Top Canadian official studies decrim & psychedelics on US trip; More Americans smoke marijuana than cigarettes; Border officials want cannabis scanner
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…
Your good deed for the day: donate to an independent publisher like Marijuana Moment and ensure that as many voters as possible have access to the most in-depth cannabis reporting out there.
Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman, currently the lieutenant governor, plans to pressure President Joe Biden “about the need to finally decriminalize marijuana” when they both attend next Monday’s Labor Day parade in Pittsburgh.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, asked if the president will heed Fetterman’s call to follow through on his cannabis campaign pledges, said, “We just don’t have anything to speak to.”
- “We don’t have anything new to share.”
Canada’s mental health and addictions minister discussed drug decriminalization and legal psychedelics access on a tour of the U.S. that included meetings with Oregon’s governor, Washington lawmakers and Colorado activists, among others.
Gallup says that more Americans now smoke marijuana than have smoked a tobacco cigarette in the past week—and that cannabis use is likely to continue increasing even more in years to come. The polling analysis also found that more people currently use marijuana edibles than smoke cigarettes.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is looking to purchase portable “cannabis analyzers” that agents can use to distinguish between illegal marijuana and legal hemp, as well as identify various cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC, CBD, CBG and CBN.
/ FEDERAL
The National Institutes of Health reposted a request for information about barriers to marijuana research that it had preliminarily published and taken down earlier this month.
Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL) filed a resolution declaring that “fentanyl-related substances is a weapon of mass destruction.”
Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) criticized Colombian President Gustavo Petro over (since disputed) reports that his government plans to legalize cocaine.
Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) tweeted photos of himself visiting a hemp business, saying, “Midwest Natural Fiber in Sikeston is a main driver of Missouri’s emerging industrial hemp production industry. Industrial hemp is used in everything from food, textiles, and paper to car parts, furniture, and building materials.”
Tennessee Democratic congressional candidate Randal Cooper tweeted, “It is well past time we legalized marijuana.”
/ STATES
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) tweeted, “Too many Pennsylvanians are locked up for marijuana offenses. They’re not violent. They aren’t a threat to their community. We need to decriminalize and legalize adult-use recreational marijuana.”
South Dakota Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jamie Smith, currently the House minority leader, tweeted, “It’s understandable to get discouraged when our vote isn’t honored the first time around. But the will of the people still matters. When we vote this measure in (again), I will honor that vote and usher in a responsible cannabis industry for South Dakota.”
Florida’s agriculture commissioner posted a video about her efforts to combat the federal ban on gun rights for medical cannabis patients.
A Kansas senator said legalizing recreational marijuana is “not going to happen in Kansas for the foreseeable future.”
An Illinois representative said regulators should allow marijuana dispensary owners to sell shares to raise funding, and suggested lawmakers might pass legislation if they don’t act. Separately, regulators moved to allow cannabis companies to use management services under certain conditions.
New York’s top marijuana regulator gave new details about loan restrictions, dispensary design and fundraising for the social equity fund.
Minnesota regulators are accepting public comments on petitions to add new medical cannabis qualifying conditions.
Hawaii’s Dual Use of Cannabis Task Force released adult-use and medical cannabis policy recommendations.
Connecticut regulators named initial marijuana dispensary and micro-cultivator businesses that will advance in the licensing process.
Maryland regulators published updated lists of licensed medical cannabis dispensaries, growers and processors.
An Oklahoma medical cannabis regulator gave updates on the deadline to transition to Metrc and transfer manifests.
Vermont regulators approved plastic packaging waivers and will discuss marijuana licensing issues on Wednesday.
Utah regulators will host a meeting about a medical cannabis market analysis it is planning to complete on Thursday.
—
Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 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
A San Francisco, California supervisor criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) veto of a bill to allow safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.
The Tuscaloosa, Alabama City Council is expected to vote on whether to allow medical cannabis dispensaries to operate in the city on Tuesday.
The Denver, Colorado City Council’s Business, Arts, Workforce, and Aviation Services Committee will hold a hearing on a bill to establish permanent delivery exclusivity for social equity marijuana transporters and reduce fees for transporter licenses and delivery permits on Wednesday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Israel’s Health Ministry is asking for public input on proposed changes to medical cannabis rules.
Ireland’s Labour Party tweeted about a lawmaker’s support for safe consumption sites for illegal drugs. The party’s Youth Wing tweeted, “Our current drug policy is based on the premise that people who use (certain) drugs deserve to be in prison or deserve to die by an overdose. Both choices are barbaric and must be changed. Injection centres save lives. Drug use is not a crime.”
Queensland, Australia’s Department of Transport and Main Roads is examining whether medical cannabis users should be allowed to drive with THC in their systems.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cannabinoids are effective therapeutics for several medical indications if their specific pharmacological properties are considered.”
A study found that “legalization of cannabis for recreational use was not associated with substantive changes in perceptions of harm among post-secondary students, yet it might lead to increases in cannabis use among those who already use the substance.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Texas Democratic Party tweeted, “It’s time to legalize cannabis in Texas. Democrats have a plan to get it done.”
The Indiana Democratic Party tweeted, “More than 80% of Hoosiers support cannabis in some form, it would be a win-win for the state’s economy, and it’d create a better future for many people. @INDems support legalized marijuana and will campaign on this issue through the fall. “
The Chicago Tribune editorial board expressed concerns about increasing marijuana use.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial board says it’s time for federal marijuana laws to change.
/ BUSINESS
Jushi Holdings Inc. reported $72.8 million in quarterly net revenue.
Khiron Life Sciences Corp. reported C$4.5 million in quarterly revenue and a net loss of C$2.2 million.
Curaleaf Holdings’s executive chairman is facing a $1.5 billion RICO claim alleging that he sought to damage Cura Partners and drive down its price as his company prepared to acquire it.
Organigram’s CEO spoke about the company’s partnership with British American Tobacco.
/ CULTURE
Snoop Dogg and Eminem pretended to smoke an oversized joint prop at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Football player Aaron Rodgers spoke about his use of psychedelics.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
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.
