Newsletter
Teen cannabis use down after legalization, CDC report shows (Newsletter: August 8, 2024)
Maryland gov discusses marijuana use; Nevada Supreme Court upholds Schedule I; Texas decrim on ballot; Massachusetts psychedelics
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A new federal report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report shows that use of marijuana by high school students has decreased over the past decade as more states have enacted legalization laws—contrary to the fears of prohibitionists.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) spoke about his use of marijuana—including as a medical cannabis patient—and how his own close call with the criminal legal system as a young man informed and motivated his recent mass marijuana pardon.
The Nevada Supreme Court upheld the Board of Pharmacy’s decision to continue classifying marijuana as a Schedule I drug under state law even though voters approved a legalization ballot measure in 2016.
The Lockhart, Texas City Council voted to place a revised marijuana decriminalization initiative on the November ballot, rejecting a proposal from the city attorney that would have divided the measure into 13 separate questions for voters to individually decide on.
The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority told lawmakers it plans to withhold specific details about new “secret shopper” compliance checks until they’ve been operating for a full year in an effort to protect the “integrity of the program.”
The Cambridge and Somerville, Massachusetts City Councils passed resolutions endorsing the psychedelics legalization initiative that’s on the state’s November ballot.
/ FEDERAL
Rep. Ilhan Oman (D-MN) tweeted, “Congratulations to our next Vice President @Tim_Walz 🥳 Our North Star state Governor has signed…marijuana legalization…into law. Bringing Minnesota nice to the ticket.”
Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) tweeted, “Let’s GO!!! @Tim_Walz delivered for MN families with just a one vote margin in the state lege:… ✅ marijuana legalization… Now he’ll deliver for all of us. Let’s win this!”
/ STATES
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced that since January, the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force has seized more than $120 million worth of illegal marijuana.
The Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy plans to hold hearings on the embattled Cannabis Control Commission this fall.
Missouri regulators announced a recall of marijuana products that were not compliantly tested prior to being sold to patients and consumers.
Colorado regulators adopted emergency rules to implement a bill on streamlining marijuana regulations.
Washington State regulators filed proposed rules for the cannabis social equity program.
Alaska regulators filed changes to rules on marijuana plant height for tagging.
Rhode Island regulators published marijuana advertising guidance.
Virginia officials have levied nearly $10.8 million in fines against businesses that allegedly illegally sold hemp-derived products.
The Oregon program to fund drug addiction services that was created by the now-repealed decriminalization law has a new executive director.
Ohio regulators posted updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.
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/ LOCAL
The Charleston, West Virginia city attorney said an initiative to lower marijuana penalties did not have enough signatures.
Euclid, Ohio officials are blocking medical cannabis dispensaries from selling recreational marijuana.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A Philippine House joint panel made up of four committees will investigate potential links between the nation’s bloody “war on drugs” and offshore gaming operators.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study “indicated reduced [restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests] and symptoms related to various anxiety subtypes in autistic children following 6 months of CBD-rich cannabis treatment.”
A study found that “Black–White [jail incarceration] disparity has overall declined in both legalized and criminalized states” and that there was “more of a reduction in Black–White disparity in legalized states; however, the results are not substantially or statistically significantly different.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Democratic National Committee tweeted, “Who is Tim Walz, you ask? The governor of Minnesota and the next vice president of the United States. Here are a few of his greatest hits:… 🍃Cannabis legalization (21+)…”
The Tax Foundation published an overview of a pending federal marijuana reform bill.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. appointed its executive chairman as CEO and reported quarterly net revenue of $342.3 million and a net loss of $49.8 million.
Verano Holdings Corp. reported quarterly net revenue of $222.4 million and a net loss of $21.8 million.
AYR Wellness Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $117.3 million and a net loss of $39.3 million.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$83.4 million and a net loss from continuing operations of C$4.8 million.
Healing Realty Trust entered into real estate partnership agreements in Florida, Massachusetts and Arizona.
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