Newsletter
More NDAA cannabis amendments in Senate (Newsletter: October 4, 2022)
Poll: Americans don’t see marijuana as dangerous; ND legalization ads; NV sees nearly $1B in FY22 cannabis sales; Marijuana pesticide bill in Congress
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) filed new marijuana-related National Defense Authorization Act amendments. The proposals would federally legalize medical cannabis for military veterans and call on the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that veterans aren’t denied home loans just because they work in the marijuana industry.
A new poll found that most Americans do not think marijuana is dangerous, but they are torn on whether cannabis is a gateway drug that leads to the use of more dangerous substances.
Reps. Scott Peters (D-CA) and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) filed a new bipartisan bill in Congress to increase penalties for use of banned pesticides in illicit marijuana grows, and to allocate $250 million in funding to clean up areas where those chemicals are used.
North Dakota’s marijuana legalization campaign released radio ads featuring a former police officer and a military veteran urging voters to approve their initiative on the November ballot.
The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board and Department of Taxation reported that retailers sold more than $965 million worth of legal marijuana in Fiscal Year 2022, generating more than $152 million in tax revenue—with most of the proceeds funding schools.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit heard arguments in a lawsuit filed by a man whose hemp plants were confiscated at the Denver International Airport.
Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) tweeted, “Bishop Anthony Taylor, on behalf of the Diocese of Little Rock, is right about the consequences of recreational marijuana. I appreciate his leadership and join him in encouraging Arkansans to vote NO on Issue 4.”
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) tweeted, “On Saturday, VT became the 15th state with legal recreational marijuana sales. Congress is blocking DC from legalizing such sales, though the pending House and Senate DC appropriations bills would allow DC to do so. The filibuster remains the primary hurdle.”
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) tweeted a photo of himself and a McGruff the Crime Dog mascot outside the Capitol, saying, “It was great seeing my friend, McGruff, at the Capitol! October is National Crime Prevention Month and I’m committed to common sense solutions like my #SAFEBankingAct which will help make our communities safer.”
Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) tweeted about a cannabis panel he hosted at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation conference, saying, “Let’s pass the #CLIMBAct & ensure BIPOC entrepreneurs can access capital to enter a market they have too long been shut out of.”
Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Charles Booker spoke about his support for legalizing marijuana.
Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate Mehmet Oz again falsely claimed that Democratic rival John Fetterman, currently the lieutenant governor, wants to legalize all drugs.
/ STATES
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) highlighted public support for legalizing marijuana.
Iowa’s agriculture secretary said there are “unintended consequences” to legalizing marijuana.
Georgia Republican agriculture commissioner candidate Tyler Harper, currently a state senator, posted photos of himself touring a medical cannabis facility, saying, “I’m proud to support Georgia’s growing medical cannabis industry & I look forward to its continued success delivering medication to patients in need!”
Here’s a look at where South Dakota House and Senate candidates state on the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.
A Tennessee representative said marijuana is “not the demon drug that people have made it out to be,”
A Pennsylvania senator spoke about the economic benefits of legalizing marijuana.
A Kentucky representative tweeted, “Nine in 10 Kentuckians believe medical cannabis should be legal. That’s why every year I’ve served in the legislature, I cosponsored legislation to legalize medicinal use of cannabis. If you send me back to Frankfort, I’ll keep up the fight so we can finally get this done.”
Illinois regulators issued the state’s first operational permits to marijuana social equity craft cultivation and infuser businesses.
California regulators posted proposed cannabis tax rules, and will hold a meeting to discuss them on October 6.
Michigan regulators sent an advisory bulletin about an increase in incidents of fraudulent activity against marijuana businesses.
Oregon regulators published guidance on hemp testing and potency.
New Mexico regulators said there are 31 marijuana businesses in the state considered to be non-compliant.
Washington State regulators are accepting applications to serve on a new Cannabinoid Science Work Group.
Nevada’s Cannabis Advisory Commission will meet on Tuesday.
Vermont regulators will review recommendations for marijuana social equity status and licensure, and continue a review of inventory tracking requirements, on Thursday.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 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
The Las Cruces, New Mexico City Council rejected a proposal to remove the required buffer between marijuana dispensaries and residential homes.
Sacramento, California officials are making changes to the city’s cannabis enforcement system following dozens of lawsuits and accusations of racism.
Jersey City, New Jersey officials are hosting a cannabis job fair on October 12.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch appointed a head of the new National Agency for Regulating Cannabis Related Activities.
Israel’s ambassador to Thailand spoke about the economic benefits of cannabis and hemp.
Colombian lawmakers resumed debate on cannabis legalization legislation.
Geneva, Switzerland will launch a marijuana legalization pilot program next year.
London, England’s mayor said he will press ahead with forming a commission to study marijuana legalization despite opposition from the head of the UK Labour Party.
The mayor of Amsterdam, Netherlands is pushing to ban foreigners from cannabis coffee shops despite opposition from the City Council, which is expected to vote on the issue on Wednesday.
A Philippine representative suggested that actors should have to be drug tested before they can begin any TV or film production.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabidiol prevents methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity.”
A review concluded that “both esketamine and psilocybin demonstrated rapid and long-term effects in reducing depression symptoms.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of Singaporeans found that 53 percent want the government to consider legalizing medical cannabis.
The Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys rescinded a false claim that the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot would punish selling cannabis to kids with only a civil penalty.
The Star-Ledger editorial board said employers like Walmart should reconsider their workplace marijuana testing policies.
/ BUSINESS
A Trulieve worker in Massachusetts died earlier this year after inhaling marijuana kief, according to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration report.
A group of Colorado marijuana growers are asking the state to put a moratorium on issuing new cultivation licenses.
/ CULTURE
A Russian court scheduled an appeal hearing for American basketball player Brittney Griner, who was convicted of possessing cannabis vapes at an airport, for October 25.
Jason Bateman and Jimmy Kimmel played a game of “Who’s High?”
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