Newsletter
DEA officials talk cannabis review details for 1st time (Newsletter: March 29, 2024)
VA gov vetoes marijuana sales & resentencing; KS medical cannabis bill dead; FL court legalization deadline; DE marijuana votes; NE hemp/CBD 100% tax
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Your good deed for the day: donate to an independent publisher like Marijuana Moment and ensure that as many voters as possible have access to the most in-depth cannabis reporting out there.
Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed bills that would have legalized recreational marijuana sales and provided resentencing relief to people with prior cannabis convictions.
Drug Enforcement Administration officials discussed the marijuana rescheduling process publicly for the first time, with one saying “HHS has done their part, and now DEA is doing its part,” which “can take anywhere from like three to six months sometimes.”
- One DEA official said discussing the cannabis review publicly is important for “correcting misperceptions” that scheduling decisions are made “behind this shroud of secrecy, which I think then lends itself to this idea that it’s a whole arbitrary process.”
Delaware lawmakers sent Gov. John Carney (D) a bill to expand medical cannabis access by removing the specific list of qualifying conditions and letting patients over age 65 self-certify without doctors. Also, the House passed separate legislation to provide protections for banks that work with marijuana businesses.
The New Hampshire House of Representatives approved a bill to provide annulments and resentencing for prior marijuana convictions as Gov. Chris Sununu (R) shared his latest thoughts on signing cannabis legalization into law this session.
The Kansas Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee voted to table a bill that would have created a medical cannabis pilot program—effectively killing it for the session.
The Florida Supreme Court still hasn’t made a decision on whether voters will get to decide on a marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot—leaving observers to speculate on what would happen if the justices miss a Monday deadline for action.
The Nebraska legislature debated a bill that would apply a 100 percent tax rate to consumable hemp and CBD products, with some lawmakers saying the state should instead legalize marijuana to provide property tax relief—and the sponsor saying she’s open to reducing the hemp rate.
The Vermont Senate passed a bill to create a Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working Group to “examine the use of psychedelics to improve physical and mental health” and make recommendations for legal access.
Maryland House and Senate committees approved bills previously passed by the full opposite chamber that would create a psychedelics task force to study how to ensure “broad, equitable and affordable access” to psilocybin, DMT and mescaline.
The Maine legislature’s Judiciary Committee approved a bill to let people apply to have their marijuana conviction records sealed, but defeated separate legislation to make the relief automatic.
The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation revoked licenses from nine marijuana social equity businesses, saying they didn’t meet eligibility requirements.
/ FEDERAL
A Department of Veterans Affairs facility in Portland, Oregon opened a dedicated space for psychedelic research.
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) claimed that illicit marijuana trafficking problems “only get worse if you make it legal.”
/ STATES
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) spoke during his State of the State address about the importance of “following up on the good work this legislature has already done, including “legalized adult-use cannabis,” saying it requires “an enormous amount of work.” Separately, the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee approved a bill to revise several aspects of the state’s marijuana laws.
Idaho lawmakers sent Gov. Brad Little (R) a bill to repeal the state’s syringe exchange program.
Tennessee House leaders spoke about efforts to regulate intoxicating hemp-derived products.
Oregon lawmakers discussed the decision to recriminalize drug possession.
A former Massachusetts regulator authored an op-ed offering “tough love” for the marijuana reform movement, arguing that advocates need to be concerned with the details of federal legislation rather than ceding decisions to corporate lobbyists.
Colorado regulators issued a bulletin about electronic copies of marijuana inventory tracking system-generated transport manifests.
Virginia regulators posted a request for proposals to develop a medical cannabis tracking system.
The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission will meet on Friday.
—
Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,400 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.
—
/ INTERNATIONAL
Malawian lawmakers voted to legalize cultivation of cannabis for industrial and medicinal use.
A German working group appointed by the transport minister recommended tripling the per se THC limit for driving impairment as marijuana legalization takes effect. The health minister said the proposal “is conservative and corresponds to” how alcohol is treated.
Kenyan President William Ruto reiterated his commitment to waging the war on drugs.
A UK court ruled in favor of a medical cannabis patient facing charges of refusing to provide saliva and blood samples after being pulled over by police.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review highlights “the therapeutic effects of CBN on pain, inflammation, neuroprotection, and potential antimicrobial activity.”
A study’s results “strongly indicate the cosmeceutical potential of the [ethanolic extract of Cannabis sativa leaves] as an effective active agent for the anti-photoaging prevention and/or treatment.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Albany Times Union editorial board is calling on New York officials to institute a “complete overhaul” of the state’s marijuana regulatory system.
/ BUSINESS
High Tide Inc. closed its acquisition of the Queen of Bud brand.
Glass House Brands Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $40.4 million and a net loss of $37.5 million.
Rubicon Organics Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$10 million.
atai Life Sciences reported quarterly revenue of $18,000 and a net loss of $19.1 million.
Canna Provisions transitioned from a privately held company to employee owned.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
