Newsletter
NH House votes to legalize cannabis (Newsletter: January 7, 2022)
KS Dems want marijuana on ballot; WA psilocybin bill; NORML lobbyist’s next chapter; States earn $10B in recreational cannabis revenue
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Republican-controlled New Hampshire House of Representatives approved a bill to legalize possession and personal cultivation of marijuana. Other new legislation on cannabis sales is still pending.
Kansas House Democratic leaders announced new resolutions to let voters decide on legalizing recreational and medical marijuana on the November ballot. Lawmakers in several other states are pushing similar cannabis referendums this session.
Washington State senators introduced a bill to legalize “supported psilocybin experiences.” Most participants would consume the psychedelic at licensed service centers, but some could qualify to do it at home and meet with facilitators remotely.
Outgoing NORML federal lobbyist Justin Strekal looks back in an interview with Marijuana Moment about how much the cannabis debate in Congress has changed since he took the job five years ago and previews a new legalization-focused PAC he’s launching soon.
A new Marijuana Policy Project report shows that legal marijuana states have collected more than $10 billion in adult-use cannabis tax revenue since regulated markets have come online.
/ FEDERAL
Food and Drug Administration officials developed a method to measure CBD, THC and their major metabolites.
National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow said safe consumption sites for illegal drugs “could potentially help mitigate some of the risks associated with lapses and relapses, such as heightened risk of overdose due to lost tolerance.”
The Senate bill to allow CBD as a dietary supplement got one new cosponsor for a total of four.
Texas Democratic congressional candidate Arthur Dixon tweeted, “Not only is Marijuana legalization the right thing to do, it’s the sensible thing to do. It represents the potential for jobs creation and economic development in Texas, let’s treat it as such.”
/ STATES
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s (D) budget proposal includes increased funding for regulators to implement marijuana legalization.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) reiterated his concerns about medical cannabis possession limits.
Alabama Republican gubernatorial candidate Dave Thomas, currently the Springville mayor, supports marijuana legalization and openly acknowledges his own cannabis use.
The Washington, D.C. Council chairman tweeted about an effort from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) to block a school vaccine mandate in the city, saying, “Ted Cruz’s effort is the same that blocked the needle exchange and set us back fighting HIV and cost lives. It’s the same mentality that’s creating a grey cannabis market and keeps us from allowing lawful sale. If you want to run DC, resign your seat and take up residency here.”
A Maryland senator said she will be filing an equity-centered marijuana legalization bill to serve as a companion to a resolution to put the question of reform on the ballot for voters to decide.
A New York senator acknowledged a drafting error in an anti-vaping bill that would inadvertently ban cannabis vapes. Separately, the state’s top marijuana regulator said she expects recreational dispensaries to be licensed to operate by summer 2023.
An Oklahoma representative introduced a bill to let municipalities set their own medical cannabis business license caps.
An Ohio senator said he doesn’t think voters “are ready for recreational marijuana” but thinks it will happen within five to eight years.
A Pennsylvania senator tweeted, “It is critical that policy meet people where they are, and by allowing medical marijuana patients to grow cannabis plants at home, we can help ease the cost and accessibility burdens for this important medicine.”
Idaho regulators filed rules on hemp fees.
Louisiana’s medical cannabis patient count grew substantially last year.
Illinois regulators posted an update about the status of the hemp program.
The New Hampshire Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board met.
New Jersey marijuana regulators are holding a public meeting on Friday.
Colorado’s marijuana Science & Policy Work Group will meet on Friday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 800 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 Manhattan, New York district attorney issued a memo saying his office will avoid seeking prison sentences for certain crimes, including some drug offenses, and will not prosecute some marijuana misdemeanors.
Marathon County, Wisconsin Board of Supervisors committees referred a proposal to reduce marijuana fines to another committee.
Denver, Colorado officials released how-to videos about the online marijuana business license application and renewal process.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Canadian government filed amended regulations that will let physicians request patient access to substances like psilocybin and MDMA for psychedelic-assisted therapy.
French lawmakers filed a marijuana legalization bill that is expected to be debated on January 13.
Ukrainian lawmakers are expected to consider a government-led medical cannabis bill this year.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “delta-8-THC may provide much of the experiential benefits of delta-9-THC with lesser adverse effects.”
Researchers developed a device that “offered high potential and efficiency for THC and CBD separation within 20 min without any interference prior to electrochemical detection.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Americans for Prosperity tweeted, “It’s time for a different approach that empowers states to make their own choices about cannabis regulations.”
Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy is hosting a conference at Texas A&M University in March.
/ BUSINESS
CannTrust Holdings Inc. is considering “an orderly wind-down plan.”
Curaleaf settled 10 lawsuits filed over allegedly mislabeled CBD products that contained THC.
The Securities and Exchange Commission charged three people for an alleged insider trading scheme related to an attempted hostile takeover of Aphria Inc.
ANANDA Scientific Inc. received Food and Drug Administration approval to test a CBD-based drug to treat opioid use disorder.
Awakn Life Sciences Corp. received approval to expand a ketamine study beyond gambling disorder to include binge eating disorder, compulsive sexual behavior and internet gaming disorder.
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