Newsletter
GA officials plan DEA cannabis threat pushback (Newsletter: December 15, 2023)
Psychedelics to Biden desk; NY market expansion; PA legalization hearing; Colombian president on cannabis; KS medical marijuana; Top OH regulator
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Congress sent President Joe Biden a National Defense Authorization Act containing provisions funding clinical trials on the benefits of psychedelics such as psilocybin and MDMA for active duty military service members with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.
The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission convened a special meeting to discuss how to respond to Drug Enforcement Administration threat letters against pharmacies, with one official alluding to potential litigation the state may file over the dispute.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) and the chair of the Cannabis Control Board said the state is poised to open a dozen new marijuana dispensaries by the end of the year—a significant expansion for the legal market following the settlement of litigation that has stalled licensing.
The Pennsylvania House Health Subcommittee on Health Care held the second in a series of marijuana legalization hearings—taking testimony from the head of the Cannabis Regulators Association, which represents marijuana oversight officials from across the U.S. and Canada.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro called out senators who blocked a marijuana legalization bill from advancing this week, saying the only thing they accomplished is helping to “increase the profits of drug trafficking and its violence.”
Ohio’s Division of Cannabis Control that will implement the voter-approved marijuana legalization law will be led by the state’s current top alcohol regulator who previously served as a prosecutor and in other law enforcement roles.
Kansas’s Senate President Ty Masterson (R) said he is “open” to limited medical cannabis legislation, but he also dismissed recent polling showing that a majority of residents of his state support broad marijuana legalization.
The Arizona Department of Child Safety says it will stop investigating reports of marijuana exposure in newborns when a parent is a registered medical cannabis patient.
California Sen. Scott Wiener (D) said the state is at an “inflection point” for psychedelics reform as he prepares to file a scaled-back bill focused on therapeutic use in 2024 following the governor’s veto of his broader legalization legislation this year.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed a bill to suspend licensing fees for marijuana transporters until 2027.
/ FEDERAL
The National Institute of Justice published a podcast about data-informed responses to emerging drugs, including delta-8 THC products.
The Senate Aging Committee held a hearing on drug use trends among older people.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) spoke about the racially disproportionate impact of the war on drugs in a Senate floor speech commemorating the fifth anniversary of the First Step Act being signed into law.
/ STATES
The Illinois legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules is considering a proposal to expand canopy space for craft cannabis growers.
Minnesota regulators sent a warning about hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing THC levels above the state legal limit.
Florida’s top medical cannabis regulator said 22 additional business licenses could be issued in the next six months.
The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York released redacted documents about its role in the development of the state’s cannabis marketplace in response to a public records request.
Maryland regulators received more than 1,700 applications for social equity marijuana business licenses.
Arkansas regulators approved an online portal for medical cannabis business license renewals.
Michigan regulators banned a marijuana business owner from the industry over allegations of selling medical cannabis to non-patients.
Washington State regulators are conducting a survey to guide the formation and work of an advisory board and local teams that will help implement a $200 million effort to address racial, economic and social disparities in communities disproportionately harmed by the war on drugs.
Oregon regulators are seeking people to serve on a rules advisory committee concerning cannabis and psilocybin testing laboratories.
The Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on Friday.
Guam regulators will consider cannabis issues on Monday.
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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
St. Charles County, Missouri officials are seeking to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the practice of stacking municipal and county marijuana taxes.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Legal marijuana supply pilot programs in The Netherlands begin on Friday.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that the market share of cannabis vape products declined in both younger adults (23-25 years) and older adults (>25 years) immediately following [a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory on lung injuries], rebounding to pre-EVALI levels only for younger adults.”
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Workers at NJ Leaf in Freehold, New Jersey opted to organize with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 360.
Safe Harbor Financial originated a $1.17 million loan for a new social equity cannabis dispensary in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
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