Veterans medical marijuana vote, Trump confused about death penalty and drugs; CO Gov wants psychedelics to be pardoned; CA cannabis cafés; NFL funds CBD Research
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Top Things to Know
The House Armed Services Committee has approved amendments to National Defense Authorization Act that would allow for marijuana and psychedelics-related research.
The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved an amendment that allows veterans to receive medical cannabis recommendations by their Department of Veterans Affairs doctor.
The former president Donald Trump appeared confused when a journalist pointed out that the woman he had proudly pardoned after a conviction for cocaine trafficking could be executed as part of his plan to execute people who sell drugs.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, is asking lawmakers to grant him the authority to pardon people who have been convicted of psychedelics. He made these comments at a Texas former governor’s conference. Rick Perry (R), too, spoke about the therapeutic effects of entheogens.
The California Assembly Business and Professions Committee has approved a bill passed by the Senate to legalize marijuana cafes. This allows cannabis retailers to sell food and beverages on site, as well as having consumption.
The National Football League (NFL) and NFL Players Association fund research into the therapeutic benefits CBD can provide as an alternative pain medication to opioids in players who have suffered concussions.
Nebraska senators have urged Gov. Jim Pillen (R), and the Board of Pardons, have created a system to speed up pardons and commutations of marijuana convictions.
Advocates say that Missouri regulators, by focusing only on incarceration rate from the last 20 years to determine areas where marijuana microbusinesses can be licensed, could overlook the historical harms of criminalization.
Federal
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D, MA) expressed her hope that the Senate Banking Committee would take up a bill on marijuana banking soon.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) tweeted, “Casinos received preferential treatment over churches. While gyms were closed, liquor stores and marijuana dispensaries continued to operate. “It is unacceptable that COVID restrictions are applied in an uneven manner and the government interferes with American’s God given liberties.”
The House marijuana banking legislation now has 57 co-sponsors, 10 more than before.
One new co-sponsor has been added to the House bill that will loosen hemp restrictions.
/ STATES
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), announced the results of a crackdown against unlicensed marijuana business. Separately anti-drug activists are suing state officials over the legalization of marijuana in the state.
Oregon lawmakers sent Gov. Tina Kotek’s (D) bill is aimed at improving the implementation of Oregon’s decriminalization drug law, which was approved by voters.
The Delaware Senate has confirmed Gov. John Carney (D)’s nominee as the state’s top cannabis regulator.
The Pennsylvania Senate Law and Justice Committee has approved three bills that will increase access to medical cannabis, including eliminating the list specific conditions.
On Friday, the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee is holding an hearing on “issues relating to the implementation of recreational marijuana”. Separately regulators have approved the opening of additional marijuana dispensaries.
The Minnesota representative, who sponsored the new state marijuana legalization bill, said that he does not believe a state Constitution provision protecting people’s rights to sell products without licenses they have grown themselves covers homegrown cannabis.
A Florida appellate court has upheld the firing of an officer of the Department of Corrections for using medical marijuana.
Colorado regulators issue a health and security warning regarding potentially unsafe levels on Aspergillus, yeast and mold in marijuana produced by Tumbleweed, Steamboat, LLC
According to a Rhode Island Department of Transportation official, the legalization of marijuana in Rhode Island may lead to an increase in fatal car accidents.
Maryland regulators have posted marijuana tax answers for individuals and businesses.
Washington State regulators have been preparing rules for a program to certify cannabis laboratories.
Missouri regulators begin accepting marijuana license applications for microbusinesses on July 27, 2018.
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LOCAL
Officials in Killeen, Texas said that legal costs for a lawsuit filed by Bell County against the local marijuana decriminalization laws approved by voters will exceed $50,000.
Baltimore County police in Maryland sent out a warning to drivers about driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs ahead of Maryland’s legalization of marijuana.
International
The Bahamian Attorney General spoke on the timeline for the introduction of marijuana reform legislation.
Colombian lawmakers have announced that they will introduce marijuana legalization legislation again next month.
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
A study found that “cannabis legalization led to fewer fatal, serious, and minor injury collisions” and that “commercialization (cannabis sales) correlated with an increase in less severe crashes,” concluding that “although cannabis use generally increased in Washington State following legalization/commercialization, survey data suggest that driving behavior while under the influence of cannabis did not change significantly over the post-commercialization period.”
The study found that the effectiveness of CBD was similar to or greater than anti-inflammatory agents.
/ BUSINESS
Tilray Brands, Inc. has completed the acquisition of HEXO Corp.
Canopy Growth Corporation has reported a quarterly net revenue (C$87.5m) of C$87.5m and a loss of C$647.6m.
TerrAscend Corp. has announced that it will complete two private placements concurrently for a total gross of $15 million.
iAnthus Capital Holdings Inc. has been sued by a Maryland dispensary, which accuses it of using a subsidiary to “funnel money” to other subsidiaries.
A union representing Long Island Rail Road employees is trying to change its policy of zero tolerance for employee marijuana use.
CULTURE
Afroman, who was trying to cross from Canada to the U.S. border, was cited for possessing cannabis cream.
Aaron Rodgers, a football player, spoke at a conference on psychedelics about the “radically changing” effects of ayahuasca.
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The first time Marijuana Minute published the article Congressional cannabis & psychedelics amendements approved (Newsletter for June 23, 2023).
University of New Mexico Law students take on cannabis expungements