Newsletter
SC medical cannabis bill approved by Senate (Newsletter: February 10, 2022)
DOJ eyeing ‘guardrails’ for safe consumption; Congressional marijuana report; MD psychedelics bill; MO cannabis licensing ruling
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The South Carolina Senate, after weeks of debate and dozens of amendments, approved a medical cannabis bill. One more vote is expected on Thursday to formally send it to the House of Representatives.
As the Biden administration’s court deadline to reveal its position on harm reduction centers for illegal drugs nears, the Department of Justice says it is “evaluating supervised consumption sites, including discussions with state and local regulators about appropriate guardrails for such sites, as part of an overall approach to harm reduction and public safety.”
The Congressional Research Service provided lawmakers with an overview of how federal courts across the country are issuing varying interpretations of a rider that protects state medical cannabis programs from federal interference.
Maryland senators filed a bill to create a fund to study and provide “cost-free access” to psychedelics like psilocybin, MDMA and ketamine for military veterans suffering from PTSD.
The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously ruled that regulators must disclose information from successful medical cannabis dispensary license applications for unsuccessful applicants to use in their appeals.
/ FEDERAL
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Rahul Gupta issued a statement pushing back on suggestions that the federal government would be paying to distribute “crack pipes.” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also took questions about drug policy harm reduction measures, including safe consumption sites.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke about uses for hemp at an event on efforts to combat climate change.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) criticized Manhattan’s district attorney for saying he would not prosecute certain marijuana and other cases.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) tweeted, “In Biden’s America, your tax dollars pay for crack pipes. The insanity has to stop.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) criticized the Biden administration’s shift toward supporting harm reduction drug policies.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) is hiring a new staffer to “spearhead his effort to end federal cannabis prohibition.”
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) said she will be opening her marijuana legalization bill to Democratic cosponsors in the next few weeks.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) spoke on the House floor about a student who allegedly “overdosed on marijuana laced with fentanyl.”
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) touted an endorsement for his marijuana expungements bill from presidential pardon recipient Weldon Angelos.
Vermont Democratic congressional candidate Kesha Ram Hinsdale tweeted, “I support the federal legalization of marijuana, and legalization alone won’t fix the structural inequities of who was targeted by the so-called War on Drugs. We must pardon all non-violent marijuana offenders and actively ensure they can benefit from the legal market.”
Washington State Democratic congressional candidate Jason Call tweeted, “The incumbent I’m challenging in WA-02 has voted at least four times to allow the Dept of Justice to continue to go after cannabis is states where it is already legal (like WA!)”
/ STATES
A New York judge ruled that the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) will need to answer a subpoena seeking information on whether her aides pressured regulators to approve Ascend Wellness’s acquisition of MedMen’s dispensaries in the state.
South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Cunningham, a former congressman, held a press conference at the State House to urge lawmakers to approve a medical cannabis bill. Rival Democratic contender Mia McLeod, a state senator, tweeted, “Oh wow! Welcome to the fight, Joe. Hate that I missed you today, but as a cosponsor of the med marijuana bill we’ve been debating in the Senate for 3 wks now, I’m just curious abt why you didn’t sponsor a bill to declassify marijuana during your 2 yrs in Congress. Nancy Mace did.”
Ohio’s Senate president said he will not bring a marijuana legalization proposal to the floor for consideration.
The Wisconsin Senate minority leader said marijuana legalization bills won’t pass this session, but she’s optimistic about prospects for the future.
The Maine legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee rejected a bill to legalize psilocybin therapy.
An Alabama senator filed a marijuana decriminalization and expungement bill.
A Maryland senator spoke about her bill to legalize marijuana with a focus on equity.
Oregon regulators circulated proposed psilocybin services rules.
The Utah Cannabinoid Product Board issued a statement of concern about delta-8 THC.
Colorado regulators created a warning flyer about fraud threats against the marijuana industry.
Iowa regulators will discuss the medical cannabidiol program on Friday.
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Marijuana Moment is already 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.
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/ LOCAL
Rochester, New York’s mayor spoke about efforts to prepare for the launch of recreational marijuana sales.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Israel’s justice minister published draft regulations to further decriminalize marijuana.
Malta’s minister for equality, research and innovation said other European countries should follow its lead in legalizing marijuana.
The Canadian House of Commons debated a bill to decriminalize drugs.
New Zealand officials released new and revised guidance and forms for medical cannabis products.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cannabis was shown to be effective to treat back pain with an acceptable side effect profile.”
A study found that “LSD changed creativity across modalities and measurement approaches” and “seemed to fundamentally influence creative cognition and behaviour pointing to a shift of cognitive resources ‘away from normal’ and ‘towards the new.’”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that 67 percent of Australians support letting terminally ill people access psychedelic-assisted therapy.
The Wisconsin State Journal editorial board is calling on lawmakers to legalize medical cannabis.
The Fireside Project is expanding its psychedelic peer support line with a focus on equity and culturally responsive services.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation reported quarterly net revenue of C$141 million and a loss of C$115 million.
Amazon settled a lawsuit brought by a New Jersey job applicant who claimed the company illegally rescinded a job offer after he tested positive for marijuana.
Michigan retailers sold $152.6 million worth of legal marijuana products in January.
/ CULTURE
Chelsea Handler suggested that Ellen DeGeneres take up cannabis consumption after her show ends.
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