KY medical marijuana bill advances; NY equity sales regs advance; WA psilocybin ballot measure; St. Louis cannabis testing ban
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Delaware House of Representatives rejected a marijuana legalization bill. A majority of members supported the legislation, but it did not reach the 3/5 supermajority threshold needed to pass.
The Kentucky House Judiciary Committee approved a bill to legalize medical cannabis.
New York’s Cannabis Control Board advanced proposed regulations giving people with marijuana convictions the first shot at dispensary licenses—ahead of current medical cannabis businesses. The proposal, which is part of a broader new “Seeding Opportunity Initiative” announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), will now undergo a public comment period.
Washington State activists filed a proposed ballot measure that would legalize “facilitated” psilocybin sessions.
The St. Louis, Missouri County Council approved a measure to ban pre-employment and random marijuana testing for most county workers.
Black Missourians are worried about being boxed out of the marijuana industry by proposed licensing caps they say could result in big businesses controlling the market.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Sentencing Commission published a report on compassionate release from federal prison.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “37 states and DC legalized cannabis for medical use. 18 states and DC legalized both medical and adult use. It’s past time the federal government caught up. Comprehensive federal cannabis reform with equity for communities most impacted by the War on Drugs is a top Senate priority.”
Rep. Tim Ryan (D) tweeted, “No person should be sentenced to a lifetime of hardship because of a marijuana arrest. I’m proud to stand on the side of justice by supporting legislation that will begin righting the wrongs of decades of misinformed drug policy and make marijuana legal in all 50 states.”
New York Democratic congressional candidate Rana Abdelhamid tweeted, “The war on drugs has torn so many communities of color apart, so it’s a breath of fresh air that New York has not only legalized marijuana, but is giving those with drug convictions another chance. That’s a step towards restorative justice.”
North Carolina Democratic congressional candidate Charles Graham tweeted, “In NC, any adult can go into a CBD store and purchase Delta 8, a substance that closely mimics the effects of marijuana. At the same time, folks are sitting in jail cells — separated from their families — for possessing marijuana. It’s unfair and frankly stupid. Let them out.”
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair drug war harms got one new cosponsor for a total of 109.
/ STATES
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s (R) leadership committee received a $50,000 contribution from the CEO of one of only six companies to win a medical cannabis business license in the state.
Attorneys for men on trial for conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) blamed the scheme on marijuana use and “stoned crazy talk.”
South Dakota lawmakers sent Gov. Kristi Noem (R) a bill to set limits on medical cannabis home cultivation.
Alabama lawmakers sent Gov. Kay Ivey (R) a bill to legalize fentanyl test strips.
The West Virginia Senate advanced a bill on security and surveillance requirements for medical cannabis businesses.
Louisiana lawmakers have filed several bills aimed at expanding medical cannabis access.
The Maryland Judicial Ethics Committee determined that a law clerk is allowed to author an article about medical cannabis employment protections as long as he does not identify the court he works for.
New Jersey regulators posted an update on the marijuana business licensing process, saying they are “moving through a critical milestone” this week.
California regulators are moving to readopt emergency rules consolidating cannabis regulations.
Illinois regulators issued a policy statement blocking cannabis businesses from producing delta-8 or delta-9 THC from hemp oil.
The chairman of Oregon’s Psilocybin Advisory Board resigned.
Connecticut regulators began accepting lottery applications for marijuana product manufacturer licenses.
New York regulators are holding training sessions for people who want to become certified hemp sampling agents.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 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
New York City’s mayor included a pledge to “build the country’s most equitable cannabis industry” in an economic recovery blueprint, and also spoke about the rollout of legal marijuana sales at a press conference.
Los Angeles, California’s top marijuana regulator is stepping down.
Springfield, Illinois firefighters may no longer be tested for marijuana if a pending contract is ratified.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canada’s Supreme Court is taking up a case on the constitutionality of Quebec’s ban on marijuana home cultivation.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “the vast majority of patients self-selecting into cannabis use for treatment of nausea likely experience relief within a relative short duration of time, but the level of antiemetic effect varies with the characteristics of the cannabis products consumed in vivo.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Kentucky Democratic Party tweeted, “The vast majority of Kentuckians support legislation — like @CherlynnForKY’s HB 582 — to legalize medical marijuana, offering much-needed relief for patients with chronic pain, PTSD and other debilitating health issues. It’s time for the General Assembly to act.”
The Missouri State Medical Association is calling on the federal government to “promptly revise marijuana’s current classification as a Schedule I controlled substance in order to facilitate evidence-based, scientifically-valid clinical research to evaluate its efficacy and safety.”
/ BUSINESS
Acreage Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly consolidated revenue of $58.1 million and a net operating loss of $35.6 million.
Johns Hopkins University, Yale University, and New York University are collaborating to create a psychedelics curriculum for psychiatrists.
TerrAscend Corp. completed its acquisition of Gage Growth Corp.
National Labor Relations Board prosecutors are asking a federal court to order Curaleaf Arizona to reinstate a dispensary worker who was allegedly terminated for leading a union organizing effort.
Authentic 231 in Manistee, Michigan became the state’s first union-organized cannabis business.
/ CULTURE
Mike Tyson spoke about how using cannabis helps him be “at peace.”
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