Newsletter
Lawmakers push DEA to act on cannabis (Newsletter: April 26, 2024)
VP Harris on marijuana; SAFE Banking push; Industry case gets court hearing; HI gov’s cannabis plan; LA legalization vote; PA hearing; MO psilocybin
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Twenty-one Democratic House and Senate members sent a letter urging the Drug Enforcement Administration to “promptly remove marijuana from Schedule I” even though the agency may be “navigating internal disagreement” on the issue.
- Notably, the lawmakers’ letter cites a previously unreported recent response from DEA in which the agency indicated that its marijuana review will include “opportunity for a public comment period and a hearing.”
House Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA) said “now is the time” to pass a marijuana banking bill despite “concerns” from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who has bragged about blocking the reform in the past.
Vice President Kamala Harris again touted President Joe Biden’s marijuana pardons at another White House event with people who received clemency for drug convictions.
- “I just don’t think people should have to go to jail for smoking weed.”
A judge scheduled oral arguments in a case from cannabis companies that are suing to block federal enforcement against their in-state activities. The plaintiffs requested the hearing to consider new DOJ claims that broad prohibition is justified as a way to regulate “marijuana tourism.”
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) announced a plan to vastly expand medical cannabis access by letting doctors recommend it to patients for any condition they see fit—a move that comes after a recreational marijuana legalization bill failed in the legislature.
The Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee unanimously approved a bill to create a regulatory framework for marijuana legalization, the first measure in a three-part plan to end cannabis prohibition in the state.
The Pennsylvania House Health Committee and Liquor Control Committee held a joint hearing on marijuana legalization—with multiple lawmakers pressing the state’s top alcohol regulator on whether officials could handle selling cannabis in state-run stores.
The Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee gutted a House-passed provision to support research on psilocybin as a treatment for opioid use disorder with $10 million in funds from settlements of lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies.
The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board is considering changes to marijuana social equity business licensing rules.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) tweeted, “I introduced a bill to help expunge or seal low-level marijuana convictions in states like Nevada where it has been legalized or decriminalized. I’ll continue supporting commonsense cannabis reform at the federal level.”
/ STATES
An Idaho attorney general’s office official noted during U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments in case about state abortion restrictions that many states adopt differing approaches on marijuana and other issues.
A North Carolina senator who previously supported a medical cannabis bill said he will no longer be in favor of it without improvements.
Florida regulators are withdrawing rules on hemp extracts for human consumption.
Missouri’s cannabis chief equity officer is stepping down.
An Oklahoma Department of Agriculture official spoke about the many uses of hemp.
The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports is offering a cannabis toolkit for parents.
Oregon regulators published an overview of the medical cannabis program.
Colorado regulators will host a psychedelics rulemaking work group meeting on Wednesday.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,400 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.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
The German government is reportedly circulating a draft bill to tighten rules for cannabis associations.
Canadian regulators announced a recall of marijuana products that did not meet microbial contaminant limits for yeast, mold and bacteria.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “pure CBD drug Epidiolex demonstrates effective analgesia against acute toothache.”
A study of mice found that “CBD facilitates cocaine extinction memory and reverses persistent cocaine-induced changes to gut microbe diversity” and also “increases the abundance of gut microbes which have anti-inflammatory properties.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is circulating a petition in support of congressional legislation aimed at encouraging veterans-focused research on medical cannabis.
The Wall Street Journal editorial board is cheering New York officials’ moves to crack down on unlicensed marijuana sales but remains generally critical of the state’s legalization law.
/ BUSINESS
Cannatrol received approval of two European patents for cannabis curing, drying and aging/storage technology.
4Front Ventures Corp. announced that it authorized the issuance of certain securities in consideration for services provided by consultants, directors and officers.
Arkansas dispensaries sold more than $2.1 million worth of medical cannabis products on 4/20.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
