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Fed cannabis scheduling review update (Newsletter: March 9, 2023)

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Intel official on marijuana & clearances; PA legalization revenue in gov’s budget; TX decrim advances; WA psilocybin passes Senate; DE & MN votes

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra sent a brief letter updating members of Congress about his department’s ongoing review of marijuana’s scheduling status—but said the Drug Enforcement Administration will make the final call.

Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines clarified at a Senate hearing that it is not the federal government’s current policy to deny people security clearances based on past marijuana use alone.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) is proposing to legalize marijuana as part of his budget request—projecting that the state would generate $188 million in annual revenue from cannabis by 2028. Meanwhile, several lawmakers are previewing forthcoming legalization bills in cosponsorship memos.

The Maryland House of Delegates gave initial approval to a bill to create a regulatory framework for marijuana sales following voters’ approval of a legalization ballot referendum.

The Washington State Senate passed a scaled-down bill to study the issue of providing legal access to psilocybin services.

The Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee unanimously approved a bill to decriminalize marijuana.

The Delaware House of Representatives is expected to consider a bill to regulate marijuana sales on Thursday, two days after it approved simple legislation to legalize possession. A senator said he expects committee action in that chamber on both bills next week.

The Minnesota House Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee approved a marijuana legalization bill—the 12th panel in the chamber to do so this session. Companion Senate legislation is also advancing.

/ FEDERAL

Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Anne Milgram dodged a question about safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture posted a short podcast about its new National Hemp Report.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) are reportedly planning to cosponsor cannabis banking legislation that could be unveiled this month.

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) cheered Oklahoma voters’ rejection of a marijuana legalization ballot initiative.

/ STATES

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) celebrated the defeat of a marijuana legalization ballot initiative. The state’s attorney general also cheered the result.

Kentucky Republican gubernatorial candidates discussed medical cannabis during a debate.

North Dakota lawmakers sent Gov. Doug Burgum (R) a bill to increase medical cannabis patients’ 30-day THC limit,

The New Mexico House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee approved a Senate-passed bill to allow patients to keep their medical cannabis registrations longer without having to renew.

A Louisiana representative spoke about her marijuana legalization legislation.

Kansas representatives discussed the prospects for medical cannabis legislation.

A former Utah senator spoke about his use of psychedelics.

Illinois regulators extended the deadline for craft cannabis growers to open their businesses.

The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission experienced a data breach that was serious enough to warrant a criminal investigation.

Washington State regulators sent an update on cannabis canopy enforcement.

The U.S. Virgin Islands Cannabis Advisory Board may no longer have a quorum, according to reports.

Alaska’s Marijuana Control Board is holding two days of meetings this week.

Michigan regulators will consider marijuana business issues on Thursday.

California’s Cannabis Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday.


Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of 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

Detroit, Michigan’s mayor spoke about fairness in marijuana business licensing during his State of the City address.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The UK’s health and social care secretary responded to a lawmaker’s question about medical cannabis access by saying that officials are open to conducting research on the issue.

A Dominican opposition party is calling on the government to reconsider its marijuana policies.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study’s findings “confirm that CBD inhibits ovarian cancer cell growth.”

A study of rats found that “a single treatment with psilocybin has long-lasting antidepressant-like effects without long-term alterations of mRNA related to synaptic density in brain areas relevant to depression.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Catholic League’s president published a post on the “failure of drug legalization.”

The Virginian-Pilot editorial board criticized Virginia lawmakers for failing to pass legislation allowing legal marijuana sales to begin.

/ BUSINESS

Trulieve Cannabis Corp. reported quarterly revenue of $302.2 million and a net loss of $77 million.

Emails by Massachusetts regulators released through a public records request appear to confirm an investigation into Curaleaf’s funding.

Akanada Corp. has a new chief financial officer. It also said it expects to implement a 1-for-10 reverse stock split on its ordinary shares.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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