Newsletter
State AGs warn about cannabis candy as Halloween approaches (Newsletter: October 27, 2021)
Poll: DC voters back drug decrim; Former AR rep’s marijuana ballot effort; Legal cannabis more popular in MD than Biden; MI caregiver restrictions
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
In advance of Halloween, attorneys general in several states—including New York, Illinois, Connecticut and Ohio—issued a coordinated warning about marijuana-infused edibles made to look like major candy or snack brands. Advocates say no one is intentionally dosing trick-or-treaters.
A former Arkansas House minority leader announced a plan to put a marijuana legalization initiative on the state’s 2022 ballot. Meanwhile, activists are already collecting signatures for a separate legal cannabis proposal.
The Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee approved bills to enact home cultivation restrictions on medical cannabis caregivers. Patient advocates argue it’s a “power move” by “big money investors.”
A new poll found that 83 percent of Washington, D.C likely voters support decriminalizing drugs in the nation’s capital. Activists with DecrimPovertyDC just launched a campaign to press the District Council to enact the broadly supported reform.
A poll shows that marijuana legalization is more popular with Maryland residents than President Joe Biden or the state’s two Democratic U.S. senators are.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration launched a comprehensive review of its international operations.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture sent a press release touting a hemp survey being conducted by its National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) dismissed a question about the timeline for his marijuana legalization bill.
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) tweeted, “#SAFEBanking has overwhelming and bipartisan support & will make a big difference for the employees & businesses who are forced to deal in cash-only & reduce the serious public safety threat facing our communities.”
/ STATES
U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. (D) and lawmakers from the territory are visiting Colorado this week for a summit about cannabis issues as they work to pass a legalization bill.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) highlighted an assemblywoman’s work on behalf of the cannabis industry.
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, held a press conference to criticize what she says is a “discriminatory rule” that creates new financial and regulatory hurdles for black farmers seeking medical cannabis licenses.
New Oklahoma medical cannabis laws on pre-rolled joints, sampling and inspections take effect on Monday.
The South Dakota legislature’s Rules Review Committee approved revised medical cannabis regulations.
Maryland’s House Cannabis Referendum and Legalization Workgroup will meet on Wednesday.
A Minnesota representative spoke about risking his gun rights by using medical cannabis to treat multiple sclerosis.
A Connecticut representative spoke about his support for legalizing psilocybin and other drugs.
A Pennsylvania senator tweeted, “It is time for Pennsylvania to join the growing movement toward cannabis legalization. Pennsylvanians should not have to travel and give their tax dollars to neighboring states just to consume something that already has majority support in Pennsylvania.”
Illinois regulators proposed changes to rules about marijuana dispensary relocation.
Virginia regulators issued rules removing requirements for reporting misdemeanor marijuana convictions of applicants for various professional licenses.
Nevada regulators approved hemp rules.
Montana’s top marijuana regulator said officials plan to release additional proposed rules this week.
The New Jersey Pinelands Commission discussed the state’s marijuana legalization law.
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/ LOCAL
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) is reportedly planning to push to open safe consumption sites for illegal drugs in his final months in office. Separately, the NYPD reportedly plans to begin cracking down on unregulated marijuana sales.
Colorado Springs, Colorado City Council heard a presentation from an activist asking the body to decriminalize psychedelics.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The premier of Gauteng, South Africa announced a plan to make a new city the “cannabis capital of Africa.”
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration tweeted, “Be careful what you buy online. Medicinal cannabis products bought online may be unsafe, of poor quality or contain a different dose to what the label claims.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “CBD has been reported to have several therapeutic properties including anxiolytic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, anti-emetic, analgesic, as well as reduction of cue-induced craving for opioids, all of which are highly relevant to opioid withdrawal syndrome.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Policy Center for Public Health and Safety and ASTM International completed a certification pilot program for the cannabis industry.
/ BUSINESS
Columbia Care Inc. announced it is the first company to offer whole flower medical cannabis in New York.
PayPal Holdings Inc. is being sued for allegedly improperly locking the accounts of CBD business Friends NYC.
Tilray, Inc. was selected by the Luxembourg Ministry of Health to supply medical cannabis.
Eaze is accepting applications for its Momentum business accelerator for cannabis businesses founded by people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals and military veterans.
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