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GOP lawmakers talk cannabis under Trump (Newsletter: July 22, 2024)
Rescheduling comment deadline; Senators push VA on medical marijuana; OH cannabis licenses; CA psychedelics; State regulators want fed guidance
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Several GOP senators and House members discussed the cannabis policy implications of a second Donald Trump term in the White House—including for rescheduling—in interviews with Marijuana Moment at the Republican National Convention.
Monday is the deadline to submit official comments on the federal government’s marijuana rescheduling proposal—and some advocacy groups have launched online tools that make it easy for people to make their voices heard before it’s too late to weigh in.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) led a group of nine senators in sending a letter urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a standard of care for medical cannabis and allow its doctors to aid veteran patients in enrolling in state medical marijuana programs.
The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control has issued the first recreational marijuana certificates of operation to growers and processors, the next step toward launching adult-use sales once dispensaries receive their final approval.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill to streamline the processing of applications to study psychedelics and marijuana—clearing up a Research Advisory Panel backlog caused by a policy change that prevented it from holding closed-door meetings
The Cannabis Regulators Association, which represents states marijuana officials around the U.S., submitted a federal docket comment calling for additional guidance on how rescheduling will impact enforcement, banking, research and other issues.
A new study found that 85 percent of patients say cannabis is “effective in managing chronic musculoskeletal pain and improving their sleep and anxiety-related symptoms”—with more than half saying it’s “more effective than other analgesic medications.”
- “40% reported decreasing their use of other analgesic medications since starting cannabis use.”
The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that a woman’s use of legal medical cannabis while pregnant does not trigger an automatic finding of child neglect.
/ FEDERAL
National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy discussed the danger of cannabis-impaired driving.
The Drug Enforcement Administration highlighted an article on the dental health risks of marijuana, cigarettes and vaping.
The U.S. Supreme Court has received amicus briefs in a case of a trucker who was fired over a positive THC drug test he says was caused by a CBD product.
/ STATES
Florida Gov. Ron Deantis’s (R) chief of staff is on the board of a new campaign committee seeking to defeat the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) made appointments to legal positions at the Department of Cannabis Control.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) touted his mass marijuana pardons as an example of how he is engaging with young people.
Nevada regulators issued a health and safety bulletin about cannabis products that were manufactured using an ingredient from an unapproved source.
Alaska regulators filed changes to rules on overlapping marijuana business premises.
Minnesota regulators sent guidance on the status of approved cannabinoids that may be used in hemp edibles.
Ohio regulators issued a consumer alert about delta-8 THC products packaged in a way that could appeal to children.
New Jersey regulators approved additional marijuana business licenses.
Oregon regulators voted to cancel a marijuana production business’s license.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
A federal judge denied a request to place an injunction against New York City officials’ crackdown on unlicensed marijuana businesses.
A Colorado Springs, Colorado City Council member is pushing to put a referendum on the November ballot to ban recreational marijuana sales.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The German Federal Joint Committee approved exceptions to the need for insurance companies to approve medical cannabis product prescriptions.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that full-spectrum CBD oil is a “moderate photoprotective agent against UVB light-induced skin damage and that this effect is partially mediated by its anti-inflammatory activity.”
A study found “a significant increase in psilocybin search volume and a notable reduction in search volume associated with LSD and MDMA.”
/ BUSINESS
Canadian retailers sold C$434.5 million worth of legal marijuana products in May.
/ CULTURE
Nicole Kidman spoke about her use of marijuana when she was younger.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
