Newsletter
DEA issues new hemp and CBD rules (Newsletter: August 21, 2020)
Mexican president: Legal cannabis vote soon; NJ poll shows support for legalization; OR drug decrim measure’s 1st ad; Psychedelic funders step up
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Drug Enforcement Administration unveiled a set of hemp and CBD rules to comply with federal legalization of the crop and its derivatives under the 2018 Farm Bill.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said marijuana legalization will advance through the country’s Congress, which reconvenes on September 1.
- “They are going to decide freely, listening to the opinion of all the parties… There is going to be a legal reform.”
A new poll shows that New Jersey voters are ready to approve a marijuana legalization referendum on their ballots this November, with 66% in support. The survey also finds that people want to tax cannabis at a higher rate than the normal sales tax.
The Oregon campaign to decriminalize drug possession and fund treatment released the first video ad for its ballot initiative.
- “This has followed me for over two and a half decades. It’s kept me from getting housing, apartments, getting places near my kids. When I tried to go to school to become a drug and alcohol counselor, you can’t get a license for that because of that drug incident. It makes me feel like I’m trapped, like somebody owns me or something.”
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelics Studies announced it has raised $30 million to support its goal of making MDMA a Food and Drug Administration-approved therapy for PTSD. Donors include executives from GoDaddy, SpaceX, TOMS Shoes and Dr. Bronner’s. The cousin of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) has also contributed.
/ FEDERAL
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published an overview of issues related to marijuana and the workplace.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) accused the Congressional Black Caucus of “blocking the STATES Act.”
Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) spoke about the marijuana and drug policy positions of the Democratic presidential and vice presidential ticket.
Massachusetts Democratic congressional candidate Alex Morse, the mayor of Holyoke, tweeted, “Decriminalization ✅ Legalization ✅ Supporting Entrepreneurs ✅ Proud of the work we’ve done in Holyoke. When we get to Washington we’ll fight for expungement and reparations for those unjustly locked up by the war on drugs.”
/ STATES
The Arizona Supreme Court unanimously rejected a case alleging that ballot language for a marijuana legalization measure is misleading.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said he is “proud” to have played a role in passing marijuana legalization in the state.
Florida’s agriculture commissioner tweeted about discussing promoting hemp in foreign markets with a U.S. Department of Agriculture official.
Missouri regulators are asking a court for guidance on whether they should share or keep confidential information contained in medical cannabis business license applications.
The Bay Mills Indian Community, located in Michigan, plans to form a marijuana market that is independent from regulation by state officials. Separately, regulators suspended the license of a cannabis testing facility for allegedly faking results.
Colorado regulators will discuss implementing marijuana social equity legislation on Friday.
Nevada regulators will consider marijuana business licensing issues on Tuesday.
Pennsylvania’s Board of Pardons will consider applications for pardons, including 24 expedited applications for minor marijuana-related offenses, next month.
Florida’s Hemp Advisory Committee will meet on August 27.
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/ LOCAL
The Loveland, Colorado city clerk is being sued for allegedly refusing to accept valid signatures for a proposed local ballot measure to allow marijuana businesses.
Oakland, California police raided a psychedelic “church.”
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Canadian government is funding safe supply sites where people can get access to pharmaceutical opioids as an alternative to potentially adulterated unregulated drugs.
The Santa Fe, Argentina City Council approved a medical cannabis ordinance.
Mexico’s Senate hosted a conference on the environmental benefits of hemp.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of high school student drug use found that “lifetime marijuana use increased during 2009–2013 and then decreased during 2013–2019.”
Cornell University held an online seminar about hemp research.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Urban League of Portland is “pausing” its endorsement of Oregon’s drug decriminalization ballot measure over concerns that the Drug Policy Alliance, a major backer of the initiative, did not work closely enough with local treatment and recovery groups and communities of color in formulating its plan.
The California Cannabis Industry Association released marijuana regulatory recommendations.
The Minority Cannabis Business Association is hosting a Spanish-language event focused on marijuana issues in Latin America on September 22.
/ BUSINESS
Cresco Labs reported quarterly revenue of $94.3 million and a net loss of $4.7 million.
TerrAscend Corp. reported quarterly net sales of $47.2 million.
Akerna signed an agreement with Priority Technology Holdings, Inc. to provide CBD and hemp retailers that use its platform with a credit card payment processing solution.
A lawsuit accusing American Shaman CBD of falsely claiming its products are free of heavy metals has been dismissed by a federal judge, but the plaintiffs plan to take the case to Florida state courts next.
/ CULTURE
A group of lawyers plans to donate to the Campaign for Cannabis Amnesty and other racial justice organizations every time the Toronto Raptors basketball team wins a playoff game this year.
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