Newsletter
UN votes to reschedule cannabis globally (Newsletter: December 3, 2020)
Federal legal marijuana bill moves to floor; Cannabis could be on NJ ballot again; DEA moves to dismiss rescheduling case
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What a long strange year it’s been! We covered cannabis from all angles in 2020—from pandemic to election—and we’re already planning our reporting for 2021. But in order to be ready for next year, we need to know how much ongoing support we can count on from our readers.
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House Rules Committee cleared a federal marijuana legalization bill for floor action, with debate expected on Thursday and a final vote on Friday. Several amendments were submitted to gut key provisions of the legislation, but none were deemed in order for the floor. A manager’s amendment from sponsor Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) is included in the rule as considered as adopted, however.
The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs voted to remove marijuana from the strictest global category—with U.S. support. But separate cannabis recommendations—including one to clarify that CBD does not fall under international control—were defeated..
New Jersey’s Senate president and other lawmakers are proposing putting marijuana back on the ballot—but not to undo last month’s legalization win. The new constitutional amendment would ensure cannabis revenues are steered to communities harmed by the war on drugs. Meanwhile, controversial psilocybin language is being stripped out of a marijuana decriminalization bill to speed its passage.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is again asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to dismiss a lawsuit challenging its decisions to reject marijuana rescheduling petitions.
Leaders of conservative organizations Competitive Enterprise Institute, Institute for Liberty, Taxpayers Protection Alliance and R Street Institute sent a letter to congressional leaders endorsing the major descheduling provisions of a federal marijuana legalization bill being voted on by the House this week—though some have concerns about tax and social equity provisions in the legislation.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture discussed hemp businesses’ eligibility for the Rural Energy for America Program in a Federal Register notice.
The Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission sent a letter warning Avazo-Healthcare, LLC to stop claiming its CBD products prevent or treat coronavirus.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a Thursday hearing on a new Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Commission report.
Sen. John Thune (R-SD) said the prospects of marijuana legalization in the Senate are a “pipe dream.”
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) tweeted, “Democrats want to legalize drugs and #DefundThePolice. That won’t keep your neighborhood safe.”
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “Passing the MORE Act is an opportunity to put an end to decades-long racial injustice against Black & brown communities. The people overwhelmingly support cannabis reform & it’s time for Congress to catch up.”
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) tweeted, “This week, the House of Representatives will vote on the MORE Act to remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act. This will be the first time ever that we vote to end federal criminalization and expunge low-level convictions. It’s long past due.”
Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) tweeted, “It’s time federal law catches up with states like Illinois that have decriminalized cannabis. I’m proud to be a co-sponsor of both the #MOREAct and the #SAFEBanking Act.”
/ STATES
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s (D) budget includes $5.6 million to begin implementing the state’s voter-approved legal psilocybin law.
The New Mexico legislature’s interim Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee heard presentations from advocates about marijuana legalization and other criminal justice reforms.
Pennsylvania regulators approved a medical cannabis research facility.
Alaska regulators proposed rules to allow tribal identifications to be used as proof of age while buying marijuana.
Colorado regulators issued a bulletin about medical cannabis patient card formats and sales guidelines.
An outgoing Washington, D.C. councilmember is joining a lobbying and law firm and will advise clients on cannabis and other issues.
Maryland regulators are accepting 2021 hemp permit applications.
The California Cannabis Advisory Committee will meet on Wednesday.
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/ LOCAL
The San Francisco, California Board of Supervisors approved a measure to ban tobacco smoking in apartment buildings with three or more units, but adopted an amendment to exempt marijuana.
Oakland, California’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission will meet on Thursday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The European Commission revised an earlier stance that CBD should be treated as a narcotic.
Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Development highlighted the economic potential of the cannabis industry.
The New South Wales, Australia state government is reconsidering drug penalties but has ruled out decriminalization.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of cancer in dogs found that “CBD is effective at hindering cell proliferation and induction of autophagy and apoptosis rapidly across neoplastic cell lines.”
A case study looks at a “male adult with [obsessive compulsive disorder] who showed a clinically meaningful reduction of his OCD symptomatology after the consumption of psilocybin-containing mushrooms.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The New Jersey CannaBusiness Association has new leadership.
/ BUSINESS
Columbia Care Inc. completed its acquisition of Project Cannabis.
Tilray, Inc. signed a co-promotion agreement with Hormosan for its full-spectrum cannabis extracts in Germany.
CannTrust Holdings Inc. is resuming Canadian cannabis sales after being punished for maintaining unlicensed cultivation rooms.
MedMen Enterprises Inc. announced it expects to be late in filing its financial statements.
Jushi Holdings Inc. acquired 100% of Dalitso LLC.
Acreage Holdings, Inc. entered into a $12 million construction financing loan at an annual interest rate of 16% over 18 months.
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