Newsletter
IRS talks cannabis taxes & enforcement (Newsletter: September 25, 2024)
CA hemp ban lawsuit; FL legalization ads; AK psychedelics; CO marijuana tourism drops; Pittsburgh cannabis discrimination law; CBD as insecticide
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Internal Revenue Service Senior Counsel Luke Ortner said the agency will continue to apply the 280E tax penalty on marijuana businesses for years prior to rescheduling—and that the agency could seize assets from cannabis companies that don’t pay what they owe.
Members of the hemp industry—including Cheech and Chong’s company—filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn new California rules banning cannabinoid products with any “detectable amount of total THC” that took effect this week.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) allowed a bill to take effect without his signature to create a task force to study how to license and regulate psychedelic-assisted therapy in the event of federal approval of substances such as MDMA and psilocybin.
A new Colorado Legislative Council Staff report attributes declining cannabis revenues in part to “falling demand as other states across the country legalize marijuana,” noting that “marijuana tourism became less pronounced.”
The Florida marijuana legalization campaign released two new ads: One highlighting the hypocrisy of banning cannabis while alcohol is allowed and another featuring a sheriff who is endorsing the reform initiative on the November ballot.
The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania City Council unanimously approved a measure to ban employers from drug testing workers who are medical cannabis patients for THC, with some exceptions.
A new study found that hemp-derived CBD is “a valuable potential resource for developing novel insecticides,” showing that it killed larvae of mosquitoes that spread yellow fever—including one variety that’s resistant to conventional insecticides.
The South Dakota Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission denied police certification to a student in part due to concerns about a previous marijuana arrest.
/ FEDERAL
President Joe Biden hosted a Summit of the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats.
The Drug Enforcement Administration promoted a video about students who are taking “a stand against vape and marijuana products in schools.”
The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands will hold a hearing on a bill containing provisions directing the Departments of Agriculture and Interior to launch initiatives of “environmental response to contamination resulting from the cultivation of cannabis by trespassers” on public lands on Thursday.
/ STATES
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) announced the launch of the Cannabis Social Equity Grant Program.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) tweeted, “For years, Kentuckians living with chronic conditions, PTSD, cancer and more asked for medical cannabis, and we’re making it happen. In 100 days, Kentuckians can apply for medical cannabis cards to receive treatment.”
Oklahoma’s attorney general is asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit to to reverse a preliminary injunction that a federal judge issued against a state immigration law he says is needed to crack down on illegal marijuana cultivation operations.
The Hawaii Supreme Court chief justice appointed the Last Prisoner Project to the new Clean Slate Expungement Task Force.
Connecticut’s comptroller published a report on the cannabis Social Equity Council.
The Florida marijuana legalization campaign has now raised more than $100 million since being formed.
New York regulators launched a mapping tool that’s designed to make the marijuana business application process more efficient, transparent and affordable.
Illinois regulators announced that cannabis businesses will soon have the ability to renew licenses online.
Nevada regulators published a cannabis market study.
Vermont regulators will consider recommendations for marijuana business licensure on Wednesday.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy 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.
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/ LOCAL
Denver, Colorado officials announced a fourth round of grant applications for social equity cannabis businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Czech Republic’s Ministry of Justice is proposing to legalize personal marijuana cultivation.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “research emphasizes the potential of cannabis-based medication in alleviating tics and premonitory urges associated with Tourette syndrome.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Florida Sheriffs Association hosted an official with the prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana on its podcast.
/ BUSINESS
Washington, D.C. businesses sold $4.5 million worth of medical cannabis in August.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
