Newsletter
DEA sued over ‘secret’ cannabis law interpretation (Newsletter: March 30, 2020)
Missouri legal marijuana effort impeded by COVID; Fed Small Biz Assn touts hemp progress; Colorado cannabis deliveries begin
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Scientists are suing the Drug Enforcement Administration over its alleged use of a “secret law” to delay the expansion of marijuana research. They want access to an internal Justice Department memo that could reveal how the federal government is relying on an interpretation of international treaties to impede studies.
The Missouri campaign working to put a marijuana legalization measure on the November ballot announced it has “no practical way” of collecting enough signatures to qualify amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The federal Small Business Administration published a new post touting its efforts on behalf of the legal hemp industry. Meanwhile the agency says it can’t help marijuana firms with coronavirus-related disaster aid.
- “From rope to clothing, biodiesel to hempcrete, plant-based ingestible protein to CBD balm, the uses of hemp are far-reaching.”
Colorado’s first legal marijuana delivery service has launched.
/ FEDERAL
National Institute on Drug Abuse personnel met with Canadian officials to discuss priority areas for marijuana research including setting a standard dose of THC in cannabis products, as well as safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.
A state representative who has led efforts to legalize medical cannabis is expected to be confirmed as the U.S. attorney for South Carolina on Monday.
Oregon Democratic congressional candidate Blair Reynolds urged people to sign petitions for a proposed therapeutic psilocybin legalization ballot measure.
/ STATES
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed a hemp legalization bill.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed a bill repealing the regulation of marijuana financial services cooperatives.
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo’s (D) coronavirus stay-at-home order exempts medical cannabis compassion centers as critical businesses.
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock’s (D) coronavirus stay-at-home directive exempts medical cannabis businesses as essential.
Vermont regulators said medical cannabis dispensaries can remain open under a coronavirus stay-at-home directive issued by Gov. Phil Scott (R) but are being encouraged to do phone and online transactions, and are allowed to do parking lot pickups. Patient, caregiver and dispensary staff registrations are also being extended for 90 days.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed an executive order extending the deadline to submit marijuana infuser, craft grower and transporter businesses licenses by a month due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Massachusetts regulators are allowing curbside pickup of medical cannabis during the coronavirus outbreak. Separately, lawmakers sent a letter asking Gov. Charlie Baker (R) to allow recreational marijuana sales as essential during the coronavirus outbreak.
Oklahoma regulators said medical cannabis dispensaries can offer curbside pickup during the coronavirus pandemic.
Ohio regulators released updated guidance to medical cannabis businesses on maintaining clean and sanitary conditions amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Delaware regulators are asking medical cannabis patients and caregivers to mail, rather than deliver in person, their applications during the coronavirus pandemic.
Washington State regulators approved a rule on waiving marijuana business fees and tax penalties during the coronavirus outbreak, and withdrew a proposed rule on quality assurance sample testing.
A New Jersey court rejected a medical cannabis dispensary’s attempt to prevent a competitor from opening nearby.
Oregon generated more than $9.2 million in marijuana tax revenue for the state and an additional more than $1.4 million for local governments in February.
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/ LOCAL
The Webster Groves, Missouri City Council approved a marijuana decriminalization ordinance.
Berkeley, California officials amended a coronavirus-related shutdown order to allow marijuana businesses to do curbside pickup.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The UK’S secretary of state for health and social care responded to lawmakers’ request for information about what the government is doing to increase access to and research about cannabis-based medicines.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that the “combination of CBD and [bacitracin] is suggested to be a putative novel treatment in clinical settings for treatment of infections with antibiotic resistant Gram-positive bacteria.”
A study of toxicology tests of women admitted to hospital labor and delivery units concluded that “prevalence of cannabis use until the time of delivery vary by location but were largely unchanged over a period of drug liberalization.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of U.S. adults who use marijuana found that 28% have consumed more than usual in the past two weeks, 14% have used less than usual and 36% have seen no change.
The New York Daily News editorial board is urging lawmakers to not include marijuana legalization and other policy issues in the state budget.
The National Association of Cannabis Businesses has a new executive vice president and chief operating officer.
/ BUSINESS
KushCo Holdings, Inc. got a new CFO and laid off 49 employees.
Hightimes Holding Corp. is acquiring Humboldt Heritage Inc. and its subsidiaries Humboldt Sun Growers Guild and Grateful Eight LLC.
Denver, Colorado marijuana sales jumped 392% during the hours after the mayor announced a later-rescinded closure of dispensaries due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Florida medical cannabis sales increased by nearly 40% in a week.
/ CULTURE
Quibi is launching a series starring joint-rolling artist Tony Greenhand.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
