Newsletter
Trump & Harris supporters’ cannabis regulation views differ, poll shows (Newsletter: September 23, 2024)
FL GOP lawmakers decline to back marijuana measure; CO senator’s legalization lookback; Study: Cannabis & working memory; NE ballot dispute
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…
Before you dig into today’s cannabis news, I wanted you to know you can keep this resource free and published daily by subscribing to Marijuana Moment on Patreon. We’re a small independent publication diving deep into the cannabis world and rely on readers like you to keep going.
Join us at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A new poll that shows Trump supporters generally favoring fewer regulations on various industries and Harris supporters wanting more regulations includes an interesting divide on marijuana—with the GOP candidate’s backers more likely to want stricter rules for cannabis than the Democrat’s supporters are.
Reps. Byron Donalds (R-FL) and Laurel Lee (R-FL) declined to endorse Florida’s marijuana legalization initiative despite former President Donald Trump’s support. Meanwhile, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried is calling on lawmakers to enact additional cannabis reforms if the ballot measure passes.
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) cited Colorado’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law as an example of “American democracy” in action—though he says he wishes the state would have “put caps on the amount of THC you could get in a gummy bear” earlier.
A new federally funded study of medical marijuana patients published by the American Medical Association found that “brain activation during working memory, reward processing, and inhibitory control tasks was not significantly different after year-long cannabis use.”
A Nebraska judge held an initial hearing in a lawsuit that could prevent votes on two medical cannabis legalization initiatives from being counted after Election Day if its challenge to signatures on the petitions succeeds.
A Philadelphia nonprofit seeking to open a safe consumption site for illegal drugs despite federal objections filed a new brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit—and a group of religious leaders also submitted a brief supporting the effort.
Formerly incarcerated Baltimore resident Derek Liggins argues in a new op-ed that Maryland lawmakers must build on Gov. Wes Moore’s (D) mass marijuana pardons by passing expungements legislation to clear people’s records.
/ FEDERAL
The Environmental Protection Agency said that public comment about cannabis plants emitting biogenic volatile organic compounds is not relevant to approval of a New York air quality plan.
Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) tweeted, “Exciting news! We just passed the DOOBIE … Act out of @HSGAC. Cannabis use shouldn’t be the sole basis for denying federal employment or a security clearance. My bill would remove this outdated barrier.”
The House bill to protect public housing residents from being evicted for marijuana got one new cosponsor for a total of four.
/ STATES
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) is replacing a member of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
Florida’s lieutenant governor claimed that the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot is a “corporate greed” scheme. Separately, the Senate president-designate discussed his opposition to the measure.
Colorado regulators are delaying final approval of psychedelics business fee rules.
California regulators sent guidance about marijuana products that are attractive to children.
Missouri regulators posted guidance on retesting marijuana products subject to administrative holds.
New York’s top cannabis equity official is resigning in the wake of an investigation that cleared him of wrongdoing.
Pennsylvania regulators provided an update on the medical cannabis program.
Oregon regulators will hold a hearing on adding female orgasm disorder as a medical cannabis qualifying condition on October 3.
—
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
New York City’s mayor discussed enforcement efforts against unlicensed marijuana businesses.
The Newark, New Jersey City Council approved a proposal to expand and designate cannabis business licenses for people with marijuana convictions.
The Providence, Rhode Island City Council gave initial approval to a cannabis business zoning proposal.
The Colorado Springs, Colorado City Council will consider proposed zoning restrictions for recreational marijuana sales on Tuesday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The European Commission registered a new citizens’ initiative on psychedelic therapy.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that CBD “is effective in reducing seizures in children with congenital Zika virus syndrome, improving their quality of life and motor skills.”
A study of mice found that “cannabidiol alleviates imiquimod-induced psoriasis.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Florida Hispanic likely voters support the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot, 60 percent to 27 percent, and that non-Hispanic likely voters back it, 63 percent to 25 percent.
The Reason Foundation published a report recommending a framework for federal and state hemp-derived cannabinoid regulation.
/ BUSINESS
Bright Green Corporation has been suspended from Nasdaq.
Eaze shift supervisors are complaining they are paid less than the workers they oversee.
Aurora Cannabis Inc.’s CEO is taking on the additional role of executive chairman of the board of directors.
Illinois retailers sold $143.3 million worth of legal marijuana products in July and $147.4 million worth in August.
/ CULTURE
Whoopi Goldberg is calling on California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to sign a bill to legalize cannabis cafes.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
