Newsletter
German officials tour US cannabis businesses (Newsletter: September 21, 2022)
Colombian pres. to UN: End drug war; Poll: MO voters back legalization; State treasurers push marijuana banking; NY approves medical cannabis homegrow
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Members of the German Parliament’s Health Committee, along with the federal drug commissioner, toured California marijuana businesses last week as the country takes steps to prepare to enact cannabis legalization.
A new poll found that nearly two out of three Missouri likely voters are “certain to vote yes” on the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot. That includes majorities of Republicans, Democrats and independents.
The National Association of State Treasurers reaffirmed a resolution calling on Congress to pass marijuana banking legislation.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said in a speech before the United Nations General Assembly that if the war on drugs doesn’t end soon, “democracy will die,” millions more will suffer overdose deaths and Black people will “become a business of prison companies.”
New York regulators voted to finalize rules that will allow medical cannabis patients to begin cultivating their own medicine at home starting on October 5. They also signed off on additional recreational marijuana cultivation and processing licenses.
Nebraska medical marijuana activists are calling out the secretary of state’s office for delaying a promised review of the signatures for their ballot initiatives so long that they’ve now lost the ability to legally challenge the original count.
/ FEDERAL
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed rules to implement provisions in an infrastructure bill requiring states that have legalized marijuana to consider instituting programs to educate drivers regarding the risks associated with cannabis-impaired driving and reduce injuries or deaths associated with such activity.
Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Todd Robinson discussed cooperation in the war on drugs with Jordan’s interior minister.
Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) discussed his concerns about illegal marijuana cultivation operations.
Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) claimed that Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman, currently the lieutenant governor, is a “radical guy” who “wants to legalize drugs.”
Iowa Democratic Senate candidate Mike Franken tweeted, “It is far past time to legalize cannabis 🌿 in the United States. But first, we’ve got to pass 🙅🏻♂️ on Grassley.”
California Republican congressional candidate Kevin Kiley, currently a state assemblyman, tweeted, “The illegal cannabis market is out of control, spawning violence and many other types of crime. It’s yet another example of lawlessness in California.”
The House bill to seal certain federal marijuana conviction records got one new cosponsor for a total of 21.
/ STATES
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced that the state launched an education campaign to promote responsible cannabis use.
The Indiana legislature’s Interim Study Committee on Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Human Services held a hearing on THC products and the potential decriminalization of marijuana.
Hawaii lawmakers spoke about the prospects for marijuana legalization next session as the state’s Dual Use of Cannabis Task Force considers recommendations on the issue.
A Missouri representative is urging voters to reject the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot because it “does not include [resources] to help with marijuana addiction, mental health, or public safety.”
A Michigan senator tweeted about speaking at a psychedelics festival, saying, “These substances have medicinal benefits, religious significance, and a low propensity for abuse.”
An Illinois court ruled that the smell of burnt marijuana is no longer grounds to establish probable cause for a search.
The Oneida Indian Nation in New York is entering the marijuana business.
A Massachusetts regulator said an upcoming round of marijuana rulemaking could “make or break” the industry.
Vermont’s Department of Health posted a video encouraging parents to “embrace the awkward” and talk to their kids about marijuana.
Georgia regulators will discuss a competitive request for proposals for medical cannabis Class 1 and Class 2 production licenses on Wednesday.
Oklahoma regulators will host a roundtable on standardization of medical cannabis laboratory testing on Thursday.
The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development is expected to begin accepting applications for the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions on October 1.
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/ LOCAL
Seattle, Washington’s mayor signed a package of cannabis social equity bills into law.
The Wichita, Kansas City Council voted again to approve a proposal to decriminalize marijuana, along with fentanyl test strips.
The New Orleans, Louisiana Civil Service Commission voted to end the ban on recent marijuana use for police recruits.
The Washoe County, Nevada Commission voted to move forward with marijuana consumption lounges.
The Clark County, Nevada Commission discussed a proposed ordinance on marijuana consumption lounges.
Sacramento, California paid nearly $700,000 to settle a lawsuit that claimed it charged exorbitant fines to predominantly Asian landlords whose tenants grew marijuana in their homes.
Albany, New York officials hosted the city’s first Cannabis Advisory Committee meeting.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study’s findings “supported CBD as an anti-parkinsonian drug.”
A study found that “psychedelic experiences inspired long-term transformation and persisting positive effects in all participants.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Students for Sensible Drug Policy and Last Prisoner Project announced an October 24 nationwide day of mass action—including civil disobedience at campaign offices—to pressure President Joe Biden to follow through on his campaign pledge to release marijuana prisoners.
The National Craft Cannabis Coalition is a new coalition of six organizations representing 1,000 small and independent cannabis producers across the U.S.
A Chacruna board member authored an op-ed reacting to other psychedelics reform advocates’ concerns about a legalization initiative on Colorado’s November ballot.
/ BUSINESS
Aurora Cannabis Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$50.2 million and a net loss of C$618.8 million.
Flowhub launched a new cannabis POS platform.
New Mexico health insurance companies are pushing to transfer to federal court a lawsuit that seeks to force them to cover the costs of medical cannabis.
Columbia Care Inc. shareholders voted on board members.
/ CULTURE
Top WNBA players said they will not return to Russian until the country frees their colleague Brittney Griner, who is incarcerated after being convicted of possessing cannabis vapes.
The Green Bay Packers appeared to perform a mock ayahuasca ceremony after scoring a touchdown—an apparent reference to their quarterback Aaron Rodgers’s experience with the psychedelic.
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