AOC’s psychedelics amendment; Congressman bulldozes marijuana plants; Vote to federally protect state laws next week; MS medical cannabis negotiations
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke to The View about his strategy to get the votes needed to pass a new federal marijuana legalization bill—including asking senators what changes they want made to the draft.
- “We’re now going around to our colleagues saying, ‘Would you sign onto the bill? And if you don’t like what’s in the bill and want some modifications, tell us.’”
Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-CA), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Eleanor Homes Norton (D-DC) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) are circulating a Dear Colleague letter to build support for an amendment to protect all state and tribal marijuana laws from federal interference. It could get a House floor vote next week.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) filed a new amendment to promote research on the medical benefits of psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA.
- Additional new proposals from other lawmakers would push the Food and Drug Administration to regulate CBD and remove protections from universities that study marijuana.
Anti-marijuana Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) posted video of himself bulldozing cannabis grow operations, delivering cheesy quotes and flexing his muscles alongside police.
- “I love the smell of diesel power in the afternoon. It smells like victory.”
Mississippi lawmakers are set to begin formal negotiations next week on a medical cannabis bill to replace the voter-approved program that was overturned by the state Supreme Court, and they could pass it in an August special session. The Senate Public Health Committee held a hearing on the issue on Wednesday.
/ FEDERAL
President Joe Biden reiterated his belief that “we shouldn’t be sending people to jail for use. We should be sending them to mandatory rehabilitation.”
The Supreme Court is again being asked by a Colorado marijuana dispensary to take up its tax dispute with the Internal Revenue Service.
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) tweeted, “With the pandemic accelerating the opioid epidemic, it’s more important than ever to address this crisis and right the wrongs of the failed War on Drugs.”
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) tweeted, “There is a serious public safety threat that exists in our communities which we cannot wait to address. Passing the #SAFEBankingAct is the first step of many federal cannabis reforms to create a safer and more equitable industry.”
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) tweeted, “It feels like Groundhog Day that we’re still debating crack cocaine and the War on Drugs. If we can get out of the forever war in Afghanistan, we can get out of the War on Drugs too. We need to see these issues as social and health problems, not throw millions into prison.” He also tweeted, “Congress is slow as molasses in change. The citadel of cultural lag. For so long, we’ve tried to end sentencing disparities for crack cocaine and it’s just as insane that we haven’t yet descheduled marijuana. We must, at long last, end the War on Drugs.”
/ STATES
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) appointed members to the new marijuana Social Equity Council.
Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate John King, a former U.S. education secretary, tweeted, “If you were arrested and jailed for just a nonviolent cannabis charge your record should be expunged.”
Virginia’s attorney general tweeted, “I am committed to getting this right because marijuana legalization is a step in the right direction for public safety, equity, and economic opportunity for all Virginians.”
The Missouri secretary of state’s office issued a consent order against Green Clinic, LLC after it sold unregistered securities, and it must now reimburse a portion of investors’ losses and pay a civil penalty.
The Iowa Court of Appeals upheld a police department’s firing of an employee for using CBD while on the job.
Washington State regulators adopted final rules on vitamin E acetate in marijuana products.
Wisconsin regulators are considering opting for federal control of the state’s hemp program.
Nevada regulators issued guidance on the use of face masks by marijuana business employees.
Michigan regulators published a bulletin about marijuana business operations questions.
Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee will meet on August 12.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,100 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
Bridgeport, Ohio officials are being sued for not complying with the deadline to process petitions for a proposed marijuana decriminalization ballot measure.
The Atlantic City, New Jersey City Council voted to ban recreational marijuana stores from the Boardwalk, and separately voted to shut down a syringe access program.
Twin Falls, Idaho officials expressed concern about a new marijuana store opening up across the border in Nevada.
Denver, Colorado will hold a marijuana delivery service information session on Tuesday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Ireland’s government announced that patients will be able to access direct payments to help cover the cost of medical cannabis.
North Macedonia’s government expects to see an economic boost from legal marijuana cultivation.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “medicinal cannabis-based products may be cost-effective treatment options for [multiple sclerosis] spasticity, Dravet syndrome, and neuropathic pain, although the literature is nascent.”
A review concluded that “using organic solvents is the most convenient method for medicinal cannabis extraction.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that American adults support keeping marijuana as a banned substance for Olympic athletes, 44 percent to 39 percent.
An Associated Press analysis looks at the racially disparate impact of the war on drugs.
The Transform Drug Policy Foundation published excerpts from the upcoming third edition of its guide on regulating marijuana.
/ BUSINESS
Jushi Holdings Inc. announced that it no longer meets the definition of a foreign private issuer and will transfer to domestic issuer status at the beginning of next year.
Cybin Inc. received conditional approval to trade on the NYSE American LLC stock exchange.
Akerna issued a mid-year review of the cannabis industry.
Tower 26 Inc. and shareholders are suing the company’s founder for allegedly embezzling between $1.1million and $4 million.
/ CULTURE
Method Man, Red Man and other artists will perform at the National Cannabis Festival in Washington, D.C. next month.
George Clinton spoke about his use of marijuana and abstinence from using other drugs.
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