NY marijuana packaging/testing rules; CA safe consumption site bill advances; Another TX local decrim measure; OR psilocybin board decision pushback
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The North Carolina Senate Rules and Operations Committee approved a medical cannabis bill. A floor vote is expected on Thursday, and the body’s president pro tempore says he will support passage.
New York regulators approved proposed rules for marijuana packaging, labeling, advertising and laboratory testing. They also voted to issue additional cannabis cultivation licenses to make sure the market has enough product when sales launch this year.
The California Assembly Public Safety Committee approved a bill to allow cities to open safe consumption sites for illegal drugs. It has already passed the full Senate and now heads to the Assembly floor.
San Marcos, Texas activists submitted what they say are more than enough signatures to put a marijuana decriminalization initiative on the November ballot. At least three other cities in the state are poised to qualify similar measures—and voters in Austin already approved one last month.
The Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board’s rejection of a proposal for spiritual and religious use of the psychedelic—and the manner in which it did so—is being criticized by stakeholders who say the voter-approved program is being set up with too much of a medical focus.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Supreme Court received briefs from plaintiffs in cannabis workers’ compensation cases replying to a filing from the Justice Department that urged the court not to take the case.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse will host an international forum addressing harm reduction, alternatives to punishment for people with drug use disorders and other issues on June 9 and 10.
Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) appeared at a press conference with local police to discuss efforts to combat illegal marijuana cultivation.
New Mexico Democratic congressional candidate Gabe Vasquez tweeted, “Yesterday I toured several businesses and facilities in New Mexico’s growing cannabis industry, including an abandoned greenhouse that was repurposed & created hundreds of jobs. In Congress, I will support the federal legalization of cannabis.”
/ STATES
Former Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove (D) is applying for a medical cannabis testing license.
Maryland Democratic comptroller candidates said they support marijuana legalization during a debate.
Virginia lawmakers sent Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) a budget bill that recriminalizes possession of more than four ounces of marijuana in public
Connecticut regulators began a marijuana business license lottery process.
The North Carolina House of Representatives approved a bill to permanently legalize hemp.
New York’s Office of Cannabis Management estimates that the marijuana industry will create 60,000 jobs.
Illinois regulators awarded 48 cannabis craft cultivation licenses.
Washington State sent a bulletin about crime prevention resources for cannabis businesses.
Colorado regulators published a cannabis social equity FAQ for prospective licensees.
New Mexico regulators released information about complaints they have received about marijuana businesses.
Vermont regulators approved additional outdoor marijuana cultivation business licenses.
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission will meet on Thursday.
Michigan regulators will hold a public hearing to receive feedback on whether marijuana flower products should be required to be prepackaged on June 16.
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/ LOCAL
Detroit, Michigan elections officials upheld an opinion finding that a proposed initiative to overturn local recreational marijuana business rules missed the deadline to qualify for the ballot.
The Sacramento, California City Council voted to allow cannabis dispensary owners to sell their businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Colombian President Iván Duque spoke at a cannabis forum.
The Scottish Parliament held a debate on access to medical cannabis products.
Manitoba, Canada’s justice minister said the province will not join British Columbia in moving to decriminalize drugs. Meanwhile, Alberta’s premier criticized the federal government’s approval of local decriminalization.
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration launched an app that lets people register to grow cannabis.
Lithuanian lawmakers filed cannabis decriminalization legislation.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “oral cannabinoids are significantly effective for treating [multiple sclerosis] pain and spasticity, while the other symptoms indicate slight improvement and the evidence is quite inconsistent.”
A study found that “acute cannabigerol administration lowers blood pressure in mice.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
In a poll, 57 percent of Canadian voters listed legalizing marijuana as one of the major things the current Liberal government would be remembered for.
Fox News host Laura Ingraham did a segment attempting to tie mass shootings to marijuana.
/ BUSINESS
Akerna is instituting a cost-cutting program that includes layoffs and reduced executive salaries.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. closed a bought deal offering of units for gross proceeds of approximately $172.5 million.
Verano Holdings Corp. launched a fundraising effort to support The Weldon Project’s Mission Green cannabis clemency initiative.
/ CULTURE
Patricia Arquette, Kesha, Sarah Michelle Gellar and others are featured in a new ad for Cann that the company launched in partnership with Weedmaps for Pride Month.
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