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DE gov dodges cannabis veto question (Newsletter: March 30, 2023)
KY medical marijuana vote; Congressman presses FDA on CBD; HI/MO/WA psychedelics developments; VA gov’s hemp amendment; State kratom bills
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Delaware Gov. John Carney (D) dodged a question about whether he will sign or veto marijuana legalization bills sent to his desk by the legislature this week. The Democratic governor vetoed a legal cannabis measure last year, but supporters believe they have enough votes to override this time, if necessary.
The Kentucky House of Representatives advanced a Senate-approved bill to legalize medical cannabis—setting the legislation up for final passage on Thursday, which is the last day of the session.
The Missouri House of Representatives gave initial approval to a bill to legalize therapeutic use of psilocybin by certain patients while promoting research into the benefits of the psychedelic.
The Washington House Health Care & Wellness Committee amended and approved a psilocybin bill—inserting some therapeutic access provisions back into the legislation after the Senate had stripped it down to focus on research only.
The Hawaii Department of Health testified at a Senate hearing that descheduling and legalizing psychedelics would be a “much more meaningful action” than passing a resolution to simply create a study group on the issue.
- “Just deschedule it. That will accelerate the community conversation because it will be in people’s hands. People will see the cause and effects of them and that will propel this discussion further than a working group studying related research.”
At a House hearing, Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) told Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf that the agency’s refusal to adopt regulations for CBD products is “disrupting public confidence” in it.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) is proposing amendments to a hemp product restriction bill to accommodate the concerns of patients who say its original provisions would impede their access to CBD medicines.
Lawmakers in states across the U.S. are considering bills to regulate or ban kratom—a plant that advocates say can serve as a safer alternative to opioids and also help treat the symptoms of addiction withdrawal.
/ FEDERAL
The Food and Drug Administration approved over-the-counter Naloxone nasal spray.
The National Cancer Institute tweeted about a notice promoting “research in understanding the mechanisms by which cannabis and cannabinoids affect cancer biology, cancer interception, #CancerTreatment and resistance, and management of #CancerSymptoms.”
The House bill to allow CBD as a dietary supplement got one new cosponsor for a total of 13.
The House bill to allow CBD in foods and beverages got one new cosponsor for a total of five.
/ STATES
Kentucky agriculture commissioner candidates discussed their views on medical cannabis.
The Georgia House of Representatives approved a significant amendment to a Senate-passed medical cannabis regulation bill.
The New York Assembly minority leader spoke about his concerns with the state’s rollout of marijuana legalization. Separately, a senator tweeted, “We must repeal the THC potency tax to help our legal #cannabis dispensaries compete with the illicit market. This is about public safety and social equity.” Also, the Cannabis Control Board will meet on Monday.
The California Assembly Business and Professions Committee approved a bill to let caterers offer cannabis at private events. Separately, the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Cannabis Program is participating in two marijuana-related events this and next month.
Arkansas lawmakers pulled a delta-8 THC bill amid concerns it could ban CBD products.
A Pennsylvania representative who uses cannabis tinctures at night took a drug test to demonstrate how DUI laws unfairly punish medical marijuana patients who aren’t intoxicated while driving.
A Louisiana judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to protect hemp products from a regulatory crackdown.
Mississippi regulators adopted changes to rules on transfer of medical cannabis business premises location and on sales limits.
Vermont regulators fined a cannabis grower $20,000 for violations related to a video he made of himself giving marijuana to people at a New York unlicensed dispensary.
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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
The Chinese State Council Information Office issued a report that claims the “U.S. government actively promotes the legalization of marijuana regardless of people’s health.”
Spain’s minister of health said the government is preparing a report on medical cannabis.
A Canadian court is considering a lawsuit challenging regulators’ denial of requests from healthcare professionals who wanted permission to use psilocybin for training purposes.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases found that of those who use cannabis, “most saw improvement of their symptoms.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
NORML elected new board members, including a former Florida agriculture commissioner and former Seattle, Washington city attorney.
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies is offering to sell shares in its for-profit subsidiary MAPS Public Benefit Corporation.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. is acquiring Deseret Wellness.
Columbia Care Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $126.2 million and a net loss of $301 million.
Schwazze reported quarterly revenue of $40.1 million and a net loss of $27.3 million.
/ CULTURE
Raekwon’s proposed cannabis lounge was rejected by the Newark, New Jersey Central Planning Board.
Afroman spoke about law enforcement’s marijuana raid on his home and said he plans to run for president in 2024.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
