Newsletter
VA would launch legal cannabis sales in 2024 under new legislation (Newsletter: January 11, 2024)
DE medical marijuana expansion; CA psychedelics; WA homegrow; Cannabis & COVID study; CT sales; Former FDA official rescheduling concerns pushback
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Delaware House Health & Human Development Committee approved a bill to significantly expand medical cannabis access—including by allowing doctors to recommend marijuana for any condition they see fit and letting patients over the age of 65 self certify without physician involvement.
The California Assembly Health Committee approved a bill to create a psychedelics workgroup that would recommend a regulatory framework for therapeutic access and prepare for health professionals to eventually administer psilocybin and ibogaine to patients.
Virginia lawmakers introduced new legislation to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana sales this year while replacing previous equity-focused provisions with a rebranded system of micro business licenses.
Washington State lawmakers filed a new bill to legalize home cultivation of marijuana.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) new budget proposes to borrow $100 million from a cannabis tax revenue fund designated for law enforcement and other public safety initiatives to help close the overall state deficit.
A new scientific review concludes that cannabis components have potential to limit “susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 infections by preventing viral entry” and “have shown promise in treating symptoms associated with post-acute long COVID-19, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress injury, insomnia, pain and decreased appetite.”
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is celebrating the one-year anniversary of legal recreational marijuana sales—reporting a new monthly record in December that capped off more than a quarter-billion dollars of cannabis products sold in 2023.
Deb Tharp of NuggMD authored a new Marijuana Moment op-ed arguing that there are potentially negative impacts of moving cannabis to Schedule III and pushing back against a former Food and Drug Administration official’s dismissal of those concerns.
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management, police and other officials will meet on Thursday to discuss a loophole in the state’s marijuana laws that allows sales of high-potency flower billed as “hemp” to go unregulated.
/ FEDERAL
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health will host a preapplication technical assistance webinar about a new Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research on January 25.
The House bill to direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to study medical cannabis got one new cosponsor for a total of one.
/ STATES
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) spoke during his State of the State speech about supporting apprenticeship programs in the cannabis industry and about work to undo the “damage of the failed War on Drugs.”
The Washington, D.C. Council approved legislation empowering officials to take action against unlicensed marijuana businesses that have not applied for medical cannabis licenses.
Ohio’s House minority leader said negotiations on marijuana legislation stalled over the holidays.
A South Dakota senator filed a bill to remove certain protections for medical cannabis businesses.
California regulators issued a notice of a mandatory recall of marijuana products due to the presence of aspergillus flavus.
Legal filings appear to suggest that Alabama regulators may have conspired with applicant companies to influence the medical cannabis business licensing process.
Oregon regulators published an updated compliance bulletin on changes to marijuana and hemp rules.
Minnesota regulators sent a reminder about the requirement for sellers of hemp-derived cannabinoid products to register.
New York regulators released a series of ads prompting the medical cannabis program. Separately, the Cannabis Control Board will meet on Friday.
Idaho officials highlighted the activities of a company that makes hemp-based building materials and has received state funds.
The Alaska Marijuana Testing and Laboratory Work Group will meet on Thursday.
The Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission will consider medical cannabis issues at a meeting on Thursday.
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Marijuana Moment is 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 York City’s mayor spoke about the need for municipalities to get authority to combat unlicensed marijuana businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Thailand’s Health Ministry is accepting public comments on draft legislation to clarify that cannabis use is only allowed for medical, and not recreational, purposes.
German Social Democratic Party officials are reportedly discussing issues related to pending marijuana legalization legislation this week.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “cannabis use may be associated with an increase in testosterone, slightly improved sperm motility, and decreased sperm concentration.”
A study found that “hemp oil with 15% CBD was shown to reduce pain and inflammation and improve the health of treated horses.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Tavern League of Wisconsin said it doesn’t oppose marijuana legalization.
/ BUSINESS
Vangst is partnering with Colorado regulators to create an educational program supporting social equity cannabis entrepreneurs.
Arizona retailers sold $85 million worth of recreational marijuana and $25.3 million in medical cannabis products in October.
Arkansas dispensaries sold $25.6 million worth of medical cannabis products in December.
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