CT psychedelics bill passes; MO legalization referendum; WA banking letter; Marijuana decrim on OH ballots; NJ cannabis restriction bills
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
South Dakota activists turned in what they say are more than enough signatures to place a marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot. Voters previously approved legalization in 2020, but it was overturned on procedural grounds in a court challenge.
Connecticut lawmakers sent Gov. Ned Lamont (D) a budget bill that contains provisions creating a program to provide certain patients with access to psychedelic-assisted treatment using substances like MDMA and psilocybin.
The Missouri House Special Committee on Criminal Justice approved a joint resolution to place a marijuana legalization referendum on the November ballot.
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D), along with the state’s lieutenant governor, attorney general and treasurer, sent a letter urging congressional leaders to pass marijuana banking legislation to help stop violent robberies of cannabis businesses—calling it “a matter of life and death.”
Voters in several more Ohio cities will get to decide on local marijuana decriminalization ballot measures this year—with activists targeting more than a dozen jurisdictions for this cycle.
New Jersey lawmakers filed several bills aimed at preventing and punishing off-duty marijuana use by police officers, first responders and other workers.
The Missouri Court of Appeals for the Western District dismissed a lawsuit challenging medical cannabis business licensing caps.
/ FEDERAL
The Food and Drug Administration sent a letter warning Rena’s Organic about its CBD products.
Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) tweeted a years-old video of then-Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) mocking a Louisiana congressman’s concerns about marijuana legalization in Colorado by saying he doesn’t like crawfish, posting, “Don’t worry @GovofCo Polis, LA is in the same boat with CO now — we won’t force you to eat any crawfish or make you pay for it in cash like we all have to with cannabis. We both agree SAFE Banking is imperative in both our states and across the country.”
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) spoke about how her personal experience with cannabis informs her push for legalization.
Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) tweeted a video of himself pressing Attorney General Merrick Garland about illegal marijuana cultivation during a House hearing.
Rep. Al Green (D-TX) discussed his support for marijuana legalization on a podcast.
The Navy Reserve tweeted, “Energy drink brands introduced beverages infused with hemp seed oil. Hemp-derived products are prohibited for Sailors. The foods and the beverages one ingests or consumes directly affect readiness and they can also impact a career.”
/ STATES
The Louisiana House of Representatives approved a bill to let medical cannabis dispensaries open additional locations but defeated separate legislation to more than double the number of overall licenses. Separately, the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee approved bills prohibiting the smell of burnt marijuana from being used as pretext for warrantless searches of homes, providing for cannabis expungements and partially decriminalizing paraphernalia.
The Colorado Senate Business Affairs & Technology Committee amended a bill that would have originally restricted hemp-derived cannabinoid products to instead create a task force to investigate the issue and make recommendations. Separately, regulators issued a health and safety warning about potentially unsafe levels of mold and yeast on marijuana products from Canna Meds Wellness Center LLC.
A Pennsylvania representative filed legislation that “seeks to ensure that Russian businesses cannot profit off the medical cannabis industry.”
Oklahoma activists launched a signature drive to place a marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.
Connecticut’s quasi-public venture capital arm, CT Innovations, invested $1.25 million into cannabis company 1906, a move that is angering some activists who oppose using taxpayer money to support a large operator as smaller local businesses struggle to compete for the limited number of licenses.
Massachusetts regulators proposed rules on marijuana delivery taxes.
New York regulators sent a letter reminding businesses that delta-8 and -10 THC products are prohibited.
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission will meet on Thursday.
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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
A King County, Washington Council committee advanced a proposal to create a Cannabis Safety Task Force.
The Gorham, New York Town Board is set to schedule a special election on overturning a ban on recreational marijuana dispensaries and consumption sites after activists collected enough signatures to force a vote.
The Jones County, Mississippi Board of Supervisors voted to opt out of allowing medical cannabis businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A Canadian court heard arguments in a case challenging Manitoba, Winnipeg’s ban on marijuana home cultivation.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “patients seeking medical cannabis for anxiety saw improved outcomes over time” and that “patients seeking medical cannabis for depression saw improved outcomes over time.”
A review concluded that “CBD has very low abuse potential and is unlikely to produce physical dependence.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
110 Ohio clergy sent a letter calling on local mayors to resist marijuana reform.
/ BUSINESS
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company reported quarterly sales of $202.6 million for its cannabis-focused Hawthorne unit.
CannTrust Equity Inc. renamed itself to Phoena Holdings Inc.
HEXO Corp. established an at-the-market equity program allowing it to issue and sell up to $40 million worth of common shares.
/ CULTURE
The U.S. State Department now officially considers American basketball player Brittney Griner to be “wrongfully detained” after she was allegedly caught with cannabis vape cartridges at an airport in Russia.
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