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Top fed official admits legal cannabis doesn’t boost teen use (Newsletter: August 27, 2021)

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CA psychedelics bill stalls; NY gov: implementing marijuana market a priority; Another NC Senate committee approves medical cannabis

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow admitted in a new interview that advocates were “right” that teen marijuana use wouldn’t go up under legalization despite her prior fears. She also spoke about harm reduction, the need to end drug criminalization, the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and the ways in which federal law impedes cannabis research.

  • The comments come in an interview on Drug Policy Alliance founder Ethan Nadelmann’s podcast.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) will make it a “priority” to appoint and confirm members to the state’s new marijuana regulatory body so that sales can get underway sooner rather than later, her office said. Top lawmakers have discussed cannabis with the new governor recently.

The California Senate-passed bill to legalize possession of psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin and MDMA will not get an Assembly floor vote this year. It’s still alive as a two-year bill but is being slowed down to work out disagreements and build support.

The North Carolina Senate Health Care Committee approved a bill to legalize medical cannabis. It’s the second panel to advance the marijuana legislation this week alone and the third overall. It has one more committee—chaired by the sponsor—to go before reaching the floor.

/ FEDERAL

The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General determined that the Drug Enforcement Administration’s oversight of its foreign operations is insufficient. In response, the agency pledged to undertake a comprehensive review of its international efforts.

Florida Democratic congressional candidate Jesse Philippe tweeted, “Donald Trump and his corrupt friends have completely evaded justice while black men are kept in prison everyday for possessing Cannabis. We need MAJOR criminal justice reform in this country!”

/ STATES

California Republican gubernatorial candidate Kevin Faulconer, a former San Diego mayor, criticized rival contender Larry Elder over his support for drug policy reform.

Massachusetts’s attorney general announced that Theory Wellness,Inc. will have to pay nearly $300,000 in restitution and penalties for failing to compensate hundreds of employees with premium pay for work on Sundays and covered holidays.

A Delaware representative spoke about efforts to rewrite his marijuana legalization bill so it has enough votes to pass by January.

A Mississippi senator said he will again file legislation next session to restrict kratom.

Oregon officials projected that marijuana sales “are expected to slow as the pandemic improves and Oregonians continue to return to their pre-COVID lives.”

Alaska regulators published a list of pesticides approved for use on marijuana.

Iowa regulators released a report with updated data on the medical cannabis program.

The Ohio Ballot Board will discuss a proposed marijuana legalization initiative on Monday.

Nevada’s Cannabis Advisory Commission Subcommittee on Social Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion will meet on Tuesday.

Washington State regulators will hold a listen and learn session on draft conceptual rules for the evaluation of THC compounds on September 9.


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 mayor of El Paso, Texas broke a City Council tie vote that allows police to use funds to test for marijuana in low-level possession cases.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Panama’s National Assembly approved a medical cannabis regulation bill.

The Mexican Senate Health Committee approved a measure to expand medical cannabis access.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review concluded that “the use of cannabinoids and cannabis carries limited side effects in the treatment of [fibromyalgia], and they can also improve some common and debilitating symptoms associated with FM, thus making them an adequate potential treatment option, when other treatment lines have been exhausted.”

A study found that “cannabidiol reduces lesion volume and restores vestibulomotor and cognitive function following moderately severe traumatic brain injury.

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Canadian Psychedelic Association published a list of questions for political parties in the country’s upcoming election.

/ BUSINESS

Amazon is being sued by an Iowa man who says he had his job offer improperly rescinded for medical cannabis use. The company also disclosed in a separate case that it fired or refused to hire nearly 200 people in New Jersey over marijuana between the approval of a legalization referendum and when it changed its cannabis employment policy.

Jushi Holdings Inc. completed its acquisition of Franklin Bioscience OH, LLC and launched a new Sèche brand in Ohio.

HEXO Corp shareholders approved the acquisition of Redecan.

Curio Wellness is expanding its franchise program and rebranding its retail operations to Far & Dotter.

KCSA Strategic Communications hired former 4Front Ventures president Kris Krane.

Two employees of a Florida Trulieve distribution facility were charged with allegedly stealing $135,000 worth of medical cannabis.

/ CULTURE

Demi Lovato posted a video of themself smoking marijuana on Instagram.

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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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