Newsletter
OH cannabis ballot signatures submitted (Newsletter: July 6, 2023)
FDA/FTC delta-8 warnings; Maryland cannabis sales data; Booker on “two-tier” drug laws; Denver cannabis report; Media softball league CBD sponsor
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Ohio activists submitted what they say are more than enough signatures to qualify a marijuana legalization initiative for the November ballot.
The Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission teamed up to send letters warning six companies that are allegedly unlawfully selling “copycat” delta-8 THC products that are misleadingly packaged to mimic popular brands like Doritos and Cheetos.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), asked about Hunter Biden’s plea deal over allegations of lying about drug use when purchasing a gun, slammed the “two-tier system” where low-income Americans are punished for marijuana while the privileged go free.
The Maryland Cannabis Administration reported that retailers in the state sold $10.4 million worth of legal marijuana during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, with recreational sales launching on Saturday.
Denver, Colorado officials published an annual report showing that as the city’s legal marijuana market continues to mature, police are seizing record low amounts of legal cannabis. It also looks at trends in equity, sales, taxes and how revenue is allocated.
The New York Media Softball League—which has teams representing The Wall Street Journal, High Times and BuzzFeed among its ranks—is launching a new sponsorship deal with Kentucky-based CBD company Cornbread Hemp.
/ FEDERAL
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a notice about efforts to improve drug recognition experts programs that “as the number of States legalizing marijuana continues to increase, the need for effective strategies to address the growing concerns about impaired driving is imperative.”
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) tweeted, “I’m working to move the SAFE Banking Act forward so legal cannabis businesses finally have access to the financial services they need to keep their businesses, employees, and communities safe.”
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) said he disagrees with President Joe Biden’s mass marijuana pardon but acknowledged that he has the authority to do it.
/ STATES
A New York assemblymember spoke about his bill to restrict public marijuana use.
A Massachusetts representative discussed his bill to expand agriculture preservation restrictions to cover hemp cultivation.
Rhode Island regulators proposed changes to rules for licenses marijuana testing and sampling laboratories.
Utah regulators filed changes to rules on cannabis quality assurance testing.
Michigan regulators published an updated list of approved active ingredients for cannabis growers.
Virginia officials published a guide for using marijuana while parenting.
The California Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce seized more than $109 million in illegal marijuana in the second quarter of 2023.
Colorado regulators published an overview of marijuana-related legislation enacted this session.
Hawaii regulators approved an additional medical cannabis dispensary.
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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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/ INTERNATIONAL
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted about a “crackdown on drugs” his government is launching, including a ban on nitrous oxide—adding that “we’ve strengthened police powers to stamp out illegal drugs in our communities by widening drugs testing on criminals.”
The Bahamian attorney general spoke about the status of proposed marijuana reform legislation.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime published an annual World Drug Report.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of warning signs about cannabis use during pregnancy found that “warning signs policies were not associated with reduced cannabis use during pregnancy or with people who used cannabis believing use during pregnancy was less safe but were associated with greater support for punishment and stigma among people who did not use cannabis.”
A study found that “LSD increases sleep duration the night after microdosing.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Cannabis Media Council published guidelines for cannabis advertising.
/ BUSINESS
MedMen Enterprises Inc. has a new CEO and CFO.
A Curaleaf International subsidiary is acquiring Clever Leaves Holdings Inc.’s cannabis processing facility in Setúbal, Portugal.
Cresco Labs shareholders elected members of the company’s board of directors.
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