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Dems put cannabis banking in another COVID bill (Newsletter: September 30, 2020)

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Where Trump stands on marijuana; MT environmental groups back legal cannabis; MI prosecutor won’t pursue psychedelics cases

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

House Democratic leaders again included marijuana banking provisions in their latest coronavirus relief bill after Republican lawmakers slammed cannabis financial services language in the last version. The industry-focused move comes shortly after the chamber delayed a planned vote on an  equity-focused legalization bill.

Marijuana Moment published a comprehensive 4,000-word overview of where President Trump stands on marijuana. While the president, when asked, has consistently voiced support for states’ rights to set their own cannabis laws, his administration has taken a number of hostile, anti-marijuana actions that fall short of a broad federal crackdown.

A coalition of environmental groups—including the Montana Conservation Voters and Montana Wildlife Federation—is endorsing marijuana legalization initiatives on the November ballot. Half of the state’s cannabis tax revenue would be earmarked for conservation efforts under the measures.

  • Interestingly, the marijuana-derived funds would open up access to more matching federal dollars to support public lands.

The soon-to-be Washtenaw County, Michigan prosecutor said he won’t pursue psychedelics possession cases throughout the entire county following the Ann Arbor, Michigan City Council’s vote to decriminalize entheogens.

/ FEDERAL

President Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden clashed during their debate over drug use by one of Biden’s sons.

President Trumps’ campaign account tweeted, “Democrats’ New $2.2 Trillion COVID Stimulus Includes The Word ‘Cannabis’ 68 Times — Mentioned More Than Jobs.”

Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) again pledged that a Biden administration would decriminalize marijuana and expunge past records.

Former White House Physician Ronny Jackson echoed President Trump’s assertion that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden could be taking performance-enhancing drugs.

A federal court ruled that a New Jersey podiatrist can’t proceed with a case alleging he was improperly prevented from issuing medical cannabis recommendations based on his being blind, because he wasn’t otherwise qualified to participate.

Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) tweeted, “A reminder as to what House Dems’ actual priorities are…in their newest stimulus package, the word ‘jobs’ appears 7 times, and the word ‘cannabis’ appears 68 times.”

/ STATES

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) tweeted, “Legalize it.”

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) spoke about his opposition to legalizing marijuana and touted his signing a cannabis possession decriminalization bill.

Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “Legal adult-use cannabis is criminal justice reform. Thousands of Pennsylvanians get a criminal record every year for doing something that 1) most of us don’t even think should be illegal and 2) is legal in 11 states and decriminalized in 26 states and D.C. “

Mississippi’s secretary of state will host the first in a series of public hearings on the state’s medical cannabis ballot measures on Wednesday.

Montana marijuana activists commissioned a study that concluded the state will generate $52 million in annual tax revenue by 2026 if legalization ballot measures are approved in November.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that the summary for a proposed marijuana legalization ballot measure is misleading.

The Nebraska Supreme Court upheld the dismissal of drug dealing charges brought against CBD sellers.

A Missouri House Special Committee on Government Oversight investigation into the state’s medical cannabis program appears to have put its work on hold until at least next year.

Massachusetts regulators are accepting public comment on marijuana delivery rules.

South Carolina regulators released a list of permitted hemp transporters.

Michigan regulators hosted a discussion of hemp issues on a podcast.

Texas regulators published data on the number of physicians approved to recommend low-THC medical cannabis.


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 Appleton, Wisconsin police chief supports lowering the fine for marijuana possession.

The Baltimore, Maryland City Council is considering placing restrictions on hemp farms.

A former Chicago, Illinois mayor cited his efforts to decriminalize marijuana in a blog post about ending the school-to-prison pipeline.

/ INTERNATIONAL

New Zealand regulators extended the transition period during which medical cannabis imports do not need to meet new quality standards.

Three Canadian lawmakers sent a letter pushing the minister of health to grant exemptions letting doctors legally use psilocybin.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study of patients with refractory chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting found that “the addition of oral THC:CBD to standard antiemetics was associated with less nausea and vomiting but additional side-effects” and that “most participants preferred THC:CBD to placebo.”

A study of midlife women veterans found that”use of cannabis for menopause symptom management was common.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Parents Opposed to Pot cancelled a planned “Victory Rally over Marijuana.”

The Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference are speaking out against the state’s marijuana legalization ballot initiative.

The Colorado Springs Gazette editorial board says that marijuana legalization has not been going well.

/ BUSINESS

Acreage Holdings, Inc. secured a $33 million loan and used a portion of it to retire an $11 million debt.

Trym announced a $3.1 million seed round.

ManifestSeven Holdings Corporation will begin trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange on Wednesday.

A recapitalization plan by iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. was reportedly dismissed by a judge.

Field Trip Psychedelics Inc. announced that it successfully completed Good Laboratory Practices synthesis of its first molecule in development, FT-104, which is believed to be responsible for psychedelic experiences.

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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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