Newsletter
TX gov backs cannabis decrim (Newsletter: January 12, 2022)
FL legalization focus shifts to 2024; Record MI marijuana sales; Global psilocybin rescheduling effort
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) essentially endorsed marijuana decriminalization at a reelection campaign event—but misstated current policy by suggesting that lawmakers have already enacted the cannabis reform.
Florida activists are shifting their focus for a marijuana legalization ballot measure to 2024 instead of 2022 as previously planned.
Michigan retailers sold a record $135 million worth of recreational marijuana products in December—”another high for the adult-use industry,” the state’s top cannabis regulator said.
The International Therapeutic Psilocybin Rescheduling Initiative launched a push to reclassify the psychedelic under global treaties. It takes only one country to formally get the process started, and activists have about a dozen target nations.
/ FEDERAL
The Government Accountability Office issued recommendations for how federal agencies can better combat the use of virtual currencies in illegal drug sales and human trafficking.
Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) included an item on marijuana policy in a survey on priorities for the second session of the 117th Congress.
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) tweeted, “Cannabis is no longer the partisan issue it once was. But Democratic leadership’s all-or-nothing approach kills bipartisan bills like #SAFEBanking that can actually become law and achieve reforms that Americans are calling for.”
Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) tweeted, “Establishing federal standards for CBD products is a no-brainer. I’m proud to be working with my colleagues across the aisle to protect consumers and ensure stability in the market for farmers, producers and retailers.”
Reps. James Comer (R-KY) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) sent a letter pressing the Drug Enforcement Administration about efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking.
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair drug war harms got one new cosponsor for a total of 102.
The House bill to legalize medical cannabis for military veterans got one new cosponsor for a total of 17.
/ STATES
New Jersey lawmakers sent Gov. Phil Murphy (D) legislation to decriminalize syringes and otherwise expand access to syringe access programs.
Pennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro, currently the attorney general, tweeted, “New York and New Jersey legalized marijuana. In Pennsylvania, we haven’t. The majority of Pennsylvanians support marijuana legalization. Let’s get it done.”
The Virginia legislature’s Cannabis Oversight Commission finalized its marijuana policy recommendations to the full General Assembly.
The Kansas Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee held a briefing on a House-passed medical cannabis bill. Separately, a representative spoke about plans to put marijuana referendums on the ballot.
The Illinois House Public Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force held a hearing on the state’s cannabis revenue-funded community reinvestment grants program.
A Mississippi senator filed a medical cannabis bill that is expected to be considered by the Public Health and Welfare committee on Wednesday.
A South Carolina senator said he is “optimistic” his medical cannabis bill will pass this session.
South Dakota lawmakers filed more than two dozen marijuana bills.
A Florida representative spoke about his bill to have the state study the medical benefits of psychedelics. Separately, another representative discussed his legislation to expand access to medical cannabis.
A Wisconsin senator posted about record marijuana sales in neighboring Illinois.
Connecticut regulators filed updated marijuana rules.
Oregon’s top psilocybin services regulator spoke about efforts to implement the voter-approved program.
Maine’s top marijuana regulator sent a memo about medical cannabis tracking.
The California Highway Patrol is accepting applications for the Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program.
Alaska regulators sent a bulletin about marijuana and CBD in the workplace.
Oklahoma regulators posted updated medical cannabis licensing and revenue figures.
Vermont regulators will hold a public hearing on marijuana rules on Friday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 900 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.
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/ LOCAL
New Orleans, Louisiana police will no longer issue citations for simple possession of marijuana alone.
The Boston, Massachusetts Cannabis Board will meet on Wednesday.
Denver, Colorado officials sent an update about fees for transitioning marijuana business licenses to a new online platform.
/ INTERNATIONAL
St. Vincent and the Grenadines was granted permission to export medical cannabis to Europe.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabinoids block cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2 and the emerging variants.”
A study suggested that “CBD treatment significantly improved behavioral tasks and decreased the level of inflammatory cytokines under [systemic inflammatory response syndrome] conditions that might provide an opportunity to manage acute and chronic inflammatory disorders.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Last Prisoner Project and other groups sent a letter urging New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) to grant categorical clemency to all people incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses.
CrowdLobby completed a crowdfunding campaign to hire a lobbyist to pressure New York lawmakers to pass a bill requiring high schools to educate students about the “Good Samaritan Law” that provides legal immunity for people who call 911 when witnessing or experiencing a drug or alcohol overdose.
/ BUSINESS
Organigram Holdings Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $30.4 million and a net loss of $1.3 million.
Tilray, Inc. and AB InBev ended their partnership.
Spotify won a ruling from the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board blocking a cannabis company from registering the “Potify” mark.
Field Trip Health Ltd. was issued a notice of allowance by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a psychedelic molecule it has in development.
/ CULTURE
Racing driver Tyler Reddick is being sponsored by hemp product company 3Chi.
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