Newsletter
DE House approves legal cannabis bill (Newsletter: May 6, 2022)
SCOTUS Roe opinion’s drug implications; CO gov on psychedelics; NH marijuana bill back to Senate; CBD congressional hearing; More NY grow licenses
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Delaware House of Representatives approved a bill to legalize marijuana possession and gifting. Separate legislation to regulate cannabis sales is also moving through the legislature.
A little-noticed passage of the leaked draft Supreme Court opinion on overturning abortion rights seems to argue that allowing Roe v. Wade to stand could potentially establish “fundamental rights to illicit drug use.”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) said he doesn’t think psychedelics “should be dealt with through a criminal setting,” noting that activists are working to place decriminalization on the state’s November ballot.
The New Hampshire House of Representatives added language to legalize marijuana possession and cultivation to an unrelated Senate bill to give the other body—which recently voted against legalization—“another chance” to support reform.
Rep. James Comer (R-KY) sent a letter requesting that the House Oversight and Reform Committee hold a hearing exploring the FDA’s failure to set regulations for CBD and delta-8 THC products.
New York regulators approved an additional round of licenses for hemp businesses to grow marijuana, with the director of the Office of Cannabis Management saying the state is on track to launch recreational sales “later this year.”
/ FEDERAL
Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper claimed that then-President Donald Trump asked him about launching missiles into Mexico to “destroy the drug labs.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration museum posted a video about a Pablo Escobar life mask it has in its collection.
/ STATES
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said he believes it is legally possible for him to take “at least some executive action” on medical cannabis.
An Ohio representative spoke about the prospects for legalizing marijuana.
Illinois’s residency requirement for marijuana business licensing is being challenged in a lawsuit.
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation is being sued by hemp farmers who say police lied about a raid conducted on their property.
Nevada regulators are expected to approve draft marijuana consumption lounge rules next month.
Pennsylvania regulators published guidance on reporting and sampling requirements for hemp research permits.
Florida regulators received 12 applications for a new medical cannabis license intended for black farmers.
Washington State regulators are partnering with the Washington State Crime Prevention Association to provide security and safety training to retail cannabis businesses and employees.
New Mexico’s Taxation and Revenue Department is expected to issue about $15 million worth of gross receipts refunds to medical cannabis companies.
Minnesota regulators will accept petitions to add new medical cannabis qualifying conditions between June 1 and July 31.
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Marijuana Moment is already 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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/ LOCAL
Denton, Texas’s mayor said he has some concerns about a marijuana decriminalization ballot measure.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Germany’s health minister said the government will unveil a cannabis legalization plan in the second half of this year.
New Zealand’s Parliament approved legislation to alter the classification of 49 drugs.
A UK parliamentary group on CBD is calling on the government to establish a single body to develop a framework for cannabidiol products.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “legalization of recreational cannabis in Uruguay was not associated with overall increases in either past-year/past-month cannabis use or with multi-year changes in any risky and frequent cannabis use among young people.”
A study concluded that “cannabichromanon and cannabinolic acid showed a discriminant nature and hence can be incorporated in pharmaceutical dosage forms to alleviate COVID-19 infection.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of Montana voters found that 82 percent want to continue directing a third of marijuana taxes to state parks, trails, public access and wildlife habitat, while 12 percent favor redirecting the funds.
A Reason Foundation analysis concluded that eliminating California’s marijuana cultivation tax could actually double the state’s cannabis tax revenue.
The Campaign for Sensible Cannabis Laws is a new Iowa-based reform organization.
/ BUSINESS
Acreage Holdings, Inc. reported $56.9 million in quarterly consolidated revenue and a net loss of $13.9 million.
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $64.5 million.
MariMed, Inc. closed its acquisition of Green Growth Group, Inc.
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