New GOP-led cannabis legalization effort in Congress (Newsletter: November 8, 2021) – Marijuana Moment
Biden’s FDA Pick Prescribed Cannabinoid Medicine And Recognized Marijuana’s Therapeutic Potential
Ohio Senate Bill Would Allow Medical Marijuana For Any Patient Who Can ‘Reasonably Be Expected’ To Benefit
DEA Boosts Psilocybin, MDMA And DMT Production Levels Again In Final Quotas For 2021
DEA Moves To Deschedule Cocaine-Derived Drug While Marijuana Lingers In Schedule I
Virginia GOP Lawmakers Open To Allowing Marijuana Sales After Taking Control Of House
Marijuana Legalization In Canada Did Not Result In Increased Traffic Injuries, Study Finds
Using Marijuana With Psychedelics Intensifies The Mystical Experience, Study Finds
Legalizing Marijuana Reduces ‘Race-Based Arrests,’ American Medical Association Study Finds
Government-Grown Marijuana Is Genetically Closer To Hemp Than Cannabis Sold In Dispensaries, Another Study Finds
Army Recruits Who’ve Used Marijuana ‘Perform No Worse’ Than Other Soldiers, Military-Funded Report Finds
Seth Rogen And Sarah Silverman Partner With Marijuana Businesses To Press Senators For Legalization
Singer Melissa Etheridge And Activist Van Jones Promote Psychedelics Reform As Movement Grows
Sanjay Gupta Explains His Marijuana Reversal And Discusses ‘Very Biased’ U.S. Research With Joe Rogan
Farmers Switch From Raising Chickens For Slaughter To Growing Hemp With Help Of Animal Advocacy Group
NBA Won’t Randomly Drug Test Players For Marijuana For Another Season, League Announces
Illinois Has Sold More Than $1 Billion In Marijuana So Far This Year, State Officially Announces
Bank Of America Cancels Account Of Marijuana And Psychedelics Research Institute Registered With DEA
Americans Want To Live Where Marijuana Is Legal, Real Estate Survey Finds
Nevada Sold More Than $1 Billion In Marijuana In One Year, Officials Report
Virginia Medical Marijuana Patients See High Prices And Long Waits For Approvals
Biden’s FDA Pick Prescribed Cannabinoid Medicine And Recognized Marijuana’s Therapeutic Potential
Seth Rogen And Sarah Silverman Partner With Marijuana Businesses To Press Senators For Legalization
California Attorney General Says State’s Marijuana Market Is ‘Number One In The World,’ But There’s Work Still To Be Done
Congressional Lawmakers Approve Marijuana Research Bill For Veterans Despite Biden Administration Opposition
Mississippi Governor Dodges Questions About Medical Marijuana Special Session When Confronted By Patient Advocates
Top fed drug official says end ‘aura of illegality’ (Newsletter: November 12, 2021)
Senators push Biden for cannabis clemency (Newsletter: November 11, 2021)
Biden administration continues cannabis penalties for public housing (Newsletter: November 10, 2021)
Cannabis research bill heads to Biden’s desk (Newsletter: November 9, 2021)
New GOP-led cannabis legalization effort in Congress (Newsletter: November 8, 2021)
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Marijuana research bill advances; Senate NDAA amendment would legalize medical cannabis for vets; CA AG: state’s legal market is best in world
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Marijuana Moment obtained the draft text of a new Republican-led bill from Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) to federally legalize and tax cannabis that will soon be introduced as an alternative to Democratic leaders’ marijuana legislation.
The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee approved a bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct clinical trials on the medical benefits of marijuana for military veterans with PTSD and chronic pain—despite opposition testimony from the Biden administration.
Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), along with six other lawmakers, filed a National Defense Authorization Act amendment that would federally legalize medical marijuana for military veterans. It would also let Department of Veterans Affairs doctors issue cannabis recommendations and require the department to research marijuana’s therapeutic potential to reduce pain and opioid misuse.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) spoke at an event commemorating the 25th anniversary of the state’s first-in-the-nation medical cannabis law, saying California has the “number one in the world” legal marijuana market.
/ FEDERAL
A federal grand jury issued subpoenas seeking information about payments to public officials and consultants as part of a criminal investigation into marijuana licensing in Baldwin Park, California and other nearby cities.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency tweeted, “Hemp offers new economic opportunities for America’s farmers, and we are pleased to offer coverage to hemp producers.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted “It’s long past time to end the federal prohibition on marijuana, enact criminal justice reforms, & invest in communities hurt by the War on Drugs. That’s why @SenBooker, @RonWyden, & I are working to pass our Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act.”
