Newsletter
DeSantis signs medical cannabis restriction (Newsletter: July 3, 2023)
MN hiring top marijuana regulator; MD legalization takes effect; Fed employment issues; Affirmative action ruling’s cannabis impact; CT homegrow
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) is accepting applications from people who want to serve as director of the Office of Cannabis Management being created by the state’s new marijuana legalization law.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), a 2024 presidential candidate, signed a bill prohibiting people from possessing marijuana at recovery residences—even if recommended by a doctor under the state’s medical cannabis law. But residents are allowed to possess any other prescribed medication.
A U.S. Forest Service official said that as more states have moved to legalize marijuana, public opinion has “shifted dramatically” and federal agencies are seeing an “uptick” in positive drug tests for cannabis that’s causing more workers to be fired.
Maryland’s legalization of marijuana took effect—with possession and home cultivation no longer criminalized and sales to adults over 21 launching. Separate laws also took effect to bar police from conducting searches based on the smell of cannabis and making it so lawful and responsible use of marijuana by parents and guardians cannot be construed by state officials as child “neglect.”
A Connecticut law allowing adults over 21 to legally grow their own marijuana at home took effect.
The Cannabis Regulators Association announced new leadership and the expansion of its membership to include more state marijuana regulatory bodies—as well as representation from international officials for the first time.
Greenbridge Corporate Counsel founder Khurshid Khoja authored a new Marijuana Moment op-ed laying out a solution to save cannabis social equity programs from the potentially far-reaching impact of the Supreme Court’s move to strike down affirmative action.
The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission finally held its first meeting—nearly a year after it was supposed to be formed under the state’s marijuana legalization law.
/ FEDERAL
Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said “we rolled out marijuana way too quick” and “we’ve got to be very careful when you’re talking about psychedelics.”
Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Nancy Mace (R-SC) discussed the prospects for federal marijuana reform.
The House bill to repeal the 280E tax penalty on marijuana businesses got one new cosponsor for a total of 10.
/ STATES
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced that the Cannabis Social Equity Investment Fund is receiving up to $150 million senior secured capital.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) spoke about how a marijuana legalization referendum won by a bigger margin than he did and said the state is rolling out the policy “responsibly.”
Oklahoma regulators are being sued over newly increased fees on medical cannabis businesses.
Colorado regulators adopted emergency marijuana fee rules and initiated a permanent rulemaking process on the issue.
Massachusetts regulators issued a memo on marijuana social equity policies for host communities.
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/ LOCAL
Berkeley, California officials are proposing a tax relief program for marijuana businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
An Australian law allowing psychiatrists to prescribe psilocybin and MDMA took effect.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review of research on children with epilepsy concluded that “studies indicated good efficacy, safety, and tolerability of cannabidiol in several syndromes, with emphasis on Lennox–Gastaut and Dravet syndromes.”
A study of psychedelics consumers found “more support for natural over synthetic substances, self-production and consumption over gifting, gifting over sales, and administration of psychedelics with therapeutic support than without therapeutic support.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association announced that the Sokaogon Chippewa Community Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa joined as its first member tribe.
/ BUSINESS
Cresco Labs and Columbia Care announced they will not be able to complete divestitures necessary to clear the way for the former company’s acquisition of the latter ahead of their June 30 target date and “are working amicably with respect to the next steps in relation to the transaction.”
Green Thumb Industries Inc.’s CEO said he believes Florida regulators will approve the company’s plan to open medical cannabis dispensaries next to Circle K gas stations.
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