NYPD reverses course on police marijuana testing; Amendments on cannabis in housing & for veterans filed; Banking groups push Congress for SAFE
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House of Representatives approved amendments requiring the military to study the benefits of psychedelics for service members with PTSD and to examine the “historically discriminatory” enforcement of marijuana offenses.
The House Rules Committee cleared a total of nine drug policy amendments—including three that already passed on Wednesday, as well as others on cannabis banking, allowing medical marijuana recommendations for veterans and other issues—to proceed to floor votes this week for possible attachment to the National Defense Authorization Act.
Congressional lawmakers filed new spending bill amendments to protect people from being kicked out of public housing for marijuana and to shield military veterans who use medical cannabis from being punished by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The New York City Police Department announced it would cease subjecting officers to random, scheduled or pre-employment drug tests for marijuana in accordance with a city memo directing all agencies to stop such activity—but later reversed course and said it will continue the tests while it reviews potential conflicts with federal law.
The Americans Bankers Association, Credit Union National Association, Independent Community bankers of America and National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions sent a letter calling on Congress to again pass marijuana banking legislation—this time as part of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act.
/ FEDERAL
The Food and Drug Administration announced it intends to award a contract to a company to “provide online data subscription and analytic services to help address knowledge gaps and contribute to the foundation of evidence needed on cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabis products to help inform development of surveillance measures, guide prevention efforts, and target education/outreach initiatives.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture posted a short podcast about hemp pest control strategies.
Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) pressed a nominee to be health and human services assistant secretary for planning and evaluation to challenge the Biden administration on the “health impacts of marijuana legalization…with close attention to what the facts indicate, rather than what political agendas might dictate.”
/ STATES
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) tweeted, “Ninety percent of Kentucky adults support medical cannabis, and this committee will help ensure every voice is heard as I weigh executive action that could provide access to medical cannabis for those suffering from chronic pain or our veterans suffering from PTSD.” The state’s Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee will hold a town hall meeting on Thursday.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) tweeted, “Minnesotans want us to #LegalizeMN and expunge cannabis convictions. It’s time that we move our state in that direction.”
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, said she is liquidating her financial interest in the marijuana industry as faces questions about potential conflicts of interest.
Nevada’s attorney general hosted a cannabis roundtable meeting, tweeting, “I’m proud that marijuana is legal and regulated in Nevada — and it’s clear that this industry is offering good jobs, inclusion, and a career path for many folks.”
The New Mexico legislature’s interim Legislative Health & Human Services Committee heard testimony on the benefits of allowing psilocybin-assisted therapy.
A Nebraska senator tweeted, “Many people have reached out and asked if we came across the finish line with enough valid signatures to meet the requirements to put medical cannabis on the ballot. My answer is I don’t know and won’t know until the end of August when the official count is completed.
Pennsylvania police arrested more than 13,000 people for marijuana possession 2021.
New York regulators will vote on approving the application for conditional recreational marijuana dispensary licenses on Thursday.
California regulators are accepting a second round of public comments on a draft request for grant applications for the Sustainable California Grown Cannabis pilot study.
The New Jersey Clean Energy Program is considering offering a new construction program specifically for cannabis businesses.
Colorado’s Retail Marijuana Public Health Advisory Committee will meet on Monday.
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/ LOCAL
The Tuscaloosa, Alabama City Council approved a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
The Sacramento County, California Board of Supervisors rejected a proposal to place a question on the November ballot to tax marijuana businesses in unincorporated areas.
Oakland, California regulators published a request for proposals for several opportunities under the Cannabis Equity Program.
The Hermiston, Oregon City Council is considering putting a measure on the ballot to ban psilocybin services businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Thailand’s Medical Council issued medical cannabis guidelines for doctors.
An Italian lawmaker is pushing for a vote on a bill to legalize personal marijuana cultivation.
An Uruguayan senator wants to tax marijuana to help fund the country’s Olympic Committee.
A German appeals court exonerated a father and son for possessing medical cannabis on the basis of “emergency” treatment.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “there is substantial evidence for the effectiveness of THC/CBD combination medicines for chronic pain, especially neuropathic and nociplastic pain or pain with an inflammatory component.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Alabama Democratic Party tweeted, “No one should be in jail for a little bit of weed.”
R Street published a white paper on how legalizing marijuana can restore police legitimacy and bolster public safety.
/ BUSINESS
Zoned Properties, Inc. secured an initial debt facility of up to $4.5 million.
Green Sage Management is being directed to shut down nine diesel generators at their cannabis facilities.
Colorado retailers sold $147.8 million worth of legal marijuana in May.
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