Newsletter
House leaders move to extend hemp pilot program (Newsletter: September 22, 2020)
Poll: SD marijuana legalization initiative leads; NY destroying cannabis records; TX smokable hemp ban halted; Interstate cannabis commerce push
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A funding bill to avoid a government shutdown at the end of this month that was introduced by House leaders includes a provision to extend the 2014 hemp pilot program and delay implementation of U.S. Department of Agriculture rules that industry stakeholders say need more work before being finalized.
The New York State Unified Court System launched a free, one-page form people can fill out to have their marijuana possession conviction records completely destroyed.
- “If you decide to apply for destruction, the arrest, prosecution and criminal history records related to your expunged marihuana conviction are destroyed, and there will be no record of your arrest or conviction for these charges. In other words, it will be like it never happened.”
A new poll of South Dakota voters—which was funded by legal marijuana opponents—found roughly 60% of the state’s voters support a legalization measure on the November ballot and more than 70% back a separate medical cannabis initiative.
A Texas judge lifted the state’s ban on smokable hemp for at least several months, with a trial challenging the policy set to begin in February.
A new campaign called the Alliance for Sensible Markets is pushing governors in legal marijuana states to enter into compacts that would allow interstate cannabis commerce.
/ FEDERAL
The Environmental Protection Agency published a list of pesticide products registered for use on hemp.
Libertarian presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen tweeted, “I fully support ending the failed War on Drugs and federally decriminalizing marijuana. While the DnRs are beholden to police unions, we are beholden to all Americans.”
Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) celebrated federal grant money to support a hemp program at Colorado State University Pueblo.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) tweeted, “Here’s a radical idea. Instead of arresting poor Americans — disproportionately African American and Latino — for possessing marijuana, let’s start prosecuting the crooks on Wall Street for laundering money for drug cartels, suspected terrorists and corrupt foreign officials.”
Rep. Joe Cunningham (D-SC) and his Republican challenger Nancy Mace both said they support legalizing marijuana.
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) tweeted, “My #SAFEBankingAct is a bipartisan bill that addresses a public safety issue. The genie is out of the bottle when it comes to marijuana policy and it’s past time to align Federal and State law.”
Florida Democratic congressional candidate Adam Christensen spoke about legalizing marijuana s racial justice move.
/ STATES
Illinois Gov, J.B. Pritzker (D) announced that unsuccessful marijuana business license applicants will be able to review their scores and revise their applications before regulators hold a tie-breaker lottery.
Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “Did you know? There has never been a single reported fatal overdose of cannabis. Pennsylvania regulates legal alcohol, and alcohol-related deaths per year in the U.S. number about 88,000, according to the National Institutes of Health.”
The Mississippi campaign to legalize medical cannabis announced endorsements from prominent Republicans.
The Colorado Economic Development Commission voted to offer incentives to a Canada-based cannabis company to open a facility in Denver.
Massachusetts regulators are being sued by Northeast Alternatives over delays in acting on its marijuana business license application.
Texas regulators released a list of approved hemp labs.
Nevada marijuana regulators will meet on Tuesday.
The California Cannabis Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday and Friday.
Washington State regulators will hold a listen and learn session about draft conceptual rules for marijuana vape products on September 29.
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/ LOCAL
Several California municipalities will consider local ballot measures on marijuana tax and regulation issues in November.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Colombian lawmakers will debate a bill to let the government control and regulate the cocaine market next month.
Zimbabwe’s government authorized regulators to issue medical cannabis research and hemp permits.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern sampled hemp ice cream during a tour of a food factory.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “prohibition related health risks usually go unacknowledged and unaccounted for in biomedical research on Cannabis.”
A case study suggested that “classic psychedelics may be effective psychotherapeutic aids to be used in traditional substance abuse treatment programs.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The National Association of Realtors published an article highlighting the potential of the hemp industry for land brokers.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation announced the results of its annual shareholders meeting, including the election of directors.
Rubicon Organics Inc. will begin trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on Tuesday.
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. announced it closed on the acquisition of a property in Florida from an affiliate of Parallel.
ETFMG announced that its Alternative Harvest ETF announced an $0.18 per share dividend.
Surterra Texas and Heally partnered on a medical cannabis telehealth platform.
/ CULTURE
Former adult film actress Mia Khalifa urged her fans to tip marijuana dealers.
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