Newsletter
Judge issues orders on DEA cannabis rescheduling process (Newsletter: November 21, 2024)
Dr. Oz could push medical marijuana as Trump official; Lawmakers press Biden on clemency; FDA approves cannabis PTSD study; NY equity op-ed
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Your good deed for the day: donate to an independent publisher like Marijuana Moment and ensure that as many voters as possible have access to the most in-depth cannabis reporting out there.
Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A Drug Enforcement Administration judge is giving the agency less than a week to respond to allegations that it illegally communicated with the prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana about the cannabis rescheduling review process.
A Drug Enforcement Administration judge issued an order delineating which of the agency’s selected witnesses for a marijuana rescheduling hearing will be allowed to participate—and detailing how pro- and anti-reform witnesses will be able to cross-examine one another.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, who President-elect Donald Trump has selected to oversee the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has long voiced support for medical cannabis and could advocate for its broader acceptance from the office.
A coalition of 67 members of Congress sent a letter urging President Joe Biden to build on his marijuana pardons before he leaves office with an expanded clemency effort for people who are still incarcerated.
The Food and Drug Administration has finally granted long-sought approval for a Phase 2 clinical trial on the use of smoked medical cannabis to treat PTSD among military veterans. The research is being funded by Michigan marijuana tax revenue.
A new study shows that municipalities largely allocate local marijuana tax revenue to support law enforcement and general funds, with relatively few cities and towns using cannabis-generated funds for education or health programs.
New York Office of Cannabis Management Chief Equity Officer Damian Fagon argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that the state is succeeding in establishing a diverse, competitive and equitable legal market in the face of immense challenges.
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers (R) said certification of voters’ decision to approve two medical cannabis legalization ballot initiatives won’t be impacted by ongoing investigations into alleged petitioning fraud.
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management has disqualified about two-thirds of the state’s 1,817 marijuana social equity business applicants from the first licensing lottery that’s expected to be held the week of December 2.
/ FEDERAL
An unnamed official “familiar with the Trump team’s plans” told The Washington Post that the incoming administration intends to follow through on rescheduling marijuana.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL) noted in a Senate floor speech that “people have been eliminated from consideration for judgeships and other important appointments because they smoked a joint—because they smoked a marijuana cigarette.”
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) said he thinks that marijuana rescheduling “might be a good idea” but that he wasn’t aware it is something that can be accomplished administratively.
Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) attended a National Cannabis Roundtable event.
/ STATES
New Hampshire Gov.-elect Kelly Ayotte (R) reiterated her opposition to legalizing marijuana.
Florida’s new House speaker thanked Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for his “principled, focused and dedicated leadership” in working to defeat a marijuana legalization ballot initiative.
Oregon regulators published a bulletin on a voter-approved law requiring marijuana businesses to enter labor peace agreements.
New York regulators published guidance on cannabis business energy and environmental plans.
Connecticut’s cannabis ombudsman discussed her support for giving reciprocity to out-of-state medical marijuana patients.
California regulators are transferring Mendocino County cannabis cultivators from provisional to annual licenses.
U.S. Virgin Islands regulators pushed back against “inaccurate” dates about cannabis business licensing applications that are circulating.
Nevada regulators will consider marijuana business issues on Thursday.
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission will meet on Thursday.
Washington State regulators will host a cannabis social equity business class on Thursday.
—
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.
—
/ LOCAL
The Dallas, Texas City Council rejected a motion to delay enactment of a voter-approved local marijuana decriminalization law.
The Sacramento, California City Council approved a cannabis consumption lounge pilot program.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Botswanan President Duma Boko said the county will “significantly increase our GDP with cannabis and hemp-related products.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study “provides real-world evidence supporting the potential of [cannabis-based medicinal products] for improving [generalized anxiety disorder] symptoms.”
A study found that “selective [cannabinoid receptor] agonists and their combination suppressed breast cancer characteristics.”
/ BUSINESS
Distru closed a $6 million Series A funding round.
/ CULTURE
Wrestler Ric Flair said using marijuana got him off Xanax.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.
