Newsletter
GOP lawmakers want cannabis research hearing (Newsletter: December 18, 2019)
USDA extends hemp comment deadline; Top marijuana wins of 2019; Oklahoma legalization initiative filed; Advocates urge rethink of “drug dealers”
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Top Republican lawmakers on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are pushing Democrats to schedule a hearing on improving marijuana research “as soon as possible.”
- “Expanding the number of registered manufacturers is critical to understand fully the potential benefits and possible risks associated with cannabis use, as researchers must be able to study actual products that are currently used by consumers for both medical and recreational use.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture extended the deadline to submit public comments on proposed hemp regulations.
Marijuana Moment’s latest analysis takes a look back at marijuana’s ten biggest victories of 2019. From descheduling and banking legislation advancing in Congress to another large state ending its own prohibition law, this year was a huge one for cannabis.
Oklahoma activists filed a proposed marijuana legalization measure for the state’s 2020 ballot.
A new Drug Policy Alliance report urges a rethink of the “drug dealer.”
- “Our current approach to people who sell or distribute drugs in the United States does not reduce the harms of drug use or improve public safety. It is built on a foundation of stigma, ignorance and fear rather than evidence, and creates new problems while doing nothing to solve those that already exist.”
/ FEDERAL
The House of Representatives approved Fiscal Year 2020 spending legislation that continues a rider protecting state medical cannabis laws from federal interference but also blocks Washington, D.C. from spending its own money to legalize marijuana sales.
The Food and Drug Administration warned in a consumer update that driving after using CBD products can be dangerous.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld (R), a presidential candidate, said he has never tried marijuana.
Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA) tweeted, “I am hopeful that the [Virginia] Attorney General’s cannabis policy summit will lead to common-sense policies that ease the burden on law enforcement, allow Coastal Virginia to safely enjoy marijuana’s economic benefits, and allow people suffering from chronic pain to find relief.”
/ STATES
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) will sign legislation facilitating the expungement of marijuana records on Wednesday.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) tweeted, “When we made equity the core of the state’s new adult-use cannabis market, we wanted to ensure that social equity entrepreneurs had access to capital to get their businesses off the ground, and we’re proud to announce that interested applicants can start this process today.”
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) tweeted about Congress continuing a rider blocking the city from legalizing marijuana sales, writing, “Ridiculous. We should have the right to implement #SafeCannabis just like other jurisdictions do to promote safety for their residents.”
Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “The legal marijuana entering Pennsylvania will be coming from New Jersey and New York. The revenue, jobs, and investments, leaving Pennsylvania will be going to New Jersey and New York. Makes sense. 💡For New Jersey and New York.”
Rhode Island’s Senate president said he doesn’t think the state will legalize marijuana in 2020.
The California Legislative Analyst’s Office released several reports on marijuana tax issues, including a recommendation that cannabis be taxed by potency instead of weight.
The Florida House of Representatives filed a brief in a state Supreme Court case concerning the state’s medical cannabis regulations.
Michigan regulators issued a bulletin about the recall of medical cannabis vaping products over the presence of vitamin E acetate.
Colorado regulators released applications for marijuana hospitality business licenses.
The Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held a hearing on several marijuana bills.
Missouri regulators scheduled a January 9 public forum to receive feedback on medical cannabis implementation.
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/ LOCAL
The Chicago, Illinois City Council Committee on Contracting Equity and Oversight approved a proposal to delay legal marijuana sales in the city, with a full City Council vote expected on Wednesday.
Members have been appointed to Denver, Colorado’s Psilocybin Mushroom Policy Review Panel.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Italy’s Senate president blocked a measure to legalize low-potency cannabis that had been approved by the Chamber of Deputies.
New Zealand regulators proposed medical cannabis rules.
Germany’s drug commissioner is pushing for a nationwide standard on how much cannabis people are allowed to generally possess without being prosecuted.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
An annual federally funded drug use survey found that teen part-year marijuana use has remained stable but that daily cannabis consumption and vaping are on the rise.
A review concluded that “cannabidiol might have a role as a treatment for mood disorders.”
A review concluded that erectile dysfunction “is twice as high in cannabis users compared to controls.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Washington CannaBusiness Association says the state isn’t ready for legal marijuana deliveries.
/ BUSINESS
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. responded to a short-seller report about the company.
Tilray, Inc. announced that it successfully imported medical cannabis extracts to Switzerland.
Zenabis Ltd. is recalling CBD gelcaps because they accidentally contain THC.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
