GOP psychedelics amendment in Congress; Feds fund hemp housing research; PA marijuana banking to gov; MN legalizes THC edibles; VT drug decrim poll
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) filed a National Defense Authorization Act amendment that would direct the military to study the benefits of psilocybin and MDMA—in addition to cannabis—as alternatives to opioids for service members with PTSD, traumatic brain injury or severe pain.
The U.S. Department of Energy awarded a $3.74 million grant to help researchers at Texas A&M University develop hemp-based, 3D-printed materials that can be used to build affordable housing.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill to eliminate the marijuana cultivation tax, prevent excise tax increases for at least three years and provide tax credits for social equity and other cannabis businesses.
Pennsylvania lawmakers sent a marijuana banking and insurance bill to the desk of Gov. Tom Wolf (D).
The chairman of the Minnesota Senate Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee says a new law allowing cannabinoid-infused foods and beverages may need to be revised—even though he voted for it—because some lawmakers weren’t aware it allowed THC edibles.
A new poll shows that Vermont likely voters across party lines overwhelmingly support decriminalizing drugs—but Gov. Phil Scott (R) recently vetoed a bill that would take a modest step towards setting the state up to potentially enact the reform in the future.
/ FEDERAL
Federal prosecutors sent a press release touting the convictions that are part of a “crackdown on [the] unlicensed marijuana dispensary industry.”
Former House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) is asking a court to dismiss a lawsuit claiming he and his law firm stole a marijuana legalization campaign strategy from another organization.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and 13 bicameral members of Congress sent a letter to Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services leaders raising concerns about the Biden administration’s plans to permanently schedule fentanyl-related substances.
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) tweeted, “Big news for Nevada’s cannabis industry! Officials have approved regulations paving the way for public consumption lounges. This step forward will benefit small businesses and help boost our state’s economy.”
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) tweeted, “As a founding member of the House Cannabis Caucus, I’m working for equal treatment of the marijuana industry. Cannabis consumption lounges will provide Nevadans with a safe space to use weed.”
/ STATES
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed legislation that includes cannabis businesses with on-site consumption in a list of sensitive locations where people are not allowed to possess guns.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) tweeted, “We’re smoking other states when it comes to improving equity in the cannabis industry and growing our economy. I’ll be blunt: no one’s doing it like we are in Nevada.”
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) is being attacked in a Super PAC ad for focusing on legalizing marijuana instead of addressing inflation.
Tennessee Democratic gubernatorial candidates discussed marijuana during a debate.
Nebraska activists said they are in “serious jeopardy” of not collecting enough signatures to qualify medical cannabis initiatives for the ballot.
Twenty-three new South Dakota medical cannabis laws took effect on Friday.
A Virginia senator touted the state’s large reduction in drug arrests since marijuana decriminalization took effect.
The Ohio Supreme Court overturned a marijuana conviction based on a finding that officers conducted an illegal search.
New Jersey regulators proposed permanent marijuana rules and approved 81 new conditional licenses for cultivation, manufacturing and retail businesses.
Massachusetts regulators extended orders allowing medical cannabis telehealth consultations and curbside operations.
Colorado regulators sent a bulletin about new marijuana testing requirements for aspergillus and expanded potency testing for total THC.
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/ LOCAL
Albany, New York’s Common Council is considering a proposal to use marijuana revenue to fund reparations for communities harmed by the war on drugs.
Lehigh County, Pennsylvania’s district attorney is warning merchants that some of the hemp-derived products they are selling are illegal.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Albania’s government published a draft law to legalize cultivation of cannabis for medical and industrial use.
Guernsey lawmakers voted to initiate a review of cannabis laws.
Uruguay’s government said it won’t be feasible to legalize marijuana sales to tourists in the near future.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that medical cannabis patients “experience a high prevalence of perceived stigma from many corners of society.”
A study provided “preliminary support for the efficacy and safety of MDMA-[assisted therapy] for treating PTSD across ethnoracial groups.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Kentucky Democratic Party tweeted, “Republican lawmakers in Frankfort think Kentucky voters don’t care about legalizing medical cannabis. RT if you’re a Kentucky voter who does.”
Cannabis entrepreneur Wanda James won a Democratic primary for a seat on the University of Colorado’s Board of Regents.
/ BUSINESS
Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. closed on $28.5 million of remaining additional funding under an existing term loan credit facility.
Radio Shack’s official Twitter account tweeted, “Taking the second half of an edible after feeling nothing from the first half is always a bad idea. This chocolate bar got me out here fighting for my life.”
/ CULTURE
The Russian trial of American basketball player Brittney Griner, who is being detained after allegedly being caught with cannabis vapes at an airport, began.
Clint Eastwood was awarded $2 million in a lawsuit he filed against a CBD company that allegedly used his name and likeness to promote its products without permission.
Actress and Jeopardy host Mayim Bialik won a preliminary injunction against CBD companies that were using her name to advertise their products.
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