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) said he supports the right of Washington, D.C. to legalize marijuana without congressional interference.
Indiana Democratic Senate candidate Thomas McDermott, currently Hammond’s mayor, discussed his support for marijuana legalization and acknowledged his cannabis use at recent concerts.
/ STATES
Mississippi’s lieutenant governor said he thinks lawmakers will pass a medical cannabis bill in next year’s regular legislative session.
Massachusetts’s Senate president said lawmakers will be considering marijuana-related issues such as local host community agreements, social equity and automatic expungements.
New York’s top marijuana regulator spoke about efforts to roll out legalization in a way that centers equity and justice.
California regulators ordered the destruction of a hemp field after the farmer allegedly applied pesticide that is not approved for use on the crop.
A Michigan appeals court upheld a two-year suspension for a doctor who approved nearly 22,000 medical cannabis recommendations within a one-year period.
Nevada regulators issued a health and safety bulletin about an inability to verify that Kindibles, LLC created and tested certain marijuana edibles products. They also issued a summary suspension of the company’s license.
Arizona regulators filed revised marijuana rules.
The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority’s Board of Directors will meet on Tuesday.
Ohio regulators will consider medical cannabis rules changes on Tuesday.
The Washington State Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force’s Technical Assistance and Mentorship Workgroup will meet on Tuesday.
Florida regulators will hold several meetings about medical cannabis and hemp this month.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,200 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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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
Cannabis research bill heads to Biden’s desk (Newsletter: November 9, 2021)
GOP & Dem voters back legal cannabis, poll says (Newsletter: November 5, 2021)
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. (Organization citations are for identification only and do not constitute an endorsement or partnership.)
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DEA deschedules cocaine derivative; Mexican senator blames US for marijuana laws; VA GOP open to legal cannabis sales
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow said it’s time to end the “aura of illegality” of drugs, which has perpetuated stigma and created barriers to treatment and harm reduction services.
Mexico’s Senate president is blaming the U.S. for failed marijuana criminalization laws as legislators in the country work to craft a legalization bill they hope to pass by the end of next month.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing to completely deschedule a cocaine-derived substance used in evaluating Parkinson’s disease—while it refuses to alter marijuana’s strict Schedule I status.
Some Virginia Republican lawmakers say they’re open to moving ahead with legal recreational marijuana sales when the party takes control of the House of Delegates and governor’s office next year—perhaps even on an expedited basis as compared to Democrats’ previous plans.
NORML coauthored a Veterans Day op-ed for Marijuana Moment calling on Congress and the VA to enact cannabis policies that benefit veterans’ health and wellbeing.
/ FEDERAL
House Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy Chairman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) is demanding that TikTok supply information about minors’ access to drug-related content on its platform.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) tweeted, “This #VeteransDay, and every day, let’s fight to give our veterans what they are asking for: the best medical care possible, including access to cannabis.”
Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-OR) met with Jackson County, Oregon officials to discuss illegal marijuana cultivation.
/ STATES
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) said he is not planning a special session on medical cannabis legislation soon.
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, tweeted, “One way we can honor our vets is by decriminalizing marijuana and giving them access to this crucial pain relief. They gave everything for us – they deserve the best care available without fear of losing their job, VA benefits, or access to their Second Amendment freedoms.”
Montana House Democrats tweeted, “MT House Dems & @MTSenateDems are working hard to make sure that marijuana legalization rolls out safely & smoothly on January 1.”
The chairman of the Georgia House Regulated Industries Committee suggested that regulators’ medical cannabis business license approval process may need to be overhauled.
An Illinois representative said it’s unfair that people living in state-run veterans homes are unable to use medical cannabis.
Texas regulators filed a notice of appeal on a judge’s injunction on their delta-8 THC ban, automatically reinstating the policy for now.
Arizona regulators issued a voluntary recall on marijuana products that may be contaminated with salmonella or aspergillus.
Colorado regulators filed rules to implement a bill on medical cannabis restrictions that will take effect on January 1.
Washington, D.C. regulators voted to waive registration fees for medical cannabis patients and caregivers through January 31, 2022.
Washington State regulators issued a policy statement on payment of vendor fees by certified cannabis testing labs.
Oklahoma regulators published a list of licensed medical cannabis transporters.
