Schumer legalization bill’s new cosponsors; DEA sued over psilocybin; MI marijuana-funded veterans research grants
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A federal handbook published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology is getting a new cannabis-focused section with recommendations on potency measurement, packaging, labeling and other issues. It’s the result of a vote at a recent National Conference of Weights and Measures event.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) marijuana legalization bill got two additional cosponsors, but one of them—Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)—emphasized in her press release about signing on that Congress should still enact cannabis banking legislation as soon as possible.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is being sued again for refusing to allow terminally ill cancer patients to access psilocybin-assisted therapy despite Right to Try laws.
Michigan regulators announced $20 million in marijuana revenue-funded grants to support research on the benefits of medical cannabis for military veterans.
/ FEDERAL
President Joe Biden released a “Safer America Plan” that includes a proposal to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine but also pushes to “impose tougher penalties for fentanyl trafficking.”
Former President Donald Trump again suggested that people who sell drugs should receive the death penalty.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “It’s time to end the federal prohibition of cannabis.”
Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and John Cornyn (R-TX) led a group of 29 other senators in filing a resolution calling on Russia to free American basketball player Brittney Griner, who is being detained for possessing cannabis vapes.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) tweeted, “Unfortunately federal bureaucracy continues to block Schedule I drugs under Right to Try. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan legislation with @SenBooker.”
House Financial Services Committee Chair Maxine waters (D-CA) touted the inclusion of marijuana banking provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act.
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) tweeted about Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) new marijuana legalization bill, saying. “Thank you for your work on this bill and broader cannabis reforms. Look forward to working together to make sure we can enact commonsense cannabis reform this year!”
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “[email protected]@SenSchumer @RonWyden took a huge step toward cannabis justice today with #CAOA. Removing cannabis from the list of controlled substances is overdue. It’s time the federal govt caught up with the states, end the war on drugs, & reinvest in communities most impacted. We look forward to working together to finally pass a comprehensive cannabis bill into law.”
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) sent a press release praising Senate leadership’s filing a marijuana legalization bill.
The House bill to remove barriers to marijuana research got four new cosponsors for a total of ten.
/ STATES
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) cheered regulators’ issuing 149 new marijuana dispensary licenses to social equity applicants, tweeting, “Illinois is leading the way in addressing the War on Drugs as no state has before, and dispensary ownership that reflects our state’s diversity is a product of that commitment… These licenses represent a significant step toward accountability for the decades of injustice preceding cannabis legalization and we will continue to prioritize equity in this process.”
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) tweeted, “Ninety percent of Kentucky adults support medical cannabis and the Team KY Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee will help ensure every voice is heard as I weigh executive action that could provide access for those suffering from chronic pain or our veterans suffering from PTSD.”
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, currently a congressman, said he wants to legalize marijuana and use the revenue to support teachers and law enforcement.
Hawaii Republican gubernatorial candidate BJ Penn said he supports legalizing marijuana.
Iowa’s attorney general is pushing to legalize fentanyl test strips.
A Minnesota representative authored an op-ed on a new law legalizing THC-infused edibles and drinks.
Montana regulators proposed rules on additional canopy license tiers for marijuana cultivators and authorizing dispensary customer loyalty programs.
Louisiana regulators filed rules on raw medical cannabis products.
Colorado regulators issued an informational notification about corydalis as an ingredient in marijuana products.
Washington State regulators published a policy statement on the transfer of wet cannabis flower from producers to processors.
California regulators said they expect to seize more than $1 billion worth of illegal cannabis products.
Connecticut regulators discussed the future of the medical cannabis program at a meeting.
New York regulators are hosting workshops to help equity businesses prepare to apply for marijuana dispensary licenses.
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/ LOCAL
The La Crosse County, Wisconsin Board of Supervisors decided not to put a nonbinding marijuana legalization advisory referendum on the November ballot.
The Appleton, Wisconsin Common Council is considering a measure to place a nonbinding marijuana legalization advisory question on the November ballot.
The Chicago, Illinois City Council is considering a proposal to prohibit CBD shops from advertising themselves as “dispensaries.”
The Newport, Rhode Island City Council voted to place a referendum on the November ballot about whether to allow marijuana businesses to operate.
Detroit, Michigan’s City Council president pro tem said that the city’s recreational marijuana ordinance ensures social equity.
The Clatsop County, Oregon Commission is considering putting a measure on the ballot to enact a two-year moratorium on psilocybin services businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Colombian President-elect Gustavo Petro, who has vocally criticized the war on drugs, discussed drug policy with Biden administration officials.
A Philippine senator filed a limited medical cannabis bill.
Scotland’s drug policy minister criticized the UK Home Office’s proposal to revoke passports and driver’s licenses for certain drug offenses.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “C. sativa possess[es] antiemetic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in chemotherapy-induced nausea in rats.”
Researchers are recruiting participants for a genomic study to “better understand factors that influence cannabis use and related risks and benefits of cannabis use.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Independent Community Bankers of America tweeted, “Senate Democrats introduced sweeping legislation to end federal cannabis prohibitions, potentially paving the way for an ICBA-advocated cannabis banking safe harbor.”
The New York Daily News editorial board cheered Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) new marijuana legalization bill.
/ BUSINESS
A lawsuit accusing Verano, Green Thumb Industries, Surterra Holdings and Akerna of colluding to monopolize the Illinois marijuana market has been dropped by the plaintiffs.
Canadian retailers sold C$375.8 million worth of legal marijuana products in May.
/ CULTURE
Stephen Colbert appeared to joke about a difficult psilocybin trip he had.
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