Newsletter
MD legal cannabis sales bill advances (Newsletter: March 28, 2023)
NH legalization back to floor; Fed marijuana cases declining; Congress advances Schedule I research bill; ND medical cannabis hospice bill signed
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A new report from the U.S. Sentencing Commission shows that federal marijuana cases are continuing to decline as more state-legal cannabis markets come online and provide consumers with access to regulated products.
The House Energy & Commerce Committee approved a bill to ramp up criminalization of fentanyl-related substances while also removing some barriers to research on Schedule I drugs like marijuana and certain psychedelics.
The Maryland Senate Finance Committee amended and approved a bill to regulate marijuana sales following voters’ approval of a legalization referendum. A floor vote is expected this week, and the House has already passed its version.
The New Hampshire House Ways & Means Committee amended and approved a marijuana legalization bill that was previously passed on the House floor. It now heads back to the full body for one more vote before potentially advancing to the Senate.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) signed a bill into law allowing people receiving hospice care to self-certify as medical cannabis patients in order to expedite their access to relief.
The chair of the Idaho House Health and Welfare Committee introduced a new bill to legalize medical cannabis.
/ FEDERAL
The National Institute on Drug Abuse awarded a cannabis production contact to the University of Mississippi.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality updated a living systematic review on cannabis and other plant-based treatments for pain.
Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) criticized a Drug Enforcement Administration report on the agency’s foreign operations for being “stunningly vague in its actual evaluation of known problems at the DEA and remedies to fix them.”
Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) is calling out the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for not prosecuting Hunter Biden for allegedly lying about illegal drug use on a gun purchase form.
/ STATES
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced the opening of the state’s first woman-owned recreational marijuana dispensary opening in Queens on Thursday.
South Dakota lawmakers sustained Gov. Kristi Noem’s (R) veto of a bill that would have allowed in-process hemp to contain up to 5 percent THC.
The Georgia Senate amended and approved a House-passed bill to amend medical cannabis rules.
The Missouri House of Representatives voted to eliminate the state’s sentencing disparity between crack and power cocaine.
The Wyoming House minority caucus whip tweeted, “Illegally produced fentanyl that is the cause for so many deadly overdoses is a direct consequence of our punitive war on drugs that has failed miserably. The cartel exists only because of our delusional policies banning some drugs rather than regulating and taxing them.”
An Alabama senator filed a bill to regulate delta-8 THC products.
Arkansas lawmakers are considering extending a special tax on medical cannabis.
The California Agricultural Labor Relations Board proposed rules on cannabis labor peace agreements.
Illinois regulators adopted changes to medical cannabis rules.
Massachusetts regulators are being pressed to explain agents’ behavior during an inspection at a marijuana business.
The Bad River Ojibwe Tribe, located within Wisconsin, is hiring a cannabis consultant to help prepare for potential legalization.
Ohio regulators posted updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.
Washington State regulators published a newsletter about cannabis issues.
Colorado regulators will host a workgroup meeting on revised marijuana tax rules on Tuesday.
Vermont regulators will host an event on navigating local cannabis licensing on Thursday.
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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.
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/ LOCAL
A Montgomery, Alabama City Council member is preparing a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canadian regulators are accepting public comment about potential changes to cannabis rules.
The head of the Mexican Senate Second Legislative Studies Commission hosted an event about the role of women in cannabis regulation.
A Maldives lawmaker is calling for the legalization of medical cannabis.
The European Medicines Agency posted a video of an official discussing the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “clinical data suggest that CBD is well tolerated and associated with few serious [adverse events] at therapeutic doses both in children and adults.”
A case series suggested that “CBD may help manage patients with [Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome] regarding seizure control and improve other aspects of the clinical spectrum of the disease, such as postural tone and stability.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The New York Daily News editorial board is calling on state lawmakers to legalize safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.
/ BUSINESS
Acreage Holdings, Inc. obtained a final order from the Supreme Court of British Columbia approving its arrangement with Canopy Growth Corporation and Canopy USA, LLC.
Verano Holdings Corp. converted all its outstanding Class B proportionate voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares, resulting in one class of outstanding shares.
Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry’s launched a new nonprofit cannabis brand called Ben’s Best Blnz.
The owner of Toys R Us is suing Zaza R Us for alleged trademark infringement.
/ CULTURE
Snoop Dogg said he moderated his cannabis consumption after becoming a grandfather.
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