Newsletter
Maryland gov vetoes cannabis record sealing bill (Newsletter: May 11, 2020)
USDA approves MA hemp plan; Marijuana groups push for banking in COVID package; Cannabis biz coronavirus aid bill gets more support
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) vetoed a bill that would have shielded 200,000 people’s marijuana convictions from public view. He did it not because he opposed the move but in protest of lawmakers not passing separate criminal justice legislation he wanted.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved hemp regulatory plans for Massachusetts and five Indian tribes.
A coalition of marijuana groups—including the National Cannabis Industry Association, Americans for Safe Access, Marijuana Policy Project, Minority Cannabis Business Association and NORML— is asking Congress to include industry banking access in the next coronavirus relief bill.
- “As recent reports show that viruses can live on cash for up to 17 days, the public safety concerns of this cash-only system compound. The lack of access to financial institutions places industry workers, government employees, and the public at-large at risk as banknotes circulate from consumers and patients to businesses to government… Unlike other essential industries with access to remote payment processing and the use of credit cards to make a transaction entirely contactless, an industry limited to cash transactions must do business in close proximity to the public, including immunocompromised and otherwise medically vulnerable patients.”
/ FEDERAL
The House bill to make marijuana businesses eligible for coronavirus relief funds got eight new cosponsors for a total of 24.
The House bill to require the Food and Drug Administration to allow CBD as a dietary supplement got one new cosponsor for a total of 11.
New Mexico Democratic congressional candidates Valerie Plame and Kyle Tisdel spoke about their support for legalizing marijuana.
/ STATES
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s (R) coronavirus Reopening Advisory Board met with marijuana industry representatives who urged the reopening of recreational shops. Separately, regulators announced they will begin accepting applications for delivery-only marijuana establishments and microbusinesses seeking delivery endorsements on May 28.
Montana’s secretary of state is allowing voters to download, sign and mail in ballot petitions, which could boost efforts to qualify a proposed marijuana legalization initiative.
The Louisiana House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development approved a bill on hemp and CBD regulation.
The Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case concerning medical cannabis vertical integration requirements.
Texas regulators proposed rules on consumable hemp products.
Missouri regulators said they will work to comply with lawmakers’ request for information in an investigation into the state’s medical cannabis business licensing process.
Ohio regulators filed proposed changes to medical cannabis rules.
West Virginia regulators are continuing to review medical cannabis grower and processor license applications despite the coronavirus outbreak.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that the government is drafting legislation to legalize medical cannabis cultivation.
The Global Commission on Drug Policy, which includes former heads of state of Colombia, Brazil, New Zealand, Nigeria, Switzerland and other countries, released a report highlighting how current drug policies benefit organized crime.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A case report on treating genetic blistering disorder epidermolysis bullosa with THC and CBD found that “all three patients reported improved pain scores, reduced pruritus and reduction in overall analgesic drug intake.”
A study of mice found that “CBD regulates DNA methylation in brain regions relevant for depression neurobiology, suggesting that this mechanism could be related to CBD-induced antidepressant effects.”
A study found that one dose of psilocybin “in late adolescence mitigates cognitive and behavioral deficiencies characteristic of the developmentally‐stressed adult aCRS rat model for depression.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Santa Fe New Mexican editorial board wants lawmakers to consider legalizing marijuana to raise revenue.
/ BUSINESS
Cronos Group Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $8.4 million and an operating loss of $45.1 million.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. announced it has received approval for a plan to consolidate the company’s shares on a 12 to 1 basis, effective Monday.
Facebook has been deleting posts in groups for the video game Animal Crossing in which people discuss trading “weeds.”
/ CULTURE
Musician Dave Mustaine of Megadeth credited cannabis with helping him to eat and keep food down while treating cancer.
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