Newsletter
DOJ researcher’s cannabis impairment testing concerns (Newsletter: February 22, 2024)
German legalization vote; CA marijuana dashboard; MN equity debate; VA sales compromise; IL psychedelics; Psilocybin is 67 million years old
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A researcher with the Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice said states may need to “get away from that idea” that marijuana impairment can be tested based on the concentration of THC in a person’s system—criticizing “per se” laws in many jurisdictions.
The German Bundestag’s Health Committee approved a marijuana legalization bill, setting it up for floor votes on final passage this Friday—but questions are being raised about whether the law can be implemented by April 1 as planned.
Minnesota’s top marijuana regulator, pressed by GOP lawmakers about concerns over equity-focused provisions in the state’s legalization law, pointed out that her son is incarcerated for drugs—highlighting the importance of “opportunity for second chance.”
The Virginia House sponsor of a bill to legalize recreational marijuana sales is revealing some details of a compromise he is offering to the Senate, which passed a competing cannabis commerce bill.
The Kansas House of Representatives defeated a marijuana legalization amendment to a broader drug reform bill.
The California Department of Cannabis Control launched a new online marijuana dashboard that tracks data on sales, pricing, business licensing and harvests. Unlike other legal states, however, the market data will be updated on a delayed quarterly basis, rather than monthly.
Illinois lawmakers filed legislation to legalize psilocybin and regulate service centers where people could access the psychedelic in a supervised setting—with plans to expand the program to include mescaline, ibogaine and DMT.
A new genomic study indicates that mushrooms started synthesizing psilocybin roughly 67 million years ago, “concurrent” with the arrival of the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs and 80 percent of all life on Earth.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin (R) approved a revised version of a ballot initiative that would expand medical cannabis access by allowing homegrow and removing the qualifying conditions list. It would also trigger recreational legalization after federal reform.
An Idaho representative filed a bill to institute a $420 mandatory minimum fine for possessing less than three ounces of marijuana—dropping several cannabis puns when he told colleagues he “smoked out” problems in his prior legislation and ran changes by his assistant, “Mary Jane.”
/ FEDERAL
Former Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) registered to lobby for the National Cannabis Roundtable.
/ STATES
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) appointed an executive director for the Cannabis Expungement Board.
Indiana Republican gubernatorial candidates agreed on opposing marijuana legalization during a debate.
An Oklahoma representative filed a bill aimed at combating the growth of marijuana on foreign-owned land in the state.
A South Dakota marijuana legalization campaign committee raised about $24,000 last year.
Colorado regulators issued a health and safety advisory about potentially contaminated marijuana products.
California regulators are moving to adopt emergency rules allowing cannabis cultivation licensees to make certain changes.
Oregon regulators sent a bulletin about the addition of QR codes to medical cannabis temporary receipts and registration cards.
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/ LOCAL
The Killeen, Texas City Council discussed pending litigation against a voter-approved marijuana decriminalization law.
An Anchorage, Alaska task force is finalizing a plan to use cannabis revenue to support child care and early education.
Los Angeles, California cannabis regulators published an annual report.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet warned foreigners not to invest in cannabis cultivation in his country.
Thailand’s health minister said the government wants to enact legislation clarifying that recreational marijuana use is not legal by the end of the year.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested “there may be substantial commercial benefits for using photoperiods longer than 12 h for increasing inflorescence yields without decreasing cannabinoid concentrations in some cannabis cultivars grown in indoor environments.”
A study found that “psilocybin had antidepressant effects with adequate safety.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of Oregon likely voters found that 73 percent support recriminalizing drug possession.
A poll of Filipinos found that 56 percent want the government to allow International Criminal Court personnel into the country to investigate the nation’s bloody “war on drugs.”
The Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition is a new trade association representing marijuana businesses in the state.
/ BUSINESS
Metrc signed a medical cannabis track and trace contract with Kentucky regulators.
Greenway Greenhouse Cannabis Corporation has a new chief financial officer.
Canopy Growth Corporation is calling a special meeting of shareholders to consider the creation of a new class of exchangeable shares.
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