CA psilocybin ballot measure; USDA proposing hemp survey to White House; Senator’s housing bill has marijuana extraction protections
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Ohio representatives are preparing to file a first-of-its-kind bill to legalize marijuana possession and sales in the state.
California activists filed a proposed 2022 ballot initiative to legalize possession, cultivation and sales of psilocybin mushrooms. Meanwhile, a bill to legalize psychedelics possession is advancing in the legislature.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is preparing to ask the White House for permission to conduct a hemp survey of 20,000 farmers—and it wants public comment on the plan.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) filed a housing bill that would block landlords from evicting people for state-legal marijuana extract manufacturing. But it contains no similar caveat protecting people from losing their homes over simple cannabis possession.
/ FEDERAL
The House Energy & Commerce Committee approved a bill designating methamphetamine as an emerging threat and requiring the Office of National Drug Control Policy to develop a national plan on the issue.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “Nearly 70% support legalizing marijuana. The overwhelming majority of Americans live in states where marijuana’s legal in some form. Today—I’m proud to stand with @RonWyden & @SenBooker to release our Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act that ends the federal prohibition.” He also tweeted, “I was proud to stand with organizers in NY State who succeeded in legalizing marijuana & repairing the harms done by prohibition. I’m proud today to release our Cannabis Administration & Opportunity Act to end the federal prohibition and help repair the harms of the War on Drugs.”
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL) questioned federal judicial nominees about the failure of the war on drugs.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) spoke about his new marijuana legalization bill draft and tweeted, “It’s past time for the government to listen to the will of the voters across this country and end the federal prohibition of cannabis once and for all. I’m fighting to do just that.”
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted, “This is a historic day—we have never had this level of support to finally end the federal prohibition of marijuana and enact restorative justice.” He also spoke about his new draft cannabis legalization bill in an CNN interview.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) tweeted, “Comprehensive cannabis reforms must be rooted in restorative justice and aim to repair the damage done to communities of color with the War on Drugs. I fully support the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act.”
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) said she hasn’t seen the new marijuana legalization bill and so won’t comment on it.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) said he does not support federally legalizing marijuana, which he called “a terrible idea.”
Rep. Marie Newman (D-IL) tweeted, “I’m proud to stand with the cannabis workers at Sunnyside dispensaries who are fighting for fair scheduling and better working conditions. As the industry brings in record profits, workers deserve their fair share!”
Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) tweeted, “The illegal marijuana cultivation crisis in #CA08 remains unacceptable, as I saw firsthand from the air over Phelan and El Mirage this weekend. These grows are major risks to public safety and consume over 3 million gallons of California’s water every day.”
Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Charles Booker tweeted, “It’s 2021. Time to finally end the failed war on drugs. Legalize. Commute. Expunge. Invest.”
/ STATES
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed a bill to increase equity in marijuana business licensing, and regulators announced they will hold three lotteries to award new licenses.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) tweeted, “With nearly 88,000 marijuana cases already dismissed and thousands more to come, our new cannabis laws are turning the page on the failed War on Drugs. I’ve always said legalizing adult-use cannabis was about social justice. We’re living up to our word.”
Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “Marijuana overdose deaths soared to zero, coming off an all-time record of none ever recorded. Yet, OxyContin remains perfectly legal. Federally, Dems can’t get their act together to make a plant legal with zero overdose deaths; while tobacco kills 500,000 annually.”
New York’s Assembly majority leader tweeted, “I applaud @SenSchumer and his colleagues in the U.S Senate for advocating #MarijuanaJustice nationally. As he said, for far too long Marijuana has been used to harm communities of color. #ThankyouChuck 👏🏾👏🏾for your commitment to fighting for those harmed by the War on Drugs!”
The South Dakota legislature’s Adult-Use Marijuana Study Subcommittee postponed its August meeting until September.
The first legal recreational marijuana sales in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands took place.
A West Virginia law that restricts harm reduction programs such as syringe access efforts was upheld by a federal judge.
Alabama’s full 14-member Medical Cannabis Commission has now been appointed.
Oregon regulators published a bulletin on reviews of marijuana production instructions and ingredients.
Washington State will host a deliberative dialogue session on rules for evaluating THC compounds on Tuesday.
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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
The Jersey City, New Jersey City Council approved a proposal to split marijuana tax revenue between schools and equity programs.
The Missoula County, Montana Commission voted to put the question of a local marijuana tax on the ballot.
Cincinnati, Ohio’s mayor, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, tweeted, “If we legalized marijuana we could invest that tax revenue right back into our communities. We could rebuild our roads and fund public education. We could expand healthcare for our communities. It’s time we legalize marijuana in Ohio.”
/ INTERNATIONAL
Mexico’s Supreme Court published the text of its declaration of marijuana prohibition’s unconstitutionality.
Argentina’s Senate approved a medical cannabis and hemp bill.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “among a small sample of gynecologic cancer patients prescribed [medical marijuana] for symptom management, self-reported follow-up indicated symptom relief for the majority of patients and minimal therapy-related side effects.”
A study found that “cannabidiol reduces binge eating behavior in mice.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Los Angeles Times editorial board decried how high taxes and stringent regulations prop up the illegal marijuana market.
Colorado NORML held a protest outside an office of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency over the marijuana-related suspension of runner Sha’Carri Richardson.
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable announced a new group of officers.
/ BUSINESS
Jones Soda Co. issued a $2 million unsecured convertible debenture to SOL Global Investments Corp. and entered into a non-binding term sheet with the aim of expanding its business to the production and sale of cannabis-infused beverages, edibles and related products.
Lantern is partnering with equity businesses Freshly Baked and We Can Deliver to launch the first recreational marijuana delivery marketplace in Massachusetts.
Jushi Holdings Inc. completed its acquisition of OhiGrow, LLC and Ohio Green Grow LLC.
Dr. Dabber offered runner Sha’Carri Richardson a $250,000 job testing marijuana dab rigs and vape pens.
/ CULTURE
Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky tweeted about a new drug policy podcast his company launched with the founder of the Drug Policy Alliance.
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