Newsletter
FDA looks to future of cannabis research (Newsletter: November 6, 2023)
RFK on marijuana; CA psychedelics measure withdrawn; CO gov talks cannabis; MN psychedelics task force; WI legalization revenue; IN hearing
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Food and Drug Administration officials wrote a new journal article and blog post reviewing the agency’s 50 years of studying marijuana and looking ahead to future work—including investigating more methods of consumption such as edibles and looking into lesser-known cannabinoids and terpenes.
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released a new campaign ad about his plan to legalize marijuana and use the revenue to fund drug addiction recovery centers.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) unveiled new marijuana revenue proposals in his budget, saying he wants the state to be at the “center” of the national and global cannabis market once broad federal reforms are achieved.
California activists are withdrawing a 2024 ballot initiative that would have created a $5 billion state agency tasked with funding and promoting research on the psychedelics after polling showed voters did not support the proposal.
The Minnesota Psychedelic Medicine Task Force—which is charged with studying the medical benefits of psilocybin, MDMA and LSD and preparing the state for possible legalization—will hold its first meeting on Monday.
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue estimates the state could generate nearly $170 million in new annual tax revenue if lawmakers enacted a marijuana legalization bill filed by the Senate minority leader.
The Washington State Department of Commerce released a plan to spend $200 million to address racial, economic and social disparities created by the war on drugs.
SXSW’s announcement of panels for the 2024 festival shows the shifting interest of the cutting-edge conference toward psychedelics and away from cannabis as marijuana becomes more embedded into the mainstream.
The Indiana legislature’s Interim Study Committee on Commerce and Economic Development held a hearing on the implications of legalizing marijuana.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is providing funding to social equity marijuana businesses, but canopy caps and other regulatory hurdles have created a situation where only 10 craft growers are currently operating in the state.
/ FEDERAL
President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden authored an op-ed decrying the “demonization of addiction” he said is inherent in Republican criticism of his personal struggles.
House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) adopted son was arrested for allegedly running an illegal cannabis business.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) praised the cannabis reform leadership of Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), who recently announced he is retiring from Congress.
/ STATES
Ohio’s House speaker expressed concerns that the marijuana legalization initiative on Tuesday’s ballot could have negative economic and workforce impacts.
The Oklahoma House Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances Committee will host a presentation on marijuana ingestion by children on Monday. Separately, regulators issued a recall of medical cannabis products.
The Oregon legislature’s Joint Committee on Addiction and Community Safety Response will meet on Monday.
A New York assemblymember filed a bill to restrict marijuana advertisements along roadsides.
A Hawaii senator is pushing to expand medical cannabis cultivation licensing following a federal raid on growers.
The Georgia Court of Appeals ruled that products with delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC and other hemp-derived cannabinoids are not controlled substances.
Colorado regulators proposed changes to rules on marijuana decontamination, advertising, tracking and hospitality.
Florida regulators’ medical cannabis business licensing fee increase is being challenged with a new petition.
Missouri regulators extended marijuana business variances and waivers.
Washington State regulators seized what they said are unlicensed cannabis products.
Alaska’s Advisory Task Force on Recreational Marijuana will meet on Tuesday.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 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
St. Charles and St. John, Missouri voters will decide on local marijuana tax measures on their ballots on Tuesday.
Akron, Ohio officials are considering selling city land for a medical cannabis development.
/ INTERNATIONAL
An Italian court ruled in favor of suspending a decree that would classify CBD as a narcotic substance until mid-January.
Canadian regulators said that cannabis products intended to be consumed as food cannot be considered extracts.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “hemp plastic, which is 100% biodegradable, can be a better alternative to synthetic plastic.”
A review concluded that “psilocybin has demonstrated tolerability and safety in recent literature that has investigated its therapeutic potential in a variety of psychiatric or substance-dependence conditions.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Oregon League of Cities is pushing lawmakers to repeal the state’s voter-approved drug decriminalization law.
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 360 and The Cannabis Place partnered on what they say is the U.S.’s first cannabis retail pre-apprenticeship training course.
/ BUSINESS
Total Wine & More began selling THC-infused beverages in Minnesota.
MedMen Enterprises Inc. said it is unable to timely file its financial statements.
Ascend Wellness Holdings LLC settled a lawsuit filed by a Black former supervisor who alleged racial discrimination.
Columbia Care Inc. is being sued by a former executive who claims he was not paid for his work.
Illinois retailers sold $138.8 million worth of legal recreational marijuana products and $26.2 million worth of medical cannabis products in October.
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