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Senate GOP leader candidates oppose cannabis reform (Newsletter: November 13, 2024)
Harris didn’t want to talk marijuana, Joe Rogan says; Feds fund hemp construction; Polish cannabis decrim; PA medical cannabis expansion blocked
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Vice President Kamala Harris “didn’t want to talk about marijuana legalization” with Joe Rogan “because of her prosecuting record” on cannabis, the podcaster said, detailing “multiple conversations” his team had with the campaign about a potential interview that never happened.
All three candidates for Republican Senate majority leader—Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Rick Scott (R-FL) and John Thune (R-SD)—are strong opponents of marijuana reform, raising questions about the prospects for cannabis legislation in the 119th Congress.
The U.S. Department of Energy awarded $8.4 million to a hemp business working to produce sustainable cannabis-based alternatives for building materials, packaging and automobile parts.
The Polish Parliamentary Committee on Petitions referred a cannabis decriminalization proposal to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who has 30 days to respond.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Debra Bogen rejected proposals from the Medical Marijuana Advisory Board to allow nurse practitioners and podiatrists to recommend medical cannabis to patients.
A new study authored by one of the only people permitted by the U.S. government to grow marijuana for research claims that cannabis from state-legal markets and seized illegal product is “basically the same” and that dispensary marijuana is “very similar to the chemical profile” of what the National Institute on Drug Abuse provides—but other scientists are skeptical.
A paid petition circulator for Nebraska medical cannabis ballot initiatives that voters approved last week pleaded guilty to charges related to alleged fraudulent activity in the signature gathering process.
The Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District ruled that municipalities and counties cannot stack marijuana taxes on top of one another, overturning a lower court decision that had upheld the practice.
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission is stalling on launching applications for marijuana consumption lounges, ten months after approving rules for their operation—leaving the industry in limbo.
/ FEDERAL
Former Trump administration Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission Chair Chris Christie, also a former New Jersey Governor, reportedly said he thinks President-elect Donald Trump will attempt to “change marijuana to a non-scheduled drug that wouldn’t be illegal, and then banks and other institutions would be more free to do business with cannabis store owners and entrepreneurs.”
A hearing on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s proposal to ban two psychedelics began.
Congressional Joint Economic Committee Democrats touted Oregon voters’ approval of a ballot initiative to protect cannabis workers’ right to unionize.
/ STATES
The Ohio Senate General Government Committee held a hearing on a bill to ban the sale of intoxicating hemp products.
A Florida senator said he plans to file “a bill or two” on marijuana in the next legislative session.
New York regulators approved a six-month extension for marijuana equity businesses and separately adopted an alternate payment schedule for medical cannabis licensees seeking to enter the recreational market.
Alaska rules concerning marijuana edibles consumption areas and exterior window pickups received final approval.
Michigan regulators published a monthly report on disciplinary actions taken against marijuana businesses.
Virginia regulators published a fact sheet about marijuana-impaired driving.
Minnesota regulators will host a marijuana business social equity grants listening session on Friday.
Colorado officials will host a financial projections workshop for cannabis social equity businesses on November 21.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris criticized pledges from Fianna Fáil and the Green Party to enact cannabis reform.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration says it is launching a new anti-drug strategy that focuses on the supply side rather than consumers.
An Italian senator said the government’s plan to restrict so-called “cannabis light” is “shameful.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “adolescents and emerging adults overestimated the cannabis quantity used in an average joint” and that “those who initiated cannabis at an older age were less likely to overestimate their use.”
A study’s results “demonstrate the suitability of our engineered A. nidulans to serve as a production strain for psilocybin and other tryptamine-derived pharmaceuticals.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Chicago Tribune editorial board is pushing for a crackdown on intoxicating hemp products.
/ BUSINESS
Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $141.6 million and a net loss of $28.3 million.
Cronos Group Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $34.3 million.
Agrify Corporation is acquiring the Señorita brand of hemp-derived beverages from Double or Nothing LLC.
Eaze Inc. announced $10 million in Series B funding following the acquisition of select assets from Eaze Technologies Inc.
/ CULTURE
Raekown and Charlamagne Tha God are opening a marijuana dispensary in Newark, New Jersey.
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