Newsletter
NY gov’s new cannabis equity plan (Newsletter: January 6, 2022)
CT marijuana licensing launch; OK legalization ballot measure; IA cannabis resolution; SAFE Banking defeat opens opportunity to improve
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced as part of her State of the State plan that she’s creating a new $200 million public-private fund to help promote social equity in the marijuana industry. The plan also addresses hemp and broader harm reduction drug policies.
Connecticut regulators will start accepting marijuana business license applications early next month. The launch was contingent on a technical assistance plan, which received final approval from the Social Equity Council on Tuesday.
Iowa Democratic senators unveiled the text of a resolution to let voters decide on marijuana legalization via a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
Oklahoma activists filed a new proposed marijuana legalization ballot initiative that has the backing of the national New Approach PAC. The measure is receiving some criticism from other activists who are working on separate proposals.
Portland, Oregon cannabis supervisor and Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition Chair Dasheeda Dawson argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that the defeat of marijuana banking provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act provides an opportunity to push for a more equity-centered approach.
/ FEDERAL
National Institute of Mental Health Director Joshua Gordon tweeted about a psychedelic therapy workshop his agency is cohosting next week.
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) touted a marijuana research amendment he passed in a list of 2021 accomplishments.
Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Charles Booker tweeted, “I fully support the legalization of cannabis.” He also tweeted, “Every person incarcerated for cannabis should have their sentence commuted and their record expunged. Legalize it.”
Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate Mehmet Oz’s campaign said marketing text messages appearing to be from him offering CBD products are not legitimate.
Montana Democratic congressional candidate Tom Winter purchased legal marijuana and tweeted about the racist history of prohibition.
/ STATES
New York’s inspector general issued a report finding that the state’s prison system unjustly penalized more than 1,600 incarcerated people based on faulty drug tests.
Connecticut’s hemp plan received federal approval.
Colorado activists held a town hall event to discuss the drafting of a community-led psychedelics decriminalization ballot measure.
Washington State regulators approved permanent rules on evaluating THC compounds.
Massachusetts regulators launched an open data platform that tracks marijuana application and license, agent registration and ownership and sales and product distribution information.
Oklahoma regulators sent a warning about a scam targeting medical cannabis businesses.
Georgia regulators posted guidance on the hemp processor license application process.
Ohio regulators will hold a lottery for new medical cannabis dispensary licenses on January 27.
Montana regulators published a list of licensed marijuana cultivation businesses.
Alabama regulators will host hemp licensee orientation meetings this month.
Guam regulators will consider marijuana tracking, CBD enforcement and other issues on Monday.
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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
San Marcos, Texas activists are collecting signatures for a local marijuana decriminalization ballot measure.
The Killeen, Texas police chief declined an invitation to attend an event about a proposed marijuana decriminalization measure.
The Clark County, Nevada Commission discussed preparations for allowing marijuana social use lounges to open.
/ INTERNATIONAL
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said a lawmaker who is interested in accelerating psilocybin research should meet with Department of Health officials.
The French government published new rules on hemp and CBD products.
The Czech Republic is implementing changes to increase medical cannabis access.
A German lawmaker spoke about the need to regulate marijuana.
A Guernsey lawmaker is unsatisfied with officials’ responses to his questions about cannabis rules.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “entourage effect of CBD and THCV combination against [taxol induced peripheral neuropathy] appears to protect neurons in mice by modulating 5HT1A and CB1 receptors, respectively.”
A study indicated that “10 mg and 25 mg doses of psilocybin were generally well tolerated when given to up to six participants simultaneously and did not have any detrimental short- or long-term effects on cognitive functioning or emotional processing.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Americans for Prosperity tweeted, “It’s time to end cannabis prohibition in America.”
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies has employee guidelines that define “smokable tasks” that staff perform better while under the influence of marijuana.
Attorney Shane Pennington published an analysis suggesting that the Biden administration can authorize safe consumption sites for illegal drugs by designating them as a “research program of the attorney general” under a provision of the Controlled Substances Act.
/ BUSINESS
Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. closed an acquisition of Chicago Alternative Health Center, LLC and Chicago Alternative Health Center Holdings, LLC.
MariMed Inc. is acquiring Kind Therapeutics U.S.A., LLC.
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. has a new president.
TerrAscend Corp. has a new president and COO.
HEXO Corp has a new board member and acting CFO.
Leafly announced membership of its board of directors.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. has a new board member.
Canopy Growth Corporation released an environmental, social and governance report.
Montana retailers sold more than $1.5 million worth of recreational marijuana in the first weekend of legal sales.
/ CULTURE
Rapper Pooh Shiesty pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges related to drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
