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White House cannabis meeting this week (Newsletter: March 14, 2024)
MA marijuana pardons; UT & MD psychedelics bills pass; VA cannabis sales prospects; AMA psychedelics study; Fed drug agency touts research work
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Vice President Kamala Harris is set to host recipients of President Joe Biden’s cannabis pardons at a White House meeting this week, and Marijuana Moment spoke exclusively to one of the invited participants. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) and rapper Fat Joe will also participate in the event.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) announced a plan to pardon “hundreds of thousands of people” with misdemeanor marijuana possession convictions, saying it is “the most sweeping cannabis pardon ever proposed by any governor in the United States.”
Utah lawmakers sent Gov. Spencer Cox (R) a bill to create a pilot program to allow hospitals to administer psilocybin and MDMA as an alternative treatment option.
The Maryland House of Delegates passed a bill to create a Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances charged with studying how to ensure “broad, equitable and affordable access” to psilocybin, DMT and mescaline.
Virginia Democratic lawmakers appear increasingly pessimistic that Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) will allow a bill to legalize recreational marijuana sales to become law.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse is citing its work to support research on marijuana and psychedelics to justify its Fiscal Year 2025 budget submission to Congress.
Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission data show that marijuana sales in the state have now exceeded $7 billion since the adult-use market launched. Meanwhile, cannabis consumer purchase prices are at an all-time low.
A new study published by the American Medical Association found that “psychedelic use was significantly associated with lower rates of psychotic symptoms” among adolescents.
/ FEDERAL
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said marijuana banking legislation and other priorities can advance “if Republicans play it straight.”
Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) spoke on the Senate floor about U.S. citizen Marc Fogel, who is incarcerated in Russia for possessing medical cannabis.
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said she is “disappointed” that President Joe Biden’s budget proposal would continue a rider blocking Washington, D.C. from legalizing recreational marijuana sales.
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) criticized the Food and Drug Administration for allegedly “changing…rules” in its marijuana rescheduling review.
/ STATES
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon (R) signed a bill banning delta-8 THC products.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) celebrated President Joe Biden’s comments about marijuana during the State of the Union, tweeting, “In December of 2023, I led a group of several governors urging the Biden administration to take the long overdue step to ‘reschedule’ cannabis and remove financial and legal barriers to the marijuana industry.”
Pennsylvania Democratic attorney general candidates agreed on legalizing marijuana during a debate.
The Nebraska legislature upheld Gov. Jim Pillen’s (R) veto of a bill that would have allowed local governments to establish needle exchange programs.
The Kentucky House of Representatives passed a bill making changes to several aspects of the state’s medical cannabis law.
The Idaho House of Representatives passed a bill to ban marijuana advertising within the state.
The Connecticut legislature’s General Law Committee approved a bill to regulate THC-infused beverages.
New York Senate and Assembly budget bills propose differing plans for marijuana tax revisions and enforcement against unlicensed businesses.
An Alabama senator said he’s optimistic that forthcoming legislation to expand medical cannabis business licensing could put an end to litigation that had delayed the launch of the market.
California regulators adopted emergency rules allowing cannabis processor, nursery or cultivation licensees to make a one-time change to their license expiration date. Separately, the California State Fair is hosting an expanded cannabis awards program.
Missouri regulators issued guidance on vitamin E acetate testing data.
Rhode Island regulators plan to craft rules for marijuana social equity licenses by the end of the year, a spokesperson said.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 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
North York, Pennsylvania’s mayor said she will veto a marijuana decriminalization measure approved by the Borough Council.
The Annapolis, Maryland City Council approved a moratorium on considering recreational marijuana business licenses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated his opposition to an International Criminal Court investigation of his nation’s bloody “war on drugs.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of ulcerative colitis patients found that “cannabinoids show potential in improving disease activity” and quality of life.
A study provided “promising results for the essential oil of the Moroccan variety of Cannabis sativa (C. sativa), showing its potential therapeutic properties as an antioxidant, and analgesic agent.”
/ BUSINESS
Cresco Labs Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $188.2 million.
The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $128.4 million and a net loss of $72.5 million.
AYR Wellness Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $114.8 million and a net loss of $31 million.
Jushi Holdings Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $67.8 million and a net loss and comprehensive loss of $18 million.
Colorado retailers sold $115.4 million worth of legal marijuana products in January.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
