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Illinois sold a billion dollars in cannabis in 2020 (Newsletter: January 5, 2021)

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MI gov signs veterinary medical marijuana bill; Study examines music & psychedelic therapy; TX patients want medical cannabis expansion

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Well, what’s next? With big wins in 2020 for cannabis, psilocybin and drug decriminalization, strong expert reporting is needed to closely track how these developments fully unfold. I think that —with your help—Marijuana Moment is more than equipped to do this work in 2020, and tools like our Bill Tracker can help our readers stay informed.

You can gain access to the Bill Tracker if you support Marijuana Moment on Patreon for $25/month: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed a bill that allows veterinarians to consult on medical cannabis and CBD therapy for cats, dogs and other pets.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced that retailers in the state sold more than $1 billion worth of legal marijuana products in 2020—and that doesn’t even include still-pending medical cannabis numbers for December.

A new Johns Hopkins study tested which music genres are most beneficial to play during psychedelic therapy sessions, finding that overtone-based tracks featuring gongs and didgeridoos slightly outperformed classical music.

  • “The lack of superiority of the Western classical playlist is even more interesting considering that some of the overtone-based playlist tracts consisted of sounds without traditionally identifiable melody and/or rhythm and therefore might not be classified as songs or music by some. This suggests that the sounds capable of supporting psychedelic therapy sessions may go beyond the bounds of traditionally defined musical genres.”

Texas lawmakers are facing pressure to expand the state’s limited medical cannabis program from patients and advocates who say its current structure leaves many people without access.

/ FEDERAL

The Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration published a summary of data on marijuana-related emergency room visits.

A retired Drug Enforcement Administration agent now supports rescheduling marijuana after personally benefiting from medical cannabis.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans included a marijuana research bill in a list of accomplishments for the 116th Congress.

Sen. John Hickenlooper’s (D-CO) official Senate webpage touts that he “oversaw the creation of the first regulatory framework in the US for the legalization of recreational marijuana, which has become the gold standard for other states.”

Former Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA) gave a reporter a tour of his hemp grow. He also tweeted, “I’m leaving Congress. I’m sitting on my deck watching our river-happy. Bourbon in hand (it’s past noon now) and thanking all of you for this incredible run. Time to help my wife make whiskey, grow hemp, support the IC and track conspiracy networks with @ncri_io. Grifters beware.”

/ STATES

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) and lawmakers are nearing a deal on tweaks to marijuana legislation to address concerns about penalties for underage individuals, and floor votes are anticipated for Monday.

A Virginia delegate who is pushing for marijuana legalization revenues to fund reparations declared a run for governor.

Illinois lawmakers are reportedly working on lame-duck legislation to create more marijuana dispensary licenses and amend cannabis rules.

Maine regulators released preliminary draft medical cannabis rule revisions.

Michigan regulators sent a bulletin about obtaining approval to produce marijuana-infused beverages.

Ohio regulators published updated medical cannabis dispensary and employee counts.

Here’s a look at how Rhode Island regulators will conduct a lottery to award additional medical cannabis dispensary licenses.

Texas lawmakers discussed the prospects for marijuana legislation in the new session.

Washington State lawmakers may tackle several cannabis issues in 2021.

Colorado regulators will host a marijuana Science & Policy Work Group meeting on Friday.


Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 100 cannabis 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.

/ LOCAL

Massachusetts cities and towns generated $14.9 million in marijuana revenue in the most recent fiscal year.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Trinidad and Tobago’s attorney general said the government will hold public consultations on a pending marijuana reform bill.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “treatment with medical cannabis oils was safe and well tolerated, and resulted in a reduction in pain intensity, spasticity and sleep disturbances in [multiple sclerosis] patients,” suggesting that “medical cannabis oils can be used safely, especially at relatively low doses and with slow titration, as an alternative to treat MS-related symptoms when conventional therapy is inadequate.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Illinois Farm Bureau tweeted about how a database of hemp cultivators is “benefiting growers and industrial hemp research.”

/ BUSINESS

Aurora Cannabis Inc. said it experienced a “cybersecurity incident” on Christmas Day.

Harborside Inc. announced that co-founder Steve DeAngelo is leaving the company.

MedMen relaunched its MedMen Red brand.

Jushi Holdings Inc. announced a new offering of subordinate voting shares.

/ CULTURE

Mike Tyson appeared on Logan Paul’s podcast while on psilocybin mushrooms.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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