move but said there is still much reform work to be done at the federal and state levels.
Several North Dakota law enforcement, farmer, commerce and religious groups are opposing the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.
New Jersey marijuana activist Ed Forchion officially changed his name to NJWeedman.com.
/ BUSINESS
High Times Holding Corp. reported that it is in default on a loan to ExWorks for $28.8 million.
Curaleaf Holdings Inc. is asking a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that company managers stole the contents of tip jars.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