Connecticut regulators posted updated statistics on the state’s medical cannabis program.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife will host a commercial cannabis cultivation permitting workshop on Wednesday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,200 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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Govs want marijuana banking ASAP; Lawmakers: Protect state cannabis laws; OH legalization poll; Denver psilocybin decrim hearing
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) sent a letter urging President Joe Biden to issue mass pardons for people convicted of marijuana offenses as a first step toward righting the wrongs of prohibition.
A bipartisan coalition of two dozen governors sent a letter calling on congressional leaders to pass marijuana banking legislation through the National Defense Authorization Act.
Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) sent a letter calling on House leaders to include provisions protecting state and tribal marijuana laws from federal interference in upcoming spending legislation.
A survey of Ohio lawmakers found that Republicans are more likely to support legalizing marijuana than Democrats are. However, GOP members are less supportive of letting people grow their own cannabis at home.
The Denver, Colorado City Council’s Finance and Governance Committee held a hearing on a city panel’s recommendation to expand the voter-approved decriminalization of psilocybin to include gifting and communal use.
Montana Department of Revenue officials testified at a legislative hearing that they are open to scaling back proposed rules blocking marijuana industry employment for people with past cannabis convictions and restricting CBD sales.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) posted photos of himself visiting a marijuana dispensary, tweeting, “Local cannabis businesses like @tokyostarfish here in Oregon show the way to a smart cannabis policy at the federal level that ends the long-failed national prohibition.”
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) confirmed a recent Marijuana Moment scoop by announcing she will file a bill to federally legalize cannabis next week.
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) tweeted, “We need to safeguard our financial system, reduce the public safety risk in our communities, and help better support small, Veteran- and minority-owned cannabis businesses and their employees. We need #SAFEBanking now.”
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair drug war harms got three new cosponsors for a total of 96.
The House bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct clinical trials on medical cannabis got one new cosponsor for a total of two.
Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman, currently the lieutenant governor, tweeted, “I’ve [led] the charge in Pennsylvania to free people of bullshit weed charges that have damaged their lives.”
Ohio Democratic congressional candidate Nina Turner tweeted, “Black Americans are four times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than white Americans. There is no reason for people to be in prison for cannabis possession in 2021.”
/ STATES
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) filed impaired driving legislation that would prohibit loose or unsealed packages of marijuana in the driver’s compartment of a vehicle.
A working group of the Virginia legislature’s Cannabis Oversight Commission held a meeting to discuss the potential acceleration of legal recreational sales.
The Georgia House Regulated Industries Committee held a hearing on implementation of the state’s medical cannabis law.
A Florida campaign working to place a marijuana legalization measure on the 2022 ballot raised $307,522 in October, with $250,000 of that coming from Trulieve.
California state officials and local law enforcement are being accused in a federal lawsuit of extortion, theft and corruption related to marijuana seizures.
Maine’s top marijuana regulator spoke about the challenges of exercising oversight of the state’s medical cannabis system.
A pending appeal that has prevented Rhode Island regulators from conducting a lottery to award a medical cannabis dispensary business license is being dropped by the company behind it.
Ohio regulators delayed the expiration of telemedicine for medical cannabis recommendations and renewals until March.
Alaska regulators sent guidance about testing marijuana for E. coli.
Guam regulators signed a contract for Metrc to manage the territory’s marijuana tracking system.
New Mexico regulators have received more than 1.500 marijuana production license applications.
Nevada regulators will consider marijuana business issues on Tuesday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,200 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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VA election endangers marijuana roll-out; Mexican senators agree to prioritize cannabis; Celebs and industry team up on federal legalization push
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Department of Housing and Urban Development says federal law requires it to continue denying access to public housing to people who use marijuana—even for medical use in accordance with state law. The comments come in a letter to Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who had asked the Biden administration to exercise cannabis enforcement discretion.
Virginia’s election results, which gave control of the governor’s office and House of Delegates to Republicans, could seriously jeopardize the chances of legal marijuana sales launching. And if they do launch, the policy is less likely to center equity and justice than the plan that Democrats passed this year but which is subject to reenactment by the next legislature.
Mexico’s Senate majority leader said the multi-party Political Coordination Board “agreed to prioritize cannabis laws,” among other issues, in the current legislative session.
Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman teamed up with the Cannabis Voter Project, U.S. Cannabis Council and several marijuana businesses to launch a campaign encouraging people to pressure their U.S. senators to enact federal legalization.
