Newsletter
State-run cannabis model raises federal concerns in NH (Newsletter: October 20, 2023)
Ramaswamy on marijuana; MD marijuana dispensary burglary warning; CA psychedelics reso; RI sales data glitch; FL AG’s latest anti-cannabis move
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Free to read (but not free to produce)! We’re proud of our newsletter and the reporting we publish at Marijuana Moment, and we’re happy to provide it for free. But it takes a lot of work and resources to make this happen.
If you value Marijuana Moment, invest in our success on Patreon so we can expand our coverage and more readers can benefit: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A New Hampshire commission charged with drafting legislation to legalize marijuana through state-run stores heard testimony from the attorney general’s office about potential federal issues that could arise from the unique plan.
Marijuana Moment compiled a deep analysis of where Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy stands on cannabis and psychedelics. He supports legalizing marijuana and allowing ayahuasca for therapy, but he also backs expanding the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Maryland Cannabis Administration sent a bulletin offering tips on how dispensaries can reduce their vulnerability to crime amid a spate of burglaries seeking cash from on-site ATMs as marijuana banking legislation stagnates in Congress.
The Eureka, California City Council passed a psychedelics decriminalization resolution saying that going after people for possessing or cultivating entheogenic plants and fungi “will not be a public safety priority.”
The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation quietly published updated cannabis sales numbers going back to 2022 to fix discrepancies flagged by Marijuana Moment that sometimes amounted to tens of thousands of dollars a month.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) filed a brief arguing that the state Supreme Court should uphold a decision to fire a corrections officer for using medical cannabis to treat PTSD.
An Alabama judge agreed to amend a temporary restraining order on medical cannabis regulators amid ongoing litigation challenging their business licensing process, potentially opening the door to limited awards in the near future.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) tweeted about meeting with Washington State’s treasurer to discuss her “work at the federal level to pass the SAFER Banking Act so legal cannabis businesses in WA state are no longer forced to operate entirely in cash. This bill has bipartisan momentum & I’ll keep working to get it across the finish line.”
Former Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) is pushing the president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association to reject a committee recommendation to remove marijuana from the banned substances list for student athletes.
The Senate marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor for a total of 31.
The Senate bill to regulate kratom got one new cosponsor for a total of one.
The House marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor for a total of 86.
The House bill to federally legalize marijuana got three new cosponsors for a total of 69.
/ STATES
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) said he has questions about a state agency loaning $20 million to an out-of-state cannabis company.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) touted legalization of medical cannabis as one of his administration’s notable achievements.
The Missouri legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules discussed concerns about marijuana regulators’ guidance documents and the scope of rules they have promulgated.
Utah’s Senate minority leader said she will refile a bill to legalize medical use of psilocybin in the 2024 session.
Oklahoma lawmakers heard testimony at an informal meeting that they should consider enacting medical cannabis potency restrictions.
The Ohio marijuana legalization campaign said it is not disclosing its advertising strategy ahead of the November 7 vote on its ballot initiative in light of the “dark money group” running ads in opposition.
Delaware’s top marijuana regulator spoke about efforts to launch the legal industry.
Massachusetts marijuana regulators published an annual activities report.
California regulators are transferring marijuana manufacturing license and application data to a new system.
New Jersey regulators approved additional marijuana business licenses.
Vermont regulators will consider marijuana business licensure recommendations on Wednesday.
—
Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 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
Massena, New York’s mayor criticized state marijuana regulators for not providing assistance to combat unlicensed businesses.
Denver, Colorado officials are encouraging marijuana businesses to apply for the city’s first Business License Hearing Fund.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Dutch justice minister suggested that the Amsterdam mayor’s proposal to legalize and regulate drugs is not practical.
Germany’s health minister tweeted about the initial debate on the government’s marijuana legalization bill, saying, “What strikes me is that not a single one of the critics had a counter-suggestion. So everything would stay the same. More consumption, toxic goods, hardly any protection of minors, black market, criminal record. In short: keep failing…”
Canadian regulators are making changes to the process of adding sale authorization of cannabis products to processing licenses.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cannabinoids and endocannabinoids hold promise for use as disease modifiers and therapeutic agents for the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders.”
A study of cancer survivors found that “23.5% currently use cannabis as a sleep aid, with reported benefits including relaxation, reduced time to fall asleep, fewer nocturnal awakenings and improved sleep quality.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs published a report on the costs and benefits of marijuana legalization.
/ BUSINESS
Cresco Labs Inc. closed a sale on its only Arizona asset.
/ CULTURE
Comedian Mike Epps said Snoop Dogg helped him find someone to buy marijuana from in Iceland.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
