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Democrats defeat legal cannabis platform amendment (Newsletter: July 28, 2020)

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Navy bans sailors’ hemp shampoo; DC psychedelics decrim has enough sigs in counting; OR officials: Drug decrim will lower disparities & cut costs

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Democratic National Committee’s platform committee voted 106 to 50 to reject an amendment to endorse legalizing marijuana.

  • “I’m imploring all of you to approach this with an open mind and heart. Do something big here. Take one small but meaningful step toward changing the course of history. If my black life matters to you, you will consider this amendment.”

Navy Secretary Kenneth J. Braithwaite issued a memo banning sailors and marines from using hemp soaps, shampoos and lotions as part of a broader prohibition on legal hemp and CBD products.

  • “Substance misuse by members of the Armed Forces is incompatible with military standards of good order and discipline, performance, and operational readiness. It is the goal of the Department of the Navy (DON) to eliminate substance abuse.”

Washington, D.C. psychedelics activists observed officials count enough valid signatures to put their decriminalization initiative on the November ballot. The Board of Elections is expected to formally certify the measure at a meeting next week.

Oregon state officials are estimating that a drug decriminalization and treatment expansion measure on the November ballot will reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system and save the state money if voters approve it.

/ FEDERAL

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy published a report on efforts to reduce youth substance use.

The Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy posted about new draft cannabis research guidelines published by the Food and Drug Administration.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) endorsed a candidate for Oakland County, Michigan prosecutor, saying she will “take on a criminal justice system that criminalizes poverty, perpetuates institutionalized racism, and continues a failed war on drugs that has devastated communities of color.”

Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) tweeted that his primary challenger, Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA), “has a lot of questions he needs to answer,” including, “Why did he oppose legalizing marijuana until running for Senate?”

New York Democratic congressional candidate Dana Balter said she supports legalizing marijuana and expunging past convictions.

/ STATES

A Mississippi Board of Health official, state representative and local sheriff urged voters to defeat a medical cannabis ballot measure.

Massachusetts regulators will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to marijuana rules next week.

Missouri regulators said that another 350 medical cannabis patients that their certifications are invalid because they were filled out by someone impersonating a physician.

Illinois regulators awarded a no-bid contract to KPMG to grade marijuana business license applications.

California regulators seized marijuana products from an unlicensed producer and distributor.

Ohio regulators released updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.

A former Hightimes Holding Corp. CEO is running for a seat in the Utah House of Representatives.


Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,500 cannabis 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 Colorado Springs, Colorado City Council didn’t find enough support to place a measure allowing recreational marijuana sales on the ballot.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The European Commission suspended novel food applications for non-synthetic CBD products.

Thai regulators approved 17 medical recipes blending marijuana with pharmaceutical formulas.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review concluded that “along with cannabinoids, cannabis contains several other compounds that have also been shown to exert anti-tumorigenic actions.”

A study of particulate matter and volatile organic compounds at a marijuana production facility found that “exposures to respiratory hazards were highest in task zones where cannabis plants and material were manipulated by workers, including the trim, preroll, and the grow task areas.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The National Urban League is urging other states to “follow Illinois’ lead when crafting legislation to legalize marijuana by looking comprehensive at redress for past wrongs and creating economic opportunities for communities that bore, and continue to bear, the negative effects of the War on Drugs.”

The Adam Smith Institute and several researchers issued a report urging the UK government to reduce restrictions on studying psilocybin.

/ BUSINESS

Canopy Growth Corp. launched a U.S. e-commerce site for hemp and CBD products.

Clever Leaves International Inc. and Schultze Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. plan to merge under a new company, Clever Leaves Holdings Inc., which is expected to trade on the NASDAQ.

Puff Corporation sued KandyPens for alleged false advertising and deceptive trade practices.

Ultra Health circulated a report suggesting that New Mexico may see a medical cannabis shortage.

/ CULTURE

Actress Mia Farrow tweeted, “The  ‘war on drugs’ is a catastrophe serving only the cartels and for-profit prisons. The US has 5% of the world’s population. 25% of world’s prisoners. 2.3 million people are imprisoned in America – the highest incarceration rate in the world.”

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

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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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