Newsletter
OK cannabis vote next month would generate millions in revenue (Newsletter: February 3, 2023)
Poll: Texans back legalization; VA psilocybin vote; AMA study: medical marijuana tied to reduced opioid use; Another MN committee; Reparations op-ed
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Oklahoma activists published an analysis finding that the state will generate $434 million in revenue from recreational marijuana over the next five years if voters approve the legalization initiative on the March 7 ballot.
The Minnesota House House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee became the sixth panel in the chamber to approve a marijuana legalization bill—with several more still left to go.
The Virginia Senate Education and Health Committee approved a bill to reschedule psilocybin and create an advisory board to “develop a long-term strategic plan for establishing therapeutic access” to the psychedelic. The next stop is the Senate floor.
A new poll found that a majority of Texans across party lines support reforms like legalizing marijuana, allowing medical cannabis and decriminalizing possession.
The Montana House Business and Labor Committee held a hearing on legislation to overhaul rules for the marijuana industry.
A new study published by the American Medical Association and conducted by New York state officials found that “receiving medical cannabis for a longer duration was associated with prescription opioid dosage reduction.”
Khurshid Khoja of Greenbridge Corporate Counsel argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that a new Washington, D.C. legalization bill’s marijuana reparations plan would deliver real money to people harmed by the drug war, but that its cannabis licensing set-asides are unlikely to benefit many victims.
/ FEDERAL
Outgoing White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain touted President Joe Biden’s “sweeping marijuana pardons” in his farewell speech.
Sens. Joe Manchin and John Cornyn (R-TX) filed a bill to require companies to report illicit drug sales and other illegal activity on their online platforms.
Rep. David Trone (D-MD) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) led a group of 55 lawmakers in sending a letter urging President Joe Biden to reinstate the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy to Cabinet-level status.
Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) touted the Judiciary Committee’s advancement of marijuana legalization legislation under his chairmanship.
/ STATES
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) reportedly asked for and received the resignation of the state’s top cannabis regulator. Separately, regulators published an annual marijuana supply and demand report.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) budget proposal seeks to increase funding for medical cannabis regulators.
Former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating (R) is the chairman of a new campaign committee seeking to defeat the marijuana legalization initiative on the March ballot. Meanwhile, pro-legalization activists began the year with $350,020 cash on hand, according to a campaign finance report.
The Mississippi House of Representatives approved a bill to amend various medical cannabis rules.
The Indiana House of Representatives defeated an amendment to legally protect medical cannabis patients visiting from other states.
A former Michigan House speaker is reportedly under federal investigation over alleged bribery in medical cannabis business licensing.
The Virginia Senate Finance Committee approved bills to allow recreational marijuana sales to begin and to create a Cannabis Incubator Project.
The West Virginia House Health and Human Resources Committee approved a bill to ban the sale of hemp derivatives like delta-8 THC to minors.
Iowa lawmakers filed a bill to allow medical cannabis to be distributed in more forms.
A Connecticut representative spoke about his bill to resentence people serving time for marijuana-related offenses.
Nevada regulators published an annual demographic study of the cannabis industry.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of 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
Denver, Colorado police are reassigning officers from the marijuana unit to focus on fentanyl.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Ireland’s deputy head of government signaled his support for decriminalizing drugs.
The leader of the Canadian Conservative Party said that if elected to power he would reverse the federal government’s decision to allow British Columbia to enact a drug decriminalization policy.
Tasmania, Australia lawmakers are proposing legislation to decriminalize drugs.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “improvements in headache/migraine-specific [patient-reported outcome measures] and general health-related quality of life were associated with the initiation of [cannabis-based medicinal products] in patients with headache disorders.”
A study concluded that “CBD oil positively contributes to stimulating the antioxidant system of honeybees.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of New York City voters found that they support adding new legal recreational marijuana dispensaries, 59 percent to 37 percent, and that 69 percent believe unlicensed sellers are a very or somewhat serious problem.
Americans for Safe Access published a report that grades state medical cannabis programs.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf Holdings workers are seeking class status in a lawsuit claiming that managers at various locations stole tips.
Next Level Ventures prevailed in a patent dispute with CCELL parent company Shenzhen Smoore.
Illinois retailers sold $127.9 million worth of recreational marijuana products in January.
/ CULTURE
Dolly Parton clarified that she is not affiliated with any CBD product.
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