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DEA-HHS cannabis dispute brought to White House office (Newsletter: December 6, 2021)

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CBD bill in Congress; MO rep wants legal marijuana on ballot; Local OH decrim measure gets signatures

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Reps. Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Angie Craig (D-MN) and Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) introduced a new bipartisan bill in Congress to require the Food and Drug Administration to regulate hemp-derived CBD foods and beverages.

The White House Office of Management and Budget is being asked by the Competitive Enterprise Institute to mediate a marijuana finger-pointing dispute between the Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Health and Human Services where each agency says the other is responsible for a scientific review used in cannabis scheduling decisions.

A Missouri Republican representative filed a joint resolution to put marijuana legalization on the ballot for voters to decide in 2022. Separately, activists are collecting signatures for their own cannabis initiatives.

Activists in Kent, Ohio proved that they collected enough signatures for a local marijuana decriminalization ballot measure after officials improperly invalidated petitions. Voters will now decide on the measure in 2022.

/ FEDERAL

The Defense Office of Hearing and Appeals is considering a growing number of appeals of security clearance eligibility denial due to marijuana use.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) criticized President Joe Biden’s nominee for U.S. attorney for Massachusetts for declining to prosecute certain drug offenses and other crimes as a district attorney.

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) authored an op-ed calling on Congress to remove a rider blocking Washington, D.C. from legalizing marijuana sales.

Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) tweeted, “Since I introduced the STATES Act with @repblumenauer in 2018, I’ve fought for achievable, incremental cannabis reform that can build a bipartisan consensus and directly impact the lives of Americans across the country. Congress needs to #PassProgress, not sink it. #HOPEforSAFE.” After introducing a marijuana expungements bill, he also tweeted, “Your move, @SenSchumer.”

Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) tweeted, “New changes to Minnesota’s medical cannabis program will take effect next year, including providing new edible options – with required safety messaging and labeling for patients.”

FormerDemocratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang tweeted, “Talked to an investor in psilocybin-based compounds as a treatment for depression – seems very promising.”

/ STATES

Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, reiterated concerns about the medical cannabis licensing process for black farmers.

The Michigan Court of Claims partially granted and partially denied a request for an injunction on regulators’ recall of marijuana products.

California regulators proposed emergency rules that will waive licensing fees for marijuana equity businesses.

Colorado regulators issued a health and safety advisory about potentially unsafe marijuana products from Innovative Fusion LLC.

Vermont regulators decided not to recommend specific warning labels on the health effects of cannabis products. Former Gov. Howard Dean (D) tweeted, “This is a mistake. While I favor legalization, Cannabis is not benign and should be treated the way alcohol is. THC content matters and the higher the THC the more likely bad side effects which can include psychosis. Vermont has to do better here.”

Connecticut regulators reported that medical cannabis is the most common controlled substance dispensed to state residents.

Ohio regulators will consider increasing medical cannabis purchase limits this week.

New York regulators launched an online portal where cannabinoid hemp businesses can apply for licenses.

New Mexico regulators held a public hearing on proposed rules to require labor peace agreements for marijuana businesses.

Arizona state and local governments have generated more than $106 million in marijuana tax revenue in the first year of legal sales.

Nevada regulators accused a marijuana cultivation and production company of tax avoidance.

Washington State regulators sent an update and policy statement on transitioning to a new marijuana tracking system.

Vermont’s Cannabis Control Board and an advisory subcommittee will meet this week.


Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,200 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.

/ LOCAL

The Clarksville, Tennessee City Council adopted a resolution endorsing decriminalization of marijuana and legalization of medical cannabis.

A San Antonio, Texas city councilman is pushing to adopt a formal cite-and-release policy for low-level marijuana possession.

A think tank posted an updated database of New York municipalities that are opting out of marijuana retail and on-site consumption businesses.

The Sennett. New York Town Board will hold a hearing on a proposed ban on marijuana dispensaries and social use areas on December 16.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Malta Prime Minister Robert Abela will not give his party’s members a free vote on the government’s marijuana legalization bill.

Danish lawmakers voted to permanently legalize medical cannabis.

The UK government is launching a new drug strategy.

British Virgin Islands Premier Andrew Fahie said he hasn’t had recent talks with investors who previously expressed interest in the territory’s potential medical cannabis industry.

An Australian Capital Territory legislature select committee recommended that drugs be decriminalized.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “introduction of cannabidiol (CBD) endowed the hydrogels with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects” and that “the CBD/Alg@Zn hydrogel showed accelerated wound healing effect in vivo.”

A study found that “across a range of psychedelic substances and doses, reported pain scores improved substantially during and after psychedelic experiences.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Multidisciplinary Association For Psychedelic Studies and Vine Ventures launched a social impact special purpose vehicle that will infuse $70 million into psychedelic-assisted therapy and access in exchange for a share of MDMA revenue once it becomes legal.

The Drug Policy Alliance is urging Congress against “sneaking” marijuana banking language into the National Defense Authorization Act, arguing it would come at the “expense of equity and justice for Black, Latinx and Indigenous communities that have borne the brunt of prohibition.”

NORML has a new state policies manager.

The U.S. Pharmacopeia published a position statement urging more research on delta-8 THC.

ASTM International published a technical white paper on delta-8 THC products.

The Global Commission on Drug Policy will release a new report on Tuesday.

/ BUSINESS

WM Technology, Inc. registered to resell shares that were previously issued as partial consideration for acquisitions.

Schwazze entered into an agreement to sell $95 million worth of convertible notes to raise money to expand operations into New Mexico.

Nabis Cannabis drivers and fleet maintenance workers voted to unionize with Teamsters Local 630.

/ CULTURE

Former basketball player Isiah Thomas’s One World Pharma changed its name to One World Products: Sustainable Hemp and Cannabis Solutions.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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