Newsletter
Lawmakers take credit for fed cannabis move (Newsletter: September 1, 2023)
SD legalization ballot summary; AZ equity lawsuit; Legal marijuana has fewer pesticides; AMA study on psilocybin for depression; Ted Cruz & beer
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) are among a growing group of lawmakers reacting to the federal marijuana rescheduling recommendation, with some of them even taking partial credit for the development.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley (R) approved final summary language for a 2024 marijuana legalization ballot initiative—but advocates are taking issue with key parts of the description and are now considering filing a lawsuit.
A new Arizona lawsuit on marijuana social equity license ownership highlights concerns that people who’ve been harmed by the drug war are being used as figureheads during the application process and then forced out of their businesses by monied interests.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)—who doesn’t support changing laws that criminalize marijuana consumers—is upset about the prospect of the federal government recommending that Americans drink less beer, complaining that liberals want to “control every damn aspect of your life.”
A new study sheds light on the “striking contrast” in safety between marijuana grown for the legal versus illegal markets, with 92 percent of unregulated cannabis testing positive for numerous pesticides compared to just six percent of regulated products.
A new study published by the American Medical Association found that a single dose of “psilocybin administered with psychological support was associated with a rapid and sustained antidepressant effect.”
- “No serious treatment-emergent adverse events occurred.”
A Missouri judge dismissed a marijuana company’s effort to stop the recall of 62,000 products containing a THC concentrate that regulators deemed a “potential threat to health and safety.”
/ FEDERAL
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy announced more than $450 million in new funding for drug prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery support services and enforcement efforts.
/ STATES
Wisconsin’s Senate minority leader tweeted that federal marijuana rescheduling “would open the doors to research and tax relief – steps in the right direction… However… I’m still going to work tirelessly to legalize it 🌱”
A Minnesota senator wrote about what he sees as the “long list of problems” with the state’s marijuana legalization law.
California generated $276.2 million in cannabis tax revenue in the second quarter of this year.
Michigan regulators published lists of people who are excluded from employment at, or participation in, a marijuana business.
Washington State regulators are requesting public input to inform the spending of $9 million to create a program to support social equity cannabis businesses.
Alaska’s Advisory Task Force on Recreational Marijuana will meet on Tuesday.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 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 are recommending that marijuana businesses that hire security guards verify they have a required city license.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The UK House of Commons Home Affairs Committee published a report on drugs that includes recommendations to launch a pilot program allowing safe consumption sites for illegal substances and to remove barriers to psychedelics research.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “CBD can be an effective analgesic for dental pain.”
A study found that “in a clinical sample of adults aged ≥45 years, no longitudinal associations were found between cannabis use and cognitive functioning” but that “a few significant associations were observed between problematic use and cognitive functioning.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana sent a letter urging Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) to reject rules that would allow independent pharmacies to sell THC oils.
/ BUSINESS
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is acquiring Mindset Pharma Inc.
/ CULTURE
Seth Rogen spoke about his work to create a line of marijuana-related home goods.
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