Newsletter
Federal cannabis record sealing bill filed in Senate (Newsletter: September 30, 2024)
PA marijuana arrests; Bill to triple hemp THC limit; Ukraine medical cannabis; MI psilocybin legalization; Terpene & trichome preservation method
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Rand Paul (R-KY) filed a new bipartisan bill to mandate the automatic sealing of federal criminal records for certain marijuana and other drug convictions.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced a bill to triple the amount of THC that can legally be in hemp and to make other changes to federal rules for the crop to address industry concerns.
New data shows that Pennsylvania police arrest an average of 32 people for marijuana every day—statistics that come as lawmakers are under growing pressure to enact legalization legislation in line with neighboring states.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Health approved a list of conditions that can qualify patients for access to medical cannabis under the country’s new program created by a bill recently signed into law by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Michigan lawmakers filed a new bill to legalize psilocybin mushrooms for people with PTSD.
New research highlights how a specific post-harvest drying technique for marijuana can better preserve terpenes and trichomes compared to traditional methods, leading to higher quality cannabis.
A Nebraska judge dismissed some challenges to two medical cannabis legalization initiatives on the November ballot but is allowing others to proceed.
Illinois officials have been touting diversity in marijuana industry ownership, but less than a third of specialty businesses in the state’s cannabis sector are actually operational.
/ FEDERAL
Sens. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), along with Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-NY) and Jim Himes (D-CT), discussed their thoughts on Vice President Kamala Harris’s marijuana record.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) sent a letter to the House Ethics Committee saying that he has “not used drugs which are illegal, absent some law allowing use in a jurisdiction of the United States,” and has “not used ‘illicit’ drugs, which I consider to be drugs unlawful for medical or over-the-counter use everywhere in the United States.”
Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) said in a House floor speech that an initiative on California’s November ballot to increase penalties for certain drug crimes would not impact “the guy being caught with a little bit of marijuana that Kamala Harris has made famous.”
/ STATES
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), the Democratic vice presidential nominee, hasn’t interviewed any new candidates to be the state’s top marijuana regulator more than a year after his previous pick resigned amid a scandal.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) PAC that is campaigning against the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot received a $1 million contribution from the prohibitionist group Save Our Society From Drugs.
A Missouri appeals court is considering a case on the stacking of municipal and county marijuana taxes.
California regulators issued a notice about a recall of marijuana products due to the presence of aspergillus and due to inaccurate labeling that reports more cannabinoid content than the products contain.
A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission defended its testing regulations in the face of a media investigation showing that results are often unreliable.
Vermont regulators will stop accepting applications for new marijuana dispensary licenses next month.
Washington State regulatory staff recommended the rejection of petitions to make changes to the Social Equity in Cannabis Program.
Oregon regulators approved a stipulated settlement agreement for a marijuana business violation.
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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 New York City sheriff’s office is being investigated over whether it improperly seized cash from unlicensed marijuana businesses.
Three Jersey City, New Jersey police officers who were fired for off-duty marijuana use have been reinstated but are not allowed to carry guns.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Germany’s Federal Cabinet approved a hemp plan.
British Columbia, Canada Conservative Party leaders are vowing to shut down safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “growing evidence indicates that CBD acts as an antipsychotic and anxiolytic, and several reports suggest neuroprotective effects.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of mental healthcare providers around the world found that 94 percent would be open to integrating psychedelic treatments into their practices if legalized in their countries.
/ BUSINESS
Simply Solventless Concentrates Ltd. is acquiring ANC Inc.
Pelorus Fund REIT, LLC. filed a complaint seeking to place StateHouse Holdings Inc. into receivership.
Ignite International Brands Ltd. was charged with alleged fraud.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman discussed his use of psychedelics.
/ CULTURE
Bill Maher is calling on California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to sign a bill legalizing cannabis cafes.
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