Newsletter
WH says Griner still ‘wrongfully detained’ despite cannabis guilty plea (Newsletter: July 11, 2022)
AR & ND marijuana ballot signatures; MN THC edibles regulations; CA to standardize cannabis testing
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre maintained that Brittney Griner is being “wrongfully detained” in Russia even though she pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis vapes there—raising serious questions about President Joe Biden’s failure to fulfill campaign pledges to end domestic criminalization policies that continue to incarcerate people for marijuana in the U.S.
Arkansas activists submitted what they believe are more than double the amount of signatures needed to put a marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.
North Dakota activists say they have collected more than enough signatures to qualify a marijuana legalization initiative for the November ballot ahead of Monday’s turn-in deadline.
The Minnesota representative who sponsored a new law allowing edibles and drinks infused with THC and other cannabinoids is highlighting regulatory steps that municipalities can take now while she crafts follow-up statewide legislation for next session.
California regulators are proposing rules to standardize the cannabis testing process across the state to address concerns about potency inflation and “laboratory shopping” by marijuana product companies.
/ FEDERAL
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency tweeted, “It’s National Marijuana Facts Week (NMFW). Security Executive Agent guidance indicates that disregard of federal law pertaining to marijuana remains relevant to adjudications of eligibility for access to classified information or a sensitive position.”
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee is extending the deadline for public comments on tribal marijuana issues until July 22.
Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) reiterated their support for legalizing marijuana.
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) tweeted, “@POTUS must address the racist and harmful legacy of cannabis policies on Black and Brown communities who are disproportionately arrested for cannabis possession. I’m proud to join my colleagues in calling for swift action to address this decades-long injustice.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) tweeted, “This week, we submitted an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would require the Dep. of Defense to study the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin and MDMA — in addition to medicinal cannabis — for qualifying military service members. Psilocybin and MDMA are psychoactive drugs that could be used as alternative therapies for military members with certain health conditions. We must destigmatize these alternative therapies and make them available to those who need them.”
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) sent an email to the list of Better Organizing to Win Legalization.
/ STATES
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) announced 16 businesses were selected to receive the Cannabis Business Pilot Grant.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) called out Republicans for blocking his marijuana reform proposals.
Massachusetts lawmakers began conference committee work to reconcile legislation addressing social equity and other cannabis issues.
Washington, D.C. activists are pressuring Council members to sponsor drug decriminalization and harm reduction legislation.
Illinois regulators filed notice of rulemaking for medical cannabis online application payments and to remove the requirement for a patient to select a single dispensary.
Questions are being raised about New York regulators’ decisions to target specific businesses with cease and desist letters about allegedly conducting illegal marijuana sales.
California officials across multiple agencies are coordinating cannabis enforcement teams for watershed protection season.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services tweeted, “July is National Hemp Month! @FDACS is home to Florida’s hemp program — we’re proud to support our budding hemp industry and it’s thousands of producers, processors, and retailers as they work every day to meet increasing demand for safe and sustainable hemp products 🌿”
The New Mexico Department of Agriculture touted the size of the state’s hemp market to celebrate National Hemp Month.
Oregon regulators are hosting three public listening sessions about the psilocybin services program this week.
The Washington State Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force’s Non-Violent Offense Policy/Home Grow Workgroup will meet on Monday.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 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
San Francisco, California’s new district attorney reportedly said she wants to prioritize reviewing drug cases with the goal of identifying ones where plea offers can be withdrawn.
Missoula, Montana City Council members are working to draft proposed statewide psychedelics reform legislation.
A federal grand jury indicted two men on charges of attempting to bribe a Vallejo, California city official to protect their illegal marijuana growing operation.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration has issued nearly 1 million personal cannabis cultivation registrations.
A Philippine senator filed a medical cannabis bill.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “medical marijuana has an important role in the palliation of symptoms in advanced cancers with few adverse effects.”
A study of mice concluded that “CBD is a potential candidate for [Parkinson’s disease] therapy.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The South Dakota Democratic Party adopted a platform plank to “support the legalization and sale of recreational cannabis in order to promote tourism and economic development throughout the state of South Dakota.”
The Kentucky Democratic Party tweeted, “With the KY GOP taken over by its most radical extremists, Kentuckians have a clear choice: The cruel agenda Republican politicians in Frankfort and D.C. keep pushing. Or smart, compassionate and commonsense Democratic priorities — from universal pre-K to medical cannabis.”
The Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation published a policy paper concluding that legalizing marijuana does not increase impaired driving.
The New York Daily News editorial board is urging President Joe Biden to act on marijuana reform, including by working to free American basketball player Brittney Griner, who pleaded guilty to bringing cannabis vapes into Russia.
/ BUSINESS
Columbia Care Inc. shareholders approved the proposed acquisition of the company by Cresco Labs Inc. The company’s CEO stands to potentially receive more than $100 million in cash and stock stemming from the deal.
Workers at Bloom Medicinals in O’Fallon, Missouri voted to unionize with Local 655 of the United Food and Commercial Workers union.
Green Sage Management LLC is being sued for allegedly operating nine diesel generators without a required air quality permit.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register a base shelf prospectus and to register for resale of certain shares of the company.
Minnesota breweries Indeed Brewing and Bent Paddle are set to begin selling THC-infused seltzers following the enactment of a new state law on cannabinoid food and drinks.
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