Senate Intel report on marijuana amendment; AR gov rallies cops against legalization; Biden slams Griner cannabis sentence as US keeps criminalizing
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…
Hold on, just one second before you read today’s news. Have you thought about giving some financial support to Marijuana Moment? If so, today would be a great day to contribute. We’re planning our reporting for the coming months and it would really help to know what kind of support we can count on.
Check us out on Patreon and sign up to give $25/month today:
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) is getting more specific about the details of passing a “SAFE Banking plus” (his words) compromise on marijuana legislation this year. Interestingly, he suggested that the window for enacting cannabis reform would be during the lame duck session—after the midterm elections.
- “More Republicans are stepping up to help us perhaps land a compromise.”
A new Senate Intelligence Committee report sheds light on the panel’s deliberations ahead of approving an amendment to protect certain federal workers from being denied security clearances over marijuana. The initial proposal from Sen. Ron Wyden (R-OR) would’ve covered past or present use of cannabis by workers at any agency, but Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA) filed a revision to scale it back, with his office telling Marijuana Moment it was because the original measure didn’t have enough support to pass as is.
- The report also shows the surprising vote count on the amendment, including support from anti-legalization Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR).
President Joe Biden condemned a Russian court’s nine-year sentence for American basketball player Brittney Griner over cannabis vapes—but advocates are asking why he’s not doing more to free marijuana prisoners in the U.S. despite campaign pledges to do so.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R)—a former Drug Enforcement Administration head—is rallying police officers to oppose a marijuana legalization initiative that may appear on the state’s November ballot, pending a legal challenge before the Supreme Court.
/ FEDERAL
The Department of Justice charged four current and former Louisville, Kentucky police officers with several crimes related to the deadly no-knock drug raid on Breonna Taylor’s home.
Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh did not respond to inquiries about his current position on marijuana after having unsuccessfully urged Massachusetts voters to reject a legalization initiative.
/ STATES
New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) tweeted, “Big news: New Mexico cannabis sales hit a record high in July, totaling over $40 million! July sales topped every previous month including April, New Mexico’s first month of legalized recreational cannabis sales – and this is only the beginning. We’ve established a new industry that is already generating millions of dollars in local and state revenue and will continue to generate millions more in economic activity across the state, creating thousands of jobs for New Mexicans in communities both small and large.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) tweeted, “When @FettermanLt toured the state, 82% of you told him you want marijuana legalization in Pennsylvania. So, what’s the hold up? You want to #LegalizeIt. I’ve said I’ll sign it into law. But first, we need the legislature to get a bill to my desk.”
Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke, a former congressman, reiterated his pledge to legalize marijuana if elected.
Wisconsin Republican gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Kleefisch suggested that legalizing marijuana boosts the illegal market.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife shut down an illegal cannabis operation.
Michigan regulators posted a step-by-step presentation resource for people seeking marijuana business licenses.
Montana regulators published information about protecting marijuana businesses from cyberattacks.
Ohio regulators posted updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.
The Washington State Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force’s Non-Violent Offense Policy/Home Grow Workgroup will meet on Tuesday.
—
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
The Appleton, Wisconsin Common Council voted to place a nonbinding marijuana legalization advisory referendum on the November ballot.
The Washington County, Oregon Commission rejected a proposal to place a measure to ban psilocybin services businesses on the November ballot.
The Pima County, Arizona Board of Supervisors voted to revise strict marijuana zoning rules.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Belize’s home affairs and new growth industries minister suggested that concerns with banking led the government to delay a cannabis bill.
The Canadian government is late in conducting a required review of the country’s marijuana legalization law.
Ecuador’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock hosted an event on CBD.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “many individuals are currently using [medical cannabis] as an adjunctive treatment for menopause-related symptoms, particularly sleep disturbance and mood/anxiety.”
A study demonstrated that “the metabolically active cells in cannabis form a ‘supercell,’ with extensive cytoplasmic bridges across the cell walls and a polar distribution of organelles adjacent to the apical surface where metabolites are secreted,” with researchers proposing “a new model of how the cannabis cells can support abundant metabolite production, with emphasis on the key role of membrane contact sites and extracellular THCA biosynthesis.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The American Civil Liberties Union tweeted, “No one should be incarcerated for marijuana convictions. The war on drugs is bullshit — it’s time for it to end.”
The Association of American Feed Control Officials and the National Industrial Hemp Council are hosting a webinar on hemp as an animal feed ingredient on August 9.
The Minority Cannabis Business Association is partnering with Green Flower to provide its members with free cannabis training courses.
/ BUSINESS
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. reported $70.5 million in quarterly revenue.
COMPASS Pathways plc appointed a new CEO and reported quarterly net loss of $21 million.
New Mexico retailers sold more than $40 million worth of legal marijuana products in July.
/ CULTURE
Football player Aaron Rodgers spoke about his use of psychedelics.
The Onion made fun of President Joe Biden’s stance on cannabis, saying in a headline that the “U.S. Won’t Rest Until Brittney Griner Returned Home To Serve Marijuana Possession Sentence.”
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.
