Newsletter
White House officials talk cannabis with WI senator (Newsletter: July 24, 2023)
Luxembourg legalization in effect; Minneapolis psychedelics order; Senator vows to block drug war bill; NY marijuana farmers market apps; SAFE letter
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Wisconsin’s Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard (D) spoke to Marijuana Moment about the cannabis policy discussion she initiated during a meeting with top White House officials on Thursday.
Luxembourg’s new law legalizing possession and personal cultivation of marijuana has officially taken effect—and the Ministry of Health launched a website to explain the policy and the reasons for enacting it.
Minneapolis, Minnesota Mayor Jacob Frey (D) issued an executive order making criminalization of psychedelics the “lowest law enforcement priority” and generally preventing local resources from being used to aid federal and state actions against entheogens.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced he will object to any unanimous consent request to advance a bill that would require social media companies to report certain user communications about drugs to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The New York Office of Cannabis Management is now officially accepting applications from people who want to host marijuana farmers markets. New guidance documents about the events cover issues like allowable products, packaging, inventory tracking and taxes.
The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp, in partnership with groups representing marijuana businesses in 16 states and Washington, D.C., sent a letter urging Senate Banking Committee leaders to pass the SAFE Banking Act “without further delay.
/ FEDERAL
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health tweeted, “Our Center provides evidence-based information on the use of #cannabis and #cannabinoids for various health conditions. Some evidence suggests modest benefits for chronic pain and multiple sclerosis symptoms. However, research is in its early stages.”
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said a reporter should ask Sen. Steve Daines (R) whether his panel would hold a vote on a marijuana banking bill this month.
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) tweeted, “Colorado pioneered one of the most successful legal cannabis markets, and our PREPARE Act will lay the groundwork for federal legalization. Americans overwhelmingly support legalizing weed – it’s time to give the people what they want!”
/ STATES
A New York senator filed a bill to ban consumption of marijuana in public places unless specifically authorized by a locality.
Michigan regulators issued a bulletin about a voluntary recall of cannabis vape cartridges due to the potential presence of banned chemical residue exceeding established action limits.
Washington State regulators published an updated list of pesticides allowed to be used in production of marijuana.
Rhode Island regulators held the first meeting of a listening tour to receive feedback about marijuana rules.
Maryland regulators are hosting technical assistance seminars for marijuana social equity businesses this summer.
The Massachusetts Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board will meet on Monday.
Nevada regulators will consider marijuana business issues on Tuesday.
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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.
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/ LOCAL
Phoenix, Arizona officials are giving a marijuana cultivation facility another six months to solve odor control issues.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Albanian Parliament voted to legalize medical cannabis.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion found that “patients who had a previous diagnosis of cannabis use, dependence or abuse filled fewer opioid prescriptions postoperatively (at 3 days postoperatively) and required lower doses (reduced average daily [morphine milliequivalents], at 60 days postoperatively) when compared with the control group.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Virgin Group founder Richard Branson authored a blog post about the need to end the war on drugs.
/ BUSINESS
Cresco Labs is suing Green Thumb Industries for poaching an employee who allegedly violated a non-compete clause.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. has a new interim CFO, a move that comes just over a month after the company announced it had hired a CFO who has now left for “personal reasons.”
The Artist Tree is offering a 25 percent discount on cannabis products for Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild members for the duration of their strike.
Canadian retailers sold C$415.6 million worth of legal cannabis products in May.
/ CULTURE
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, Ariat World Series of Team Roping and Cinch Ranch Sorting National Championships all made Equine Hemp Solution their official hemp supplement partner.
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