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GOP lawmakers press Biden on cannabis campaign promise (Newsletter: July 21, 2021)
Marijuana in public housing amendment could get House vote; Booker defends cannabis banking threat; NY bill on head start for marijuana farmers
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The full House of Representatives could vote to protect people who live in public housing from being evicted over marijuana use next week under a pair of amendments filed by Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).
Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Don Young (R-AK) sent a letter urging President Joe Biden to follow through on his campaign pledge to reschedule marijuana.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) made several Twitter posts responding to criticism of his recent threat to block any marijuana banking bill before broader, justice-focused cannabis legalization is considered.
A New York senator filed a bill to create provisional licenses so farmers can get a head start on growing marijuana while regulators develop broader rules for the recreational market.
/ FEDERAL
A Drug Enforcement Administration agent was arrested and charged with participating in the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol.
Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) tweeted, “Legalize cannabis and decriminalize all drugs. Substance use crises are health crises, not criminal ones.”
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) tweeted, “End the War on Drugs!”
The House bill to federally legalize medical cannabis for military veterans got one new cosponsor for a total of 14.
/ STATES
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) shared resources for how people can apply to have their marijuana convictions pardoned and sealed and tweeted, “We can and should be doing the same here in Pennsylvania for non-violent marijuana offenses.”
South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Cunningham tweeted, “There’s no value to society and it ruins the life of the person who gets incarcerated. It’s a lose/lose for everyone. That’s why it’s time to end the prohibition of marijuana and expunge the records of those convicted of low-level marijuana offenses.”
A New Jersey judge appeared skeptical of a lawsuit challenging the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization referendum.
Florida enacted new rules for medical cannabis recommendations.
Illinois regulators are facing a lawsuit over the state’s new plan for marijuana licensing lotteries.
Oregon regulators approved penalties for violations committed by marijuana businesses and approved a temporary rule adjusting tracking requirements.
Michigan regulators sent a bulletin about marijuana business regulatory assessments.
Iowa regulators published a report showing the growth of the medical cannabidiol program.
West Virginia regulators are hosting an event to encourage people to register as medical cannabis patients next week.
California regulators will host a webinar on marijuana business tax requirements on July 28.
/ LOCAL
Denver, Colorado regulators granted the city’s first marijuana delivery permit. Separately, officials will participate in a webinar on the city’s cannabis social impact plan on Wednesday.
The Minnehaha County, South Dakota Commission approved an ordinance to prohibit public marijuana smoking.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study’s results “do not support a prospective link between cannabis use and reduced motivation among adolescents.”
A study concluded that “cannabidiol has therapeutic potential for myofascial pain in female and male parkinsonian rats.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A Leafly and Whitney Economics analysis determined that Americans spent more than $12 billion on legal cannabis products in the first six months of 2021,
Dr. Bronner’s CEO David Bronner published a blog post on the importance of a safe supply of drugs to reduce overdoses.
/ BUSINESS
Amazon has reportedly been meeting with drug policy reform groups about its support for marijuana legalization.
Ayr Wellness Inc. is acquiring Tahoe Hydroponics Company, LLC, NV Green, Inc. and Herbal Remedies Dispensaries, LLC.
Jushi Holdings Inc. announced that the federal waiting period for its acquisition of Nature’s Remedy of Massachusetts, Inc. has expired.
National DCP, which manages supply chains for Dunkin’ franchisees, is being sued by a former employee who says he was unfairly fired over a positive drug test due to medical cannabis use.
A federal judge ruled that Steven L. Brickner must pay the Securities and Exchange Commission nearly $3 million to resolve allegations that he defrauded more than 60 investors out of approximately $5.5 million through purported investments in marijuana-related companies.
/ CULTURE
The first head of the World Anti-Doping Agency spoke about potential changes to rules about use of marijuana and other drugs by athletes.
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