Pakistani official harvests 1st hemp plants; MT marijuana sales start soon; Researcher uses Reddit to study legalization arguments
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Paid for by readers like you. Marijuana Moment’s newsletter and in-depth cannabis reporting is made possible by the 700+ people who subscribe to us on Patreon.
Support our work for $25/month and gain access to valuable insider data, exclusive interview audio, and more: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is blaming Democrats—and the Congressional Black Caucus in particular—for the failure to pass federal marijuana legalization. But most Democrats in the House voted to legalize cannabis last year while all but five Republicans opposed it.
Pakistan’s minister of science and technology personally harvested the nation’s first legal hemp plants under the government’s new program for the crop.
A researcher analyzed more than 3 million Reddit comments to understand what kinds of arguments are driving the marijuana debate as support for legalization increases.
Montana’s legal recreational marijuana sales are set to begin on January 1.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said licensed hemp businesses are eligible for its Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grant Program.
California Democratic congressional candidate Lourin Hubbard tweeted, “I definitely support legalization. Even further I support the immediate release and expungement of criminal records due to marijuana possession.”
The House bill to shield military veterans from losing benefits over state-legal marijuana got one new cosponsor for a total of two.
/ STATES
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed a bill removing prior authorization to access methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone to treat opioid use disorder for people on Medicaid.
Maryland’s House minority leader said he has some concerns with marijuana legalization but thinks the issue will end up on the 2022 ballot.
A Kentucky representative spoke about the prospects for her recently filed bills to legalize marijuana possession and home cultivation.
New Mexico regulators are accepting applications for marijuana integrated microbusinesses.
New Jersey regulators published a list of “hemp varieties of concern” that have tested with excessive THC content.
The Colorado Department of Transportation touted an award-winning campaign to deter marijuana-impaired driving.
South Carolina regulators published a list of permitted hemp transporters.
Ohio regulators will hold a public hearing on medical cannabis rules changes on January 6.
—
Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,300 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.
—
/ LOCAL
New York City won a preliminary injunction from a federal judge in a trademark case against NYC New York Cannabis over its use of adapted versions of the city’s logos.
A federal judge ruled that Denver, Colorado police cannot be sued by a Texas hemp grower who says they improperly seized his plants at the airport.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Russia accused Malta of violating international treaties by legalizing marijuana.
Thailand’s Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine is proposing that the Culture Ministry register local cannabis strains as Thai national heritage.
The Canadian government released the results of a survey on cannabis use trends.
Ireland’s Food Safety Authority issued a recall of hemp CBD capsules due to high THC levels.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that cannabis-based medicinal products “may be associated with improvement in [health-related quality-of-life] outcomes when used as a treatment for generalised anxiety disorder.”
A review of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy concluded that “numerous research trials in the last decade have shown promising findings of safe, rapid, and sustained antidepressant effects in patients with cancer-related depression, major depressive disorder, and treatment-resistant depression.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee tweeted, “This year, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Connecticut, and Virginia all legalized marijuana, addressing long-standing racial inequalities in our criminal justice system & benefiting the states economically through increased tax revenue.”
The Los Angeles Times editorial board is calling on California officials to reform the state’s marijuana laws to prevent the legal market from collapsing.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. is acquiring Natural Remedy Patient Center, LLC.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is entering the medical cannabis market through a partnership with Tikun Olam-Cannbit.
/ CULTURE
Mike Tyson said he started smoking marijuana again in the late 1990s to deal with depression following Tupac’s death.
Aaron Carter spoke about smoking marijuana with Micheal Jackson.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.
Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided in these blog posts is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The use of any information provided in these blog posts is solely at your own risk. The authors and the website do not recommend or endorse any specific products, treatments, or procedures mentioned. Reliance on any information in these blog posts is solely at your own discretion.
