Newsletter
FDA publishes cannabis research guidance draft (Newsletter: July 22, 2020)
AZ begins verifying legal marijuana petitions as poll shows support; McConnell: Hemp has “rocky start”; FDA announces cannabis product recall
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Food and Drug Administration published draft guidance for cannabis and CBD research. The document recently completed a White House review, and the agency is now inviting public comments on issues such as THC testing for hemp-derived products.
Arizona’s secretary of state announced that her office has sent marijuana ballot petitions to counties for verification ahead of an August 7 deadline, and a new poll shows that a strong majority—62%— of the state’s voters support legalizing cannabis.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said the legal hemp industry is off to a “rocky start” and reiterated in separate remarks that his chamber’s next coronavirus relief bill won’t “send diversity detectives into the cannabis industry” like the House version proposed, referring to certain provisions of marijuana banking language that were included. The majority leader later told Marijuana Moment through a spokesperson that hemp “remains a top priority of mine.”
The Food and Drug Administration announced a voluntary recall of dozens of hemp oil products intended for human and pet consumption due to lead contamination.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the Maine State Police, raided a CBD company and a grow store.
Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff spoke about his support for legalizing marijuana and expunging past convictions.
Tennessee Democratic congressional candidate Noelle Bivens tweeted, “Cannabis should be a nonpartisan issue. It crosses the aisle and provides numerous solutions for multiple crises that we are facing: opioid, climate, poverty, pharma, medical, debt, and many more. It’s time that we reframe the conversation.”
/ STATES
An Arizona court is being asked to keep a proposed marijuana legalization initiative from appearing on the November ballot because its short description is allegedly misleading.
The New York Assembly Codes Committee approved a bill to vacate past marijuana records.
Texas regulators finalized hemp rules, including a ban on smokable flower products.
Nevada regulators approved new marijuana rules and voted to lift a freeze that had been placed on the sale and transfer of cannabis business licenses. They also voted to rescind licenses from CWNevada and fine the company $1.25 million for a number of violations.
Oklahoma regulators shut down and fined a medical cannabis business due to the presence of pesticides in its products.
New Mexico regulators are facing a petition from a second company challenging medical cannabis rules.
Michigan regulators published updated guidance on homogeneity requirements for marijuana products.
California regulators will host a workshop on commercial cannabis cultivation permitting on Wednesday.
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/ LOCAL
The Chicago, Illinois Finance Committee approved a $5 million settlement to a class-action lawsuit from motorists who were denied due process after their vehicles were seized in drug cases.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is being asked to decriminalize drugs by the premier of British Columbia.
Ghana’s interior ministry issued a notice about THC potency in hemp plants.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cannabis-based drugs inhibited the progression of” Alzheimer’s disease.
A study found that “state-level policies designating [opioid use disorder] as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis were associated with more dispensaries claiming cannabis can treat OUD.”
/ BUSINESS
Organigram Holdings Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $18 million and a net loss of $89.9 million.
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. announced the closing of a private placement of $34 million worth of shares.
Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. carved a 76-acre art installation depicting a hemp stalk into a wheat field.
/ CULTURE
The United Soccer League signed a sponsorship deal with hemp oil company Synchronicity.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
