Congress calls out marijuana research barriers & notes kratom potential; DOJ gets more time in cannabis & guns lawsuit; PA DUI & banking bills advance
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
New House Appropriations Committee reports touch on a range of drug policy issues—including Schedule I barriers to marijuana research, kratom as an opioid alternative, impaired driving and hemp as a plastic substitute.
Nevada regulators approved rules that will allow marijuana consumption lounges to open by the end of this year.
The Department of Justice has asked for more time to respond to Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried’s lawsuit on medical cannabis patients’ gun rights in light of a new Supreme Court ruling in a separate Second Amendment case—but says it will ultimately file a motion to dismiss.
The Pennsylvania Senate advanced bills to protect medical cannabis patients from being charged with DUIs and allowing marijuana businesses to access banks.
/ FEDERAL
A federal judge sentenced a one-time associate of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to 20 months in prison for campaign finance and other violations related to an attempt to obtain marijuana business licenses.
Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) tweeted, “New industries like cannabis need the same worker protections that other industries have. We must set the standard that every American has a safe workplace and living wage.”
Former Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) tweeted, “Understanding the health risks and the growing body of research must be part of the national conversation on marijuana.”
/ STATES
New Hampshire Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Sherman, currently a state senator, tweeted about an event Gov. Chris Sununu (R) is appearing at about marijuana and other drugs allegedly being tainted with fentanyl, saying, “This is part of why I’ve repeatedly supported legalizing marijuana. If marijuana were legal and regulated like it is in all surrounding states, we could prevent it from being laced with dangerous and addictive drugs.”
Nebraska’s secretary of state is asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit to overturn a lower court ruling in a case medical cannabis activists brought against the state’s rules on geographic distribution of signatures to qualify ballot measures.
North Carolina lawmakers sent Gov. Roy Cooper (D) a bill to permanently extend the legal status of hemp, just ahead of the expiration date.
An Indiana senator tweeted, “37 states have legalized cannabis in some form. The idea of waiting for the federal gov. has been bypassed by dozens of states regardless of political leaning. We’ve got to provide Hoosiers the medical benefits of cannabis and stop criminalizing folks for personal use. Hoosiers have been asking us for this, and it’s time for the general assembly to listen and act.”
A federal appeals court upheld Florida regulators’ decision not to review a medical cannabis business license application.
Louisiana regulators filed amended hemp rules.
New York regulators touted the fact that farmers have begun cultivating the state’s first recreational marijuana plants.
Vermont marijuana regulators hired a director of compliance.
Colorado regulators appointed members to the Intoxicating Hemp And Tetrahydrocannabinol Products Task Force.
Kansas agriculture officials and a senator will speak at a hemp industry stakeholder meeting on July 19.
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/ LOCAL
The New York City Department of Small Business Services is hiring a founding director for a new Cannabis NYC initiative.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Colombia’s Truth Commission recommended that the country legalize and regulate drugs.
Italian lawmakers began debating a bill to legalize cannabis home cultivation.
The UK All-Party Parliamentary Group for CBD Products held a hearing.
The Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Board of Police Commissioners acknowledged the benefits of decriminalizing drugs but said it is too early to implement the reform.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “several studies support the efficacy of cannabis for various cancer and treatment-related symptoms, such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and cancer pain.”
A review concluded that “several [psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy] trials show preliminary efficacy in facilitating confronting traumatic memories, decreasing emotional avoidance, depression, anxiety, pessimism, and disconnection from others, and increasing acceptance, self-compassion, and forgiveness of abusers, all of which are relevant to PTSD recovery” and that “there is also early evidence that other classic psychedelics may produce large reductions in PTSD symptoms in combat veterans.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Association of Food and Drug Officials launched an effort to develop a federal regulatory framework for cannabis in partnership with the Foundation of Cannabis United Standards.
The Drug Free America Foundation and Johnny’s Ambassadors published a report that claims “cannabis use is higher among all age groups in more highly permissive states.”
/ BUSINESS
Yelp explained its policies on listing marijuana businesses.
Tilray Brands, Inc. expanded its medical cannabis offerings in the UK.
Jushi Holdings Inc. announced the results of a board of directors election and other shareholder votes.
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