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Senators push AG for federal cannabis decrim (Newsletter: October 11, 2021)

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Veterans medical marijuana hearing in Congress; CA gov vetoes cannabis billboards; PA legalization and psilocybin bills filed

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) sent a letter urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to federally decriminalize marijuana.

The House Veterans Affairs’ Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on Wednesday on a bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a series of clinical trials on using medical marijuana to treat PTSD and chronic pain.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) vetoed a bill that would have allowed marijuana companies to advertise on billboards along most highways in the state.

A bipartisan duo of Pennsylvania senators filed a long-anticipated marijuana legalization bill.

A bipartisan group of Pennsylvania House members introduced a bill that would require the state to study the benefits of psilocybin, with a focus on helping military veterans and first responders treat PTSD and other mental health conditions.

/ FEDERAL

President Joe Biden issued a proclamation declaring October to be National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month.

An official with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service discussed the importance of a hemp survey that’s being conducted.

Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) wrote in a constituent letter that he opposes ending federal marijuana prohibition.

The campaign list for House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler(D-NY) sent a fundraising email authored by NORML’s political director.

Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) tweeted, “There is a serious public safety threat that exists in our communities which we cannot wait to address, which is why #SAFEBanking needs to move now and will be the first of many federal cannabis reforms.”

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) tweeted, “I joined the LV Medical Marijuana Association, @ACDCNV, @repsusielee, & others to remember the role that the LGBTQ community played in medical marijuana legalization during Nevada #PRIDE week. We must pass the MORE Act to remove cannabis from the list of Controlled Substances.”

/ STATES

Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) repealed a prior executive order on the transportation of hemp.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) told lawmakers that she’s not interested in leading efforts to scale back the voter-approved medical cannabis ballot measure.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) touted her work “getting New York’s cannabis industry up and running” in a press release about her first 45 days in office.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) said he was against legalizing marijuana but has to respect the will of the voters who approved it.

A federal judge said she will issue a permanent injunction against Missouri’s medical cannabis business ownership residency requirements.

Connecticut’s marijuana Social Equity Council wants the state to charter banks to serve the cannabis industry.

Michigan regulators sent a bulletin about how as of Monday it will be illegal to sell delta-8 THC without proper marijuana business licensing, along with other changes going into effect.

Vermont regulators voted to eliminate consideration of economic opportunity zones when determining marijuana social equity licenses. Meanwhile, the Cannabis Control Board and its advisory subcommittees will hold several meetings this week.

New Jersey regulators announced that physician assistants and nurse practitioners can now issue medical cannabis recommendations. Separately, they will announce winners of medical cannabis cultivation and vertically-integrated licenses on Friday.

Alabama regulators will begin accepting hemp license applications this week.

Arizona regulators released a list of zip codes that people need to have lived in to qualify for marijuana social equity licenses.

Maine regulators published guidance on transfer of marijuana research and development samples between cultivation, manufacturing or retail licensees and testing facilities, as well as guidance on proper packaging and labeling of seeds.

Pennsylvania regulators will accept applications for an additional medical cannabis clinical registrant this month.


Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,200 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.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.

/ LOCAL

The San Francisco, California Board of Supervisors approved the mayor’s cannabis equity legislation.

Oakland, California released a request for proposals for a public education campaign to encourage consumers to support regulated cannabis businesses, with a focus on equity-owned businesses.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada City Council approved a compassion club where drug consumers can obtain a safe supply of substances like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine.

Liberian lawmakers approved legislation to reduce penalties for drug possession.

The chairman of Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said legalizing marijuana would be a “shortcut to illicit drug Armageddon.”

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that medical cannabis is “generally safe and even displayed some positive effects among patients with neuropathic pain.”

Ohio State University’s Drug Enforcement and Policy Center is accepting grant proposals for “research focused on implementation and policy impacts of marijuana legalization and other emerging topics in drug enforcement and policy.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Oklahoma Republican Party hosted a forum about medical cannabis.

We Are the 74 held rallies calling on Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) to schedule a special session to pass a medical cannabis bill.

Drug Policy Alliance Executive Director Kassandra Frederique’s weekend routine was profiled in the New York Times.

/ BUSINESS

Sundial Growers Inc. is acquiring Alcanna Inc.

Curaleaf Inc. is facing another lawsuit over allegedly mislabeled CBD products that contained high amounts of THC.

/ CULTURE

The Stone Age is a new cannabis-focused exhibit in New York City.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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