Newsletter
Feds warn about CBD (Newsletter: February 27, 2023)
Poll: NH legalization support; Lawmakers in many states weigh psychedelics & drug decrim; WA psilocybin; OK marijuana initiative endorsement; VA hemp
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration sent a warning about potential harms of CBD—but also implied that products from state-legal marijuana dispensaries may be safer than those purchased at other retailers due to “oversight and standardization” mandated by state cannabis regulators.
A new poll showed that seven in ten New Hampshire residents support legalizing marijuana—one day after the state House of Representatives approved a bill to enact the reform.
Lawmakers in Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, Vermont and more states are considering new bills on psychedelics, broader drug decriminalization and safe consumption sites—with several hearings scheduled for this week.
The Washington State Senate Ways & Means Committee advanced a psilocybin bill ahead of a key deadline, but advocates are disappointed its legalization provisions have been stripped and it now amounts to an ongoing study of the psychedelic’s potential.
The Oklahoma marijuana legalization initiative on the March 7 ballot got a new endorsement from an activist who formerly backed competing unsuccessful measures—but the group behind those proposals is upset about what they say is a “misleading” announcement.
Virginia lawmakers sent Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) a bill to tighten restrictions on hemp-derived products.
The Alaska Supreme Court issued an order to remove marijuana possession conviction records from the state’s online database of court cases.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration proposed new rules on prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine.
A Food and Drug Administration official discussed the agency’s position on CBD.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse Special Emphasis Panel Registry of Medical Cannabis Use and Health Outcomes will hold a closed-door meeting on March 24.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) tweeted, “A step forward yesterday for the legalization of medical marijuana use – a South Carolina Senate committee is advancing a bill which allow patients to obtain medical cannabis from a licensed pharmacy w/ a doctor’s recommendation!”
/ STATES
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) appointed a new chair of the Liquor and Cannabis Commission Board of Commissioners.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) appointed a new member of the Cannabis Compliance Board.
The New Mexico Senate passed a bill to change rules on medical cannabis patient renewals.
The Kansas House of Representatives approved a bill to legalize strips to test for fentanyl and other drugs.
A former Michigan House speaker who later served as a top marijuana regulator reportedly got $75,000 from an investor in a business that he voted to approve.
The Colorado House Business Affairs & Labor Committee approved a bill to amend marijuana social equity rules.
The Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee will hold a hearing on a bill to decriminalize marijuana on Tuesday. Separately, panels will hear legislation to increase certain penalties on Tuesday and Wednesday.
An Oklahoma senator said she plans to make some changes to her bill to limit medical cannabis potency.
A California assemblymember said his bill to gradually ban tobacco sales would not impact marijuana.
A Pennsylvania senator spoke about her legislation to protect medical cannabis patients from being charged with driving under the influence.
A Maine senator tweeted, “In some states, you go to jail for cannabis possession. In some other states, you go to jail for gun possession. Both destroy the lives of innocent people who were just minding their own business.”
Here’s a look at pending New York marijuana reform legislation.
Vermont regulators fined a cannabis cultivation business for failing to test for pesticides and pathogens as well as other violations. Separately, regulators will hold a question and answer session on cannabis license renewals on Tuesday.
Rhode Island regulators posted an overview of requirements for medical cannabis patients.
Iowa’s Medical Cannabidiol Board will meet on Monday.
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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.
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/ LOCAL
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania’s district attorney claimed that fentanyl was found in cannabis gummies sold at local stores.
Tulsa County, Oklahoma’s district attorney is criticizing a new ad from the proponents of a marijuana legalization initiative on the state’s March 7 ballot.
Oakland, California officials hosted a webinar on cannabis operators’ tax requirements and opportunities.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Italy’s Court of Cassation ruled that small-scale home cannabis cultivation is not a crime.
Thailand’s ruling party pledged to continue pushing for a cannabis regulation bill after the upcoming elections.
Canada generated C$1.6 billion in cannabis tax revenue for federal and provincial governments in the last fiscal year.
A European Parliament member spoke about growing his own cannabis and how he vapes it prior to going on runs.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “consistent with the alcohol substitution hypothesis, we find both medical and recreational marijuana laws are followed by a statistically significant reduction in daytime fatalities involving alcohol” and that “both are also followed by a reduction in nighttime fatalities involving alcohol, but the declines are not statistically significant.”
A review concluded that “psychedelics are a promising but still unexplored approach in geriatric psychopharmacology warranting further investigation.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Dallas Morning News editorial board said Texas lawmakers should consult with crime labs before passing any additional cannabis reforms in light of their challenges in distinguishing legal hemp from illegal marijuana following the enactment of earlier legislation.
/ BUSINESS
A lawsuit that Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. subsidiary Hawthorne Collective Inc. filed against JW Asset Management LLC and TerrAscend Corp. for allegedly violating antitrust law in an attempt to “ruin” its interest in RIV Capital Inc. has been settled.
Unlicensed cannabis seller Medley is being accused of mistreating workers and threatening to steal intellectual property from other brands.
/ CULTURE
Woody Harrelson spoke about his preference for cannabis over alcohol in a “Saturday Night Live” monologue.
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Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.
