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Psychedelics bills in nearly a dozen states already (Newsletter: January 10, 2023)
MN gov’s legalization petition; WI gov eyes medical marijuana deal with GOP; MO cannabis homegrow apps; CT record sealing; Congressional analysis oped
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) is asking people to sign a petition calling on lawmakers to legalize cannabis this year. Former House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (D), who is now leading the legalization campaign, told Marijuana Moment he thinks the legislation will pass by May.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) said he’s ready to sign a Republican-led medical cannabis bill as long as it’s not “flawed” with excessive restrictions.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) and other state officials announced the launch of a web portal to assist with clearing marijuana conviction records—one day before Tuesday’s start of recreational cannabis sales.
Lawmakers in nearly a dozen states—including Connecticut, Illinois and Virginia—have already filed psychedelics bills for 2023 sessions or announced plans to do so soon.
Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services posted sample forms for people who want to apply to grow their own marijuana at home. Regulators will begin accepting applications by February 6.
2022 was the best year ever for cannabis, The BOWL PAC’s Justin Strekal argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed. Those complaining about the failure to pass more reform in the 117th Congress are ignoring the context of the long history of prohibition, he says.
/ FEDERAL
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said she is concerned that the House under Republican control could seek to further interfere with Washington, D.C.’s local marijuana laws.
Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-IL) tweeted about President Joe Biden’s meeting with the president of Mexico, saying that “any resulting action must be implemented with a clear-eyed view of past failures of the War on Drugs, an emphasis on human rights, and a proactive approach to the root causes of migration.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) criticized the Biden administration’s border policies, saying, “The problems at our Southern border do not begin at our Southern border—people from the Americas are fleeing their countries for a reason. We should be honest and admit that some of those reasons are related to U.S. foreign policy—including draconian sanctions, a failed war on drugs, blanket support for multinational corporations over indigenous rights, and a decades-long embargo on Cuba.”
/ STATES
Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker (D) touted the state’s legalization of cannabis in his second inaugural address.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) seemed to express openness to decriminalizing marijuana possession. Separately, a representative spoke about his cannabis legalization bill.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) said she will continue pressing lawmakers to pass medical cannabis legislation. Separately, a representative said he would likely vote to legalize medical marijuana again if a bill comes up this year. And another representative tweeted that he thought a logo of an airplane on new pins for lawmakers “was a joint at first.”
New York’s Senate majority leader appointed a new member of the Cannabis Control Board. Separately, a top regulator discussed the launch of the legal recreational market.
Tennessee’s House speaker said his chamber is “pretty close” to passing medical cannabis legislation but that he doesn’t think he can ever support recreational marijuana legalization.
A Georgia judge is considering a lawsuit that seeks to unseal documents related to medical cannabis business license applications.
Connecticut’s consumer protection commissioner discussed the launch of legal recreational marijuana sales this week.
Maryland’s top cannabis regulator spoke about preparations to begin overseeing recreational marijuana.
Missouri regulators posted a third draft of proposed marijuana rules.
Oregon regulators published guidance on marijuana pre-roll testing and labeling.
A Mississippi medical cannabis dispensary that was expected to be the first to open on Monday has delayed its launch.
Colorado regulators published a report on the feasibility of kratom regulation.
Michigan regulators are hosting a municipal cannabis summit on January 30.
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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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
A San Francisco, California supervisor said an apparent drug overdose death underscores the need to open safe consumption sites for illegal substances.
Randolph County, Missouri’s prosecuting attorney said she expects to see an increase in cases of driving under the influence of marijuana under legalization.
/ INTERNATIONAL
UK’s Prince Harry said psychedelic-assisted therapy helped him deal with emotional pain caused by his mother’s death.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said he opposes decriminalizing marijuana possession.
Merritt, British Columbia, Canada’s mayor discussed concerns about the province’s drug decriminalization experiment.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cannabidiol can inhibit the proliferation of various tumor cells, induce apoptosis and autophagy of tumor cells, arrest cell cycle, interrupt invasion and metastasis of tumor cells, regulate tumor microenvironment, exert synergistic therapy with other chemotherapeutic drugs, and reduce the toxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs.”
A review concluded that “psilocybin seems to show symptom improvement in some psychiatric illnesses.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce published guidance for employers about marijuana legalization.
Americans for Prosperity Indiana cohosted a cannabis rally at the Statehouse.
The Ohio Medical Cannabis Industry Association is petitioning state regulators to add irritable bowel syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism spectrum disorder as medical marijuana qualifying conditions.
/ BUSINESS
Tilray Brands, Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $144.1 million and a net loss of $61.6 million.
More than 300 drivers and warehouse workers at Grassdoor joined Teamsters Local 630.
DELTA 9 CANNABIS INC. announced cost-cutting measures, including staff layoffs.
Maine retailers sold $158.9 million worth of legal recreational marijuana products in 2022, a 94 percent increase from the prior year.
/ CULTURE
Afroman used footage from a police drug raid on his home in a new music video.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
