Newsletter
NY votes to allow cannabis farmers markets (Newsletter: July 20, 2023)
Veterans marijuana amendments in Congress; MD regulator talks fast sales launch; Study: Cannabis enhances exercise; NY warning symbol op-ed
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Two different bipartisan groups of members of Congress filed amendments to allow military veterans to get medical cannabis recommendations from their Department of Veterans Affairs doctors.
The New York Cannabis Control Board voted to allow marijuana farmers markets and to nearly double the number of approved dispensary licenses.
A top Maryland Cannabis Administration official spoke about how the state launched marijuana sales so quickly after voters approved a legalization referendum—and how equity is a “key component of everything going forward.”
A new study found that people who run after consuming marijuana experience “greater feelings of positive affect, tranquility, enjoyment, and dissociation, and more runner’s high symptoms” as well as less pain—though they do run slightly more slowly.
David Nathan of Doctors for Cannabis Regulation argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that New York officials made an “unforced error” by creating a confusing new warning symbol for cannabis packaging instead of adopting a standard that’s being used by other states.
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission voted to scale back an exclusivity period on marijuana business licenses for people with prior convictions or who live in economically disadvantaged areas from one year to just three months.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’s chief equity officer pledged to conduct a survey on marijuana business ownership demographics amid concerns that Black people are being left out of the industry.
/ FEDERAL
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley suggested that cocaine found in the White House must have belonged to a senior official because, she says, the area it was found in can only be accessed by top officials and staff.
Drug Enforcement Administration Principal Deputy Administrator Louis Milione resigned amid concerns about consulting work he did for a pharmaceutical distributor that was sanctioned for suspicious painkiller shipments.
Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) spoke about his support for research on the potential benefits of psychedelics.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) posted a photo of a box of Doritos, saying, “Obviously the pro marijuana lobby is working Congress today.”
The House bill to ease restrictions on hemp growers got one new cosponsor for a total of five.
/ STATES
The Maryland State Department of Education approved emergency rules on cannabis and child care facilities.
Virginia regulators filed changes to rules on medical cannabis businesses.
North Dakota rules allowing increased medical cannabis purchase limits will take effect on August 1.
California regulators have a State Fair booth where they are asking consumers to post sticky notes saying where they buy their cannabis on a giant wall.
Washington State regulators are conducting surveys about rulemaking for cannabis samples.
Michigan regulators published a monthly report about disciplinary actions taken against marijuana businesses.
Utah regulators posted an update about the medical cannabis program.
The Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on Friday.
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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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
New Haven, Connecticut mayoral candidates discussed their views on drug enforcement during a debate.
The Duluth, Minnesota City Council is considering a proposal to ban smoking or vaping marijuana in public outdoor spaces.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canadian officials announced they will begin testing cannabis products from authorized retailers as well as illicit marijuana seized by law enforcement “for comparative analysis.”
The Philippine government said it will not participate in the International Criminal Court’s investigation into the country’s bloody “war on drugs.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “CBD was a safe and effective therapeutic option for highly drug-resistant patients, leading to a dramatic reduction in seizure frequency in over one-fourth of them, including off-label indications.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana held a briefing for Senate staff about “the myths and pitfalls of the SAFE Banking Act.”
The Marijuana Policy Project is asking people who have been impacted by cannabis prohibition to share their stories.
/ BUSINESS
The CEO of Green Thumb Industries said that the death of an employee at a cultivation and manufacturing facility, to the best of the company’s knowledge, “was not related to the working environment.”
Curaleaf is laying off 49 workers at its Winslow, New Jersey production facility.
Cannabist employees in Deptford, New Jersey voted to ratify their first labor contract.
Goodblend Pennsylvania LLC is shuttering its operations in Pennsylvania.
Green Check Verified and Main Street Bank are partnering on an effort to expand marijuana business banking services in Massachusetts.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
