Newsletter
House could vote on cannabis amendments next week (Newsletter: July 24, 2020)
Democratic platform excludes legal marijuana; White House reviewing FDA CBD enforcement plan; Oakland legal psychedelics ceremonies proposed
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House Rules Committee is considering allowing floor votes next week on amendments to protect all state, territory and tribal marijuana laws from federal interference. Meanwhile, one lawmaker is pursuing separate measures that would block states that have legalized cannabis from receiving federal funds.
The Democratic National Committee’s Platform Drafting Committee’s initial proposal does not include support for legalizing marijuana, though it does back other cannabis reforms and says it’s time to “end the failed ‘War on Drugs.'” Some delegates are considering pushing a legalization amendment at a Monday meeting of the full Platform Committee..
The White House Office of Management and Budget is currently reviewing new CBD product enforcement guidance submitted by the Food and Drug Administration. This comes days after the agency published a separate document on cannabis research.
Psychedelics activists in Oakland, California unveiled a new proposal to legalize plant healing ceremonies as a follow-up to a current local law that decriminalized possession of psilocybin, ayahuasca and other entheogens.
/ FEDERAL
Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Administrator Timothy J. Shea commented on the agency’s role in a federal law enforcement “surge” being sent to U.S. cities.
Federal prosecutors charged a Denver man with allegedly growing and selling psilocybin mushrooms after they used his appearance in news reports to track him down.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) expressed frustration on the Senate floor about not being able to get a vote on marijuana banking legislation, saying, “How about we have a banking system that serves the cannabis industry so that we don’t have huge bags of money opened up to the possibility of organized crime moving it around the country and doing bad things?We should extend that coverage, but we can’t get that vote on this floor.”
In a Senate floor speech, Sen. John Thune (R-SD) criticized cannabis banking language in the House’s coronavirus relief bill.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) sent a press release about her amendment to let military service members use hemp and CBD products.
The House resolution calling to decriminalize addiction and legalize marijuana and overdose prevention sites got one new cosponsor for a total of 17.
/ STATES
Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “While we’re tearing down monuments steeped in racist origins, looking at you, marijuana prohibition. 😘 And don’t get me started on its enforcement. Mr. Biden, tear down this law.”
The New York Assembly Rules Committee approved a bill to vacate records for some past misdemeanor marijuana convictions.
Nevada regulators filed complaints alleging that two marijuana businesses violated coronavirus-related policies.
Washington State regulators rescinded a policy on issues with marijuana tracking software.
Massachusetts regulators launched the second cohort of marijuana social equity program participants.
The California Veterinary Medical Board discussed legislation concerning medical cannabis use on animals.
Colorado regulators will hold a rulemaking work group meeting on implementing marijuana social equity and residency laws on Tuesday.
Oregon regulators released an updated list of approved marijuana businesses.
Virginia lawmakers spoke about plans to pursue marijuana legalization in the state as a follow up to the new decriminalization law.
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/ LOCAL
Oakland. California police are being asked to create a special section to track crime against cannabis businesses after two employees were shot, one fatally, last week.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Guernsey Assembly voted to undertake a study of legalizing marijuana and decriminalizing other drugs.
Ontario, Canada regulators ended marijuana delivery and curbside pickup services.
Here’s a look at groups campaigning for and against New Zealand’s marijuana legalization referendum.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study examined how “religious seekers around the globe have deployed cannabis as a deliberate psychoactive to trigger the peak-experiences that stir feelings of ecstasy, wonder, and awe.”
A study comparing legal and illegal marijuana sales found that “with the notable exception of price, consumers reported generally positive perceptions of the legal cannabis market, with more positive perceptions in US states with more ‘mature’ legal markets.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The People’s Commission to Decriminalize Maryland plans to push state and local lawmakers to reform drug policies.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. completed its acquisition of GR Companies, Inc., which it says makes it the largest private vertically-integrated multi-state cannabis operator in the U.S.
Irth Communications, LLC, which was reportedly hired by cannabis companies to promote their stocks and failed to disclose those arrangements, has been ordered by the Securities and Exchange Commission to cease such activities.
Rhode Island’s three medical cannabis dispensaries sold $59.7 worth of products in the past year.
/ CULTURE
Willie Nelson said he’s not surprised how marijuana is becoming more accepted in society.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
