Newsletter
Elizabeth Warren wants cannabis market with “fairness and competition” (Newsletter: July 15, 2024)
PA gov signs 280E fix; Lawmakers push FDA to approve MDMA; MO marijuana revenue funds services; Casinos & cannabis op-ed; NH medical expansion
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) signed budget legislation that does not include his proposal to legalize marijuana—though it does contain a provision to give certain medical cannabis businesses a partial workaround to the federal 280E tax penalty.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) warned of the need to make sure marijuana legalization doesn’t “pave the way for big tobacco or big alcohol companies or retail giants” like Amazon to “dominate” the market—saying in remarks at an anti-monopoly conference that the reform is “about undoing a century of racist policy.”
- “Now is the time to get creative and think big about how we can ensure fairness and competition in the cannabis industry.”
Bipartisan members of Congress held an event to press the Food and Drug Administration to approve MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD—joining advocates in launching an art installation featuring 150,000 military dog tags to symbolize the number of veterans lost to suicide since 9/11.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) signed a bill adding generalized anxiety disorder as a medical cannabis qualifying condition—but vetoed separate legislation that would have allowed medical marijuana companies to cultivate in greenhouses.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services disbursed another batch of nearly $11 million in marijuana revenue to fund veterans programs, drug treatment and public defender services.
Former Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board Executive Director Tyler Klimas argues in a new op-ed that casinos would be “smart” to consider the “opportunities and obvious interplay between” gaming and marijuana, while taking steps to become “leaders in this burgeoning marketplace.”
Organizers behind a Massachusetts psychedelics legalization initiative that will be on the November ballot are taking into account lessons learned from prior similar efforts in Colorado and Oregon.
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission released a draft governance charter amid accusations it has a disjointed and ineffective management structure and in the face of calls for the agency to be placed into receivership.
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission met to discuss new changes to cultivation licensing rules and ongoing litigation that has delayed the launch of the market.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) said he supports marijuana banking legislation but that he needs to “look at the particulars” of rescheduling.
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) attended a dinner hosted by the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation.
The Senate marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor for a total of 36.
The House marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor for a total of 127.
/ STATES
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at an International Cannabis Bar Association event on July 25.
A Massachusetts representative said the state’s marijuana regulatory body is “a trainwreck.”
New York regulators announced a recall of certain cannabinoid hemp products.
California regulators are accepting applications to serve on the Cannabis Advisory Committee. Separately, officials extended the deadline to apply for vacancies on the Industrial Hemp Advisory Board.
Maryland regulators are repealing prior medical cannabis rules.
Washington State regulators are conducting a survey on draft rules related to the Cannabis Social Equity Program.
The Indiana State Police is cracking down on delta-8 THC products.
The Virginia Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council will meet on Monday.
Nevada regulators will consider marijuana business issues on Thursday.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy 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.
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/ LOCAL
Denver, Colorado officials will host a Natural Medicine Work Group meeting on Thursday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said that if cocaine were legalized under international treaties, “tomorrow the war in Colombia will be over, it’s as simple as that.”
Chile’s National Television Council fined a station for broadcasting a program that allegedly promoted marijuana use at a time of day it could be seen by minors.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cannabidiol demonstrated potential in treating and preventing different conditions, such as glaucoma, atopic dermatitis, epidermolysis bullosa, and pyoderma gangrenosum.”
A study found that “in patients with active neoplasia, cannabinoids increase weight, restore hunger and appetite.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
/ BUSINESS
Lucy Scientific Discovery has been delisted by Nasdaq.
IM Cannabis Corp. shares began trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market LLC on a 6:1 post-consolidated basis.
Cresco Labs Inc. shareholders elected board of directors members.
/ CULTURE
Wiz Khalifa was taken into custody by Romanian police after appearing to smoke marijuana on stage.
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