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Will Trump vote for legal cannabis as FL resident? (Newsletter: April 3, 2024)
DEA psychedelics ban hearing; NH legalization; CT marijuana resentencing; MD psychedelics; Homegrow poll; CBD benefits study
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Former President Donald Trump will get to cast a vote for or against marijuana legalization as a Florida resident now that the state Supreme Court has cleared a cannabis initiative to appear on the November ballot.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has agreed to hold a public hearing on its proposal to ban two psychedelics amid pushback from scientists who say the move would impede research into the substances’ therapeutic potential.
Maryland lawmakers sent Gov. Wes Moore (D) legislation 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.
The New Hampshire House Finance Committee approved an amended marijuana legalization bill, sending it to a final floor vote before consideration by the Senate.
The Connecticut legislature’s Joint Judiciary Committee approved a bill to provide sentencing relief to people who are still incarcerated over marijuana despite the state enacting legalization.
Three in five Americans say people should have the right to grow their own marijuana at home, according to a new Harris poll commissioned by Royal Queen Seeds.
A new scientific review highlights the potential of CBD to treat and manage the symptoms of epilepsy, pain, cancer, schizophrenia, diabetes and COVID-19—concluding that cannabis and its components exhibits “neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, anti-bacterial, analgesic, and antiepileptic properties.”
A federal judge could issue a ruling soon in a lawsuit challenging a New Jersey policy that protects police officers from being punished for using marijuana while off duty.
/ FEDERAL
Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) tweeted, “There you have it Florida! Abortion rights and adult use marijuana are going to be on the ballot this November. There’s so much at stake, we can’t stay home on Nov. 5th.”
Rep. Jared Moskovitz (D-FL) tweeted about Florida ballot initiatives, saying, “The politics of this are fascinating. With a women’s right to choose and marijuana on the ballot, could this have an impact on the presidential race and/or down ballot races?”
/ STATES
Ohio’s House speaker said lawmakers agreeing on changes to the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law is “probably not going to happen.”
A Virginia senator criticized Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) for vetoing a marijuana sales legalization bill.
Washington, D.C. regulators granted licenses to the first medical cannabis dispensaries transitioning from being unlicensed operators to the legal market.
New York regulators are being sued over marijuana business proximity rules.
Oregon marijuana regulators proposed rules changes to adopt state Department of Justice standards for using lay representatives in contested cases.
Nevada regulators published guidance on marijuana sample logs.
Minnesota regulators are accepting hemp cultivation and processing license applications until April 30.
Vermont regulators will host a networking event focused on updated marijuana advertising guidance on April 11.
Colorado regulators will hold a hearing on proposed increases to medical cannabis patient application processing fees on May 15.
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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.
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/ LOCAL
The Mobile, Alabama City Council president is supporting a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
Denver, Colorado officials sent an overview of the first meeting of the Natural Medicine Work Group.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Thailand’s public health minister said the government plans to regulate cannabis for medical use rather than ban marijuana altogether.
Austria’s interior minister said the country is stepping up police checks near its border with Germany in light of that country’s marijuana legalization law.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study demonstrated “efficacy of cannabidiol on growth and ammonia inhibition of five agriculturally relevant Clostridia.”
A study of mice found that CBD “exerts anticonvulsant effects alone and in combination with Δ9-THC.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Miami Herald editorial board cheered the Florida Supreme Court for allowing voters to decide on a marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.
Michigan marijuana activist John Sinclair passed away.
/ BUSINESS
The Securities and Exchange Commission charged the founder of Hypur Ventures II, L.P. with alleged cannabis-related fraud.
Botera Cannabis workers in Brockton, Massachusetts voted unanimously to ratify their first collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local 653.
Organigram Holdings Inc. closed an underwritten public offering of units for total gross proceeds of C$28,750,230.
SNDL Inc. agreed to assign its rights to own or operate four Dutch Love stores to Nova Cannabis Inc.
/ CULTURE
Steve-O said Bill Maher refused to agree to refrain from smoking marijuana during an invited interview out of respect for his sobriety.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
