Newsletter
NYC cannabis testing ban takes effect for job applicants (Newsletter: May 12, 2020)
VT House speaker: legal marijuana sales this year; OR psilocybin & drug decrim camps team up; CO gov jokes about hypnotizing OH gov on legalization
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Vermont’s House speaker said that while lawmakers are currently focused on the coronavirus response, they will be taking up the matter of finalizing legislation to legalize marijuana sales before the year ends. A conference committee to merge versions passed by the Senate and House has been appointed but hasn’t yet met.
As of Sunday, New York City’s ban on pre-employment marijuana testing for many workers is now in effect. There are exceptions, however, and regulators say they won’t punish some companies that test for THC even while those rules are still being finalized.
Separate Oregon campaigns to legalize psilocybin mushroom therapy and decriminalize possession of all drugs are now teaming up and asking their own supporters to sign the other’s petition to qualify for the November ballot.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) joked during a Reddit Ask Me Anything session that he’ll use hypnosis to convince Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) to support legalizing marijuana. He also took questions on psychedelics, federal interference with state cannabis laws, video games and facing Joe Biden in a pushup contest.
/ FEDERAL
Maryland Democratic congressional candidate Mckayla Wilkes tweeted, “I am proud to endorsed today by @MarylandNORML. The prohibition on marijuana is a racist legacy of the failed War on Drugs. Together we will fight to end this unjust prohibition and move towards true justice and equity for its victims.”
Nebraska Democratic congressional candidate Kara Eastman spoke about her support for decriminalizing marijuana.
/ STATES
The Massachusetts attorney general’s office is accepting applications for an appointment to the state’s marijuana regulatory board.
Ohio activists said they are still considering ways to collect signatures to qualify a proposed marijuana legalization measure for the ballot this year.
Maine regulators said they won’t enforce a marijuana business licensing residency requirement after the state attorney general refused to defend it in court. Separately, the lack of approval for businesses by municipalities is delaying the launch of the state’s recreational cannabis sales program.
Montana regulators sent a bulletin about the upcoming untethering of medical cannabis patients from specific dispensaries.
The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Advisory Board canceled a Tuesday meeting.
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/ LOCAL
The Los Angeles, California City Council will consider a resolution on Tuesday to endorse a state bill to allow cannabis labs to test samples of marijuana seized during closures of unlicensed retailers.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report found that demand for marijuana has increased internationally during the coronavirus pandemic and that trafficking isn’t being disrupted like it is for heroin or cocaine.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is seeking proposals for community-based research on the relationship between cannabis and mental health.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of the impact of legalization in Uruguay on adolescents found “no evidence of an impact on cannabis use or the perceived risk of use” but did find an “increase in student perception of cannabis availability.”
A review concluded that “adding a specific CBD oil alongside NSAID treatment may reduce owner-assessed pain in dogs with osteoarthritis” but that “no changes were detected in vet-assessed pain.”
/ BUSINESS
GW Pharmaceuticals plc reported quarterly revenue of $120.6 million and a net loss of $8.0 million.
Tilray, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $52.1 million and a loss of $184.1 million.
Schwazze reported $3.2 million in quarterly revenue and a net loss of $1.4 million.
/ CULTURE
Nick Offerman, Rosie Perez, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Bourdain, Ben Stiller, Sarah Silverman and other celebrities appear in a new Netflix film about psychedelics.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
