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DeSantis plans hemp bill veto to undermine marijuana legalization (Newsletter: June 3, 2024)
VT gov signs psychedelics & vetoes drug consumption; Cannabis industry’s hemp divide; NJ gov visits marijuana biz; HI gun permits denied over cannabis
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Rahul Gupta decried the “failed policies” of marijuana prohibition that have “destroyed lives”—adding that rescheduling will lead to “less expensive and more legal” cannabis-based medicines.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) signed a bill to create a Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working Group, but vetoed separate legislation to legalize and fund a safe consumption site for illegal drugs.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is reportedly preparing to veto a bill that would restrict intoxicating hemp products—with sources saying he is hoping the hemp industry will help to fund a campaign to defeat the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.
The cannabis industry is divided over a recently approved congressional amendment to ban most consumable hemp products—with disagreement even among members of a single group, the U.S. Cannabis Council, which as an organization favors the federal restriction.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) visited a marijuana cultivation and processing facility, saying he’s “honored” that the company named a “Murphy’s Sourz” cannabis strain after him.
A new report from the Hawaii attorney general’s office shows that medical cannabis patient status is the leading cause of people being denied gun permits.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) said he thinks intoxicating hemp products “ought to be regulated by the state,” but a bill to do so failed to receive a House vote before lawmakers adjourned for the session.
Louisiana lawmakers defeated a bill to ban intoxicating hemp products but are advancing separate legislation to add certain restrictions on the industry.
Members of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission clashed at a meeting, with one commissioner saying a recent alleged move to divide up the duties of the agency’s acting executive director has caused “intense upheaval, discord and instability.”
A second Missouri judge ruled that counties and municipalities can stack marijuana taxes on top of one another, rejecting a challenge from a cannabis business.
/ FEDERAL
Food and Drug Administration staff posted a brief questioning the safety of MDMA ahead of a Tuesday meeting on a proposal to approve its use in therapy.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) tweeted a photo of himself visiting a CBD store.
Maine Republican congressional candidates Ron Russell and Andrew Piantidosi said during a debate that they oppose rescheduling marijuana.
The House marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor for a total of 122.
/ STATES
North Dakota Republican gubernatorial candidates discussed marijuana legalization during a debate.
The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court blocked regulators’ move to recall medical cannabis vapes.
California regulators are warning consumers not to drink Mary Jones hemp-infused sodas “because they are mislabeled and contain specific ingredients prohibited under state law.” Separately, the Legislative Analyst’s Office published a quarterly cannabis tax revenue update.
Massachusetts’s inspector general is calling on Uxbridge town leaders to improve their process for approving contracts and legal agreements after an investigation found a marijuana retailer altered its host community agreement without detection.
Missouri regulators posted guidance about marijuana labeling requirements.
Colorado regulators are investigating reports of marijuana businesses bringing hemp with higher levels of THC into the regulated market.
Washington State regulators will host public feedback sessions on implementing a new law concerning tax exemptions on certain medical cannabis purchases on Monday and Thursday.
Arkansas regulators will hold a hearing on proposed changes to medical cannabis rules on June 18.
Nevada regulators will hold a hearing on proposed changes to marijuana rules on June 28.
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/ LOCAL
Denver, Colorado officials published an updated marijuana facility location guide.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris said he supports having a committee examine calls to reform marijuana laws.
German Bundedtag committees will consider changes to the country’s marijuana legalization law on Monday.
The Canadian government funded a poll on people’s attitudes about drug decriminalization.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “CBD’s analgesic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antipruritic and anticancer properties can be used for the treatment of dental pulp diseases, periodontal diseases, oral mucosal diseases, oral tumors, temporomandibular joint diseases and trauma infections.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Michigan voters support legalizing psychedelic therapy, 66 percent to 15 percent.
The League of Minnesota Cities is encouraging municipalities to review zoning ordinances to determine if changes are needed to properly regulate marijuana cultivation.
/ BUSINESS
Acreage Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly consolidated revenue of $45.3 million and a net loss of $33.3 million.
Numinus Wellness Inc. received approval from Canadian officials to examine the feasibility of a group model in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy enrolling trainee practitioners as participants.
Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. has a new board of directors member.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
