Newsletter
Fed cannabis arrests keep dropping as more states legalize (Newsletter: May 24, 2022)
KS medical marijuana stalls as session ends; Feds want cannabis growers for research; Study examines cannabis influencers on Instagram
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Before you dig into today’s cannabis news, I wanted you to know you can keep this resource free and published daily by subscribing to Marijuana Moment on Patreon. We’re a small independent publication diving deep into the cannabis world and rely on readers like you to keep going.
Join us at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The chairman of the Kansas Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee said that although medical cannabis legislation will not pass this year as the session comes to an end, lawmakers will work over the summer to form a “near complete product” of a bill that can be considered early in 2023.
A new report from the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics shows that federal marijuana arrests are continuing to drop as more state cannabis legalization laws are enacted.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse filed a notice saying it is looking for new partners who can supply cannabis for research—including “marijuana cigarettes of varying potencies” as well as extracts of THC, CBD and other cannabinoids.
A new study looks at how legalization has “drastically changed” the social media landscape for marijuana marketing—with women taking a lead as influencers.
- “Cannabis influencers on Instagram are changing the stereotypical characteristics of illegal cannabis culture.”
/ FEDERAL
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Drug Testing Advisory Board will consider workplace marijuana testing on June 21.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “The EQUAL Act will end the discriminatory 18:1 sentencing disparity between ‘crack’ and powder cocaine. That’s why it’s supported by a huge bipartisan coalition. I stood today with New Yorkers impacted by the War on Drugs to say we’re going to keep working until we get it done.”
Rep. Marie Newman (D-IL) tweeted, “I strongly believe we must not only legalize cannabis federally, but we need to right the wrongs of the past and put equity at the forefront of all we do.”
Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) toured illegal marijuana cultivation sites.
Rep. Fred Keller (R-PA) said he is concerned about Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman’s support for legalizing marijuana.
Colorado Republican Senate candidates discussed marijuana during a debate.
/ STATES
Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke, a former congressman, framed marijuana legalization as a way to help veterans.
Colorado’s treasurer tweeted, “We need to give state-legal marijuana businesses access to traditional financial services as a public safety imperative that could also bolster the economy.”
The California Senate approved a bill to require cities to allow medical cannabis delivery.
North Carolina’s House speaker suggested medical cannabis should be dealt with during a long legislative session, and not this year.
Here’s a look at where pending Oklahoma medical cannabis reform bills stand.
An Alabama regulator said medical cannabis cultivation rules should be ready by mid-July.
Maine regulators are accepting hemp license applications.
Oregon regulators approved marijuana business violation stipulated settlement agreements.
Virginia regulators published a list of trained hemp sampling agents.
New Jersey regulators will consider marijuana business license applications on Tuesday.
—
Marijuana Moment is already 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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—
/ LOCAL
Los Angeles, California officials will host a webinar on marijuana social equity applicant verification on Tuesday.
A Polk County, Iowa attorney candidate tweeted, “The Polk County Attorney’s office needs a major shift in priorities. If elected, instead of focusing on low-level, non-violent crimes like marijuana possession, we will be laser focused on prosecuting serious and violent crimes. Crimes like gun violence and sexual assault.”
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Lithuanian parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs proposed a bill to decriminalize marijuana.
Australia’s Legalise Cannabis party received an unexpectedly high number of votes in the weekend’s elections.
Brazilian presidential candidates shared their views on marijuana policy.
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health said the government will use a tobacco control law to ensure that marijuana is used for medical, and not recreational purposes.
A Canadian senator said his wife helped alleviate his depression by secretly microdosing his coffee with psilocybin.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study provides “some evidence to support the effectiveness of medical cannabis as a treatment for anxiety and depression.”
A study found that “higher prices and inconvenience of legal sources were common barriers to purchasing legal cannabis.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Los Angeles Times editorial board cheered a move by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to eliminate the cannabis cultivation tax but said more steps are needed to undercut the illicit market.
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable is pushing the Food and Drug Administration to issue an enforcement discretion policy for CBD and other hemp-derived products.
/ BUSINESS
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. launched a new line of cannabis-infused iced teas called TeaPot.
4Front Ventures Corp. reported quarterly revenue of $26 million and a net loss of $5.9 million.
Verano Holdings Corp. announced that an arbitrator dismissed RICO claims brought against the company.
COMPASS Pathways plc reported that a study showed a single dose of its psilocybin product, in combination with psychological support, was associated with a statistically significant reduction in depressive symptoms.
/ CULTURE
Will Smith said he had a vision during an ayahuasca experience that his career would be “destroyed.”
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
