A GOP congressman examines the DC marijuana ban. MN legalization is nearing final votes. Michigan gov’t workers will be drug tested. An alcohol executive on cannabis regulations
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/ Top Things to Know
The head the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section stated that the agency intends to file new regulations clarifying that synthetically-derived cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC is illegal controlled substances.
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This new filing “decontrols CBD up to 0.1 percent of THC in weight-to weight or weight-to volume terms.”
Minnesota House of Representatives will vote soon on the final passage of marijuana legalization legislation, now that a 320-page report from the conference committee has been completed.
Minnesota lawmakers sent Gov. Tim Walz, (D), introduced a bill that would legalize the possession of drug paraphernalia and small amounts of residue. It also included syringe testing, as well as syringe service.
James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee (R-KY), told Washington, D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser that his attention was “caught” by her comments about how Congress’s ban on marijuana sales in Washington, D.C. had “harmed public safety” and that “research” would be done into this issue.
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At the same hearing, Rep. Pete Sessions, (R-TX), called marijuana “an addictive and dangerous product.” He also suggested that D.C. would “continue to have violent crime” if the city continued its current position on openly smoking marijuana.
The Michigan Civil Service Commission proposes to stop pre-employment marijuana tests for the majority of government job applicants. It also gives people who have already been punished for positive THC results a chance to get their sanction retroactively lifted.
The President and CEO of Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America authored a recent op-ed in Marijuana Moment arguing the Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau as the best agency for federally regulating legal cannabis.
New Mexico’s Health Secretary accepted a request to include insomnia as a qualifying medical condition for cannabis.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, has directed regulators not to issue or renew marijuana licenses for businesses who cannot prove they have paid taxes or that they have a plan to pay existing tax debt.
Federal
In response to civil rights complaints from Delaware State University student who were subjected a drug test while on a trip, the Department of Justice has reached an agreement with Liberty County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia to review their policies regarding bias-free policing.
John Walters, former director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, wrote an op ed in which he argued that marijuana was linked to mental illnesses.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has sent an update on hemp resources. This includes a tool which allows the public search for licensed producers based on their geographic location.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-NV tweeted: “Allowing legal hemp and cannabis businesses to access banking is common sense.” It’s time for the SAFE Banking Act, which will make this industry safer, both for employees and consumers in our state.
One new co-sponsor has been added to the five who have already signed on as sponsors of the House bill that protects veterans from losing their benefits if they use marijuana in states where it is legal.
STATES
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee (D), announced his appointment to the Cannabis Control Commission.
Oregon’s Senate minor leader proposes to limit cash-based contributions for campaign contributions to $100, in response to concerns over cannabis industry executives’ donations made to elected officials.
New Mexico Supreme Court heard argument in a case involving driving while impaired by marijuana.
Colorado regulators have issued a health advisory regarding the presence of potentially dangerous levels of Aspergillus, yeast and mold in marijuana products produced by Retail Marijuana Cultivation Facility MJ Durango LLC.
Missouri regulators have submitted revised draft marijuana regulations to the Secretary of State.
New Hampshire regulators now allow medical cannabis patient certificates to last up to three year.
Maine regulators have published guidelines on replacing marijuana licensee ID cards and keeping business records.
California regulators have posted a request to technology vendors for information on cannabis track-and-trace technology.
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission meets on Thursday.
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/ LOCAL
A woman has filed a federal lawsuit for racial bias against New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services, claiming that the agency wrongfully took her baby away because of marijuana use.
On Tuesday, the Denton City Council will vote on a proposal to implement a local marijuana decriminalization ordinance that was approved by voters.
/ INTERNATIONAL
In fiscal years 2021-22, the Canadian government collected C$1.55 Billion in marijuana revenues.
Singaporean officials have executed a second person for marijuana trafficking in three weeks.
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
The study concluded that the risk of cannabis-related problems did not seem to have increased during the two years following legalization in Canada.
The study found that, “15/26 (56.7%) children had seizures reduced by >50% with good tolerance” and “three (11.5%) were seizure free.”
/ ADVOCACY / OPINION AND ANALYSIS
The German Medical Association has criticised the federal government’s plan to legalize marijuana.
The Star Tribune editorial staff is pleased by recent changes made to a Minnesota marijuana legalization legislation.
The Los Angeles Times editorial staff is calling for California legislators to pass legislation that bans marijuana edibles which could be appealing to children.
BUSINESS
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. posted quarterly revenue of $336.5 millions and a loss of $56.5million.
MediPharm Labs Corporation has reduced its workforce by 30 percent. The company reported a quarterly revenue of C$5.8 millions and an adjusted EBITDA Loss of C$3.1million.
Mydecine Innovations Group has reported a net loss for the quarter of C$7.65million.
Advanced Grow Labs workers in West Haven (Connecticut) voted to join the United Food and Commercial Workers.
Hemp Naturals Inc. has agreed to pay $50,000 in civil penalties to settle an SEC case relating to the alleged selling and offering of securities through unregistered offers that did not comply with rules.
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Photo by Mike Latimer.
The article New DEA Cannabis Rules Coming (Newsletter for May 18, 2023) first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
