Feds to be sued over marijuana raid; IL industry data shows lack of diversity; Poll: DC voters oppose cannabis crackdown
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A group of researchers and other advocates associated with prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana sent a letter urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to bring a House-passed cannabis science bill to the floor for a vote without further delay.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs will soon be sued by a New Mexico man who says the agency improperly confiscated and destroyed medical cannabis plants he was growing on tribal land.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s new 2022 Annual Cannabis Report shows a glaring lack of diversity among marijuana business owners—though the state says it’s taking steps to address it with new conditional dispensary licenses for social equity applicants.
A new poll found that 76 percent of Washington, D.C. likely voters oppose a crackdown on unregulated “gifting” marijuana businesses.
New Jersey regulators’ guidance preventing workers from being punished for positive marijuana tests alone has left remaining confusion among employers, along with concerns about potential litigation.
/ FEDERAL
According to a source, former President Donald Trump’s political action committee sent a fundraising email with a survey on whether people who sell illegal drugs should face the death penalty.
The Food and Drug Administration hired former Cannabis Regulators Association head Norman Birenbaum to advance the agency’s “efforts related to research and regulation of cannabis.”
Former White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway appeared to try to connect a cannabis flag hung by Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman, currently the lieutenant governor, to rising drug overdose deaths.
The Congressional Research Service noted unsuccessful efforts in California to establish a public bank to serve the cannabis industry.
Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) voiced cautious support for pending legislation to seal certain marijuana conviction records.
Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-OR) reiterated his call for the federal government to help combat illegal marijuana cultivation in Oregon.
/ STATES
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) touted state economic development investments in several businesses, including a cannabis testing company.
Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deidre DeJear said legalizing marijuana is “a matter of public safety and regulating this the way that we regulate alcohol.”
Guam’s attorney general released a campaign ad suggesting that his opponent would undermine the territory’s marijuana legalization law, tweeting, “Cannabis is on the ballot. No matter what your personal views are on cannabis, medicinal and adult use cannabis are now legal in Guam. As attorney general, I have respected that choice.”
Idaho Republican attorney general candidate Raul Labrador, a former congressman, said he does not support legalizing marijuana or other drugs.
A Pennsylvania senator sent a press release about the cannabis conference he hosted.
Colorado regulators posted proposed marijuana rules changes that will be considered at a hearing on Friday.
Arizona regulators filed revised marijuana rules.
Maryland regulators removed a pre-employment drug testing requirement for medical cannabis business workers.
Oregon regulators approved marijuana business violation stipulated settlement agreements.
The California Department of Public Health’s Food and Drug Branch is accepting applications and fees for manufacturing in-state industrial hemp products and extracts.
New York regulators published a medical cannabis home cultivation guide.
Oklahoma regulators will host a veterans medical cannabis roundtable on Thursday.
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/ LOCAL
The Wauwatosa, Wisconsin Common Council rejected a proposal to reduce the fine for marijuana possession to $1.
Los Angeles, California regulators issued updated marijuana rules.
A federal judge set aside New York City’s victory in a trademark lawsuit against a man who used cannabis-related versions of the city’s logos on clothing.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he wants to institute a “phased decriminalization” of drugs.
The International Criminal Court prosecutor is rejecting the Philippine government’s request not to resume its probe of the former administration’s bloody “war on drugs.”
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration fined three medicinal cannabis companies nearly $1 million for alleged unlawful advertising.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “both in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that cannabidiol appears promising in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.”
A case study of a woman who used medical cannabis and psychedelics indicated “the potential therapeutic utility of such adjunctive pharmacological interventions in an individual with metastatic breast cancer.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Indiana Democratic Party tweeted, “There’s no need for a debate. Legal marijuana will be a win-win for the state’s economy and Hoosiers’ future. A vote for @INDems is a vote to legalize cannabis across Indiana.”
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States noted in a report to Congress that it approved a resolution supporting “federally funded research of Medical Cannabis for veterans being treated by Department of Veterans Affairs” and stating that “veterans who use state approved marijuana programs should not forfeit their Second Amendment rights.”
The Brookings Institution analyzed the marijuana policy positions of congressional candidates.
The Cannabis Media Council is a new organization that seeks to “tap the power of mainstream media to drive education and acceptance of the plant.”
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation is divesting from the cannabis retail business in Canada, including its stores operating under the Tweed and Tokyo Smoke names.
Ten publicly traded multistate cannabis companies collectively owe more than half a billion dollars in federal tax debts, according to Green Market Report analysis.
Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. announced new efforts to support marijuana expungements.
Trulieve is being sued for allegedly sending unsolicited marketing text messages without permission.
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