Newsletter
Senate cannabis expungements bill (Newsletter: April 19, 2024)
Russia pushed to free US medical marijuana patient; FL poll; Gallup cannabis use survey; SAFE Banking push; NIDA on rescheduling; CO & MO psychedelics
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a resolution condemning Russia’s incarceration of U.S. citizen Marc Fogel over cannabis—pointing out that he “did not wish to use opioids to manage his pain and was instead prescribed medical marijuana for pain management.”
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) filed a bill to facilitate marijuana expungements—provisions of which Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has repeatedly said he wants to merge into cannabis banking legislation that he intends to pass this year.
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) claimed during a hearing that National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow is “adamantly opposed” to rescheduling marijuana—but NIDA endorsed federal health officials’ recommendation to move cannabis out of Schedule I and she has repeatedly said that the current classification impedes research.
A new Gallup poll shows that nearly one in 10 Americans uses marijuana at least 10 times a month—and that there are “little differences in usage” between legal and non-legal states, suggesting that “criminalization does little to curtail” cannabis consumption.
- One out of 20 U.S. adults uses marijuana every day.
A new poll shows that the marijuana legalization initiative on Florida’s November ballot is backed by only 47 percent of voters—the second survey in less than a week showing the measure without enough support to reach the 60 percent threshold needed for passage.
The Colorado Senate passed a bill that could force social media platforms to ban users who post positively about psychedelics and other drugs that are legal under state law—even though a recent amendment addresses concerns about marijuana-related speech.
The Missouri House Rules – Regulatory Oversight Committee approved a bill to legalize the medical use of psilocybin by military veterans and fund studies exploring the therapeutic potential of the psychedelic.
The National Conference of State Legislatures—which represents bipartisan lawmakers from across the U.S.—sent a letter urging congressional leaders to attach marijuana banking provisions to a must-pass Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill.
A Colorado Department of Transportation official authored a new Marijuana Moment op-ed urging people not to drive while impaired by cannabis as they “partake in 4/20 celebrations.”
- “While cannabis has arguably gained mainstream acceptance, driving high has not, thankfully.”
/ FEDERAL
Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Jim Risch (R-ID) filed a bill aimed at cracking down on precursors to illegal drugs.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) pressed Attorney General Merrick Garland at a hearing about efforts to combat Chinese-backed illegal marijuana grow operations in Maine.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) received an award from NORML.
/ STATES
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signed a bill to expedite medical cannabis business licensing.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) discussed an ongoing audit of the state’s marijuana business licensing process.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) had a conversation about cannabis taxes with Jim Belushi, the actor said.
Missouri’s attorney general launched an investigation into the sale of CBD, delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC products.
Oklahoma lawmakers sent Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) a bill on marijuana packaging requirements.
A Virginia senator criticized Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) for vetoing her bill to provide resentencing relief to people with past marijuana convictions.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services inspectors uncovered more than 186,000 packages of hemp products that they say were illegally “designed to target children.”
Colorado and Michigan officials are urging people to travel safely on 4/20.
Washington State regulators will host rulemaking workshops about THC legislation this month and next month.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,400 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
San Diego, California’s mayor is pushing to eliminate a local cannabis equity program, which would force the city to return an $880,000 state grant.
Denver, Colorado officials are participating in a 4/20 event.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The mayor of Amsterdam, Netherlands discussed her support for legalizing and regulating cocaine.
A Victoria, Australia lawmaker criticized the state police commissioner for saying officers will enforce marijuana laws at a 4/20 event.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “adult use legalization was associated with a decrease in [cannabis use disorder] treatment admissions.”
A study of mice “demonstrated that CBD may be considered a beneficial therapeutic drug to counteract [Alzheimer’s disease]-mediated cognitive impairment and restore gut microbial functions associated with the observed neuroprotective mechanisms.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of New Yorkers found that 56 percent think marijuana legalization has been good for the state and that 59 percent support allowing dispensaries in their towns.
/ BUSINESS
CanPay announced that it has now facilitated more than $1 billion in consumer purchases at state-legal marijuana dispensaries.
Cann launched a media partnership with Barstool Sports.
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