Newsletter
Senators’ cannabis amendments to NDAA (Newsletter: July 18, 2023)
FL legalization initiative’s economic impact; CA psilocybin ballot measure; GOP reps’ marijuana & psychedelics speech; MO sales
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Senators are seeking to attach amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act that would legalize medical cannabis for military veterans and protect people from being denied security clearances solely due to past marijuana use.
Analysts from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) office and the state legislature say in a new financial impact statement that a marijuana legalization ballot measure could generate up to $431 million in annual sales tax revenue if approved by voters in 2024.
California activists have received approval to begin collecting signatures to place a psilocybin legalization measure on the state’s 2024 ballot. Meanwhile, at least one other campaign is also preparing a psychedelics reform initiative for 2024.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) spoke on the House floor about her support for research on the benefits of medical cannabis and psychedelics in treating military veterans and others suffering from conditions like PTSD.
Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation data shows that retailers have been selling about $4 million worth of legal marijuana products every day on average since recreational sales launched in February.
/ FEDERAL
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) said in a House floor speech that “it’s a travesty” to deny military veterans access to medical cannabis.
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said she is “outraged” the House and Senate Appropriations Committees voted to continue riders blocking Washington, D.C. marijuana sales and otherwise interfering in the District’s affairs.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) reportedly said he is optimistic that issues surrounding a specific section of his marijuana banking legislation will be resolved.
Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) said it is “concerning” that some Senate Democrats are seeking to change a section of a marijuana banking bill that is important to Republicans.
/ STATES
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) appointed leadership for the Office of Social Equity and members to the Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council.
Idaho activists are collecting signatures to place a medical cannabis legalization initiative on the 2024 ballot.
Maine lawmakers are considering a proposal to use marijuana revenue to fund veterans’ homes.
Wisconsin’s Senate minority leader tweeted, “One thing is abundantly clear: Wisconsinites who support #cannabis legalization are not defined by party affiliation or geography, nor do they have the same demographics in age, race, gender, occupation or social status.”
A California senator discussed his bill to legalize possession of certain psychedelics.
A Michigan senator tweeted, “Michigan has the best cannabis reform law in the nation!”
Missouri regulators are delaying the effective date of new marijuana packaging rules from the end of this month to January 31, 2024.
A top New Mexico regulator spoke about efforts to ensure marijuana businesses are complying with the law.
The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission held a hearing on a proposal to spend $42 million to support research into the potential of ibogaine to treat opioid use disorder.
Virginia regulators hosted a town hall meeting about cannabis rules.
Vermont regulators will consider proposed changes to administrative rules and recommendations for marijuana business licenses on Wednesday.
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/ LOCAL
San Diego, California officials are scaling back the scope of a plan to allow marijuana businesses to operate in more parts of the city.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Germany’s health minister reacted to criticism of the government’s marijuana legalization plan, tweeting that “we want to legalize consumption, not expand it.”
Colombian officials released information about the country’s legal cannabis exports.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “c. sativa demonstrates anti-hepatocellular carcinoma potentials in an animal model of [ and with the involvement of [kinase B]”.
A study found that “in participants with [treatment-resistant depression], a single administration of psilocybin 25 mg with psychological support adjunctive to an SSRI demonstrated a generally favorable safety profile and therapeutic efficacy across a range of clinician and self-rated measures.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Bay Staters for Natural Medicine, New England Veterans for Plant Medicine and Parents for Plant Medicine issued a press release expressing concerns about a newly revealed effort to place a psychedelics reform measure on the Massachusetts ballot.
/ BUSINESS
iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. has a new CEO.
Curaleaf is being sued by three Colorado cannabis product manufacturing companies that are accusing it of ceasing operations in the state without proper notice.
Several Oregon marijuana businesses are on the state’s top delinquent taxpayer list.
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