Newsletter
GOP blocks cannabis & psychedelics amendments in Congress (Newsletter: July 14, 2023)
MI ends gov’t employee marijuana testing; Meta allows CBD & hemp ads; 280E “Boston Tea Party”; Cannabis banking guidance
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Congressional Republican leadership and the House Rules Committee blocked all proposed marijuana and psychedelics amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act from receiving floor votes.
The House Appropriations Committee rejected an amendment that would have simply asked the White House to begin preparing for the possibility of federal marijuana legalization by studying states’ cannabis regulatory frameworks.
The Michigan Civil Service Commission voted to end pre-employment marijuana testing for most government job applicants, while also giving people who’ve already been penalized an opportunity to have the sanction retroactively rescinded.
A Washington, D.C. law that bans most private workplaces from firing or otherwise punishing employees for marijuana use during non-work hours took effect.
Meta has changed its advertising policy to allow promotion of certain CBD and hemp products, with limitations, on its platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
MariMed staged a Boston Tea Party-style stunt to protest the federal 280E tax law that prevents marijuana companies from taking business expense deductions that are available to any other industry.
The Cannabis Financial Industry Group published a report offering best practices and standards for banks that are looking to start servicing marijuana businesses.
The Red Lake Nation Tribal Council in Minnesota voted to begin recreational marijuana sales on August 1—at least a year before state officials are expected to begin general cannabis licensing—and while maintaining a ban on alcohol on the reservation.
/ FEDERAL
The Secret Service closed its investigation on cocaine discovered at the White House but was unable to identify a suspect “due to a lack of physical evidence.”
The Food and Drug Administration has reportedly received data from at least five states with medical cannabis programs as part of its review of marijuana’s scheduling status.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a report concluding that “mean weekly cannabis-involved [emergency department] visits among all young persons were higher during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, 2021, and 2022, compared with corresponding periods in 2019.”
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) spoke about some Democrats’ efforts to change a key section of a marijuana banking bill that is important to GOP lawmakers.
Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) tweeted about the “need for #SafeBanking.”
/ STATES
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) signed a bill revising hemp rules.
Kentucky Gov, Andy Beshear (D) tweeted, “The majority of Kentuckians agree: medical marijuana is a common sense solution for folks struggling with a variety of issues, from veterans with PTSD to patients battling cancer. That’s why I advocated for legalized medical marijuana—and we finally got it done.”
The Washington, D.C. Council approved a bill to expand qualifying criteria for marijuana social equity businesses and to allow visitors to obtain short-term medical cannabis cards.
A Pennsylvania representative said that Democrats are planning to pass a marijuana legalization bill with their House majority.
The Minnesota representative who sponsored a now-enacted marijuana legalization bill spoke about cannabis businesses’ banking challenges.
New York regulators made changes to proposed marijuana rules after receiving public comments.
Illinois regulators held a lottery to award marijuana social equity dispensary licenses.
Montana regulators gave lawmakers an update about plans to crack down on synthetic cannabinoids and intoxicating hemp products.
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission met.
Maryland regulators hosted a technical assistance seminar for cannabis businesses.
Ohio regulators published updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.
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/ LOCAL
New York City officials published a guide on cannabis business zoning.
Denver, Colorado officials sent a recap of a marijuana industry check-in meeting they hosted last month.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Ukrainian parliament gave initial approval to a medical cannabis bill.
The UK home secretary clashed with Scottish officials over that country’s proposal to decriminalize drugs.
A Philippine Senate subcommittee held a hearing on a medical cannabis bill.
The European Economic and Social Committee adopted an opinion recognizing the potential of psychedelic therapies and saying that more research is needed on them.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “in patients with chronic neck/back pain, CBD and Δ9-THC are well tolerated and doses of 1.0 mL bd and 1.5 mL bd showed clinically significant reductions in pain compared to baseline pain scores.”
A study found that “most Veterans initiated cannabis use to manage the symptoms of pre-existing medical and/or mental health conditions” and that “despite some negative side effects most Veterans reported improvements in their overall quality of life, sleep, relationships, mood, and pain.”
/ BUSINESS
Morgan Stanley is reportedly removing TerrAscend Corp. from a restricted list.
Toms Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie authored an op-ed about his commitment to give away and invest $100 million to support research on the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics.
AYR Wellness Inc. is acquiring Twice the Wellness, LLC.
Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc. has a new CEO.
RISE Dispensaries launched a “Thanks, Dick” campaign to ironically “celebrate” President Richard Nixon’s signing of the Controlled Substances Act in 1970.
Missouri retailers sold $121.30 million worth of legal marijuana products in June.
/ CULTURE
Bill Maher said using marijuana “makes me better. It makes me more creative. My mind works faster.”
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