Fed scientists slam fed cannabis restrictions (Newsletter: December 15, 2021) – Marijuana Moment
GOP Lawmakers File Bills To Streamline Research Into Marijuana, Psychedelics And Other Schedule I Drugs
St. Louis Lawmaker Worries DEA Might Intervene If Local Psychedelics Reform Is Enacted
Ohio Marijuana Activists Submit Signatures To Force Legislature To Consider Legalization
Senator Calls For Federal Marijuana Standard To Measure Impaired Driving
AOC Calls On Biden To Use Executive Authority On Marijuana Policy As President’s Agenda Stalls In Congress
Smoking CBD-Rich Marijuana Has ‘No Significant Impact’ On Driving Ability, Study Finds
Youth Marijuana Use ‘Decreased Significantly’ In 2021 Despite State Reforms, Federally Funded Survey Finds
Allowing Legal Marijuana Dispensaries Boosts Employment Rates In Colorado Counties, Study Finds
Marijuana Helps Treat PTSD Symptoms But Federal Policy Impedes Science, VA Researcher Says
DEA Backs White House Plan To Streamline Research On Marijuana, Psychedelics And Other Schedule I Drugs
Berlin Public Transit Is Selling Edible, Hemp-Infused Tickets To Help Riders To Relax This Holiday
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
Arizona Recreational Marijuana Sales Hit Record Monthly High, State Reports
Visa Warns Against Misuse Of ‘Cashless ATMs’ Used By Cannabis Retailers To Skirt Restrictions
IRS Official Gives Marijuana Businesses Advice On Tax Compliance
GW Pharma Scores Interim Victory In Cannabis Extraction Patent Infringement Fight With Canopy (Op-Ed)
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Partners With Marijuana Industry On Internship Program For Future Cannabis Leaders
GOP Lawmakers File Bills To Streamline Research Into Marijuana, Psychedelics And Other Schedule I Drugs
Senator Calls For Federal Marijuana Standard To Measure Impaired Driving
Berlin Public Transit Is Selling Edible, Hemp-Infused Tickets To Help Riders To Relax This Holiday
Pro-Legalization Missouri GOP Lawmaker Addresses Marijuana Resistance In His Party
Ohio Senate Approves Bill To Allow Medical Marijuana For Any Patient Who Can ‘Reasonably Be Expected’ To Benefit
OH cannabis signatures filed to force legislative debate (Newsletter: December 21, 2021)
Next steps for cannabis banking (Newsletter: December 20, 2021)
GOP lawmakers press Biden for cannabis action (Newsletter: December 17, 2021)
State cannabis czar takes over legalization org (Newsletter: December 16, 2021)
Fed scientists slam fed cannabis restrictions (Newsletter: December 15, 2021)
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Malta votes to legalize marijuana; NY psilocybin bill; MT cannabis regs approved; MO Supreme Court hears licensing secrets case
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Malta’s Parliament voted to legalize marijuana. President George Vella is expected to sign the legislation into law by this weekend.
Federal scientists with the Food and Drug Administration, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institutes of Health detailed in a new National Cancer Institute journal article how current restrictive marijuana policies—including Schedule I status and a lack of access to dispensary cannabis—”hinder research in several ways.”
A New York assemblyman filed a new bill to legalize psilocybin therapy, with a focus on ensuring access to the psychedelic treatment for military veterans and first responders.
The Montana legislature’s Economic Affairs Interim Committee voted to move ahead with marijuana regulations as the January 1 sales launch approaches—just days after initially rejecting proposed rules.
The Missouri Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case challenging regulators’ decision to keep medical cannabis licensing information secret.
/ FEDERAL
The Department of Justice and Attorney General Merrick Garland asked a federal court to dismiss them from a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by a black-owned Washington State marijuana business.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is funding a project on hemp as a cover crop.
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) tweeted, “Nevada’s cannabis industry has created new businesses and jobs, bringing millions in new tax revenue for our state. Today, I met with the Chamber of Cannabis and local leaders in the industry to learn more about their work and what I can do to ensure these businesses thrive.”
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) tweeted, “By ending nonviolent cannabis prison sentences, the #StatesReformAct will save taxpayers $571 MILLION in federal prison costs according to new impact analysis by @recidiviz.”
The House bill to require clinical trials on the medical benefits of cannabis for military veterans got one new cosponsor for a total of three.
/ STATES
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed legislation to provide funds to combat illegal marijuana cultivation.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) reiterated his concern that federal law needs to change before the state considers legalizing marijuana. Meanwhile, a representative discussed a bill she is planning to introduce to create a commission that would issue recommendations on how the state could structure a legal cannabis system in the future.
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, reacted to criticism about what she said was a joke about people sending her medical cannabis for her birthday.
