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Senate cannabis banking hearing scheduled for next week (Newsletter: July 17, 2019)

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Berkeley considers psychedelics decrim; Lawmaker files marijuana bill after leaving GOP; USDA official speaks at hemp conference

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee scheduled a hearing on marijuana banking issues for next week. Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) had previously said cannabis’s legal status would have to be amended before the panel addressed financial services issues, but his thinking has apparently changed.

A Berkeley, California City Council committee will consider a measure to decriminalize psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin on Wednesday. The move follows neighboring Oakland’s enactment of a similar resolution last month.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture official and Colorado’s pro-hemp Gov. Jared Polis (D) are scheduled to discuss CBD as a dietary supplement and related issues at an American Herbal Products Association conference next month.

Just days after leaving the Republican Party, Rep. Justin Amash (I-MI) filed a new marijuana bill in Congress. It’s nearly identical to the bipartisan STATES Act, with one exception.

/ FEDERAL

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on efforts to combat illicit fentanyl.

The Congressional Black Caucus tweeted about pending legislation allowing certain federal drug war prisoners to have their cases reconsidered.

Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL) noted in a report on a visit to the border that “the main drug they’re seizing between ports is marijuana, and that’s decreasing due to domestic legalization.”

Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) said she is “so excited that now, finally in our country, we are looking at the war on drugs, we’re looking at mass incarceration, and the consequences that that has had on our country.”

The House bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to study medical cannabis got one new cosponsor, for a total of 71.

/ STATES

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) cheered news of the opening of a CBD extraction facility in the state, saying, “As the commonwealth becomes a focal point for hemp-related businesses, this latest project significantly accelerates our progress.”

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) discussed his concerns about marijuana reform.

The Florida House of Representatives moved to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state’s medical cannabis regulations. Separately, here’s a look at the chances of getting a marijuana legalization measure on the state’s 2020 ballot.

A Michigan senator filed a bill to expunge marijuana records. Separately, regulators released updated lists of banned chemical active ingredients in marijuana products and for growers.

California regulators will hold a meeting about efforts to create a cannabis program comparable to the National Organic Program next Wednesday.

Utah regulators are dropping a proposed residency requirement for medical cannabis cultivation.

New Mexico’s medical cannabis patient count is up nearly 10% since the beginning of the year.

Washington State regulators will consider changes to marijuana packaging and labeling rules on Wednesday.

Massachusetts regulators will begin accepting applications for state certification as responsible vendor trainers for marijuana establishment agents on Wednesday.

Alabama’s Medical Cannabis Study Commission will hold its first meeting on August 13.


Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 cannabis 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

The Fayetteville, Arkansas City Council approved a resolution urging the city prosecutor to use discretion to “to ensure that appropriate cases of misdemeanor possession of marijuana for personal, private, adult use be considered for dismissal.”

Santa Cruz County, California is being sued for allegedly violating state law by blocking marijuana deliveries from out-of-county companies.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Cabinet approved 34 medical cannabis licenses.

A French judge ruled that a man who killed a neighbor can’t be held criminally responsible for his actions because he smoked marijuana beforehand.

Thai regulators are denying accusations that they have unduly delayed approval of medical cannabis oil.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “medicinal cannabis is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for a number of [spinal cord injury]-related symptoms.”

A study of qualitative reports of psychedelic microdosing found “beneficial outcomes, such as improved mood (26.6%) and focus (14.8%)” as well as “challenging outcomes, such as physiological discomfort (18.0%) and increased anxiety (6.7%).”

/ BUSINESS

Advertising firm Havas is launching a cannabis-focused consulting arm.

The Arcview Group closed a $7.7 million Series A funding round.

A former Walt Disney World bartender says she was fired for using CBD oil for foot pain.

/ CULTURE

Musician Flea joked about the differences between indica and sativa cannabis.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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