Feds seek marijuana growing contractor; WADA keeps cannabis banned for athletes; Contrasting CO psychedelics polls; Booker & Fetterman talk cannabis
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Department of Justice, in its latest filing in a case on medical cannabis patients’ gun rights, compared marijuana consumers to domestic abusers, saying it is “dangerous” for them to possess firearms.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse posted a request for proposals to grow millions of grams of marijuana for research —including maintaining “a stock of cannabis preparations such as bulk and cigarettes of varying potencies of various cannabinoids.”
The World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed it is keeping marijuana on the list of banned substances for athletes—determining that cannabis use “violates the spirit of sport.”
Two Colorado polls show contrasting results for the psychedelics legalization initiative on the November ballot. A new media survey has the measure losing, while an internal poll provided to Marijuana Moment by the campaign finds it strongly ahead.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D), who is running for U.S. Senate, spoke at a conference about the need for justice-focused marijuana reform. The Pennsylvania Board of Pardons secretary, who also spoke, said thousands of people have already applied for cannabis pardons under the governor’s new project this month.
The Mississippi Department of Health reported that the state has already generated nearly $6 million in medical cannabis business license and application fees—and sales to patients haven’t even started yet.
/ FEDERAL
The Department of Justice and attorneys for a proposed safe consumption site for illegal drugs once again agreed to delay the deadline for the Biden administration to reveal its position in the case as “productive” negotiations continue. It’s now due December 4, preceded by a status call the week of November 14—both after the midterm elections.
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Rahul Gupta pushed back on suggestions that fentanyl be declared a “weapon of mass destruction.”
The Department of Health and Human Services awarded more than $1.6 billion in funds to address addiction and overdose issues.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) met with hemp industry advocates.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) reportedly asked the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to allocate $3.45 million to support an interagency task force on psychedelics.
Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) spoke about his National Defense Authorization Act amendment to research psychedelic therapy for active duty military service members.
/ STATES
California’s attorney general spoke about the state’s challenges in regulating the marijuana market and sealing prior conviction records.
North Dakota attorney general candidates discussed the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot during a debate.
Kansas attorney general candidates discussed marijuana decriminalization and medical cannabis during a debate.
Texas Democratic agriculture commissioner candidate Susan Hays spoke about her support for marijuana reform.
The Louisiana legislature’s Medical Marijuana Commission met.
The Washington, D.C. Council chairman lamented that the U.S. attorney for the District won’t prosecute unlicensed marijuana businesses busted by police.
The Arkansas Board of Corrections adopted a resolution opposing the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.
Illinois regulators issued guidance allowing marijuana infusers to produce vape cartridges.
South Carolina officials are being sued by a hemp farmer who claims they improperly destroyed his crops.
Michigan State Police officials refused to provide additional details about their forensic lab’s problems with cannabis testing.
Maryland regulators received more than 15,000 responses to a medical cannabis patient survey.
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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.
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/ LOCAL
The Fostoria, Ohio City Council approved a marijuana decriminalization ordinance.
Albany, New York’s mayor is promoting the next meeting of the city’s Cannabis Advisory Committee on Tuesday.
The St. Louis County, Missouri City Council Ethics Committee is continuing to investigate a member who failed to disclose consulting work for medical cannabis businesses while acting on legislation to regulate the industry.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he wants to shift the focus of the country’s drug policy to prevention and rehabilitation rather than law enforcement.
Sri Lanka’s state minister of indigenous medicine said the government plans to legalize medical cannabis exports.
The UK Labour Party’s shadow justice secretary said London’s mayor would be blocked from enacting any marijuana decriminalization plan.
A Canadian member of Parliament tweeted, “Other jurisdictions have better moved towards expungement and using cannabis revenue to support communities negatively and disproportionately impacted by past criminalization. We should do the same.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “existing literature supports the efficacy of acute CBD for improving social anxiety.”
A study found that “Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) growth is inhibited at very low dosages of CBD-antibiotic,” demonstrating that “CBD and CBD-antibiotic co-therapies are viable novel alternatives to combating Salmonella typhimurium.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The American Bankers Association tweeted, “Passing the bipartisan, commonsense #SAFEBanking Act in the Senate is urgently needed to allow cannabis businesses in states where cannabis is legal to safely participate in the banking system.”
The New York State Bar Association is hosting an event on cannabis business insolvency on October 6.
/ BUSINESS
Eaze has a new CEO.
The New York Times metro desk is launching a cannabis beat.
Green Thumb Industries is being accused of gender discrimination in a lawsuit from a former employee.
Cannabis investment platform JuicyFields is being investigated by Spanish authorities.
Canadian retailers sold C$394.8 million worth of legal cannabis products in July.
/ CULTURE
Jimmy Fallon joked about California’s new law on employment protections for cannabis consumers.
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