Oregon’s drug decriminalization law, passed by voters one year ago, has created $300 million in new funding for treatment and services. And there have been no drug possession arrests since it took effect.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released short podcasts about a national hemp survey it is conducting.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “It’s long past time to end the federal prohibition on marijuana, make criminal justice reforms, and ensure equity for communities most impacted by the War on Drugs. I’m working with @SenBooker and @RonWyden to pass our Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act to do just that.”
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) tweeted, “Americans support legalized marijuana, and now Congress is catching up. My first-of-its-kind amendment will help us create a national standard to prevent cannabis-impaired driving.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) tweeted about a new documentary on illegal cannabis cultivation, saying, “I reviewed this film as a critic of ‘enforcement-first’ Marijuana policy. It is very compelling and has already led to productive discussions with my colleague @RepMikeGarcia, who is featured in the piece.”
Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) tweeted, “Southern California has experienced an alarming escalation in large-scale illegal marijuana cultivation that threatens our environment, our water resources, and our community safety.”
/ STATES
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) said he continues to work with lawmakers to address concerns he has about draft medical cannabis legislation.
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, tweeted a video of herself with her medical cannabis card.
Texas Democratic attorney general candidate Lee Merritt tweeted, “It’s time to reimagine our approach to public safety. Imagine if instead of fighting a war on drugs, we considered it a public health crisis. Imagine if our response to people in mental health crises wasn’t state violence. We can build a system based on compassion.”
Maryland’s House Cannabis Referendum and Legalization Workgroup met.
The Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Financial Services held a hearing on bills to allow health insurance coverage for medical cannabis.
An Ohio senator filed a bill to expand medical cannabis eligibility to any patient who would “reasonably be expected” to benefit from it.
New Jersey regulators voted to begin accepting recreational marijuana cultivation, manufacturing and testing business license applications on December 15, and dispensary license applications on March 15.
Oregon regulators resumed processing new marijuana retailer, wholesalers and processor licenses.
Oklahoma’s top medical cannabis regulator spoke about challenges in overseeing the industry.
Florida regulators ordered Curaleaf to recall medical cannabis products that failed mold testing.
Alaska regulators adopted changes to rules on marijuana product exit packaging.
Virginia regulators filed rules for consumable hemp products and separately to remove requirements for reporting past marijuana convictions by certain applicants or licensees.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Cannabis Restoration Grant Program awarded nearly $1 million in funding for watershed remediation and enhancement projects.
Connecticut regulators will use software from Consultants Consortium, Inc. and Forian for the state’s marijuana tracking system.
Arkansas has collected more than $50 million in medical cannabis tax revenue since sales launched.
Nevada regulators will hold a public workshop on marijuana business issues on Wednesday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,200 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.
—
/ LOCAL
Arcata, California officials sent guidance on the city’s psychedelics decriminalization policy.
The Billings, Montana City Council approved updated marijuana rules.
The Lincoln County, South Dakota Commission approved a public hearing for the county’s first medical cannabis business license application.
Oakland, California officials discussed cannabis equity loans and grants.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Colombian President Iván Duque touted the potential of his country’s medical cannabis law.
Malaysia’s health minister is moving to allow medical cannabis.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of mice found that “administration of the phytocannabinoid Δ9-THC promotes significant functional recovery from traumatic brain injury in the realms of working memory and locomotor function.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The National Black Caucus of State Legislators will host a session on marijuana legalization at its conference next month.
The California Cannabis Industry Association published a report examining state-funded marijuana social equity programs.
The Harm Reduction Consortium launched a new Global Drug Policy Index that documents, measures and compares countries’ drug policies.
/ BUSINESS
Springbig is going public through a merger with Tuatara Capital Acquisition Corporation.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$60.1 million and an adjusted EBITDA loss of C$12.1 million.
MedMen Enterprises Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $39.8 million and a net loss of $55.3 million.
HEXO Corp is decommissioning three of its cannabis production facilities following its acquisition of Redecan, Zenabis Global Inc. and 48North Cannabis Corp.
iAnthus is being sued by a former compliance director who alleges he faced racial discrimination, was demoted and then forced to resign.
Cronos Group Inc. delayed filing its quarterly financial results.
COMPASS Pathways plc announced positive results in its phase IIb clinical trial of psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression.
/ CULTURE
Mike Tyson’s Tyson 2.0 announced its board of directors.
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