Newsletter
Germany wants EU permission for cannabis legalization (Newsletter: October 27, 2022)
WH official touts “historic” Biden marijuana move; DEA psilocybin challenges; AOC: Don’t forget immigrants in cannabis pardons; USVI legalization bill
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Germany’s Federal Cabinet approved the health minister’s marijuana legalization framework. But the county will submit the plan for European Commission approval. If that is not granted, the government will not move ahead with the reform.
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Rahul Gupta touted President Joe Biden’s “historic” marijuana moves—saying that there are “clearly” medical benefits of cannabis and pointing out how strict federal prohibition has impeded scientific research.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is facing two new legal challenges over its rejection of a doctor’s petition to reschedule psilocybin as well as his separate request to treat terminally ill cancer patients with the psychedelic under Right to Try laws.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) criticized President Joe Biden for excluding non-citizens who constitute the vast majority of federal marijuana possession cases from his cannabis pardons proclamation—saying it’s an example of how the Democratic Party “has not tried” to win Latino voters.
A U.S. Virgin Islands senator filed bills to legalize marijuana and expunge prior cannabis records after being criticized by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. (D) for a delay in unveiling the proposals.
/ FEDERAL
Former Vice President Mike Pence’s nonprofit is urging Arkansas voters to defeat the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.
A Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City staffer spoke about a recent analysis of the economic impacts of cannabis legalization.
Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) tweeted about a letter from his fellow Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation co-chair, former Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), that “effectively debunks myths of blaming violent crime on #cannabis.”
Rep. David Trone (D-MD) and three cosponsors filed a bill that would create a public awareness program about the risk of marijuana and other drugs being contaminated with fentanyl.
Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate Mehmet Oz accused Democratic opponent John Fetterman, currently the lieutenant governor, of wanting to legalize all drugs during a debate.
The House bill to increase penalties for making marijuana candies or beverages if there is reasonable cause to believe they will be sold to minors got one new cosponsor for a total of 31.
/ STATES
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) defended the state’s marijuana legalization policy as a justice and jobs-creating measure during a debate. She also said that while her health commissioner supports safe consumption sites for illegal drugs, she wants to “see more data” on it. Republican challenger Lee Zeldin, currently a congressman, complained about smelling cannabis in public and said he is opposed to opening overdose prevention centers.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) called President Joe Biden’s marijuana pardons a “political stunt.”
Nebraska Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen said he would support medical cannabis if approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration.
New Hampshire Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Sherman, currently a state senator, tweeted, “Legalizing adult-use cannabis would help regulate products sold in New Hampshire, reduce the opioid crisis, and stop sending at revenue to all of our surrounding states.”
Ohio’s attorney general and his Democratic challenger agreed on marijuana expungements during a debate.
South Dakota’s attorney general spoke about his concerns over medical cannabis and hemp laws.
Missouri’s secretary of state said he supports federally rescheduling marijuana but plans to vote against the legalization initiative on the state’s November ballot.
Pennsylvania representatives filed a resolution to impeach Philadelphia’s district attorney that criticizes his decision not to prosecute certain marijuana and drug paraphernalia cases.
The Kentucky legislature’s Interim Joint Committee on Health, Welfare, and Family received an update on the Kentucky Center for Cannabis that was created by a bill enacted this year.
An Iowa senator tweeted, “SD, ND, and MO all have measures on the ballot to expand cannabis access in their states. Change happening all around us, but every year R state leadership refuses to hold public hearings. We need IA legislators who are willing to have the conversation.”
Colorado regulators issued a health and safety advisory about potentially unsafe levels of total yeast and mold and aspergillus on medical cannabis flower produced by SDJ, LLC.
An Alabama regulator spoke about plans to track medical cannabis.
California’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce took action to shut down unlicensed indoor cultivation operations in large, industrial warehouses in the San Fernando Valley.
Michigan regulators posted forms that marijuana licensees can use to report material business changes.
Minnesota regulators launched an updated Medical Cannabis Dashboard.
Mississippi regulators are hiring several positions for the medical cannabis program.
Washington State regulators sent a newsletter covering various cannabis issues.
New Jersey marijuana regulators will meet on Thursday.
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/ LOCAL
Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s mayor and the Minnehaha County sheriff spoke out against the marijuana legalization initiative on the state’s November ballot, as did Pennington County, Rapid City, Box Elder and Meade County, South Dakota law enforcement officials.
Charleston, West Virginia City Council candidates are campaigning on marijuana decriminalization and drug harm reduction policies.
The Rochester, New York City Council will discuss regulating marijuana businesses on Thursday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni seemed to criticize supporters of cannabis reform.
Argentina’s National Service for Agrifood Health and Quality hosted a meeting on cannabis and hemp development. Separately, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation posted resources about funding support for cannabis research.
A Costa Rican lawmaker said other legislators are making “scientifically and legally” incorrect arguments in debates about marijuana legislation.
The Nigerian Senate Public Accounts Committee cheered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for its “onslaught against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.”
Jersey marijuana possession prosecutions have significantly declined over the past five years.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “for women without vaginal inflammation, the use of hemp cotton sanitary pads during menstruation can help maintain the balance of the vaginal microecology to prevent reproductive tract infections.”
The University of California, Riverside is launching a new Center for Cannabinoid Research.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Americans support legalizing marijuana, 56 percent to 23 percent, and back federal cannabis possession pardons, 58 percent to 19 percent.
The Republican National Committee posted a thread about the drug decriminalization views of Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman, currently the lieutenant governor.
The Kentucky Democratic Party tweeted, “The overwhelming majority of Kentuckians want to legalize medical cannabis. Democrats are fighting to get this done. Republican politicians could’ve done it years ago, but they won’t.”
FactCheck.org said President Joe Biden “exaggerated the scope” of his cannabis pardon proclamation.
Pro-Choice Missouri is opposing the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.
DCMJ is holding an “emergency smokeout” at the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Thursday to protest the country’s continued detention of American basketball player Brittney Griner, who was convicted of possessing cannabis vapes.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf is being sued by a former employee who alleges that the company violated a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania law that requires employers to provide predictable and regular scheduling for workers.
Goodness Growth Holdings is suing Verano Holdings over its backing out of an acquisition deal.
Canopy Growth Corporation and Canopy USA, LLC filed an early warning report about the company’s acquisition of beneficial ownership of TerrAscend Corp. shares, options and warrants.
AFC Gamma, Inc. amended its $100 million credit facility with Acreage Holdings, Inc.
Harmony employees in Secaucus, New Jersey voted to organize with the United Food and Commercial Workers.
/ CULTURE
The lead singer of Iron Maiden chastised fans who were smoking marijuana at a concert.
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