Newsletter
FL legal cannabis ballot dispute gets court hearing (Newsletter: October 4, 2023)
Marijuana votes blocked in Congress; DEA: seized cannabis testing declines as legalization spreads; Portland, ME psychedelics; NM sales
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House Rules Committee once again blocked floor votes on amendments from Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) that would end the practice of drug testing federal job applicants for marijuana.
A new report from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Forensic Laboratory Information System shows a steady decline in lab testing of seized marijuana as more states legalize—consistent with advocates’ argument that legalization shrinks demand for illicit market products.
The Florida Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments for next month in a case on whether voters will be able to decide on a marijuana legalization initiative on the 2024 ballot. The state attorney general is pushing to block the vote.
The Portland, Maine City Council passed a psychedelics decriminalization resolution. It says officials should “avoid using city funds or resources” to punish people for plants and fungi containing psilocybin, ibogaine, mescaline or DMT.
The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department reported that retailers in the state have now sold more than half a billion dollars worth of legal recreational marijuana products since sales launched last April.
A new study bolsters support for the “entourage effect” in marijuana, with cannabis containing a diverse array of natural cannabinoids leading to “a considerably faster and more potent psychoactive response” than the high generated by pure THC products.
Lubbock, Texas activists have nearly met their signature gathering goal in support of a local marijuana decriminalization initiative they hope to qualify for the 2024 ballot—and there are still three weeks left before the deadline.
/ FEDERAL
President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to allegedly lying about illegal drug use while purchasing a gun.
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up a case challenging Mendocino, California’s refusal to grant a medical cannabis cultivation permit.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) tweeted, “Forcing legal cannabis businesses to operate entirely in cash puts everyone in danger – business owners, employees, and customers. I fought for the #SAFERBanking Act to help Nevada businesses access the safe banking services they need.”
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) tweeted, “Chinese criminal organizations are using Oklahoma farmland to grow marijuana. I’m leading the charge to stop to bad foreign actors buying American soil.”
The House bill to strip highway funds from states that legalize marijuana got one new cosponsor for a total of four.
/ STATES
The New York senator who sponsored the state’s marijuana legalization law criticized big businesses that are working to undermine its equity goals.
Minnesota’s state legislative auditor is opening an inquiry into Gov. Tim Walz’s (D) appointment of a top marijuana regulator who quickly resigned amid allegations that her company sold illegal cannabis products.
Oklahoma regulators filed changes to medical cannabis rules.
The Kentucky Board of Nursing filed medical cannabis professional standards.
Missouri regulators awarded marijuana microbusiness licenses.
California regulators published a discussion paper on cannabis sales gross receipts.
Virginia regulators released a parent toolkit about underage marijuana use.
Utah regulators posted a quarterly update about the medical cannabis program.
Alaska regulators will consider marijuana business license reinstatement and renewal on Wednesday.
Washington State regulators will host a Cannabinoid Science Work Group meeting on Thursday.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 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
A Detroit, Michigan City Council member authored an op-ed arguing that marijuana revenue should be spent on youth substance abuse prevention and treatment.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Fiji’s Ministry of Trade and Cooperatives is holding public consultations on medical cannabis policy.
A Canadian judge upheld a decision denying applications from mental health care professionals who want to be able to use psilocybin in preparation for administering psychedelic-assisted therapy to patients.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of adolescent sexual behaviors found that marijuana “legalization was associated with a reduced likelihood of respondents having 2+ sexual partners, but had no association with condom use.”
A review concluded that “CBD is considered safe for treating canine [osteoarthritis]” and that “CBD may reduce pain scores, but the evidence is very uncertain to conclude its clinical efficacy.”
/ BUSINESS
MediPharm Labs Corp. entered into a settlement agreement to resolve a claim in connection with a commercial agreement dispute, for a total consideration value of $9 million.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. closed a bought deal offering of common shares for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately C$38.8 million.
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. closed a marketed offering of subordinate voting shares for total gross proceeds of C$16.2 million.
Safe Supply Streaming Co. Ltd. began trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange.
/ CULTURE
Ed Sheeran spoke about smoking marijuana with Snoop Dogg.
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