FDA warning on THC foods; Poll: Legal marijuana more popular than politicians; Senator slams medical cannabis in abortion speech; Banking momentum
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Department of Justice is urging the Supreme Court to reject cases on medical cannabis and workers’ compensation—saying that marijuana policy is evolving and that Congress and the executive branch are best suited to handle the federal-state conflict on the issue.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) sent a letter calling on Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to change federal drug testing policies that cause truckers and other commercial drivers to lose their jobs over off-duty marijuana use that has nothing to do with impaired driving.
Blumenauer, who is a member of the America COMPETES Act conference committee—separately said in a press briefing that he is optimistic that the large-scale bill will be the vehicle to finally enact marijuana banking protections.
The Food and Drug Administration issued a safety alert about marijuana-infused copycat food products that resemble popular brands.
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) mocked his home state’s voter-approved medical marijuana law—which he unsuccessfully campaigned against—in a Senate floor speech about his opposition to abortion rights.
A new poll found that marijuana legalization is more popular with Texas voters than the state’s governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and U.S. senators, as well as President Joe Biden, the National Rifle Association, local law enforcement and more.
The Arizona Department of Revenue reported that retailers sold $72.3 million worth of recreational marijuana products in March—a new monthly record.
/ FEDERAL
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) got engaged to her boyfriend, who co-founded a company that produces rolling papers—though she says his work has nothing to do with her marijuana legalization bill.
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) is refraining from making an endorsement in Rep. Nancy Mace’s (R-SC) reelection race, saying he disagrees with her stances on marijuana legalization and other issues.
/ STATES
South Carolina’s Senate majority leader said he’s “disappointed” that medical cannabis legislation didn’t pass this session.
North Carolina’s Senate minority leader said that medical cannabis legislation has enough momentum to pass this year.
The Utah legislature’s Business and Labor Interim Committee will consider banking access for medical cannabis businesses on Wednesday.
A New York assemblymember authored an op-ed about his medical psilocybin bill.
Here’s a look at how Colorado marijuana legislation fared this session.
Vermont regulators issued the state’s first recreational marijuana business license.
A top Florida cannabis regulator is leaving her job to join Flora Growth.
Ohio regulators approved 70 new provisional medical cannabis dispensary licenses.
Efforts to open Rhode Island’s first safe consumption sites for illegal drugs are proceeding.
Oregon regulators are accepting applications to serve on the Cannabis Advisory Committee.
Missouri regulators published data on approved medical cannabis businesses by facility type.
Guam regulators will consider marijuana rules on Thursday.
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/ LOCAL
The Muskegon County, Michigan sheriff and prosecutor are competing for marijuana tax revenues.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The German Bundestag Budget Committee is applying pressure on the government to make progress in forming a cannabis legalization law by threatening to freeze funding.
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is reassuring people that they can grow cannabis plants at home starting on June 9 even in light of a technical glitch in the law.
London, England’s mayor tweeted, “We need to have an open and honest conversation about the decriminalisation of cannabis—and that means considering evidence from around the world. My priority will always be protecting Londoners, and ensuring our city is safer and fairer for all.”
Mexican officials rescinded a parking spot designated for a U.S. counternarcotics plane.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found a “causal relationship between [substance use disorders] and severe COVID-19 illness but hints at a negative causal effect for cannabinoids.”
A review concluded that “CBD and other cannabis constituents such as cannabis seeds were found to reduce inflammation and expression of inflammatory cytokines…when evaluated in acne-like conditions.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A side event at the World Economic Forum in Davos will focus on psychedelics.
The Better Business Bureau published a warning about CBD-related scams.
/ BUSINESS
Cresco Labs Inc. announced the expiration of a federal waiting period associated with its proposed acquisition of Columbia Care Inc.
Columbia Care Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $123.1 million and a net loss of $27.9 million.
TILT Holdings Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $42.4 million and a net loss from operations of $3.4 million.
Auxly Cannabis Group Inc reported quarterly net revenue of C$22.6 million and a net loss of C$39.8 million.
Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $19.4 million and a net loss of $8.6 million.
Numinus Wellness Inc. received approval from Canadian officials to complete psilocybin-assisted therapy for a patient with treatment-resistant depression.
/ CULTURE
Woody Harrelson’s new marijuana dispensary The Woods opened.
American basketball player Brittney Griner, who is being detained in Russia after allegedly being caught with cannabis vapes at an airport, met briefly with U.S. officials.
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