Newsletter
Feds announce cannabis research priorities (Newsletter: August 16, 2019)
Women lawmakers’ marijuana conference; GOP senator talks up medical cannabis but hasn’t sponsored bills; Majority legalization support in another poll
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The National Institute on Drug Abuse’s new marijuana research priority list seems to indicate an acceptance that legalization is happening and will continue. Among other areas, the federal government wants to fund studies of differences in regulations, industry marketing and reasons for medical cannabis use.
Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) keeps saying good things about medical cannabis, but he hasn’t put his name on a single marijuana bill since joining Congress.
- “When it comes to medical marijuana, there are too many good reasons why you need to start making that legal for that purpose.”
Women lawmakers from across the U.S. are holding a marijuana policy summit and touring a cannabis dispensary in Denver this week. Topics of discussion include CBD, licensing, potency, revenue, health and safety.
/ FEDERAL
The White House Office of Management and Budget is reviewing a proposed Department of Labor rule that would allow states to drug test people who file claims for unemployment benefits.
The U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Florida said his office will continue prosecuting marijuana cases even as a number of local prosecutors are putting cannabis enforcement on hold in light of the state’s hemp law.
Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona said the Food and Drug Administration is “struggling” with CBD regulations.
A number of Republican senators are reportedly reluctant to move marijuana banking legislation prior to their primary elections next year.
/ STATES
California’s treasurer tweeted, “California now has the biggest legal cannabis market in the world but an est $8.7B is spent in our illegal market due to high taxes and a refusal by most cities to allow licensed shops, making it cheaper and easier for people to buy from illicit dealers.” Separately, the top marijuana advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) spoke about ongoing efforts to implement legalization.
Montana Democratic attorney general candidate Kimberly Dudik tweeted, “Best practices in the marijuana industry & maintaining community safety is a priority for me as MT AG. I am attending a policy summit on the evolution of state marijuana policy for the next day to discuss best practices, inc the SAFE Banking Act.”
Missouri regulators extended the deadline for medical cannabis business license applications by two days.
Illinois regulators are displaying hemp plants at the State Fair.
Florida’s Agriculture Department tweeted, “With 25,000+ uses, #hemp is an incredible alternative & supplemental crop, which will strengthen Florida agriculture & our state economy. We’re working hard to create a program which will allow anyone interested to get involved in the new green economy.”
Washington State regulators announced a delay in releasing draft conceptual marijuana penalty rules.
The Maryland legislature’s Marijuana Legalization Workgroup will meet on Monday.
Michigan regulators filed emergency hemp testing rules. Separately, they released a marijuana licensing report.
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/ LOCAL
The Fairbanks, Alaska City Council approved the city’s first on-site marijuana consumption application for a dispensary.
Athens-Clarke County, Georgia police won’t carry out marijuana possession arrests in light of confusion caused by the state’s hemp law.
The Santa Barbara County, California Board of Supervisors agreed to use marijuana tax revenue to fund libraries.
The Grafton, Massachusetts Board of Selectmen approved a host community agreement with a marijuana dispensary one day after the business’s president resigned as chairman of the government body.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Jamaica’s minister of industry, commerce, agriculture and fisheries said that import and export regulations for marijuana will be issued soon.
The Canadian government reported that 42% of cannabis consumers purchase at least some of their marijuana from illegal sources.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A survey found that “cancer patients from both legalized and nonlegalized states supported legalization of marijuana for medical purposes and believed in its medical use.”
A study concluded that “negative relationships found between adolescent marijuana use and adult educational attainment for each marijuana use measure and for each age group were fully explained by other factors, with one exception: among adolescents aged 12-13 years, those who used marijuana frequently were less likely to attain a high school diploma/GED than those who did not use marijuana frequently.”
A study seeking to “investigate the safety and efficacy of psilocybin in persons with chronic anorexia nervosa” will soon be recruiting participants.
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that 63% of Americans support legalizing marijuana and that 23% said they or someone in their home had consumed cannabis within the past six months.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corp. said it is working to bring CBD products to the U.S. by the end of the fiscal year.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. increased the size of a secured credit facility to C$360 million from C$200 million.
/ CULTURE
UFC fighter Nate Diaz appeared to smoke marijuana on stage at an open workout event.
Musician Gene Simmons abdicated his role as chief evangelist officer of Invictus.
Former football player Boomer Esiason suggested that the NFL would have to give up marijuana testing to get players to agree to an expanded season.
Family Feud had a question about what kind of businesses are booming in states where marijuana is legal.
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