Newsletter
MD cannabis consumer gun rights bill (Newsletter: February 9, 2023)
Another MN marijuana hearing; HI psilocybin vote; NH legalization plan takes shape; OH medical cannabis expansion
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Minnesota House Workforce Development Finance and Policy Committee approved a marijuana legalization bill. This is the seventh panel in the chamber to clear the legislation, meaning it’s now halfway through its journey to the floor.
The Hawaii Senate Health Committee approved a bill to create a new therapeutic psilocybin working group to examine the medical potential of the psychedelic to treat PTSD, depression, anxiety and other conditions.
The Maryland House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a bill to protect medical cannabis patients’ gun rights.
The New Hampshire House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Liquor Subcommittee met again to go over details of a new amendment to a marijuana legalization bill, with a vote expected in the panel next week.
The Ohio Senate General Government Committee held a hearing on a bill to expand the medical cannabis program, including by allowing doctors to recommend it to patients with any condition they see fit.
/ FEDERAL
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality touted that a systematic review of cannabis in treating chronic pain was selected as one of the “Best of Annals 2022” by the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) cited cannabis as an issue of potential bipartisan cooperation.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) criticized Republicans for seeking to undermine local decision making in Washington, D.C. on marijuana legalization and other issues.
Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX) criticized Democrats for focusing on cannabis reform and other issues when they had a House majority.
Former Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) tweeted, “Americans need to be educated about the health consequences of high potency cannabis!”
/ STATES
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) is calling for the ouster of leadership of the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Commission over reports of abuse of power for personal gain.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced that the state’s first recreational marijuana dispensary outside of New York City will open on Friday.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) included funding in her budget proposal to create a state-operated marijuana testing lab.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) tweeted, “Protecting Oklahomans means combating drug and human trafficking and cracking down on illegal marijuana operations in our state. We have deactivated over 800 illegal marijuana farms, completed 165 arrests, and seized over 600,000 pounds of illegal marijuana.”
The South Dakota House of Representatives approved a bill to add restrictions on the medical cannabis recommendation process
The Montana House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a bill to ban the sales of intoxicating hemp products to minors.
A Virginia senator unsuccessfully tried to attach an amendment to hemp legislation that would have placed a referendum on the ballot concerning legal marijuana sales.
Washington State lawmakers filed a bill to create a cannabis commission.
Vermont’s top cannabis regulator is recommending that the state fund a lab to test marijuana products.
Alabama’s top medical cannabis regulator spoke about learning from the experiences of other states to hopefully avoid lawsuits over the business licensing award process.
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies officials indicated the body is not prepared to take on the responsibility to regulate psilocybin under the voter-approved psychedelics legalization law.
Illinois regulators launched a cannabis disparity and availability study to examine whether discrimination exists in the industry.
Ohio regulators voted to study how medical cannabis can treat autism spectrum disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and irritable bowel syndrome.
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission will meet on Thursday.
Michigan regulators will host an education session for cannabis processors on Thursday.
Iowa regulators will meet about the medical cannabidiol program on Friday.
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/ LOCAL
Kansas City, Missouri’s mayor tweeted, “Re Weed. We’ve been asked & Dept of Revenue has advised cities and counties cannot “stack” marijuana taxes. Accordingly, in incorporated areas like Kansas City, only the city’s 3% sales tax applies. In unincorporated area, the county’s 3% does. There is no double (6%) local tax.”
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Philippine government filed a notice of appeal against the International Criminal Court’s resumption of an investigation into the nation’s bloody “war on drugs.”
Victoria, Australia lawmakers filed a bill to protect medical cannabis patients from being charged with driving under the influence.
Hong Kong officials made the first CBD arrest after a ban went into effect this month.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cannabinoids have been shown to inhibit proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis and even restore homeostasis in a variety of models of cancer in vitro and in vivo” and that “cannabis and its receptors have evolved into a therapeutic treatment for cancers.”
A study found that “three weeks after dosing, psilocybin 25 mg and, to a lesser degree, 10 mg improved measures of patient-reported depression severity, anxiety, affect, and functioning.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of American adults over 21, funded by Verano Holdings Corp., found that 61 percent plan to incorporate cannabis into their Valentine’s Day plans, either by using it or giving it as a gift.
The Florida Democratic Party tweeted that President Joe Biden “has been a champion of justice and equality,” including with his marijuana pardon proclamation.
The League of Women Voters hosted a forum on the marijuana legalization initiative on Oklahoma’s March 7 ballot.
The Wall Street Journal editorial board argued that California’s marijuana laws are a failure, criticizing its move to allow interstate cannabis commerce.
The Washington Examiner editorial board argued that marijuana should not be legalized.
/ BUSINESS
MedMen Enterprises disclosed cash issues that call into question its “ability to meet its obligations for at least one year…and therefore, to continue as a going concern.”
Green Thumb Industries Inc. published its first social impact report.
/ CULTURE
Seth Meyers joked about a federal judge’s ruling invalidating the ban on gun possession by cannabis consumers.
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