Newsletter
VA lawmakers announce legal cannabis plans (Newsletter: July 6, 2020)
ID medical marijuana campaign likely to sue for ballot access; OK melts dreams of THC slushies; Senate votes to study cannabis and vaping
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Just one day after a new law decriminalizing marijuana possession took effect, Virginia’s House majority leader and other lawmakers announced plans to pursue broader cannabis legalization in the state.
- “Decriminalizing marijuana is an important step in mitigating racial disparities in the criminal justice system, but there is still much work to do.”
Idaho’s medical cannabis campaign is “likely” to pursue the same legal accommodations for electronic signature gathering that a federal judge granted to an unrelated initiative.
- “The medical marijuana campaign is similarly situated to the Reclaim Idaho campaign and will likely ask for a similar extension of time and permission to collect signatures electronically from the Secretary of State, and if necessary, from the District Court. I don’t know the exact timeline as there are a number of moving pieces but it will be quick.”
Oklahoma regulators are melting medical cannabis patients’ summer dreams of THC-infused slushies with a new “Slushy-Machine Guidance” memo that says the icy beverages are not likely to comply with state rules for marijuana packaging and testing.
/ FEDERAL
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service said that investigations of alleged LSD offenses in the service increased nearly 70% in the first three months of 2020.
The Senate passed an e-cigarette restriction bill that includes a provision requiring a study on the relationship between marijuana use by high school students and vaping and smoking.
Georgia congressional candidates spoke about their positions on marijuana legalization.
/ STATES
Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “I don’t know who needs to hear this jk I know who- but earnestly reforming our state prison system + legalization of marijuana could generate half of this COVID-19 deficit. It would, however, could have other unintended consequences like justice and personal freedom.”
New York’s Assembly majority leader said that “there’s no question that some of the things that are going on with law enforcement are because they smell marijuana.”
The co-chair of the New Mexico House Taxation Committee says the legislature will take up marijuana legalization again in January.
Wisconsin regulators posted guidance on a new hemp pilot research program emergency rule.
Ohio regulators will consider medical cannabis rules on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Iowa regulators posted updated lists of hemp licensees and businesses selling hemp seeds.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
The British Virgin Islands House of Assembly approved a bill to legalize medical cannabis.
The Santa Fe, Argentina Municipal Council approved legislation allowing the cultivation of medical cannabis.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that cannabis use “by ancient civilizations as a source of food and textile fibers dates back over 10,000 years, while its therapeutic applications have been improved over the centuries, from the ancient East medicine of the 2nd and 1st millennium B.C. to the more recent introduction in the Western world after the 1st century A.D.”
A review found that “studies have revealed [marijuana’s] use as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and improving testicular function in rats.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
South African cannabis activists Jules Stobbs was murdered during a robbery.
/ BUSINESS
Organigram Holdings Inc. reduced its workforce by approximately 25%.
MedMen Enterprises Inc. announced a financial restructuring and turnaround plan that will defer approximately $32 million in cash commitments over the next year and dilute shareholders.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
