Newsletter
House approves cannabis banking (again, in military bill this time) (Newsletter: September 22, 2021)
Amazon expands marijuana protections; CA State Fair hosts cannabis contest; NY legalization revenue projections; Fmr GOP rep on psilocybin benefits
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House of Representatives approved a marijuana banking amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act—on a voice vote, and no member requested a roll call. Earlier on Tuesday, the House Rules Committee cleared the measure for floor consideration, but the panel blocked separate amendments to expand research on the benefits of psychedelics for active duty military members and to protect veterans from being denied home loans because they work in the cannabis industry.
Amazon reiterated its support for legalizing marijuana and said it will reinstate eligibility for employees and applicants who were previously punished for positive cannabis tests. Curiously, though, the company claimed in a letter to senators that it has no view on marijuana “regulation, permitting, taxation, and interstate commerce.”
The California State Fair & Expo will host a first-of-its-kind, state-sanctioned cannabis competition and awards show at next year’s event.
New York’s budget director projected in a new quarterly fiscal update that growing marijuana revenue will help offset an ongoing decline in taxes from cigarette sales.
Former Rep. Mimi Walters (R-CA) shared the story of a family friend who treated alcoholism with psilocybin therapy.
- “The first time he got the treatment, he lost all cravings for drinking. This happened about six years ago, and he has not had a craving since.”
/ FEDERAL
A federal judge sentenced a former Fall River, Massachusetts mayor convicted of extorting marijuana businesses to six years in prison.
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy announced $13.2 million in grants for 106 Drug-Free Communities Support Programs across the country.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency tweeted, “A pilot hemp insurance program available in select counties through Multi-Peril Crop Insurance provides coverage against loss of yield because of insurable causes of loss for hemp grown for fiber, grain, or CBD oil.”
Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (R-IN) toured a hemp processing facility.
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted that the World Anti-Doping Agency’s move to reconsider marijuana’s banned status for athletes is “real progress for real people. Grateful to my colleagueRep. @Bonnie4Congres for shining a light on this injustice together.”
Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman, currently the state’s lieutenant governor, tweeted about the growth potential of psilocybin treatment.
/ STATES
Delaware Gov. John Carney (D) signed a bill to allow police to refer juveniles caught with marijuana to counseling, treatment or other intervention services in lieu of having to pay fines.
A New Jersey senator spoke about why his bill to legalize home cultivation of marijuana is stalled.
Connecticut’s Judicial Branch is warning people that marijuana is not allowed inside courthouses.
Oklahoma regulators filed permanent changes to medical cannabis rules.
Louisiana regulators proposed changes to hemp rules.
Vermont regulators are preparing to issue a report with marijuana recommendations for lawmakers.
Connecticut regulators published updated statistics on medical cannabis patients and registered physicians.
Florida’s Hemp Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday.
The Nevada Cannabis Advisory Subcommittee on Public Safety will meet on Friday.
Michigan regulators will hold a public hearing on proposed marijuana rules changes on Monday.
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/ LOCAL
The Rapid City, South Dakota City Council approved medical cannabis business rules.
Denver, Colorado will host a Marijuana Social Equity Resource Fair on October 16.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte warned the international community not to interfere with his nation’s bloody “drug war” in a speech before the United Nations General Assembly.
Paraguayan officials sent a reminder about the need to register and update medical cannabis business information.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of hemp found that “CBD yield and decarboxylation rate were significantly affected by drying conditions” and that “terpene content and profile in hemp changed with the drying conditions.”
A study concluded that “psilocybin has a rapid, sizable, and long-term antidepressive effect for primary (major depression patients) and secondary depressive disorder (depressed cancer patients).”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Conservative commentator Bill O’Reilly said the government should air public service announcements about the harms of marijuana, and he’s offering to star in them for free.
Drug Policy Alliance founder Ethan Nadelmann signed on as a cannabis consultant for PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP.
The Cannabis Freedom Alliance published a white paper on marijuana social equity programs.
The Transform Drug Policy Foundation is hiring a new CEO.
/ BUSINESS
FSD Pharma Inc. closed its acquisition of Lucid Psycheceuticals Inc.
Blue Tree LLC is reportedly being investigated by California regulators over a possible illegal marijuana smuggling operation.
/ CULTURE
Seth Rogen spoke about how his passion for cannabis drives his work with his brand Houseplant.
The Onion joked that marijuana “ranks among the foremost treatments for persistent existence.”
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