House omits broad marijuana provisions in DOJ bill; LA gov signs 10 cannabis bills; DOJ gun lawsuit response looms; TX GOP anti-legalization platform
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The U.S. Supreme Court refused to take up a pair of cases on medical cannabis and workers’ compensation. The Biden Justice Department had urged the justices not to hear the matter.
House Appropriations Committee leaders released a Justice Department funding bill that doesn’t include broad state marijuana protections that advocates wanted, leaving them to pursue an amendment later to attach the provisions. The legislation as introduced does contain more limited medical cannabis and hemp measures, however.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) signed ten new cannabis bills into law—including some measures to significantly expand the state’s medical marijuana program. Another blocks police from searching people’s homes over the smell of cannabis.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is running as a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, spoke to Marijuana Moment ahead of the Justice Department’s impending response to her lawsuit on medical cannabis patients’ gun rights this week. She also drew a contrast with incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), whom she hopes to unseat later this year.
Texas Republican Party delegates adopted a somewhat contradictory set of drug policy platform planks at their convention, including measures opposing marijuana legalization, supporting federal cannabis rescheduling, calling for reduced hemp regulations and opposing harm reduction policies.
/ FEDERAL
The Congressional Research Service included an analysis of marijuana restrictions in an overview of Washington, D.C. budget legislation.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) tweeted, “A strong American economy requires fair and free markets, & the cannabis industry should be no different! I urge my colleagues to take up the reforms which have been proposed this Congress, including mine, & allow veterans, medical professionals, & small businesses the ability to enjoy their own pursuit of happiness.”
Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL) tweeted, “We must legalize adult-use recreational cannabis at the federal level as we did in Illinois. Instead of focusing public safety resources on low-level drug offenses, we must address the root cause of violence.”
/ STATES
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) touted his move to legalize cannabis in a speech at the New Hampshire Democratic Convention.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) tweeted, “Polling suggests 90% of Kentucky adults support medical cannabis, and this committee will help ensure every voice is heard as I weigh executive action that could provide access to medical cannabis for those suffering from chronic pain or our veterans suffering from PTSD.”
New York Republican gubernatorial candidates said during a debate that they don’t plan to use marijuana when legal sales go into effect.
Georgia Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Kwanza Hall, a former congressman, spoke about his support for legalizing marijuana.
The Michigan House of Representatives passed a bill on marijuana waste disposal. Separately, regulators took public comment on the concept of allowing “deli-style” sales of cannabis flower at a hearing.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved a bill to decriminalize fentanyl testing strips.
Massachusetts Senate leaders appointed members to a bicameral conference committee on marijuana regulation and equity legislation.
The California Senate Business & Professions Committee approved a bill to allow veterinarians to recommend medical cannabis for animals.
Connecticut’s Department of Transportation is using a grant from the Governors Highway Safety Association to fund the creation of a “green lab” that will give volunteers a controlled dose of cannabis to help train police to detect impairment.
Iowa regulators sent an update on the medical cannabidiol program.
Hawaii’s Dual Use of Cannabis Task Force will meet on Monday.
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/ LOCAL
The Stevens Point, Wisconsin City Council approved a proposal to lower the fine for marijuana possession $5.
The Gallatin County, Montana Commission overturned voter-approved ballot measures to tax marijuana sales due to procedural errors with publicizing the election in advance, and now a new vote will be held.
The Wichita, Kansas City Council discussed lowering penalties for possessing marijuana and fentanyl testing strips.
Dallas, Texas Police Department claimed it has no relevant records in response to a request for information about operative command policies regarding the possession of less than four ounces of marijuana.
Detroit, Michigan medical cannabis dispensaries are asking a judge to void the city’s recreational marijuana licensing system.
The Ojai, California City Council is exploring allowing cannabis consumption lounges.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health issued an announcement that using cannabis for recreational purposes is prohibited.
Germany’s federal commissioner for addiction and drugs issues spoke about the timeline and process for enacting marijuana legalization.
The Spanish Congress’s medical cannabis subcommittee approved a proposal on medical marijuana regulations, including provisions opening the door to dispensing through pharmacies.
Western Australia’s premier is opposing a marijuana legalization plan being introduced by lawmakers.
Switzerland’s cannabis activity—including both illegal production and sales as well as legal system activity such as policing, social work and healthcare—generates an annual turnover of around one billion Swiss Francs, according to a new study.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
Study concluded that “cannabis terpenes, alone or combined with cannabinoids and flavonoids, produced anti-cancer effects in chemotherapy-resistant breast cancer cell lines.”
A study of mice found that while “long term artisanal CBD use does not prevent or lessen seizure severity, CBD is a promising adjunctive partner for its ability to depress epileptogenic processes” and that results “indicate that artisanal CBD is beneficial as it both decreases inflammation in the [central nervous system] and reduces the number of ectopic neurons deposited in the hippocampal area post seizure.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Polls of American and Canadian adults found that 29 percent and 36 percent, respectively, support decriminalizing “hard drugs,” while 21 percent and 25 percent back more broadly legalizing those substances—among other findings on additional drug policy and harm reduction issues.
The Idaho Democratic Party called out the state Republican Party for opposing cannabis legalization.
The Albuquerque Journal editorial board is calling on the federal government to clarify marijuana policies.
/ BUSINESS
HEXO Corp. subsidiary Zenabis Global filed for creditor protection.
TILT Holdings Inc. announced a partnership with Last Prisoner Project.
Canadian retailers sold C$372.4 million worth of legal marijuana products in April.
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