New Mexico’s attorney general announced that a local credit union became the first to be certified for cannabis banking protocols by an independent organization.
Georgia’s House speaker removed a member of the Medical Marijuana Commission, a police chief who is under investigation for his department’s K-9 unit expenses.
Alabama’s House speaker said he’s open to considering any new medical cannabis legislation that regulators say they need.
New York’s Assembly majority leader said she’s not surprised by the number of municipalities opting out of allowing recreational marijuana dispensaries and on-site consumption facilities.
Virginia regulators received federal approval for the state’s hemp plan.
Colorado has generated $392.8 million in marijuana tax revenue so far in 2021—a new annual record with one month left to go. They also published updated average market rates for cannabis.
Vermont regulators issued recommendations for marijuana business code compliance and penalties.
Michigan regulators will begin printing patient and caregiver photos on their registration cards.
Wisconsin regulators are urging people to become certified as hemp inspectors to address a shortage.
Washington State regulators sent an update about transitioning to a new marijuana tracking system.
New Jersey regulators will begin accepting recreational marijuana cultivation, distribution and testing business license applications on Wednesday.
The Louisiana House House Criminal Justice Impacts of Legalizing Cannabis Subcommittee will meet on Thursday.
The Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on Friday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,300 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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State cannabis czar takes over legalization org (Newsletter: December 16, 2021)
Malta set to legalize cannabis this week, a European first (Newsletter: December 14, 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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AOC pushes Biden for marijuana action; Senator wants federal cannabis impairment standard; NY bill would add gay people to equity program
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Ohio activists filed what they say are more than enough signatures to force the legislature to consider legalizing marijuana early in 2022. If lawmakers don’t act, more petitions will put the initiative directly before voters on the November ballot.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) called on President Joe Biden to use his executive authority to advance marijuana reform and other issues while his agenda gets stalled in Congress.
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) pressed President Joe Biden’s nominee for director of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a commitment to work on developing a national standard to measure marijuana-impaired driving.
A New York senator filed a bill to make it so gay, lesbian and bisexual people would qualify as social equity applicants under the state’s marijuana legalization law.
/ FEDERAL
The Bureau of Land Management announced it eradicated more than one million cannabis plants and 180,300 pounds of processed marijuana from illegal grow sites on federal lands in California this year.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) reportedly told colleagues that part of the reason he won’t support Build Back Better legislation is that he’s concerned parents would spend child tax credit payments on drugs instead of on their children.
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “Ending the war on drugs is an issue of racial equity. It’s time for the federal government to catch up to the rest of the country and start leading on cannabis reform.”
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) tweeted, “With bipartisan bills like my #HOPEAct, we have the chance to #passprogress and take a concrete step towards reform that will impact the lives of millions of Americans.”
/ STATES
An Indiana Republican representative said it’s”mindboggling” that more members of his party don’t embrace marijuana reform.
New Mexico regulators issued rules on marijuana products.
The chairman of Maryland’s Medical Cannabis Commission is resigning.
A lawsuit challenging Illinois regulators’ marijuana business licensing decisions is being delayed until the new year.
The New York Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises Program hosted a forum that included sessions on cannabis.
Oregon regulators approved stipulated settlement agreements for violations by marijuana businesses.
South Carolina regulators will begin accepting hemp cultivation permit applications on January 1.
Utah regulators sent an update about the medical cannabis program.
Oklahoma regulators posted updated lists of licensed medical cannabis dispensaries and growers.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,300 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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Malta legal marijuana signed into law; CO psychedelics decrim ballot measures; Congressional psilocybin push; Study: CBD doesn’t impair driving
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Malta President George Vella signed the marijuana legalization bill into law that Parliament approved just days earlier. The country is now the first in Europe to legalize cannabis.
Reps. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Dave Joyce (R-OH) spoke to Marijuana Moment about the next steps for passing cannabis banking legislation after it got stripped from the National Defense Authorization Act.
Colorado activists filed proposed ballot measures to legalize possession and personal cultivation of psychedelics, and to create a system of licensed businesses to produce psilocybin, DMT, ibogaine and mescaline for supervised use at “healing centers.”
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) is leading a congressional effort to pressure the Drug Enforcement Administration to drop its opposition to letting terminally ill cancer patients receive psilocybin therapy. The agency is currently facing a lawsuit from a doctor who wants to provide the psychedelic.
A new study found that smoking CBD-rich marijuana has “no significant impact on driving ability.” Even though THC blood levels were above the legal limit, “no signs of impairment were found”—suggesting that CBD can negate THC’s intoxicating effects.
/ FEDERAL
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hosted a two-day harm reduction summit.
Rep .Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) tweeted about the death of a marijuana dispensary security guard during a robbery, saying, “This is heartbreaking for the family of Dominique Ware. These businesses are forced to operate in cash which presents a huge public safety issue for the businesses & their employees. We need #SAFEBanking NOW to help prevent future tragedies & violence.”
