NE marijuana reformers regroup; SF to launch safe consumption site despite gov’s veto; SD gov’s new cannabis comments; NYC equity initiative
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A bipartisan group of senators led by Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken demanding that the State Department give Marc Fogel—another U.S. citizen imprisoned for medical marijuana in Russia—the same “wrongfully detained” status as Brittney Griner.
- “In 2021, a doctor recommended medical marijuana as an opioid alternative to treat his chronic pain.”
San Francisco, California’s city attorney says the city should move ahead with opening a safe consumption site for illegal drugs despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) veto of a bill to authorize such facilities under state law.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R)—whose administration funded a lawsuit that overturned a voter-approved 2020 marijuana legalization initiative—suggested she’d implement a new cannabis measure that’s on the ballot this year alongside her own reelection bid.
Nebraska activists are regrouping after their medical cannabis initiatives failed to make the November ballot. They may pursue a recreational legalization measure in 2024, and a senator wants to call a special session on medical marijuana in the meantime.
New York City’s mayor launched a new initiative to promote marijuana industry equity by helping people harmed by the drug war complete dispensary applications while also providing support “beyond the license.”
/ FEDERAL
National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow said, “We say drugs are so bad they will fry your brains like an egg and then we undermine the evidence that they can be harmful, depending on the dose and the person who takes them. By making everything black and white, we lose all credibility.”
The Board of Immigration Appeals is being directed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit to take another look at the case of a Haitian man who was denied asylum over marijuana.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration tweeted, “Know the risks of marijuana. Marijuana use comes with real risks that can impact a person’s health and life: 🧠 Brain health ⚙️ Mental health 🚴♂️ Athletic Performance 🚗 Driving 🍼 Baby’s health and development ❤️ Daily life”
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) wrote in a constituent letter that he understands “the impact of a life-long struggle with pain on people’s lives, but there remain legal and proven ways to safely address those concerns as opposed to the unfettered use of any cannabidiol or marijuana product.”
Tennessee Democratic Senate candidate Bryan Langan tweeted, “Unlike my opponent mentioned below, I will work to legalize cannabis, providing our farmers access to a cash crop and put the tax revenue towards funding our public schools to ensure every child in Tennessee has access to a quality education that prepares them for the future.”
South Carolina Democratic congressional candidate Amie Andrews called out Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) for voting against a federal marijuana legalization bill on the House floor.
/ STATES
PennsylvaniaGov. Tom Wolf (D) tweeted, “I signed my 2,000th pardon this month. This was one of the greatest honors of my time in office. Since 2015, I granted 2,098 pardons. 326 were part of an expedited review for marijuana offenses. We all deserve the opportunity to learn from our mistakes and do better tomorrow.”
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) went along with a radio host’s incorrect suggestion that a marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot is 450 pages long. He separately called the measure a “disaster” and repeated the false length claim.
South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Cunningham, a former congressman, reiterated his pledge to legalize marijuana.
New York’s Senate majority leader is promoting a community conversation about cannabis dispensaries in Yonkers on Thursday.
Alabama’s top medical cannabis regulator pushed back against rumors that officials have pre-selected or promised business licenses to certain entities.
Hawaii regulators are being sued over a raid of stores that sold hemp-derived products.
The members of Utah’s Mental Illness Psychotherapy Drug Task Force, which will issue recommendations on psychedelics therapy by October 31, have been appointed.
The California Legislative Analyst’s Office reported that “cannabis tax revenues have declined substantially for three consecutive quarters.” Separately, the Department of Tax and Fee Administration said marijuana tax revenue in the second quarter of 2022 amounted to $275.2 million.
Maine’s Metrc User Workgroup held its first meeting.
Colorado’s Intoxicating Hemp and Tetrahydrocannabinol Products Task Force will meet on Wednesday.
Oregon’s Task Force on Cannabis-Derived Intoxicants and Illegal Cannabis Production will meet on Wednesday.
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/ LOCAL
The Stonecrest, Georgia City Council approved a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
Seattle, Washington’s mayor tweeted, “Seattle must address the equity gap in the cannabis industry that has left communities of color behind. By reducing barriers for those most harmed by the war on drugs, we can foster diversity and expand opportunity in the industry.”
Clark County, Nevada declared Monday “Cheech and Chong Day.”
/ INTERNATIONAL
Colombia suspended the forced eradication of coca.
Cayman Islands’s tourism minister suggested there should be a referendum for people to decide whether to decriminalize cannabis.
Malaysia’s deputy health minister said that patients and doctors can still be prosecuted for medical cannabis while potential approval is pending.
A member of the UK House of Lords wrote that he smoked marijuana during a visit to Colorado.
Manipur, India’s chief minister said he gave police “very strict instructions for dealing with all drugs related matters.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “cannabidiol inhibits inflammation induced by Cutibacterium acnes-derived extracellular vesicles.”
A review concluded that “psilocybin represents a promising alternative in the treatment of depression.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Indiana Democratic Party tweeted, “More than 80% of Hoosiers support cannabis legalization in some form because it’s a win-win policy for Indiana. What’s the hold up? The @indgop is putting its extremist agenda ahead of our economic future.”
Decriminalize Nature is being accused by David Bronner of Dr. Bronner’s of “anti-semitic bigotry and anti-indigenous colonialism” after circulating a graphic laying out an alleged conspiracy of “financial entanglement” around peyote scarcity, the original version of which reportedly contained yellow stars.
The North Dakota Petroleum Council said it will not oppose the marijuana legalization measure on the state’s November ballot, despite funding an opposition campaign against a 2018 reform proposal, and the Greater North Dakota Chamber said it hasn’t decided what its stance will be this year.
Cannabis Law Reform in the UK had its PayPal account shut down.
The New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association changed its name to the Cannabis Association of New York.
Fox News host Laura Ingraham tweeted, “This is how the Left builds the America it prefers. Marijuana and hallucinogenic use reached all-time high among young adults in 2021.”
/ BUSINESS
MedMen Enterprises Inc. closed a deal to sell its Florida assets to Green Sentry Holdings LLC.
Dutchie launched a new point-of-sale service for cannabis retailers.
The University of Utah’s Huntsman Mental Health Institute opened a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy clinic.
/ CULTURE
The Daily Show’s podcast did an episode on marijuana policy reform.
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