Newsletter
Biden spotlights cannabis reform for Civil Rights Act anniversary (Newsletter: July 4, 2024)
Marijuana expungements in Congress; KY gov touts cannabis work with Harris; MA psychedelics; MD $1B sales; NJ medical marijuana discrimination lawsuit
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
President Joe Biden touted his work to change the “failed approach to marijuana, which disproportionately impacts communities of color” in a proclamation commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.
Reps. Troy Carter (D-LA) and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) filed a bill to create a process to expunge federal misdemeanor marijuana convictions and allow courts to recommend presidential pardons for eligible cases.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) cited his work with Vice President Kamala Harris to “decriminalize marijuana” when asked about the idea that they could run together as a ticket if President Joe Biden leaves the race.
Massachusetts activists submitted a final batch of signatures to qualify a psychedelics legalization initiative for the November ballot.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) announced that retailers sold more than $1.1 billion worth of legal marijuana products during the first year of the state’s adult-use cannabis market.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin’s (D) office is alleging that a telecom company illegally discriminated against a medical cannabis patient by rescinding a job offer following a positive THC drug test.
Deb Tharp of NuggMD argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that the Supreme Court’s overturning of the Chevron doctrine means the Biden administration’s cannabis rescheduling proposal “is already functionally dead as a matter of policy.”
Litigator Shane Pennington says in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that he’s “confident Schedule III will happen and that it will survive judicial review” under the Supreme Court’s new doctrine “just as surely as it would have under Chevron.”
An Alabama judge said he will enter another temporary restraining order on the medical cannabis business licensing process amid ongoing litigation challenging regulators’ decisions.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Sentencing Commission published an overview of marijuana trafficking prosecution trends.
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) said marijuana “should be descheduled, not rescheduled.”
The House marijuana banking bill got three new cosponsors for a total of 126.
/ STATES
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) issued an executive order adding the Office of Cannabis Management to the Children’s Cabinet.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) is suing Meta Platforms Inc. for allegedly hosting ads that falsely claim he is endorsing CBD gummies.
Michigan representatives filed legislation to merge the state’s medical and recreational marijuana laws.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee, located within North Carolina, will open recreational marijuana sales to members of federally recognized tribes on Thursday.
California regulators announced a mandatory recall of marijuana products due to pesticide contamination.
Delaware regulators posted proposed revisions to marijuana rules.
Tennessee regulators filed emergency rules on hemp-derived products.
An internal audit by Nevada regulators found that six applicants are not eligible for cannabis consumption lounge licenses reserved for social equity applicants.
Virginia regulators are conducting a medical cannabis patient satisfaction survey.
Wisconsin State Patrol marijuana arrests are increasing.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 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
Dover, Delaware officials are conducting a survey to shape local marijuana rules.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products declared a list of synthetic hemp-derived intoxicants to be illegal narcotics.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of older adults found that medical cannabis “was associated with decreases in pain, negative affect, trauma, and nausea.”
/ BUSINESS
iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. shareholders elected board of directors members.
/ CULTURE
MMA fighter Nate Diaz said he thinks marijuana “is good for you.”
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
