Newsletter
Legal cannabis “inevitable” in RI, House speaker says (Newsletter: July 9, 2021)
White House: reconsider marijuana ban for athletes; CBC pushes Biden to undo cannabis deportations; IL sales; 1st full iPhone marijuana delivery app
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency both said it is time to reconsider marijuana policies that punish Olympic athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson.
- “Hopefully, this case can be used as an example as to the reasons why it’s time to revisit the issue.”
Rhode Island’s House speaker said marijuana legalization is “inevitable” and will happen “soon” but he’s not going to be rushed into it and wants to get the details right. Lawmakers could come back in late September or early October to get it done, he said.
30 members of the Congressional Black Caucus sent a letter asking President Joe Biden to reverse the cases of immigrants who were deported for marijuana—including a Navy veteran.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation reported that retailers sold more recreational marijuana products in June than in any other month since legal sales launched at the beginning of 2020.
Eaze launched an updated iPhone app that finally allows people to purchase and pay for marijuana deliveries within the app. This comes shortly after Apple instituted an App Store policy change that removed restrictions on cannabis businesses.
/ FEDERAL
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy hosted a government-wide meeting with other agencies to begin formulating the national drug control strategy.
The U.S. attorney for Nevada is encouraging people to tip off the Drug Enforcement Administration about hash oil laboratories.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “We must end the federal prohibition on marijuana while ensuring restorative justice for those harmed by the War on Drugs. I’m working with @SenBooker and @RonWyden on comprehensive marijuana reform legislation.”
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) published a report on the deportation of immigrant veterans, including those punished for “the use of self-medicating on illegal substances.”
Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) tweeted, “I’m not afraid to call out Democrats when they’re wrong. I hope this administration will change course on federal cannabis policy.”
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) tweeted, “White and Black Americans smoke weed at the same rate, yet Black Americans are nearly 4x more likely to get arrested for it. Ending the federal prohibition of marijuana is a racial justice issue.”
Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) tweeted, “The illegal marijuana grow operations in #CA25 are affecting people’s daily lives. While historic progress has been made, more work lies ahead. From stolen water supplies, being followed when leaving home, and disregard for the environment—Californians deserve better.”
/ STATES
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) tweeted, “This past spring, I called the #NMleg into a special session to deliver on the promise of legalized recreational cannabis. We delivered on that promise, and we’ve created a new economic driver for New Mexico.”
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s (R) press release about nominating a new state Supreme Court justice notes her prior work on medical cannabis and drug testing issues.
California’s attorney general said he thinks psychedelics policy reform is now where marijuana was a few years ago.
Nevada’s attorney general tweeted about the Nevada Athletic Commission ending marijuana penalties for fighters.
The South Dakota attorney general’s office said medical cannabis cards issued by Indian tribes are valid.
An Indiana law providing an affirmative defense for drivers who test positive for marijuana metabolites but aren’t responsible for traffic accidents took effect.
Georgia regulators voted to finalize application scores for medical cannabis growers.
Washington State regulators approved rulemaking actions on delta-8-THC and other additives, and regarding criminal history checks for marijuana business licensees. They also issued a policy statement on marijuana licenses for businesses in jurisdictions where local ordinances prohibit sales.
The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners is warning patients about businesses that claim they can pre-register people for medical cannabis.
Michigan regulators published a bulletin about the types of changes that marijuana businesses are required to report.
Vermont regulators discussed youth marijuana prevention.
Pennsylvania regulators tweeted about how the state’s Farm Bill funds a Specialty Crop Block Grant program that encourages cultivation of hemp and other crops.
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/ LOCAL
The Prairie Village, Kansas City Council Committee of the Whole discussed a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
Louisville, Kentucky’s police chief dismissed concerns that ending arrests and prosecutions for low-level crimes like marijuana possession is not contributing to increases in violent crime rates.
The Billings, Montana City Council is considering putting measures on the ballot to ask voters what kinds of marijuana businesses can operate in the city.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Argentina’s Senate advanced a medical cannabis bill.
Canada’s federal government is supporting the establishment of a provincial industry association for hemp processing in Alberta.
The UK government created a new Joint Combating Drugs Unit in conjunction with the publication of a new report on drug issues.
Australia’s Department of Health said it is not to blame for the price of medical cannabis products sold by pharmacies.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “prior use of cannabis, objectively assessed by urinalysis, results in a decreased need for blood pressure support during general anesthesia.”
A case study of a stroke patient concluded that “administration of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol as an oromucosal spray in a 1:1 ratio improved the pain situation and quality of life quickly and permanently.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Los Angeles Times editorial board said it’s time to change rules that punish athletes for marijuana.
A leader of Harvard University’s Project on Psychedelics Law and Regulation spoke about the project’s plans.
/ BUSINESS
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. acquired Anna Holdings LLC, the Chamounix Ventures, LLC subsidiary of which owns Keystone Shops Pennsylvania medical cannabis dispensaries.
Curaleaf International exported more than one ton of medical cannabis flower from Portugal to Israel.
Terra Tech Corp. completed its merger with UMBRLA, Inc. and will now operate as Unrivaled Brands, Inc.
KushCo Holdings, Inc. reported $28.3 million in quarterly revenue and a net loss of $8 million.
The founder and chairman of atai Life Sciences AG said he supports decriminalizing but not legalizing psychedelics outside of a medical context.
Clark Hill PLC is bringing on attorneys from Hoban Law Group, which is closing.
Comscore and Fyllo are partnering on a product that allows targeted marketing to CBD consumers.
Workers are asking a federal judge to deny Cresco Labs’s move to dismiss a breach of contract claim in their lawsuit accusing the company of failing to pay employees for time spent putting on and removing required personal protective equipment.
A lawsuit accusing Eaze of sending unsolicited text messages is being dropped by the plaintiffs.
Rubicon Organics Inc. got $8 million in loan financing.
Here’s a look at where various South Dakota health systems stand on whether their doctors should be able to issue medical cannabis recommendations.
/ CULTURE
Chris Rock narrated a short film about the injustices of marijuana prohibition that’s airing on PBS stations.
Diddy criticized the marijuana-related suspension of runner Sha’Carri Richardson.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
