Newsletter
DeSantis trashes medical cannabis as recreational “pretext” (Newsletter: December 22, 2023)
Ukraine legalizes medical marijuana; FL homegrow measure withdrawn; WI GOP bill in 2024; MD tax revenue; CT dispensaries open on Xmas; RI $100M sales
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Ukraine’s Parliament approved a medical marijuana legalization bill—sending it to President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said cannabis medicines can help people deal with “pain, stress and trauma of war” with Russia.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) suggested at an event for his 2024 presidential campaign that his state’s medical cannabis law is being used as a “pretext” for people who want to consume marijuana recreationally.
Florida activists withdrew a ballot initiative to legalize medical cannabis home cultivation after they weren’t able to raise funds for a signature gathering drive to put it on the 2024 ballot alongside an industry-backed recreational marijuana measure.
Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) said he will unveil a medical cannabis bill in January that he thinks “can get through our chamber”—but that it will be limited so there won’t be “dispensaries on every corner in every city.”
Maryland’s comptroller published a report on marijuana tax revenue from the first quarter of legal adult-use sales—finding that $12 million was generated to support community reinvestment, public health, marijuana business assistance and local governments.
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection issued a notice reminding people that alcohol sales are prohibited on Christmas or New Year’s Day—but that marijuana dispensaries are still allowed to open for the holidays.
The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation reported that the state saw more than $100 million in legal marijuana product sales during the first year of the adult-use market.
/ FEDERAL
Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) tweeted, “If medical cannabis is legal in their state, there’s no reason veterans shouldn’t be able to discuss it as a treatment option with their VA physicians.”
/ STATES
Mississippi regulators placed an administrative hold on a “large number” of medical cannabis products until retesting can be conducted to ensure they meet regulatory standards.
Maine’s top marijuana regulator discussed ongoing efforts to oversee the legal market.
California regulators adopted revised cannabis tax rules.
New York regulators are working to create permits that would allow marijuana farmers markets to continue to be held as special events.
Michigan regulators published guidance about temporary marijuana events.
South Dakota regulators published guidance for medical cannabis patients, practitioners and establishments.
Pennsylvania regulators released information on medical cannabis patients’ qualifying conditions.
South Carolina regulators will begin accepting 2024 hemp cultivation permit applications on January 1.
Data shows that Oregon’s psilocybin services program was utilized by at least 715 people this year.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
The parliamentary head of the German Social Democratic Party said the party continues to support a marijuana legalization bill despite a “false impression” given by some reports.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study demonstrated “feasibility of CBD-dominant [cannabis-based medicinal products] in individuals diagnosed with Long COVID.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A staffer for prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana claimed that the federal legality of intoxicating hemp products is “literally a matter of life and death for our kids.”
/ BUSINESS
A report claims that companies like Trulieve, Curaleaf and Verano are “advertising their products as treatments not just for muscle aches, but for major medical conditions like cancer and depression, without evidence to back up those claims.”
Missouri retailers sold $112.7 million worth of legal marijuana products in November.
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