Fed officials on psychedelics, Senate bill creating marijuana commission, PA medical cannabis growing at home; SD medical marijuana reform initiative
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Top Things to Know
The U.S. Senate has approved a bill to protect people who have used marijuana in the past from having their security clearances denied.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) are top federal health officials who say that psychedelics being listed as Schedule I creates “hurdles” for research. The officials also said that it is “crucial” to make the therapies “affordable” and “available” to all.
Sen. John Hickenlooper, (D-CO), filed a bill that directs the Attorney General to form a Commission to prepare for federal legalization of marijuana by recommending regulations similar to those for alcohol.
Senators from both parties in Pennsylvania introduced a bill that would allow medical cannabis patients to grow their own medicine.
The South Dakota attorney general has published a draft of an explanation for a proposed ballot initiative that would repeal the medical cannabis program in the state. The same activist who drafted the proposal also filed another typo-ridden measure that aims to stop “legalization federally banned substances.”
A lawsuit has been filed against the chair of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, alleging that his appointment to the position was not proper.
Federal
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Democratic presidential candidate, discussed his support of ending the “failed drug war.”
The House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services published an overview of the hearing they held on FDA’s failures to regulate CBD.
Sen. Steve Daines (R MT) spoke in the Senate about the case Marc Fogel who is an American citizen being held in Russia because he has medical cannabis.
Sen. John Hickenlooper, (D-CO), tweeted: “Banks will not lend to cannabis business out of fear they’ll be prosecuted by the federal government – this is just wrong. Our bill to fix it has already been passed SIX times by the House! It’s now time for the Senate pass our SAFE Banking Act and end these archaic rules.”
STATES
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), the New York Governor, praised enforcement actions against marijuana businesses that are not licensed.
The Ohio campaign for marijuana legalization has raised and spent about $3 million this year.
The Delaware representative, who sponsored the marijuana legalization legislation passed this session, discussed the decision to not allow medical cannabis businesses a headstart in the recreational market.
Massachusetts regulators have approved draft rules to increase equity in the cannabis sector.
Oregon regulators have been sued for new rules on cannabis containing aspergillus.
Colorado Treasury Department tweeted the fact that Mastercard’s decision to stop debit card processing for marijuana dispensaries is “one of many reasons” why SAFE Banking Act is needed by Colorado’s legal cannabis businesses, consumers and consumers.
Washington State Cannabis Science Work Group meets on Thursday.
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/ LOCAL
The Spokane City Council in Washington is considering allocating marijuana tax revenues to drug education and addiction treatment.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Jersey’s Minister of Home Affairs said that lawmakers should discuss decriminalizing cannabis.
New Zealand regulators are currently updating the medical cannabis rules in New Zealand, including those relating to imports and exports.
/ SCIENCE AND HEALTH
According to a study, “cannabis has promising therapeutic properties when it comes to neuronal health. Its approach shows positive results for recovery, symptomatologic improvements, and quality-of-life improvement in patients with Alzheimer’s.”
The study concluded that CBD appears to be a potential treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy, and that CBD is well tolerated. It also found that CBD, in combination with Clobazam, could increase the effectiveness of Clobazam alone.
/ ADVOCACY / OPINION AND ANALYSIS
The Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel’s editorial boards criticized the Florida Attorney General for trying to stop voters from voting on a legalization initiative.
The Boston Globe editorial board has criticized local zoning regulations that they say restrict marijuana businesses.
The Cannabis Retailers Association of Vermont has launched a fundraising campaign to assist marijuana businesses damaged by the recent flooding.
/ BUSINESS
Cresco Labs has agreed to cancel a merger proposal in which the former would have acquired Columbia Care. In the wake of this plan’s failure, contracts for a company owned Sean “Diddy Combs” to purchase assets in certain states were also cancelled.
Columbia Care Inc. has announced a number of moves that it claims will “accelerate cash flow generation and operational efficiency.”
Theraplant was acquired by DXR Holdco’s subsidiary NewCo.
Housing Works Cannabis Co., a New York City-based company, says that it has sold approximately $12 million in legal marijuana products during its first six months in operation.
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The article Senate passes cannabis clearance protections (Newsletter : August 1, 2023 first appeared on Marijuana moment.
