Newsletter
Harris talks Biden’s cannabis decrim plan (Newsletter: August 25, 2020)
RNC speaker blasts Dems on marijuana; McConnell urges hemp masks to fight COVID; VT legal cannabis sales deal nears; WA to study industry odor issues
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
In their first joint interview since being formally nominated last week, Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris said the administration would pursue “decriminalizing marijuana” if elected, while presidential nominee Joe Biden spoke about forcing people with substance misuse issues into “mandatory drug treatment” instead of sending them to jail.
A speaker at the Republican National Convention accused Democrats of wanting to give Americans a “right to marijuana.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said Americans should wear masks made out of hemp to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
- “We’re gonna need a massive number of doses [of a vaccine for COVID-19]—not just for our country but for the entire world. The coronavirus is not gone. And in the meantime, I recommend a hemp mask as one of the best.”
Vermont lawmakers took another step toward finalizing a bill to legalize marijuana sales, with the Senate making a proposal to the House on bridging the differences between the two chambers’ versions. Separately, lawmakers reached a deal on cannabis conviction expungements legislation.
Washington State regulators are hiring a contractor to help study odorous emissions coming out of marijuana businesses. The successful firm will examine “the potentially harmful impact” of cannabis odors on people who work at or live near cultivation and processing sites.
/ FEDERAL
President Trump’s reelection campaign released a second-term agenda, which includes a pledge to “End Cashless Bail and Keep Dangerous Criminals Locked Up until Trial.”
A Food and Drug Administration lawyer expressed concerns about people giving CBD products to animals during a speech at a veterinary conference.
Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) tweeted, “As more states legalize marijuana, we’ve got to address and dismantle the racist war on drugs that put thousands of Black & Brown Americans in jail. I’ve introduced legislation to federally legalize marijuana and take a step forward in doing just that.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) tweeted, “Pelosi and the Democrats tried to leverage the pain of unemployed Americans to pass their unrelated policies. If they actually wanted to help American families they would help pass unemployment benefits and focus on policies like Marijuana after this pandemic is over.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) tweeted, “Decriminalize marijuana.”
/ STATES
Michigan’s attorney general will speak at an event hosted by the Cannabis Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party on Friday.
Members of the White Earth Nation tribe, located in Minnesota, approved a medical cannabis measure.
The California Assembly and Senate budget committees filed legislation to freeze marijuana tax rates for one year.
Texas regulators filed a rule adding cannabis to a list of quarantined articles in the European Corn Borer quarantine.
Illinois regulators posted an application for cannabis business incubator and sponsorship programs.
Nevada regulators will consider marijuana licensing issues on Tuesday.
Arkansas medical cannabis regulators will meet on Tuesday.
New Maryland medical cannabis business security rules come into effect on September 1.
Washington State regulators sent a newsletter about marijuana business application timeframes and tax reporting tips.
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/ LOCAL
The Johns Creek, Georgia City Council is considering a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
Portland, Oregon officials are spotlighting recipients of cannabis revenue-funded grants.
Several Colorado municipalities are considering proposals to allow marijuana businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government has “no plans” to drug test cabinet ministers after a Conservative London mayoral candidate urged all large employers in the city to test workers.
Canadian retailers sold C$201.1 million worth of recreational marijuana products in June, a new record.
Guernsey officials are moving to allow medical cannabis imports.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “although preinjury use of marijuana does not improve survival in trauma patients, it may provide some improvement in outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury and those that are more severely injured.”
A study suggested that “the majority of pharmacists are not asking about marijuana use/consumption, and this may be a gap in care.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce International Cannabis Council and the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp signed a memorandum of understanding on North American leadership in the cannabis market.
/ CULTURE
A prankster made green traffic lights looks like cannabis leaves by using cardboard cutouts.
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