NY marijuana regulatory officials confirmed; Senators get comments on cannabis bill; Seattle task force: Decrim all drugs; MA’s $2B in marijuana sales
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Drug Enforcement Administration proposed a massive increase in the amount of marijuana and psilocybin that can be legally produced for research, which it says are “necessary steps toward potential Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of new drug products.”
Several major cannabis advocacy and industry organizations submitted comments on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) draft federal marijuana legalization bill. Marijuana Moment compiled a look at concerns about taxes, equity, interstate commerce, licensing and more that were raised by groups.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) appointed—and the Senate confirmed—two key officials who will be responsible for getting the state’s legal marijuana market off the ground.
Seattle, Washington’s Overdose Emergency Innovative Recovery task force is recommending that the city decriminalize all drugs—and says psychedelics in particular could be a promising treatment to address substance abuse disorders and mental health issues.
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission announced that retailers and delivery services have sold more than $2 billion worth of legal marijuana since legalization launched.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Forest Service published a post on cleaning up illegal marijuana grow sites.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) tweeted, “I will defend your right to ingest, consume, or receive any vaccine, food, drug, or treatment you want, whether the government approves it or not… I don’t care if you take mushrooms or marijuana.”
/ STATES
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill to exempt marijuana that is grown under a Drug Enforcement Administration research production license from state regulations. Separately, the state’s top cannabis regulator spoke about efforts to consolidate rulemaking and oversight.
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, filed a disclosure form showing she has a roughly $130,000 investment in Harvest Health & Recreation, Inc.
The South Dakota legislature’s Medical Marijuana Subcommittee voted to recommend a ban on medical cannabis home cultivation.
An Illinois judge left in place an order blocking regulators from issuing marijuana business licenses to the winners of recent lotteries.
Colorado regulators launched new online portals for marijuana business and employee licensing.
Nevada regulators are launching an ACH payments feature for marijuana agent card applicant and license fees.
Arizona regulators published a list of certified medical cannabis testing labs.
New York regulators published a list of authorized hemp research partners.
Ohio regulators published updated medical cannabis licensing and employee data.
Michigan regulators will hold a marijuana social equity education and outreach session on Thursday.
The New Mexico Cannabis Regulatory Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday.
Oregon’s Cannabis Testing Rules Advisory Committee will meet on September 9.
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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.
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/ LOCAL
New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Eric Adams, asked about the state’s new marijuana legalization law, said, “bring the joints.”
A San Luis Obispo County, California review concluded that a marijuana grower’s bribes may have influenced at least two Board of Supervisors decisions.
Sonoma County, California officials are conducting a Cannabis Visioning Survey.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canada’s Liberal Party said it would consult with medical experts on the possibility of allowing psilocybin to be used therapeutically. Separately, the Regina, Saskatchewan Board of Police Commissioners approved a resolution calling for research on the potential decriminalization of drugs.
British Virgin Islands Premier Andrew Fahie said the territory’s former governor should have expressed concerns about a cannabis bill before it passed.
A South African bill to legalize marijuana use and cultivation in accordance with court rulings is being opposed by the plaintiff in that case.
An Australian lawmaker tweeted, “Thousands of deaths from drug overdoses could be prevented if the Government had the courage to legalise cannabis and decriminalise all other drugs for personal use.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “medical cannabis use decreases migraine duration and frequency and headaches of unknown origin” and that “patients suffering from migraines and related conditions may benefit from medical cannabis therapy due to its convenience and efficacy.”
A study found that Canada’s legalization of marijuana “was not associated with evidence of significant post-legalization changes in traffic-injury [emergency department] visits in Ontario or Alberta among all drivers or youth drivers, in particular.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Colorado NORML is opposing a ballot measure to increase marijuana taxes and use the revenue to fund education programs.
The National Immigrant Justice Center tweeted, “As states move to legalize marijuana, it’s essential that policymakers not lose sight of the continuing harm many people will continue to face if we don’t also address the unjust immigration laws that criminalize immigrants.”
/ BUSINESS
Amazon is encouraging its delivery partners to advertise that they don’t test employees for marijuana.
A subsidiary of The Boston Beer Company, Inc. is partnering with WeedMD RX Inc. and Peak Processing Solutions to produce non-alcoholic cannabis-infused beverages in Canada.
TerrAscend Corp. is acquiring Gage Growth Corp.
HEXO Corp. completed its acquisition of 48North Cannabis Corp.
Harvest Health & Recreation Inc. is selling a Florida medical cannabis license to Planet 13 Holdings Inc.
Green Thumb Industries Inc. acquired GreenStar Herbals, Inc.
Ayr Wellness Inc. is acquiring PA Natural Medicine, LLC.
Greenlane Holdings, Inc. and KushCo Holdings, Inc. completed their merger.
Organigram Holdings Inc. filed a final short form base shelf prospectus to qualify the distribution of up to C$500 million of shares, debt securities, subscription receipts, warrants and units.
/ CULTURE
Rosario Dawson spoke about joining Cann’s board and the need for equity in the marijuana industry.
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