Newsletter
VA testifies on cannabis & psychedelics bills (Newsletter: March 22, 2024)
Treasury sec on SAFER Banking; Congressman wants scheduling memo; WA marijuana tax cut; DE med cannabis expansion; 2nd amendment suit; DC sales block
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said it would be “desirable” if Congress passed a marijuana banking bill, describing the current federal-state divide on cannabis as “a real problem.” The comments came in response to a question from Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) at a House hearing.
The House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee held a hearing on medical marijuana and psychedelics bills focused on military veterans—with the Department of Veterans Affairs testifying in favor of the cannabis measure with amendments and against the psychedelics one.
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees released new spending legislation that will continue blocking Washington, D.C. from legalizing marijuana sales—but also provides funds for psychedelics research by the military. An attached report additionally raises concerns about Chinese-backed illegal cannabis operations in the U.S.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) submitted a written question asking the Department of Health and Human Services why it is requesting a legal opinion on marijuana rescheduling from the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel amid the Drug Enforcement Administration’s ongoing review.
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed a bill to exempt medical cannabis patients from the state’s 37 percent marijuana excise tax when purchasing products that meet certain higher testing standards.
The Delaware Senate Health & Social Services Committee approved a House-passed bill to expand medical cannabis access—including by allowing doctors to recommend marijuana for any condition they see fit and letting patients over age 65 self certify.
A Pennsylvania prosecutor who uses medical marijuana argues in a new court brief that the federal ban on gun rights for cannabis patients is “unconstitutional, full stop.”
A new federally funded study found that “organs from donors with a history of recent marijuana use do not pose significant infectious risks in the early posttransplant period.”
The Idaho Senate rejected a House-passed bill to ban advertisements for marijuana and other products that are illegal in the state.
/ FEDERAL
Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) tweeted, “Medical marijuana provides critical relief for so many in our region. My team was glad to join the opening of a new cannabis dispensary in Beaver County.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) told a witness during a House hearing that, “The truth for you is taking money from Russians to buy marijuana businesses, then going to jail, and coming in here to lie about Trump.”
/ STATES
The Colorado legislature’s Joint Budget Committee published a memo about falling projections of marijuana tax revenues.
Nebraska activists are hiring paid signature gatherers for two medical cannabis initiatives they are seeking to qualify for the November ballot.
A Minnesota judge recommended that the state Supreme Court declare that the Legal Marijuana Now Party doesn’t meet the requirements for major party status.
The president of the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Nation, located within Wisconsin, spoke about the economic opportunities of legalizing cannabis.
The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Advisory Board met.
The Rhode Island Cannabis Advisory Board’s Cannabis Industry Subcommittee met.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,400 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.
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/ LOCAL
A Killeen, Texas City Council member pushed unsuccessfully to have the body discuss lawsuits against the city’s voter-approved marijuana decriminalization law.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Western Australia lawmakers are pushing to let voters decide on a marijuana legalization referendum.
Portuguese regulators approved three new medical cannabis preparations.
Philippine representatives are urging people to be cautious of marijuana-infused vapes and e-cigarettes.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “rigorous studies highlight cannabidiol’s efficacy, safety profile, and potential cognitive benefits, warranting further exploration for its approval in various drug-resistant epilepsy forms.”
John Hopkins University is investigating an ethics complaint about how its Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research has been run.
/ BUSINESS
SNDL Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$248.5 million and an operating loss of C$84.9 million.
Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $15.9 million and a net loss of $8.5 million.
Subversive Cannabis ETF is closing.
/ CULTURE
Netflix announced a new show, “Amsterdam Empire,” that is described as “an extravagant crime drama full of glamour and grime at the heart of the Amsterdam cannabis scene.”
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