Newsletter
Trade groups push Congress for cannabis banking (Newsletter: March 16, 2020)
Study: Legal marijuana increases home prices; Hawaii psilocybin legislation; NFL players approve new drug policy
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Major trade associations and interest groups—including National Conference of State Legislatures, International Council of Shopping Centers, National Association of REALTORS, Brinks Company and Americans for Prosperity—sent a letter asking Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) to advance a marijuana banking bill through his committee.
Hawaiian lawmakers filed legislation that calls on the state to study the medical benefits of psychedelic mushrooms with the goal of legalizing access to psilocybin.
A new study found that legalizing marijuana drives up home values, especially when cannabis stores are nearby.
- “The creation of a new legal market has direct implications for the local economy, as it establishes new dispensary jobs and reduces arrest rates.All of these factors have well-established impacts on housing markets.”
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture published a Q & A about the availability of hemp crop insurance.
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair the harms of the drug war got one new cosponsor for a total of 73.
The House bill to let Department of Veterans Affairs doctors recommend medical cannabis got one new cosponsor for a total of 19.
/ STATES
Connecticut’s Senate president and House speaker suggested that the temporary closure of the state Capitol due to coronavirus concerns could impact efforts to pass marijuana legalization legislation this year.
The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed a bill to let medical cannabis dispensaries operate as for-profit businesses.
Florida lawmakers defeated a THC potency limit on medical cannabis products for most patients under 21. Meanwhile, the House and Senate disagree over the certification of hemp seeds.
The Maryland House of Delegates approved a bill to allow automatic expungements of past low-level marijuana convictions.
The Maine legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee passed a bill to revise medical cannabis rules. Meanwhile, regulators began issuing conditional marijuana business licenses. They also released a list of license applicants.
Pennsylvania regulators deemed medical cannabis dispensaries “essential” and thus exempt from forced business closures due to coronavirus concerns.
Massachusetts regulators issued a bulletin urging marijuana businesses to take steps to protect health and allowing the expansion of medical cannabis delivery services amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Ohio regulators issued a recall of medical cannabis products that did not undergo adequate testing.
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/ LOCAL
Former Tallahassee, Florida Mayor Andrew Gillum (D), who was his party’s 2018 gubernatorial nominee, was found incoherent in a hotel room where police discovered what they suspect to be methamphetamine, though he said he has never consumed the drug and was simply drunk.
/ INTERNATIONAL
An Indian lawmaker sent a letter asking the prime minister to legalize marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “adjunctive dronabinol reduces opioid consumption following traumatic injury” and that “the opioid-sparing effect of dronabinol may be greater in patients who are marijuana users.”
A study concluded that “psilocybin intake is associated with long-term increases in openness and…mindfulness, which may be a key element of psilocybin therapy.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is transitioning its conference this month from an in-person event to online-only in light of coronavirus concerns.
/ BUSINESS
Tilray, Inc. announced a $90.4 million registered offering at a price of $4.76 per share.
Canopy Growth Corporation announced that its Tweed Houndstooth & Soda has begun shipping to Quebec retailers.
/ CULTURE
National Football League players approved a new collective bargaining agreement that includes changes to the league’s marijuana and drug policy.
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