Newsletter
Feds look at cannabis research barriers—including Schedule I (Newsletter: August 11, 2022)
OK marijuana ballot title revised; CO dispensaries 98% compliant in age checks; SXSW cannabis & psychedelics panel voting
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The National Institutes of Health is asking for scientists’ input on barriers to marijuana research—including its ongoing Schedule I status under federal law and the lack of access to a variety of cannabis strains for studies.
Oklahoma’s attorney general submitted a revised ballot title for a marijuana legalization initiative that activists hope to put before voters in November. The campaign says it is “pleasantly surprised” and doesn’t plan to contest the language changes.
Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division said the state’s cannabis shops have a 98 percent compliance rate in avoiding underage cannabis sales in stings involving operatives under 21.
South By Southwest (SXSW) is now accepting public votes on about 100 proposed marijuana and psychedelics panels for the 2023 event—including ones that would feature members of Congress, researchers, cannabis business owners and athletes.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is asking a federal appeals court to reject Joy Tea’s case about registering a trademark for a CBD beverage.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and four other Republican senators sent a letter pressing the Drug Enforcement Administration for information about its efforts to combat drug trafficking.
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) plans to file legislation to oversight and transparency of purchases of U.S. agricultural land that could threaten national security, citing concerns about transnational criminal organizations taking advantage of Oklahoma’s medical cannabis law.
Missouri Democratic Senate candidate Trudy Busch Valentine tweeted, “I’ll be a yes this November on legalizing the adult use of recreational marijuana in Missouri.”
Oklahoma Democratic Senate candidate Kendra Horn, a former congresswoman, called out opponent Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) for opposing medical cannabis and marijuana business banking access.
Missouri Democratic congressional candidate Bethany Mann tweeted, “I fully support the legalization of cannabis for recreational & medicinal use. Cannabis-related convictions should be expunged. I believe that small business owners should be able to grow & sell it, and not just large corporate monopolies #SupportLocal #LegalizeIt”
/ STATES
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) tweeted, “You can now self-certify on the Medical Cannabis Application Form. Program fees have been waived by @DCGov_ABRA for new and renewal patient and caregiver applications submitted by August 18, 2022.”
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) highlighted what he says is an assemblymember’s “simple and easy-to-understand video…about cannabis taxes and education funding.”
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) said “we put a lot of people in prison in the United States for marijuana possession, so it’s a little hypocritical” to criticize Russia for its harsh sentence for American basketball player Brittney Griner, who was convicted of possessing cannabis vapes.
South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Cunningham, a former congressman, sent a fundraising email to the list of the marijuana-focused BOWL PAC political action committee.
Washington State Senate Republicans highlighted the case of a police officer who “saved a toddler’s life after they swallowed a fentanyl pill at a park” as “reason to fix problematic drug policy from the majority party.”
A Kentucky representative tweeted that her bill to allow ballot initiatives would be a way for the state to legalize medical cannabis.
A Florida representative tweeted, “Legalizing cannabis for adult use enjoys broad bipartisan support, creates jobs and reforms our criminal justice system. That’s why I joined forces with a Florida GOP Senator to file comprehensive legislation to get it done and I’ll continue leading the effort once re-elected.”
New Mexico regulators proposed changes to rules on cannabis taxes.
Connecticut regulators granted the state’s first provisional recreational marijuana cultivation license.
Alabama regulators expect lawsuits about the medical cannabis licensing process and its residency requirements as the process gets underway.
Michigan regulators will host an education session on marijuana business risk management practices on Thursday.
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/ LOCAL
Kansas City, Missouri’s mayor tweeted, “It’s time for Missouri to legalize marijuana. It’s also time for Missouri to expunge records for those convicted of past non-violent marijuana offenses. I am still reviewing the Constitutional amendment, but appreciate progress in an end to nonsensical weed prohibition.”
St. Louis, Missouri’s mayor tweeted concerns about the marijuana legalization measure on the state ballot, saying, “I’m a yes for legalization, but upon further study, it looks like the devil is in the details…literally and figuratively.”
Voters in thirty-one of Rhode Island’s cities and towns will see measures on whether to allow marijuana businesses on their November ballots.
Phoenix, Arizona is using marijuana tax revenue to pay down underfunded police and fire pensions.
Detroit, Michigan’s Election Commission said advocates failed to collect enough valid signatures for a proposed ballot initiative to overturn the city’s recreational marijuana business licensing ordinance.
Oakland, California’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission will hold a special meeting on Thursday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
UK prime minister contender Rishi Sunak said, “Drugs are horrific. There is nothing recreational about them. I have never taken them and I will be incredibly tough on anyone who does.”
The Philippine Supreme Court upheld a protection order for the widow of a victim of the nation’s bloody “war on drugs” that prevents police from entering a radius of one kilometer from her home and work addresses.
A group of French senators authored an op-ed on the benefits of marijuana legalization.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabinoids have an antitumor effect on the Capan-2-derived xenograft mouse model though induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation of tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner.”
A study found that “increased policing during [Operation Clean Sweep] was associated with a significant decrease in bridge clinic visits” to receive substance use disorder services.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Texas Democratic Party adopted platform planks calling for marijuana legalization and to “treat drug use and mental health as public health challenges rather than crimes.”
The founder of Minnesota’s Grassroots – Legal Cannabis Party said the person who won the party’s gubernatorial nomination is “not a legitimate candidate but rather is a self-identified hijacker.”
The Sacramento Bee editorial board is calling on California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to sign a bill allowing safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.
The Canadian Drug Policy Coalition’s founding executive director is stepping down.
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable sent feedback to Senate leaders about their newly filed marijuana legalization bill.
/ BUSINESS
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. reported quarterly revenue of $320.3 million and a net loss of $22.5 million.
WM Technology, Inc. launched a new suite of services for cannabis retailers and brands.
Altria Client Services, LLC filed three cannabis-focused patent applications.
Cheeba Chews temporarily pulled its rosin-infused gummy line from Colorado dispensaries over concerns about “potential traces of mold.”
Colorado retailers sold $146.4 million worth of legal marijuana in June.
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