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Former NBA player smoked cannabis before Kamala Harris interview (Newsletter: October 3, 2024)

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Top PA GOP senator on marijuana; Trulieve sues FL GOP; Fed official’s cannabis industry concerns; FL legalization ad w/ Trump & Harris; MO psilocybin

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow claimed that the marijuana industry is using “lessons learned” from Big Tobacco and Alcohol and expressed concern that “cannabis products are often sold in colorful packages that mimic kid-friendly snack foods.”

Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R) indicated she supports ending arrests for marijuana possession, according to an activist who spoke to her at a cannabis rally at the State Capitol.

Trulieve Cannabis Corp., which is primarily funding the campaign to pass a Florida marijuana legalization ballot measure, is suing the state Republican Party for an  “intentionally deceptive campaign” to mislead voters.

Former NBA player Matt Barnes, who got Vice President Kamala Harris to reiterate her support for marijuana legalization during a recent interview, said he smoked cannabis beforehand and joked that he might “sneak” some into the White House if she wins the election.

The campaign working to pass the marijuana legalization initiative on Florida’s November ballot released a new ad highlighting shared opposition to criminalizing cannabis use from Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) and Sen. JD Vance (R-OH).

The Missouri Department of Mental Health is supporting research on whether psilocybin can help treat opioid use disorders and curb overdose deaths, using $5 million in opioid settlement funds.

Hundreds of women are being prosecuted for using marijuana or other drugs while pregnant following the repeal of Roe v. Wade—including some who are using medical cannabis as registered patients under state laws—a new report shows.

The Arizona Court of Appeals ruled that state officials can’t suspend a marijuana consumer’s driver’s license just because they have THC in their bloodstream unless they are actually impaired while behind the wheel.

/ FEDERAL

A new Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General report notes five instances where the Drug Enforcement Administration “did not notify, within a reasonable period of time, the proper authorities at the State Department and respective U.S. Embassies of evidence of potential [gross violations of human rights] admitted to by foreign law enforcement officials.”

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) dodged a question about marijuana rescheduling.

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) tweeted, “I wrote in support of the Biden-Harris Admin’s proposal to reschedule marijuana as a less harmful, schedule III drug today. I also called for further assessment of whether even lower scheduling or descheduling may be preferable.”

The House marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor for a total of 130.

/ STATES

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Gov Arnold I. Palacios signed a bill to remove marijuana from pre-employment drug testing for government job applicants.

Delaware regulators filed changes to marijuana rules.

Pennsylvania regulators are considering a proposal to allow nurse practitioners and podiatrists to recommend medical cannabis.

Washington, D.C. regulators shut down several unlicensed marijuana businesses and launched a new tool tracking enforcement actions.

California regulators sent an update on cannabis legislation signed and vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).

Rhode Island regulators will consider cannabis social equity issues on Friday.


Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 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.

/ LOCAL

Suffolk County, New York lawmakers are considering legislation on cracking down on unlicensed marijuana businesses.

Wilmington, Delaware officials are considering zoning rules for marijuana businesses.

Oakland, California’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission will meet on Thursday.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum pledged there “will be no return to the irresponsible drug war” during her inauguration speech.

Spain’s Ministry of Health published draft medical cannabis rules.

German lawmakers are pursuing litigation against Bavaria’s restrictive cannabis policies.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review concluded that “recent clinical trials demonstrate the efficacy of MDMA-assisted therapy in reducing PTSD symptoms, with attention to its mechanisms, such as increased neuroplasticity and oxytocin release, and decreased amygdala hyperactivity.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Tax Foundation published an overview of state marijuana tax policies.

NORML filed a notice of intent to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s marijuana rescheduling hearing.

Prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action is moving to intervene in a lawsuit on whether an Arkansas medical cannabis expansion initiative has enough valid signatures.

The Boston Herald editorial board criticized Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump for supporting marijuana legalization.

/ BUSINESS

Green Thumb Industries workers filed a petition seeking an election to remove what they say is United Food and Commercial Workers Local 360’s “monopoly representation” over them.

Mood Cannabis is laying off 120 workers in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

WM Technology, Inc. appointed a new board of directors member.

/ CULTURE

Jimmy Kimmel joked about Vice President Kamala Harris’s support for marijuana legalization.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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