MA psychedelics decrim efforts; MO legalization deadlines loom; Ben & Jerry’s pushes Senate for marijuana action; Why KY cannabis bill died
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Massachusetts activists launched an effort to put a measure to decriminalize psychedelics—and all drugs—on the Worcester ballot and separately force lawmakers to file statewide reform legislation “by request.”
The Nevada Board of Pharmacy is being sued in an ACLU-backed lawsuit over its failure to remove marijuana from its state Schedule I status—thereby continuing to subject some people to felony cannabis prosecution despite legalization.
Deadlines for Missouri to legalize marijuana this year—either by qualifying an initiative for the November ballot, or by passing a bill through the legislature—are approaching in the next few weeks.
Even Ben & Jerry’s is fed up with the Senate’s inaction on marijuana. For 4/20 week, the ice cream company transformed the front of its website to an action center where people can send letters urging senators to follow the House in voting to legalize cannabis.
In a new Marijuana Moment op-ed, Jim Higdon of Cornbread Hemp breaks down why Kentucky’s medical cannabis bill stalled and died in the Senate after passing the House this year.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture tweeted, “A new study by @kstateag finds that feeding cattle industrial hemp may have a beneficial effect on their welfare: a reduction in stress and increasing the times when they lie down.”
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) is “on the wrong side of history” for moving to increase certain marijuana penalties.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) spoke about the prospects for her marijuana legalization bill.
Rep Dina Titus (D-NV) tweeted, “Glad to join @RepMoulton in cosponsoring HR6991 which will destigmatize medical marijuana in @VeteransHealth. This bill will encourage vets to openly discuss medicinal cannabis with their health care providers, and make it illegal for vets to lose their benefits for using it.”
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) tweeted, “With legal marijuana sales set to begin next week, we have a tremendous opportunity to right many of the wrongs of the past. That starts with ensuring minority communities can participate in and benefit from the growing marijuana industry in New Jersey.”
Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA) tweeted, “The MORE Act treats cannabis legalization like the racial and economic justice issue it is. I enthusiastically voted for it in the House and the Senate needs to bring this life-changing legislation forward to a vote.”
Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman, currently the lieutenant governor, spoke about how his thoughts on marijuana edibles have evolved after speaking to people who have concerns.
/ STATES
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) appointed a new chair of the Access to Medical Cannabis Commission.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said he’s “relieved” that recreational marijuana sales will begin this week. He also said he is open to legislative changes to police officers’ ability to use cannabis while off duty.
Idaho Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stephen Heidt supports decriminalizing, but not legalizing, marijuana.
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Cranley tweeted, “My name is John Cranley. I’m the former mayor of Cincinnati and I’m running for governor of Ohio because it’s time to legalize marijuana, create new jobs, and hold our utility companies accountable for their corruption..”
Rhode Island’s attorney general said he knows that marijuana legalization “is coming” but he has concerns about impaired driving.
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands attorney general’s office described the kinds of marijuana cases they will and won’t prosecute.
Maine lawmakers sent Gov. Janet Mills (D) a bill to allow marijuana home delivery and curbside pickup.
The California Assembly Labor and Employment Committee will hold a hearing on a bill to protect workers from being punished for off-the-job cannabis use on Wednesday.
Here’s a look at medical cannabis reform bills that Oklahoma lawmakers are considering.
Colorado regulators posted a marijuana compliance guide in advance of 4/20. Separately, they are also promoting a meeting on cannabis equity scheduled for Tuesday.
Washington, D.C. regulators sent information about a medical cannabis sales tax holiday taking place this week.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 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
San Francisco, California’s mayor gave a briefing on 4/20 festivities this week.
The George County, Mississippi Board of Supervisors voted to opt out of allowing medical cannabis businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Greece’s minister for development and investment spoke about the forthcoming sales of medical cannabis in pharmacies.
Canadian officials referred nearly 500 cannabis business-related cases to police over a two-year period.
Taiwanese activists are pushing for marijuana reform.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “although substitution of cannabis for opioids or prescription pain medication is common among those who use cannabis for pain, there does not seem to be a significant difference according to cannabis legality.”
A study found that “CBD produced anti-PTSD-like actions in mice and disrupted trauma-related fear memory by interfering with multiple aspects of fear memory processing.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of New Jersey adults found that 58 percent support legalizing marijuana for recreational and medical use and that another 32 percent back legalizing medical cannabis only.
The Alabama Democratic Party tweeted, “The War on Drugs is not and has never been about personal safety.”
Psychedelics activists are planning to conduct civil disobedience at the Drug Enforcement Administration’s headquarters on May 9 to protest the agency’s refusal to give terminally ill patients access to psilocybin therapy.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America will host a medical cannabis panel on 4/20.
/ BUSINESS
Leafly’s CEO will ring the NASDAQ opening bell on 4/20.
DoorDash appears to be working on a cannabis delivery service.
Twitter included a veiled reference to 420 in its “poison pill” filing seeking to block a proposed acquisition by Elon Musk.
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. released a social impact report.
Dr. Bronner’s produced a special “Weed Like Change!” label for its soaps to educate the public about the environmental benefits of regenerative organic farming in the cannabis industry.
Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. is launching a hotline on 4/20 to answer people’s cannabis questions.
/ CULTURE
Basketball player J.R. Smith said that marijuana use was rampant in the NBA “bubble.”
Jaden Smith said he wants to be a “psychedelic world leader.”
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