Fed drug official gives MD legalization advice; NV’s $1 billion in marijuana sales; Cannabis & psychedelics on ballots across US next month
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Biden administration’s Department of Veterans Affairs testified before the House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee that it opposes a bill to expand research on the benefits of medical cannabis for military veterans struggling with PTSD and chronic pain, calling its provisions too “prescriptive.”
A top federal official with the National Institute on Drug Abuse gave advice to Maryland lawmakers who are crafting a marijuana legalization referendum for the 2022 ballot. She has concerns about commercialization but signaled reform’s inevitability by weighing in on policy areas such as potency limits, marketing restrictions, labeling requirements, product testing mandates and other regulatory matters. She also described the need to allow public consumption of cannabis as a “social equity” issue so that people don’t get evicted from their housing.
The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board and the Nevada Department of Taxation announced that retailers in the state sold more than $1 billion worth of legal marijuana products over the past fiscal year.
Although 2021 is an off-year election, voters in cities and states across the country will decide on ballot measures next month to decriminalize marijuana, deprioritize enforcement against psychedelics, increase marijuana taxes and more.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service sent a press release about a survey of hemp producers it is mailing out next week.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse will host a meeting to review grant applications on using cannabinoids to treat HIV-associated persistent inflammation on November 19.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “Americans are sending a clear message—they want an end to marijuana prohibition. That’s why @SenBooker, @RonWyden, and I are working to pass our Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act to end the federal prohibition and undo the harms of the War on Drugs.”
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) tweeted about visiting a marijuana dispensary, saying, “It defies common sense that dispensaries like @GoGreenMuse in Portland are denied banking services because of arcane federal laws. I’ll continue working to end the federal prohibition of cannabis and deliver much-needed relief to small businesses in Oregon and nationwide.”
Kentucky Democratic congressional candidate Morgan McGarvey, currently the state Senate minority leader, supports legalizing marijuana.
/ STATES
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) said there are still some details to work out on a medical cannabis bill before he is ready to call a special session.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) was pressed during a debate on why he hasn’t commuted sentences of or issued pardons to people who are incarcerated for marijuana. Meanwhile, the lieutenant governor tweeted, “New Jersey is a leader in criminal justice reform. With our approach to legalizing adult-use cannabis and recognizing how the War on Drugs disproportionately impacted our Black and Brown communities, we’re able to make our criminal justice system fairer for all.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) tweeted, “Bills are moving. It’s time to legalize marijuana. Let’s get it done.”
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) tweeted, “Promise made, promise kept: last spring I called the #NMleg into a special session to legalize recreational cannabis because I promised New Mexicans we would get it done. And now, we’ve created a new economic driver for New Mexico.”
The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in two cases that employers do not have to reimburse workers for medical cannabis used to treat work-related injuries.
Montana regulators filed proposed recreational marijuana rules.
Massachusetts regulators halted marijuana sales at ACK Natural after it allegedly failed to properly test products for mycotoxins.
Missouri regulators released medical cannabis products that had been placed on an administrative hold.
Washington State regulators released an updated list of pesticides that are allowed for use in marijuana production.
West Virginia regulators will host medical cannabis patient signup events next week.
Colorado regulators published an overview of how marijuana tax revenue funds education.
Arkansas regulators published updated data on medical cannabis patient registrations.
Tennessee’s Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on Thursday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,200 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.
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/ LOCAL
Denver, Colorado’s mayor tweeted about a cannabis social equity resource fair on Saturday, saying, “Many people of color are still weighed down by past convictions for possession of marijuana and, as a result, they are barred from entering the industry. We are working to fix that.”
The Clark County, Nevada Commission is considering funding a Pathway to Ownership program aimed at increasing social equity in the marijuana industry.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Israeli Knesset gave initial approval to a medical cannabis regulation bill.
Germany’s Health Ministry reiterated opposition to marijuana legalization after a health spokesperson for the top vote-getting party in recent elections expressed support for the reform.
Western Australia’s government plans to investigate medical cannabis access issues and hemp commercialization opportunities.
A Mexican senator is hosting a series of events about marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “CBD alleviates liver injuries in alcoholics with high-fat high-cholesterol diet.”
A study examining “psilocybin administration combined with a structured smoking cessation treatment program in nicotine dependent individuals” is now recruiting participants.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that 60 percent of Britons think criminalization of drugs is ineffective in preventing use and that they are much less likely to think marijuana is dangerous as compared to alcohol or tobacco.
NORML published a report highlighting concerns about delta-8 THC products.
/ BUSINESS
Lantern transitioned to an independent corporate entity following Uber’s acquisition of its former parent company Drizly Group.
IGNITE International Brands, Ltd. is discontinuing its cannabis business in Canada.
CBD company FullSend Inc. is suing YouTube influencer firm Nelk Inc. over an alleged intimidation campaign regarding trademark infringement accusations.
Colorado retailers sold $192.9 million worth of legal marijuana products in August.
/ CULTURE
Stevie Van Zandt launched a line of cannabis products.
Conor McGregor tweeted about his use of CBD to manage pain.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
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