/ STATES
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s (D) proposed budget included funding for the implementation of marijuana legalization.
Kansas House Democrats tweeted, “#ksleg-islators will be back in Topeka in less than a month. 📅 Let your legislators know you support: ✅Medical cannabis…”
A South Dakota senator spoke about the possibility of passing a marijuana legalization bill in 2022.
A Minnesota representative spoke about plans to continue pursuing marijuana legalization in 2022.
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, located within New York, issued its first conditional marijuana cultivation licenses.
The Texas Supreme Court agreed to hear regulators’ appeal of a lower court ruling that overturned their ban on smokable hemp.
A New Mexico judge upheld medical cannabis purchase limits.
Arkansas regulators proposed medical cannabis dispensary licensing rules changes.
Illinois regulators proposed rules changes exempting cannabis vaping products from electronic cigarette taxes and exempting cultivators and retailers from having to obtain additional licenses.
Utah regulators are expediting the implementation of rules to expand medical cannabis access.
Maine’s Medical Marijuana Workgroup rejected a proposal on using METRC to track products.
Colorado regulators published information about background check requirements for hemp license applicants.
Oregon regulators published a safety and health guide for cannabis growers, processors and retailers.
Vermont regulators will discuss marijuana issues on Tuesday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,300 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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VA panel votes to speed up sales; Congressional marijuana memo; CA AG: seal cannabis records; Edible hemp-infused German bus tickets
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The Virginia legislature’s Joint Commission on Cannabis Oversight voted to recommend speeding up recreational marijuana sales. If approved by the full House and Senate, existing medical cannabis dispensaries could sell to adults on January 1, 2023.
Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Don Young (R-AK) sent a letter demanding that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris “begin to seriously engage” on marijuana reform and remove it from Schedule I.
Congressional Cannabis Caucus co-chairs Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued a new memo looking back at marijuana momentum in 2021 and ahead to priorities for 2022.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) issued a memo urging county prosecutors to stop delaying the required sealing and dismissal of past marijuana convictions under a law he authored as an assemblymember.
A Missouri Republican representative who is sponsoring a resolution to put marijuana legalization on the 2022 ballot says he’s not optimistic about overcoming resistance to reform from within his own party.
Berlin public transit agency BVG is selling hemp-infused tickets it says bus and subway riders can eat to stay calm during the holiday season. This comes as Germany’s new government has pledged to legalize marijuana nationwide.
/ FEDERAL
A federal judge granted compassionate release to a 90-year-old, seriously ill man serving life in prison for a nonviolent marijuana trafficking offense.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted. “I’m working with @SenBooker and @RonWyden to pass our Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act. Because we must end the federal prohibition and make criminal justice reforms. And that’s exactly what our bill does.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) spoke in a Senate floor speech about his work on legislation to remove barriers to marijuana research, which he argued is necessary before it is legalized or decriminalized.
/ STATES
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) tweeted, “This year my administration legalized cannabis, fulfilling a promise to the people of New Mexico, who overwhelmingly supported the effort. Legalized cannabis will create thousands of NM jobs and bring in millions in revenue.”
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, tweeted about getting 420 donors to her campaign, saying, “And yes, it’s past time to legalize marijuana!! We have to win first!”
The Louisiana House Criminal Justice Impacts of Legalizing Cannabis Subcommittee held its first hearing.
A Tennessee representative tweeted, “Democrats have been working on this for years, a handful of GOP play like they are on board, yet never run the bills. It’s time for this to happen and time to listen to 81% of Tennesseans who want to see cannabis reform!”
A Massachusetts senator tweeted, “Let’s be honest: we need legal, public locations for adults to consume cannabis in communities that want them. I filed S.65 to address nuisance issues & promote public health by giving adults a space to consume cannabis after purchase from a dispensary.”
Texas regulators appealed a ruling overturning their ban on smokable hemp to the state Supreme Court, a move that reinstates the policy for now.
Michigan regulators asked a judge to reconsider a ruling that they say could allow the sale of moldy and contaminated marijuana.
New York regulators approved changes to cannabinoid hemp rules. Separately, the chair of the Cannabis Control Board said she hopes to have draft marijuana rules available for public comment sometime in the first quarter or next year.
Colorado regulators adopted new marijuana and hemp rules.
Arizona regulators received more than 1,500 applications for 26 marijuana social equity dispensary licenses.
Maine regulators submitted a report on the hemp program to lawmakers.
New Jersey regulators posted a FAQ about marijuana business license applications.
Washington State regulators sent an update about transitioning to a new marijuana tracking system.
Oregon regulators will hold a hearing on marijuana and hemp rules on Monday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,300 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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