Senators plan White House marijuana meetings; Top cop and Psaki on cannabis & violence; FDA wants kratom ban comments
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House Rules Committee cleared marijuana and drug policy amendments for floor votes this week—including measures to remove roadblocks to research on the benefits of psychedelics and encourage federal regulations allowing CBD as a dietary supplement and food ingredient.
- An amendment to protect people from losing public housing over cannabis use was blocked from consideration, however.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said he and other senators sponsoring a new marijuana bill will be “having conversations with the White House” to get President Joe Biden on board with legalization. He also further addressed his cannabis banking stance in a new Twitter Q & A session.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki quickly pivoted away from a Fox News reporter’s question about whether violent incidents in Washington, D.C. mean it’s time to “get tougher on marijuana.”
- The city’s police chief said after a recent shooting that the illegal marijuana trade drives violence, but advocates say a big part of the problem is that Congress keeps blocking the city from regulating cannabis sales. That could change this year.
The Food and Drug Administration is asking for public comments about a possible global ban on kratom. Advocates say it’s part of a U.S. effort to restrict the natural painkiller domestically by default after a federal scheduling effort stalled.
Missouri probation and parole officers are sending patients back to prison for using medical cannabis—even though it is legal in the state.
/ FEDERAL
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said in a Federal Register filing that “untreated and inappropriately treated pain may translate to increased costs to the Medicare program” and that “additional risks in untreated pain include individuals using illicit drugs such as cannabis.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said hemp businesses operating under the 2018 Farm Bill are eligible for the Rural Energy for America Program.
Former Labor Sec. Robert Reich tweeted, “As the Olympics officially get under way, I can’t help but think about how ludicrous it is that cannabis use kept Sha’Carri Richardson from competing, when the cannabis industry is projected to rake in $70 billion by 2028.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “It’s long past time to end the federal prohibition and undo the harms of the War on Drugs. That’s why @SenBooker, @RonWyden, and I are working to pass our Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act.” He also tweeted, “The War on Drugs has been a war on people. @SenBooker, @RonWyden, and I released our Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act to end the federal prohibition, enact criminal justice reforms, and invest in communities hurt by the War on Drugs.”
Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) wrote in a constituent letter that “marijuana is illegal because it is dangerous.”
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) praised the medical cannabis advocacy of a New Hampshire state representative in remarks for the Congressional Record.
Rep. Mike Walz (R-FL) tweeted, “The IOC bans a US athlete for cannabis but allows #IRGC terrorist murderers to compete?”
/ STATES
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and top lawmakers are blaming one another for the lack of appointments to the state’s marijuana regulatory bodies.
Most South Carolina senators said in a survey that they expect a medical cannabis bill will be a 2022 priority for the chamber.
A California senator spoke about his bill to legalize possession of psychedelics.
The New Mexico Court of Appeals upheld a lower judge’s ruling directing regulators to designate additional medical cannabis dispensary locations for Ultra Health.
Illinois regulators awarded 40 out of 40 marijuana craft grower licenses to businesses led by military veterans.
Idaho regulators are preparing to submit a hemp plan for federal approval.
Alaska regulators proposed changes to marijuana business fine schedules.
West Virginia regulators said they will host more in-person medical cannabis patient registration events based on the turnout of one on Monday.
The Texas Medical Advisory Board discussed the issue of marijuana use by a person while driving when they have a history of alcoholism.
Ohio regulators plan to consider several rules changes related to medical cannabis at a hearing on August 19.
Oklahoma regulators sent a reminder that medical cannabis ownership attestation forms are due by August 30.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,100 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
Denver, Colorado’s mayor proposed using a portion of marijuana tax revenue to fund a loan program for minority and women-owned businesses. Separately, officials will host an information session on marijuana businesses on Tuesday.
The Oakland, California City Council approved a resolution to support state legislation to prohibit employers from discriminating against potential or current workers for testing positive for inactive marijuana metabolites in their urine or hair.
The Richmond, Virginia Redevelopment and Housing Authority is being sued by a woman whose voucher for housing assistance was rejected due to a past marijuana conviction.
A Polk County, Iowa attorney candidate tweeted, “Since marijuana is trending right now, this seems as good a time as any to remind people that as Polk County Attorney it will be the presumption of the office to not prosecute low level, nonviolent offenses like pot possession.”
/ INTERNATIONAL
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte defended his nation’s bloody “war on drugs” in his final State of the Nation Address.
Guernsey’s government is accepting applications to cultivate medical cannabis.
The Penticton, British Columbia, Canada rejected a motion to support Vancouver’s effort to decriminalize drugs.
The Israeli Defense Forces is cracking down on use of marijuana and other drugs by troops.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cannabinoids are a reasonable treatment modality for refractory chronic pelvic pain, especially if a neuropathic component is suspected.”
A study of CBD to treat Lennox–Gastaut syndrome found that “87% or more of patients/caregivers reported improvement in the patient’s overall condition on the Subject/Caregiver Global Impression of Change scale.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
ACT UP NY gave out free marijuana joints outside the Brooklyn apartment of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to people who have received coronavirus vaccines.
/ BUSINESS
Bluebird Botanicals acquired Precision Botanical.
Numinus Wellness Inc. received approval from the Canadian government for a study evaluating MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Braxia Scientific Corp. established direct billing practices with Medavie Blue Cross to provide ketamine treatment to Canadian military veterans.
/ CULTURE
Joe Exotic’s marijuana company is rolling out a marijuana-infused seltzer called Tiger Piss.
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