Newsletter
DEA denies illegal cannabis communications with prohibitionists (Newsletter: November 26, 2024)
Trump FDA pick: Marijuana a “gateway drug”; Will DOGE cut the drug war?; Draft cannabis executive order for Biden; NY sales near $1 billion
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Drug Enforcement Administration and prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana denied accusations that they “unlawfully” conspired during the rescheduling process, with the agency saying that communications cited in a legal challenge “at best can be categorized as gossip.”
- The anti-legalization organization cited separate process information that Marijuana Moment and others also posted before it was officially announced to defend against the claim that posts by its president indicated illegal communications with government officials.
Marty Makary, who President-elect Donald Trump has selected to serve as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, believes that marijuana is a “gateway drug” that causes mental health problems and cardiovascular issues.
Advocates hoping President-elect Donald Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will move to cut the wasteful war on drugs may be disappointed that its co-leader Vivek Ramaswamy actually wants to expand the Drug Enforcement Administration despite supporting federal marijuana legalization.
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) pressed National Institutes of Health Director Monica Bertagnolli about his belief that the marijuana rescheduling process was flawed by allegedly not involving the National Institute on Drug Abuse—even though the cannabis recommendation clearly states that NIDA “concurs” with it.
The Drug Policy Alliance published a draft marijuana executive order it wants President Joe Biden to sign before leaving office. It would create a National Advisory Council to Advance Equity and Public Health in Federal Cannabis Policy and Programs and require individual agencies to make specific reforms.
A New York Office of Cannabis Management official projected that by the end of this year, retailers could hit $1 billion worth of legal marijuana sales since the market launched.
Indiana voters support legalizing marijuana, 70 percent to 27 percent, according to a new poll from a cannabis reform organization led by a former state Republican Party executive director.
A Minnesota judge ordered the Office of Cannabis Management to delay the state’s first marijuana business license lottery that had been scheduled for Tuesday amid legal challenges from applicants who claim they were wrongfully denied participation.
Kentucky regulators held a lottery to award the state’s first medical cannabis dispensary licenses.
/ FEDERAL
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a Federal Register notice that “given the number of States legalizing medicinal and/or recreational use of cannabis, and other issues such as the apparent increase in opioid use in the U.S., more information is needed on the level of alcohol-involved and other drug-involved driving on the nation’s roadways to better inform NHTSA’s countermeasure development efforts.”
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) dodged questions about marijuana rescheduling and cannabis banking legislation.
Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) tweeted, “Far too many people are incarcerated for nonviolent crimes. President Biden has already pardoned thousands of people convicted of simple marijuana possession on federal lands. I’m hopeful he will continue using his clemency authority to pardon people serving unjust sentences.”
/ STATES
A New Hampshire senator reiterated that he will no longer support marijuana legalization legislation.
Mississippi rules restricting medical cannabis advertising were upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Massachusetts regulators are accepting public comments on potential changes to rules on the exclusivity period for marijuana delivery businesses.
Oregon regulators published a bulletin about a temporary extension for rules exempting CBN from requirements for artificially derived cannabinoids.
California officials said the state’s marijuana businesses collectively owe $1.3 billion in outstanding taxes.
Washington State regulators launched an online course for potential cannabis social equity business applicants.
Vermont’s top marijuana regulator spoke about efforts to educate dispensary employees about medical cannabis.
The Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on December 16.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
Denmark officials are moving to make the country’s medical cannabis pilot program permanent.
The Israel Ministry of Health is objecting to proposed tariffs by the Ministry of Economy on cannabis imported from Canada.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study indicated that “relying solely on blood THC levels to assess impairment may be insufficient, and suggests that other cannabinoids should be considered as impairment markers.”
A study of rats found that “composite biomimetic microparticles with CBD effectively promote nerve structural restoration and increase the reconstruction process in a sciatic nerve injury model.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Service Disabled Veterans in Cannabis says its Instagram account was improperly suspended.
/ BUSINESS
Acreage Holdings Inc. said it expects that Canopy USA, LLC will complete its acquisition of the company in mid-December, adding that it anticipates “current holders of Fixed Shares will receive zero value upon closing.”
Zen Leaf workers in Evanston, Illinois ratified a collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local 777.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
