OK gov: feds should legalize; KY gov: marijuana action soon; Psychedelics in Congress; GOP reps push FDA on CBD; Dispensary bans fuel illicit market
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that votes will be counted on the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot after all. The justices reversed a Board of Election Commissioners determination that the ballot title is misleading.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) said he wants the federal government to legalize marijuana even though he opposes enacting the policy change in his own state.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said he received an initial report from the Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee he formed and that “there will be some actions forthcoming.”
At a House Ways & Means Committee meeting on healthcare legislation, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) noted the therapeutic role of psychedelics like psilocybin, which he says have “real potential” as alternative mental health therapies with “less impact” than pharmaceuticals.
Reps. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Brett Guthrie (R-KY) sent a letter demanding that the Food and Drug Administration explain its delay in enacting regulations for CBD products.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) signed an executive order creating an Advisory Task Force on Recreational Marijuana to review the state’s cannabis taxes, fees and regulations, and make recommendations for improvements.
A new report from Leafly and Whitney Economics shows how local marijuana business bans end up bolstering an illicit cannabis market that sells unregulated products without regard for age limits, testing and tax revenue.
The Oregon Health Authority announced that behavioral health funds made available under the state’s voter-approved drug decriminalization law have now been released to counties to support treatment and other services.
/ FEDERAL
The National Institute on Drug Abuse’s strategic new plan says it will explore “novel therapeutic strategies—including the use of psychedelic, cannabinoid, and kratom compounds” as potential substance use disorder treatments. It will also examine the medical uses for cannabis and the impact of changing marijuana policies.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit declined to reconsider a ruling that overturned Maine’s residency requirements for medical cannabis business owners based on the Dormant Commerce Clause.
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) spoke at the launch event for prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana’s Parent Action Network.
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) tweeted that she met with cannabis companies “to talk about the development of a regulatory pathway for the sale of hemp-derived cannabidiol. We need to protect and promote this industry.”
Alaska Democratic Senate candidate Pat Chesbro tweeted, “As Senator, I’ll fight to de-schedule cannabis products at the federal level, as well as work to correct the harm that past drug laws have brought on Americans. I’ll also support the SAFE Act to bring banking to legal canna-business.”
New York Republican congressional candidate Tina Forte said her family’s experience with drug arrests has “given me insights to the reforms we desperately need, including decriminalization of marijuana, expungement of marijuana violations, and restoring rights for nonviolent offenders.”
/ STATES
The state of Pennsylvania’s official Twitter account promoted the governor’s Marijuana Pardon Project, saying, “In Pennsylvania, we believe in second chances.”
A Florida representative tweeted, “Cannabis legalization can ensure that thousands of nonviolent offenders have their records expunged. It will be an economic boon for our state that creates jobs and respects our freedoms. When re-elected, I’ll continue our bipartisan work to move Florida towards legalization!”
New Jersey officials urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit not to revive a lawsuit challenging the state’s marijuana legalization law.
Oregon regulators proposed rulemaking related to a marijuana business license moratorium and regarding reporting of trafficking and unlawful employment of minors at cannabis premises.
California’s top marijuana regulator said “the state can do more to help remove barriers for [small farmers] to participate in the legal market.”
Connecticut regulators selected applicants for six marijuana retail and two micro-cultivation licenses in a general lottery.
Washington State regulators extended an allowance for minors to be present on the premises of cannabis wholesale producers and processors.
Vermont regulators approved additional marijuana cultivation and manufacturing business licenses.
A former Massachusetts regulator coauthored an op-ed laying out concerns about monopolization in the marijuana industry.
Maryland’s Medical Cannabis Commission met.
The Louisiana House of Representatives’s Medical Marijuana Commission will meet on Friday.
The Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on Friday.
Hawaii’s Dual Use of Cannabis Task Force will meet on Monday.
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/ LOCAL
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s mayor said a marijuana decriminalization policy he championed helped to attract young people to the city.
Alabama cities and counties are approving resolutions and ordinances and revising zoning codes in preparation of hosting medical cannabis dispensaries.
A judge ruled that a Benzonia, Michigan proposed ballot initiative to ban marijuana businesses failed to comply with election requirements.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Canadian announced it is launching an overdue review of the nation’s marijuana legalization law.
The Scottish Medicines Consortium approved cannabis-based medicine Sativex.
Paraguayan senators discussed medical cannabis.
South Africa activists will soon be asking the Pretoria High Court to take up a case on the right to sell cannabis.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabidiol prevents chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain.”
A study of law enforcement opinions suggested that “most police officers in Colorado are slightly supportive of legalization, but have noted that it has made their job more difficult.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Independent Community Bankers of America is encouraging people to contact members of Congress to support marijuana banking legislation.
ASTM International and U.S. Pharmacopeia are hosting a workshop on cannabis quality on December 7 and 8.
Save Our State PAC is a new committee opposing Missouri’s marijuana legalization ballot initiative.
Protecting South Dakota’s Kids is a new group opposing the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.
/ BUSINESS
Tilray Brands, Inc. announced that its FL Group S.R.L. division received approval from Italian officials to import and sell its oral medical cannabis product in the county.
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