Newsletter
Ohio legal cannabis measure filed for November ballot (Newsletter: March 3, 2020)
NE tax group backs medical marijuana effort; Mexican senators weigh new legalization bill; AR biz opposes MS medical cannabis measure; CT hearing
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Ohio activists formally filed the text of a proposed marijuana legalization ballot measure they hope to place before voters in November.
A Nebraska tax reform group, Adopt a Decrease in Oppressive Property Taxes, is teaming up with medical marijuana advocates to qualify a legalization measure for the November ballot because it will raise revenue and provide relief for property owners.
The Connecticut General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee held a lengthy hearing on a marijuana legalization bill that legislative leaders filed on behalf of Gov. Ned Lamont (D).
On Wednesday, Mexican Senate committees are set to consider a newly revised marijuana legalization bill that came out over the weekend—but activists are not happy with the provisions.
The owner of an Arkansas medical cannabis business is working to defeat a legalization measure that’s on the ballot in neighboring Mississippi. Activists allege the effort is aimed at better positioning himself to enter the market under a separate, more restrictive law.
/ FEDERAL
U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency Administrator Martin Barbe spoke about the availability of insurance coverage for hemp crops.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is cohosting a webinar on differentiating between marijuana and hemp on March 25.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a presidential candidate, said at a rally that on day one of his presidency “we begin the process of ending the war on drugs.”
Former Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) tweeted about speaking at a cannabis conference in Spain this month.
Maine Democratic Senate candidate Betsy Sweet tweeted, “Our criminal justice system is broken. We must reform it by: -ending the War on Drugs -ending cash bail -banning for-profit prison and detention centers -focusing on rehabilitation over punishment whenever possible”
Kentucky Democratic congressional candidate Josh Hicks tweeted at his incumbent opponent, “.@RepAndyBarr glad to hear you’re a strong advocate of alternative therapies for my fellow veterans. The people of Kentucky want to know, are you for medical marijuana? I’m for it. Let’s hear from you.”
/ STATES
Utah’s first medical cannabis pharmacy opened.
The Maine legislature’s Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs approved a bill to let regulators license marijuana delivery services.
A Florida senator who proposed an amendment to instill a THC potency cap on medical cannabis for patients under 21 backed away from the effort after facing questions from members of the body’s Rules Committee.
The Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Committee discussed the state’s hemp program during a hearing.
Nevada regulators are facing a lawsuit from a marijuana cultivation business over allegedly imposing excessive fines and illegally forcing it to destroy inventory.
Michigan regulators announced a phase-out process for the transfer of marijuana products into the regulated market from individual caregivers.
New Mexico regulators have begun denying medical cannabis patient applications from out-of-state residents under a new law.
Missouri regulators are facing more than 800 appeals of denials of medical cannabis business license applications. Separately, here’s a look at efforts by lawmakers to scale back the medical marijuana program.
Louisiana regulators gave an update on medical cannabis sales to date.
Ohio regulators will begin accepting hemp business license applications on Tuesday.
Oregon regulators will consider rules changes intended to aid investigations on vaping-related lung injuries on March 16.
Tennessee lawmakers plan to file medical cannabis legislation this week.
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/ LOCAL
Fanwood, New Jersey’s mayor said she thinks the state’s marijuana legalization referendum is likely to be approved in November.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The United Nations Commission on Narcotics Drugs is delaying a vote on World Health Organization recommendations to reschedule marijuana and its components under international drug treaties until December.
UK regulators are moving to loosen import restrictions on cannabis-based medicines.
Uganda’s cabinet met to approve medical cannabis regulations.
A Nepalese representative filed a marijuana legalization bill.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review suggested that “add-on THC:CBD oromucosal spray (nabiximols) may have a role in managing chronic neuropathic pain, although further precise clinical trials are required to draw definitive conclusions.”
A study found that “although CBD showed both neurotoxic and neuroprotective effects on hippocampal neurons in the in vitro setting, the use of low-concentrated CBD, not causing toxic effects on the neurons, significantly rescued the neurons from the oxidative stress, confirming its neuroprotection capability.”
A study found that “the MDMA group demonstrated more [posttraumatic growth]…and a larger reduction in PTSD symptom severity…relative to the control group.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of Texas likely voters found that when given options, 39% support legalizing marijuana, 30% want decriminalization, 22% back medical cannabis and 14% support full prohibition.
The Center for Food Safety published a scorecard that grades CBD companies on transparency.
/ BUSINESS
Weedmaps has been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury for records about its operations and marijuana businesses listed on its directory.
The president of Cresco Labs is stepping down.
Tilray, Inc. reported $46.9 million in quarterly revenue and an adjusted loss of $35.3 million.
Collective Growth is a new hemp company founded by Geoff Whaling, Bruce Linton and Tim Saunders.
Michigan retailers have sold nearly $32 million worth of recreational marijuana products in the first three months of sales.
/ CULTURE
Singer Toni Braxton spoke about how she uses CBD to treat pain from lupus.
Sarah Silverman and other comedians are doing a benefit show for female-led cannabis business accelerator The Initiative in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
