Newsletter
Feds warn company over CBD coronavirus cure claims (Newsletter: April 2, 2020)
AOC: marijuana biz should stay open like liquor stores; Feds fund COVID & cannabis research; WA gov signs equity bill; USDA approves hemp plans
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission sent a letter warning former NFL player Kyle Turley’s company to stop claiming that CBD can cure coronavirus. This comes one day after Turley told Marijuana Moment in an interview that he’d actually welcome federal action as a publicity boost.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) said marijuana dispensaries should be allowed to remain open as essential businesses during the coronavirus outbreak if liquor stores can continue operations.
- “You’ve got to make a decision one way or another.”
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed a bill aimed at increasing participation in the state’s legal marijuana industry by people from communities historically targeted by the war on drugs.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse announced it is funding research on how consumers of marijuana and other drugs might be uniquely impacted by coronavirus.
- “Because it attacks the lungs, COVID-19 could be an especially serious threat to those with histories of smoking tobacco or marijuana or of vaping.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved hemp plans for South Carolina, West Virginia and three Indian tribes.
/ FEDERAL
President Trump began his daily coronavirus briefing by speaking about U.S. efforts to ramp up a militarized drug war, including by sending Navy ships to waters near Venezuela.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) tweeted, “If you have just be indicted for narcotics trafficking & have a $15 million reward for your capture, having @Southcom conducting counter narcotics operations off your coast with a surge of destroyers, AWACS, an Army brigade & special operators is not very comforting.”
A federal judge ruled that the Food and Drug Administration’s ongoing effort to regulate CBD doesn’t shield companies from lawsuits over the labelling of their products.
The Drug Enforcement Administration tweeted, “Do you and your family know how to avoid drug-laced foods?”
Libertarian presidential candidate Lincoln Chafee, a former Rhode Island governor and U.S. senator, posted to Facebook, “The marijuana industry is becoming a vital part of many state’s economies and as common sense spreads, it will soon be legal nationwide. I have no idea why some states have chosen to call liquor stores essential businesses, but not marijuana and CBD dispensaries. Not only does marijuana have more medical benefits than alcohol, it’s also safer. This is not to say marijuana or liquor stores are essential businesses, but the same policy should apply to both. The marijuana industry should not struggle as big alcohol thrives.”
/ STATES
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) issued an executive order extending deadlines for marijuana craft grower, infuser and transporter licenses to April 30 amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Wisconsin regulators said that CBD stores are not essential under a coronavirus shutdown but that some operations like delivery services are still allowed.
Massachusetts regulators are investigating allegations that New England Treatment Access is failing to adequately protect its workers from coronavirus.
Oklahoma regulators sent a warning about illegal medical cannabis delivery offers.
Alabama regulators posted updates about the state’s hemp program.
Arizona regulators are being pressured to allow medical cannabis deliveries and to let doctors issue recommendations via telemedicine amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Here’s a look at how various states handle expungements of past marijuana records.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
The Philippine bloody “drug war” is continuing even amid the coronavirus pandemic.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabinoids alleviate cocaine-induced seizures by glycine receptors.”
The New York Times Magazine looks at efforts by researchers to correlate terpene and cannabinoid concentrations with effects on cannabis consumers.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
NORML issued a memo with suggested moves to protect public health during the coronavirus pandemic.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is opposing an Anchorage, Alaska ballot measure to allow on-site consumption at marijuana dispensaries.
/ BUSINESS
The New York Stock Exchange is moving to delist CannTrust Holdings Inc.
LivWell Enlightened Health executives are deferring compensation for 90 days to avoid layoffs.
Good Chemistry I LLC is being sued for allegedly sending unsolicited promotional text messages.
Canopy Growth Corporation named new members of its board of directors.
/ CULTURE
Joe Rogan suggested that former Vice President Joe Biden’s (D) only excuse for a series of incoherent press appearances would be if he were on marijuana edibles.
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