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DEA cannabis rescheduling turmoil (Newsletter: March 12, 2024)
Biden keeps DC marijuana ban in budget; NH gov on legalization; HI House cannabis momentum; VA gov veto pushback; CBD & menstrual symptoms
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
President Joe Biden’s new budget request again proposes to maintain the rider blocking Washington, D.C. from legalizing marijuana sales. It also, however, requests continuing a policy protecting state medical cannabis laws from federal interference.
Drug Enforcement Administration officials are reportedly at odds with others in the Biden administration over a recommendation to reschedule marijuana from the Department of Health and Human Services—with DEA personnel apparently concerned about increased THC potency.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) reaffirmed his commitment to signing a marijuana legalization bill as long as it meets his goal of a state-controlled market. He added that there may be “some flexibility” on his proposal to ban cannabis businesses from lobbying.
The chairs of two Hawaii House committees set to take up a Senate-passed marijuana legalization bill this week discussed the benefits of the policy change, with one predicting it can win enough votes to be enacted into law this year.
The Virginia delegate who sponsored a bill to prevent state officials from using marijuana alone as evidence of child abuse or neglect slammed Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s (R) veto of the measure, saying the move will “unnecessarily tear children away from their parents.”
Delaware’s Office of the Marijuana Commissioner published another set of informal draft rules for the legal cannabis market, this time touching on issues related to testing, sampling, disposal, variances and fee schedules.
A new study concluded that using CBD is tied to reductions in menstrual-related symptoms, including irritability, anxiety and stress.
- “Importantly, changes in symptoms appeared in the first month of CBD consumption and persisted over the 3 consumption months.”
A new study found that there is “strong bipartisan support” for allowing people to use psilocybin for treatment or enhancement, with 91% of liberals and 86% of conservatives saying that using the psychedelic for treatment is “morally good.”
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management and Department of Health launched a new effort to examine whether cannabis flower being sold in the state is legal hemp or illegal marijuana.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) said he doesn’t think federal marijuana rescheduling would imperil a cannabis banking bill.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) pressed FBI Director Christopher Wray about what his agency is doing to respond to illegal Chinese-backed marijuana cultivation operations in her state.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) said he thinks the Drug Enforcement Administration should reschedule marijuana on April 20.
Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) spoke in a House floor speech about how “deadly chemicals and people are being trafficked to work on the illegal marijuana grows” in California.
/ STATES
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) is reportedly planning to announce a move to seek mass marijuana pardons this week. Separately, the Cannabis Control Commission is planning to hire a new executive director.
Rhode Island’s attorney general opposes a bill to decriminalize drugs.
A New York senator discussed his support for repealing the excise tax on medical cannabis.
An Ohio representative spoke about a bill he is cosponsoring to reimburse municipalities for costs to replace police dogs that are trained to detect marijuana, which is now legal.
A Pennsylvania Department of Health spokesperson said Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D) administration “looks forward to working with the General Assembly to determine the details for the legalization of adult-use cannabis.”
California regulators issued a mandatory recall of marijuana products due to the presence of aspergillus.
Washington, D.C. police raided an unlicensed marijuana business that was taking steps to transition to the legal market.
The chair of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission spoke about the leadership role women are playing in the state’s legal marijuana industry.
Connecticut regulators published a new dataset showing the price per gram of usable cannabis sold in the state.
Oregon marijuana retail tax revenue declined 16.7 percent between Fiscal Year 2022 and 2023.
Alaska’s Advisory Task Force on Recreational Marijuana will meet on Tuesday.
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/ LOCAL
The Carroll County, Maryland Commission president said officials are considering banning or heavily restricting marijuana businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Jersey’s health minister supports decriminalizing cannabis.
German Bundesrat committees posted the text of their proposed amendments to the government’s marijuana legalization bill.
Western Australian lawmakers will soon introduce a marijuana legalization bill.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “the intraoral use of CBD formulations in patients with [temporomandibular disorders] have proven to be a successful treatment for reducing pain, muscle tension, and bruxing activity in individuals with sleep bruxism and muscle-related TMDs.”
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation announced new details on a proposal to allow common shares to be converted into exchangeable shares.
A member of the iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. board of directors resigned.
Vlasic Labs is a new hemp company from members of the family behind the largest pickle brand in the U.S.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
