Newsletter
Secret Service relaxes cannabis rules for agent applicants (Newsletter: May 2, 2023)
Trump admits marijuana is “popular”; FL nears legalization ballot sigs; CA psychedelics hits Senate floor; Senators tout SAFE; Nevada athletics reform
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Former President Donald Trump admitted that legalizing marijuana is a “pretty popular thing” from a “voting standpoint”—even as he simultaneously argued that cannabis use “does significant damage.”
The U.S. Secret Service is relaxing rules on past marijuana use by prospective agents.
A Florida marijuana legalization campaign funded by Trulieve has now collected more than 94 percent of the valid signatures it needs to put its initiative on the 2024 ballot.
A California bill to legalize psychedelics is heading to the Senate floor under an accelerated process that is allowing it to skip further committee consideration.
More than a dozen senators are touting the reintroduction of a marijuana banking bill with a series of tweets.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission voted to send a proposal to stop penalizing fighters over marijuana to the governor so it can potentially be formally adopted into the state administrative code.
States have collected more than $15 billion in tax revenue from legal recreational cannabis sales since 2014, a new Marijuana Policy Project report shows—though earnings declined in 2022 for the first time ever.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration Museum will host a series of events commemorating the agency’s 50th anniversary beginning on Tuesday.
Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) filed a bill to require federal officials to launch a public awareness campaign about the dangers of marijuana and other drugs being contaminated with fentanyl.
Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) spoke about the need to pass cannabis banking legislation.
Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) said “there is not a specific path forward” for his veterans cannabis research bill that was blocked on the floor by Republicans.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) tweeted, “If you’re a legally operating business in your state you should be able to deduct your operating expenses like every other legally operating company, even if you’re in cannabis.”
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) tweeted, ” It’s time to de-schedule cannabis, allow states to control it as as they see fit, and ensure responsibly operated enterprises and their employees are treated the same as any American business.”
/ STATES
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D) touted a marijuana pardons program he created in a press release about deciding not to seek reelection.
The Pennsylvania Senate passed a bill to ban safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.
A Minnesota representative said he is “very optimistic” about reconciling differences between his marijuana legalization bill and a Senate companion so the legislation can be sent to the governor.
California’s top marijuana regulator responded to cannabis businesses blaming state officials for struggles against the illicit market by saying, “It’s very hard to look inward and determine where there are potential business failures. A lot of this is driven by business decisions, and a market that’s very competitive.”
New York regulators are being sued for allegedly endangering a neighborhood by approving a marijuana dispensary lease without community input.
Utah regulators filed updated medical cannabis cultivation and hemp product processing rules.
Ohio regulators posted updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.
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Marijuana Moment is 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
The Baltimore, Maryland City Council’s Economic and Community Development Committee advanced a proposal to create a reparations commission to distribute funding to communities subjected to high levels of drug enforcement.
The Spokane, Washington City Council Public Safety and Community Health Committee is considering a proposal to prohibit public drug use and possession.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Luxembourg officials unveiled a marijuana legalization pilot program report, though formal legislation will not be introduced until next session following a European Union Commission review.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “preclinical, but not clinical, studies found evidence for an improvement in cognitive performance after treatment with CBD.”
A study of mice demonstrated “an unprecedented regulatory role of neuronal [cannabinoid CB1 receptors] in the [melanoma brain metastases] tumour microenvironment.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Democratic Governors Association tweeted, “Gov. @Tim_Walz and the Democratic trifecta in Minnesota understand that legalizing marijuana is not only good for the economy, it’s also another critical step toward repairing a broken criminal justice system.”
The director of federal affairs for Gun Owners of America tweeted, “If you’re going to protect BANKS, will you also protect gun owners who use cannabis in accordance with state law from @FBI and @ATFHQ?”
/ BUSINESS
Akerna Corp. is selling its software business to MJ Freeway Acquisition Co.
Indoor Harvest Corp. completed its acquisition of Opportunity Development Group, LLC.
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $352.5 million and a net loss of $262.7 million.
Acreage Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly consolidated revenue of $57.5 million and a net loss of $119.2 million.
/ CULTURE
Melissa Etheridge spoke about the medical benefits of cannabis and psychedelics.
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