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State lawmakers group pushes fed cannabis reform (Newsletter: August 4, 2022)

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AR legalization initiative snag; CA psychedelics & marijuana bills teed up; IL cannabis sales jump; Study: Legalization boosts college applications

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The National Conference of State Legislatures adopted a resolution calling for federal marijuana legalization and urging Congress to pass cannabis banking legislation.

The Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners declined to certify the ballot title and popular name of a marijuana legalization initiative even after the secretary of state verified that activists collected enough signatures. The dispute is expected to end up before the state Supreme Court.

The California Assembly Appropriations Committee teed up Senate-passed bills to legalize psychedelics possession, authorize interstate marijuana agreements and mandate that localities allow medical cannabis delivery for a crucial legislative hurdle next week.

The Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation reported that retailers sold more than $135 million worth of adult-use marijuana products in July—the second biggest month ever. It also saw the largest number of individual cannabis products sold.

A new study found that colleges in states with legal marijuana see a significant boost in student applications—but that the effect has diminished over time as more states enact legalization and students have more options for cannabis-friendly jurisdictions across the country.

/ FEDERAL

The U.S. Department of Agriculture published a short podcast on challenges in the growing hemp industry.

Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) spoke about his new marijuana expungements bill.

/ STATES

Arkansas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Jones said he supports a ballot initiative to legalize marijuana.

California Republican senators are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to veto a bill to legalize safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.

New Jersey Republican lawmakers are highlighting a study on the purported harms of high-potency marijuana.

New Mexico’s former top marijuana regulator is now working for a cannabis consulting firm called Weeds.

Washington State regulators proposed changes to marijuana social equity rules.

Vermont regulators opened applications for marijuana retail licenses four weeks earlier than expected.

New York regulators published a summary of public comments about proposed marijuana dispensary rules, along with their responses.

Colorado regulators are launching a hemp networking directory.

Nevada regulators are facing complaints from marijuana businesses that say they are being sent excessive hourly bills from state officials.

Michigan regulators released a form that consumers can use to report adverse reactions to cannabis products.

Iowa regulators published a data report on the medical cannabidiol program.


Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 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 Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Commission approved a marijuana decriminalization ordinance.

The San Marcos, Texas City Council placed a marijuana decriminalization initiative on the November ballot rather than immediately enact the reform.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Australian Capital Territory lawmakers are considering legislation to lower penalties for drug possession.

A survey found that British Columbia, Canada residents are using more cannabis than in the past, but are likely to purchase it from licensed retailers.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study concluded that “medical marijuana has an important role in the palliation of symptoms in advanced cancers with few adverse effects.”

A study concluded that “CBD is safe and effective in reducing pain in the immediate peri-operative period following [arthroscopic rotator cuff repair] and should be considered in post-operative multimodal pain control.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Sacramento Bee editorial board is calling on California lawmakers to pass a bill to legalize possession of psychedelics.

The Boston Herald editorial board is criticizing legislation passed by lawmakers that would require regulators to study the possibility of allowing medical cannabis to be administered to students at schools.

/ BUSINESS

Green Thumb Industries Inc.  reported quarterly revenue of $254.3 million.

New Mexico health insurance companies that are being sued over lack of coverage for medical cannabis succeeded in moving the case to federal court.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company reported that sales for its cannabis-focused Hawthorne unit decreased 63 percent in the most recent quarter.

NewLake Capital Partners, Inc. added two lenders to an existing revolving credit facility and upsized the aggregate commitment from $30 million to $90 million.

/ CULTURE

Basketball player Iman Shumpert was arrested for having a “sizable” amount of marijuana at an airport.

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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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