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Cannabis & psychedelics amendments in Congress (Newsletter: June 4, 2024)
Marijuana on SD ballot; NH legalization hangs in balance; OH cannabis license apps this week; Watchdog blasts DEA psilocybin process; CA grants
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Republican lawmakers filed amendments to strip out a provision from the National Defense Authorization Act that would block military branches from testing recruits for marijuana as a condition of enlistment. Other pending amendments to the bill would prevent security clearance denials based on past cannabis use, expand expungement eligibility and facilitate rescheduling of certain psychedelics, among other reforms.
South Dakota’s secretary of state confirmed that activists collected enough signatures to put a marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.
A New Hampshire House-Senate conference committee on marijuana legalization will meet on Tuesday to negotiate a deal between the chambers’ differing versions of the legislation. Advocates have differing points of view on the likelihood of success.
The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control will begin accepting applications to sell recreational marijuana from existing medical cannabis dispensaries this week, but the top regulator is cautioning people not to expect the market to launch immediately.
The Government Accountability Office published a report criticizing the Drug Enforcement Administration’s process for considering exemptions from drug laws for the religious use of psilocybin and other controlled substances, saying the agency needs clearer timelines and standards.
The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development awarded more than $40 million in marijuana revenue-funded grants to support job placement, legal assistance, drug treatment and medical care referrals for communities disproportionately harmed by the drug war.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Department of Agricultural Resources issued a joint notice clarifying that the “addition of CBD and/or THC to food manufactured or sold” in the state is illegal.
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management says state inspectors have destroyed nearly $300,000 worth of hemp products with illegally high levels of THC.
Video of New York City police cursing, jumping over counters and charging at a shopkeeper who asked for a court order during a raid on his business that allegedly sold marijuana without a license is raising questions about the mayor’s enforcement strategy.
/ FEDERAL
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Deputy Director David Shurtleff said he is “hopeful” that marijuana rescheduling will “help facilitate research.”
A federal court decision to dismiss a lawsuit from a nonprofit seeking to open a safe consumption site for illegal drugs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is being appealed.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said Chinese-based illegal marijuana growing operations in Maine “pose a serious threat to public health and national security.”
Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY) visited a hemp business facility, tweeting, “As we look ahead to this year’s Farm Bill, we have to make sure it’s helping small businesses, not hurting them. I’m fighting to make sure that small businesses like Cornbread Hemp can continue to grow and thrive.”
/ STATES
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) touted the Biden administration’s federal cannabis rescheduling move.
Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura made an appearance at a store selling his hemp products.
The chairman of the Missouri House Veterans Committee spoke about the challenges of passing psilocybin legislation.
A Louisiana representative discussed her legislation to decriminalize marijuana paraphernalia that’s headed to Gov. Jeff Landry’s (R) desk.
Arkansas activists say they are “confident” they will collect enough signatures to place a medical cannabis expansion initiative on the November ballot.
California regulators will no longer accept electronic checks as a form of payment from marijuana businesses.
Former Massachusetts marijuana regulatory staffers say they were bullied by a communications official.
Washington State regulators sent an update on the timeline for marijuana social equity rulemaking.
Oregon officials posted projected marijuana and psilocybin revenue analyses.
Nevada regulators are seeking applications for marijuana business licenses in White Pine County.
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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
Cleveland, Ohio officials are moving to enacting zoning restrictions to keep marijuana dispensaries away from schools, churches, parks and libraries.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Thailand’s health minister said the government’s move to reclassify marijuana as a narcotic was caused in part by a spike in the cost of medical cannabis.
Japanese regulators are accepting public comments about implementation of a law on CBD products.
The Australian Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee rejected marijuana legalization legislation.
Some German state justice ministers are pushing the federal government to make revisions to the country’s marijuana legalization law, but the federal justice minister is rejecting the call for quick changes to prosecution rules.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “former marijuana use was associated with lower [prostate cancer] compared to never using” and that “current use was also suggestive of reduced prevalence but was not statistically significant.”
A review concluded that “psilocybin, in combination with psychological support, significantly reduces depressive symptoms, with benefits lasting up to several months after a single dose treatment.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Wisconsin State Journal editorial board is calling on lawmakers to legalize marijuana.
Prohibitionist PAC Protect Our Kids is targeting North Dakota Republican congressional candidate Rick Becker for supporting marijuana legalization.
/ BUSINESS
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a mixed decision in a case concerning alleged labor law violations by Curaleaf.
MIRA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the Drug Enforcement Administration has determined its MIRA-55 marijuana analogue is not a controlled substance.
Illinois retailers sold $144.5 million worth of recreational marijuana products in April, while dispensaries sold $25.1 million worth of medical cannabis.
/ CULTURE
Bill Maher spoke about why he likes to consume marijuana.
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