Newsletter
FDA eyes cannabis regulatory recommendations within months (Newsletter: December 28, 2022)
Lawmakers’ yearly marijuana memo; Congressional researchers review hemp options; Record number of cannabis studies in 2022; KS cancer patient raided
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Food and Drug Administration officials said they are taking steps to announce a plan for how to regulate cannabis-derived products like CBD and delta-8 THC in the coming months. This comes as the agency is also leading a review into marijuana’s scheduling status.
Congressional Cannabis Caucus co-chairs Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Brian Mast (R-FL) released a new memo reviewing marijuana reform accomplishments achieved this year and looking ahead at possibilities for 2023.
Kansas House Democrats are renewing their call to legalize medical marijuana in 2023 after police in Hays, Kansas raided a terminally ill cancer patient’s hospital room over his use of medical cannabis extracts.
The Congressional Research Service published a new report on issues faced by the hemp industry and how they can be addressed in the next Farm Bill.
A new NORML analysis indicates that researchers published a record number of scientific studies about cannabis in 2022.
/ FEDERAL
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration posted updated FAQs about federal workplace drug testing programs and cannabis products.
Former Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) wrote in an op-ed that “there is not a lot that both parties can agree on—but one bright spot is the clear consensus that the War on Drugs, and the policies that came out of it, have not worked.”
/ STATES
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) named a new chair for the cannabis Social Equity Council.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) vetoed a bill that would have required courts to offer non-religious options for substance misuse treatment programs.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) reflected back on the fact that medical cannabis was one of the first issues he worked on with Republicans on a bipartisan basis.
Maryland lawmakers discussed plans to form legislation to regulate marijuana sales in the coming session.
A California senator tweeted, “If there’s anything we learned from alcohol prohibition & the War on Drugs, it’s that prohibition & enforcement don’t stop people from using. If prohibition & enforcement stopped people from using, the drug war would’ve eradicated drug use in the U.S. 50x over. Except it didn’t.”
An Iowa representative-elect tweeted, “Legalized cannabis would be good for Iowa’s economy, good for public health, and would help make our system of justice more equitable. This is just one issue where Republican and Democratic voters agree—I’ll work with any Republican or Democrat to legalize it.”
Oregon regulators adopted final psilocybin services administrative rules.
Colorado regulators released a draft kratom report and supplement.
Vermont regulators posted a flowchart about marijuana lab testing.
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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
The Rotterdam, New York Town Board will vote on proposed rules for where marijuana businesses can operate on Wednesday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Mexico’s Senate majority leader said the body will address marijuana legalization legislation in 2023.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “medicinal cannabis was observed to improve pain intensity scores and [health-related quality of life] outcomes in patients with chronic, refractory pain, providing real-world insights into medicinal cannabis’ therapeutic potential.”
A study found that “add-on CBD was associated with sustained seizure reduction up to 192 weeks with an acceptable safety profile and can be used for long-term treatment of [treatment-resistant epilepsies].”
/ BUSINESS
Terrapin and its founder are being sued by investors over alleged gross negligence, willful misconduct and self-dealing related to a failed Michigan cannabis operation.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
