Newsletter
White House cannabis rescheduling update (Newsletter: April 16, 2024)
Congress psychedelics vote; Poll: FL legalization measure losing; SAFE Banking prospects; Fed cannabis lawsuit oral arguments; AMA youth use study
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said marijuana rescheduling is up to the Department of Justice now that “HHS has concluded their independent review guided by the evidence.”
- “Any input should be certainly directed to them at a time and in a manner they say is appropriate.”
The House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee has scheduled a vote for Tuesday on a GOP-led psychedelics bill aimed at military veterans despite opposition from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Bipartisan House and Senate members spoke about the prospects for passing marijuana banking legislation this year—with Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) claiming the measure could open up “access to banking resources for fentanyl traffickers.”
A new poll shows that the Florida marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot has majority support from voters—but not enough to reach the 60 percent threshold needed for passage.
Cannabis companies that are suing to block federal enforcement against their in-state activities are asking a judge to set oral arguments to consider new Justice Department claims that broad prohibition is justified as a way to regulate “marijuana tourism.”
A new study published by the American Medical Association found that legalizing marijuana for adults is “associated with modest decreases in cannabis, alcohol, and e-cigarette use” by high school students—contrary to prohibitionists’ fears.
Doctors for Drug Policy Reform published a new position paper arguing that intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoid products should be subject to a regulatory framework similar to the one that exists for marijuana in order to “ensure public safety.”
Vince Ning of Nabis authored a new Marijuana Moment op-ed urging the cannabis industry to harness “collective action and self-advocacy” to succeed.
- “Coopetition should be the strategy that will create massive opportunities to move the needle while larger trends are in flux.”
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs published an overview of research on the use of cannabis and ibogaine to treat conditions affecting veterans.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said he will “look into” reports of Customs and Border Protection officials seizing products from state-legal marijuana businesses.
Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) tweeted, “From health and biofuel to plant-based plastics and industrial uses, hemp offers a wide range of important products for consumers and our economy.”
/ STATES
Kentucky lawmakers sent Gov. Andy Beshear (D) a bill to expedite medical cannabis business licensing.
Illinois lawmakers filed legislation to allow curbside pickup of recreational marijuana.
An Alabama judge is being asked to appoint a special master to determine which medical cannabis business license applicants comply with statutory rules amid ongoing litigation.
A new member of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Cannabis Commission was sworn in.
Vermont regulators published marijuana advertising guidance.
Colorado regulators sent a notice about the prohibition on using chemically derived THC in the manufacture of marijuana products.
Montana regulators posted tips about identifying licensed marijuana businesses.
Utah regulators published a quarterly update on the medical cannabis program.
Nevada regulators will consider marijuana business issues on Thursday.
The Oklahoma Archives and Records Commission will consider medical cannabis regulators’ records retention and disposal policies on April 25.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,400 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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
The Killeen, Texas City Council will receive a report on marijuana enforcement issues on Tuesday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz answered a question from a Chinese student who wondered if he would have to smoke marijuana if he studied in the country by saying, “We don’t want more people to consume cannabis, we want fewer people to consume cannabis, we want there to be more public education about it… I’ll be 66 this year and I’ve never smoked cannabis.”
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he would not turn his predecessor former President Rodrigo Duterte over to the International Criminal Court amid its ongoing investigation of the country’s bloody “war on drugs.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study confirmed CBD’s “exceptional anti-inflammatory properties and effectiveness in a cream product.”
A study found that first responders “were generally interested in taking part in therapy or research involving LSD or marijuana.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Cannabis Association of New York is warning regulators that moving forward with a large increase in the number of marijuana dispensary licenses could have “disastrous consequences” for current operators.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation shareholders approved the creation of a new class of exchangeable shares, with the company saying that Canopy USA is “expected to advance imminently with triggering acquisition of U.S. assets.”
Akanda Corp. sold its Portuguese subsidiary RPK to SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
4Front Ventures Corp. reported quarterly revenue of $21 million.
Numinus Wellness Inc. is exploring opportunities to redefine, divest and/or discontinue its Canadian clinical operations.
Jushi Holdings Inc. has a new chief operating officer.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
