Marijuana employment protections in federal climate bill; CO psychedelics ballot measure; Congressman “outraged” by NJ cannabis licensing
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Hold on, just one second before you read today’s news. Have you thought about giving some financial support to Marijuana Moment? If so, today would be a great day to contribute. We’re planning our reporting for the coming year and it would really help to know what kind of support we can count on.
- Thien-Phuc Vo: “I really appreciate what you’re doing. I know that it took a lot of work for you guys.”
Check us out on Patreon and sign up to give $25/month today:
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) discussed the timeline for his marijuana legalization bill—including hearings—and ways to make banking legislation more palatable in a meeting with cannabis reform advocates last week. Marijuana Moment spoke to three people who attended.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and 30 cosponsors filed a new climate workforce bill that would protect workers in some legal marijuana states from being fired or losing access to jobs training over cannabis drug tests.
A second team of Colorado activists filed a ballot initiative to legalize possession, cultivation and gifting of psychedelics like psilocybin, ibogaine, mescaline and DMT. This comes as another campaign with backing from major funders is advancing separate own measures.
Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ) said he’s “outraged” that “Black-owned businesses have been shut out of the state’s cannabis marketplace.”
The Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee rejected a bill to decriminalize psilocybin, even after amending it with a medical focus. The Republican minority leader, who recently indicated support for the measure, ultimately voted to block it from advancing.
/ FEDERAL
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Rahul Gupta discussed substance use issues with North Dakota’s first lady.
The National Institutes of Health is making available for licensing and commercial development certain cannabinoid receptor modulating compounds.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) said her federal marijuana legalization bill can appeal to people who love and hate cannabis.
Louisiana Democratic Senate candidate Luke Mixon said he supports legalizing marijuana but criticized rival Gary Chambers for smoking a blunt in an ad.
Ohio Democratic congressional candidate Nina Turner tweeted, “Legalize marijuana, erase records, and make the cannabis industry equitable for communities that have been torn apart by its criminalization.”
Kentucky Democratic congressional candidate William Compton tweeted, “Marijuana should be legal in all states, not some. Tax revenue, alone, would bring in the needed money that Kentucky could use to fund public schools! It’s time to legalize it!”
/ STATES
Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate John King, a former federal education secretary, tweeted, “It’s past time to legalize adult-use cannabis in Maryland and expunge records for nonviolent offenders. I look forward to equitably implementing this transformative legislation as governor.”
Illinois’s attorney general filed a motion to allow more rejected marijuana license applicants to join a consolidated lawsuit.
The Idaho House of Representatives approved a bill to allow the cannabis-derived spray nabiximols to be used by patients with multiple sclerosis or other neurological conditions.
The South Dakota House of Representatives defeated a bill to allow local governments to ban medical cannabis businesses.
Minnesota’s House majority leader and Senate minority leader discussed the prospects for marijuana legalization legislation.
A Virginia senator who sponsored the enacted marijuana legalization bills said he’s “hopeful” that lawmakers will pass required reenactment legislation this session.
Utah regulators filed corrections to a rule on out-of-state medical cannabis patients.
The New York Office for People with Developmental Disabilities is proposing to remove administration of medical cannabis from the list of reportable incidents.
The Texas Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council is considering a proposal to allow hospital staff to store medical cannabis and facilitate patients’ use of it.
Colorado regulators launched a partnership to implement a technical assistance program for new cannabis ventures.
Massachusetts marijuana regulators are accepting public comment on possible changes to the list of disproportionately impacted areas.
Missouri’s top medical cannabis regulator spoke about the growth of the program.
Ohio regulators published a ranked list of the results of a medical cannabis dispensary license lottery.
Oregon regulators published a list of active marijuana retail licenses.
/ LOCAL
Denver, Colorado officials will hold a live demonstration of the city’s online marijuana licensing platform on Tuesday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A Kenyan presidential candidate is pledging to legalize marijuana if elected.
A UK member of Parliament is being investigated by the parliamentary commissioner for standards for allegedly failing to declare a job at a medical cannabis firm.
Australia’s Therapeutic Good Administration sent an update on changes to medical cannabis manufacturing, labeling and packaging requirements.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “CBD exhibits multiple therapeutic effects, including neuroprotective, antiepileptic, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-cancer properties” and “could also be applied to treat or prevent COVID-19 and its complications.”
A study of web searches found that “there has been rapid growth in interest in delta-8 THC” and that “states where recreational cannabis is illegal had higher relative queries than did states with legalized recreational cannabis.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that London, England adults support the mayor’s plan to replace some cannabis arrests with education and counseling for young people, 63 percent to 19 percent.
The South Dakota Democratic Party tweeted, “HB 1095, which would have allowed local government to prevent Medical Cannabis dispensaries, failed on the House Floor today. Our Democratic Representatives stood with the voters to make sure Medical Marijuana is accessible to everyone.”
/ BUSINESS
Amazon posted about its support for marijuana legalization legislation.
Hightimes Holding Corp.’s CEO resigned.
HEXO Corp received a notification from Nasdaq that it is not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement to list.
4Front Ventures Corp. closed its acquisition of New England Cannabis Corporation.
/ CULTURE
Cannabis-focused comic Legalization Nation has been signed for syndication by Heart’s King Features.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.
Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided in these blog posts is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The use of any information provided in these blog posts is solely at your own risk. The authors and the website do not recommend or endorse any specific products, treatments, or procedures mentioned. Reliance on any information in these blog posts is solely at your own discretion.
