Newsletter
SCOTUS justice slams federal cannabis stance (Newsletter: June 29, 2021)
Mexico Supreme Court strikes down marijuana prohibition; DE legalization bill dead for 2021; CA senator rallies ahead of psychedelics vote
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas issued a scathing statement slamming the federal government’s “contradictory” and “unstable” position on marijuana and suggesting that national cannabis prohibition may be unconstitutional.
Delaware’s marijuana legalization bill is dead for this year after disagreements over an equity assistance fund led to last-minute amendments and black lawmakers pulling their support from the measure. The governor and police also lobbied against it.
Mexico’s Supreme Court struck down the country’s prohibition of marijuana after lawmakers failed to enact a legalization bill by the latest in a series of repeatedly extended deadlines.
The Mississippi Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held a hearing at which lawmakers got medical cannabis advice from counterparts in Oklahoma and Utah as they work toward an expected August special session to replace the voter-approved measure that was overturned by the state Supreme Court.
A California senator held a rally with military veterans, medical professionals and law enforcement to build support for his bill to legalize possession of psychedelics ahead of its first Assembly hearing on Tuesday. It has already passed the full Senate.
/ FEDERAL
The Bureau of Indian Affairs clarified that hemp projects are eligible for Native American Business Development Institute grants, but marijuana projects are not.
A federal judge sentenced an associate and co-conspirator of a former Fall River, Massachusetts mayor who was recently convicted of extorting marijuana businesses to probation and home confinement.
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) said he is “optimistic” that a federal marijuana legalization bill can pass this year.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) tweeted, “There has been a significant increase in robberies of cannabis businesses. Workers are being put at risk and local businesses are losing money. Cannabis businesses need safe banking NOW. The Senate needs to stop stalling and get this done!”
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted, “Today, there are over 2 million Americans behind bars—a 500% increase in the last 4 decades. Our failed drug war contributed to this surge & unjust policies like the crack-powder cocaine disparity have ruined so many lives. This policy must end.”
Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA) tweeted about cosponsoring a medical cannabis bill for military veterans.
/ STATES
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) tweeted about signing a marijuana legalization bill.
Oregon’s treasurer tweeted, “The cannabis industry is one of the fastest growing industries in our state. Unfortunately, lack of access to banking is holding this industry back. It’s time that we pass banking access laws to improve the safety of our neighborhood dispensaries.”
Pennsylvania’s agriculture secretary spoke at a hemp event.
An Oklahoma appeals court ruled that the smell of marijuana establishes probable cause for criminal activity even though medical cannabis is legal in the state.
A Virginia Republican senator suggested that the party could retake the state House of Delegates by campaigning on recriminalizing marijuana.
South Dakota lawmakers toured medical cannabis facilities in Iowa.
Montana regulators filed a notice about the transfer of responsibilities for the medical cannabis program to a new department.
Colorado extended the deadline for applications to serve on the Hemp Advisory Committee until July 9.
A North Carolina Department of Justice newsletter article analyzes the possible impact of marijuana law reform.
Georgia’s Access to Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on July 7.
The Texas Medical Advisory Board will discuss marijuana-impaired driving issues on July 23.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,100 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
Tarrant County, Texas officials enacted a cite and release program to reduce arrests for low-level crimes, including marijuana possession.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Rwandan lawmakers approved a medical cannabis bill.
A French parliamentary committee published a report on marijuana regulations.
A Chatham-Kent, Ontario, Canada city councillor is pushing the city to lobby the federal government to decriminalize drugs.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabis use was not associated with clinically significant deleterious effects on male sexual parameters.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Massachusetts Republican Party said it supports a simple federal marijuana legalization bill.
The Bangor Daily News editorial board is calling on Maine lawmakers to pass a drug decriminalization bill.
Families Against Mandatory Minimums, ACLU and Justice Action Network are urging President Joe Biden to use his clemency authority to prevent approximately 4,000 people currently living in home confinement from being sent back to federal prison.
/ BUSINESS
Flower One Holdings Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $13.9 million and a net loss of $10.6 million.
A subsidiary of HEXO Corp closed the acquisition of its first U.S. production facility in Fort Collins, Colorado.
The Parent Company is acquiring Calma West Hollywood.
COMPASS Pathways plc announced it completed the administration part of a phase IIb clinical trial of psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression.
Awakn Life Sciences Corp. filed a patent for two MDMA-derived new chemical entities.
Infinite Bloom LLC settled a lawsuit alleging that it sent unsolicited text messages.
Revolutionary Clinics is creating a $4 million grant fund to support Massachusetts economic empowerment marijuana licensees and minority-owned businesses in Cambridge.
Ultra Health published a report suggesting that New Mexico more than double the number of plants that are expected to be allowed to meet market needs.
/ CULTURE
Ben Stein authored an op-ed arguing that marijuana causes harms.
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