Schumer & GOP clash over marijuana banking; Feds discuss psychedelics; Study: Drug decriminalization doesn’t increase overdose deaths
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Top Things to Know
The House of Representatives has approved two amendments that encourage research on the benefits of psychoedelics to military servicemen and veterans as well as an amendment regarding labeling of drug interactions between marijuana and pharmaceutical drugs.
Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), said that the marijuana banking bill passed by a committee has “momentum”. He plans to bring the bill to the floor of Congress “soon”, and to attach “very important criminal justice provisions.”
Sens. Chuck Grassley, Tom Cotton and Chuck Schumer are criticizing the Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for prioritizing marijuana bank legislation. Cotton says that Democrats are trying to “let drug traffickers go free” and Grassley wants to see him focus on a fentanyl bill.
At a workshop hosted by the government, federal officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration talked about the challenges and potential of psychedelic research.
Contrary to the fears of prohibitionists, a new study by the American Medical Association has found that decriminalizing drugs at state level does not result in more deaths from drug overdose.
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“Laws reducing the penalties for drug possession in Oregon or Washington did not affect fatal overdose rates.”
The Washington State Senate Labor & Commerce Committee conducted an hearing to discuss the use of biometric data, such as fingerprinting and facial recognition, to verify the age for customers purchasing marijuana or alcohol.
Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission will examine a dispute on Friday between marijuana regulators, and a cannabis firm that stemmed from an ad hoc product recall.
Federal
Merrick Garland, Attorney General of the United States, attended a celebration celebrating the 50th anniversary of Drug Enforcement Administration.
Sens. Cory Booker, (D) N.J. and John Fetterman, (D.PA), co-authored an opinion piece criticizing the drug war.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, (R-ND), discussed his support of a marijuana banking legislation.
Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-TN, tweeted: “All @SenateBanking Demos blocked my Amendment to the SAFER Banking Act in order to prevent drug cartels laundering fentanyl & Meth proceeds through marijuana sales. This is despite the fact that lethal drugs, most of which come from Mexico, across the southern border, kill more than 100,000 Americans each year.”
Four new co-sponsors have been added to the 60 total for the House bill that would legalize marijuana at federal level.
STATES
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat from Minnesota, tweeted: “High-paying Jobs + Paid Leave + Good Schools + Adult-Use Cannabis + Reproductive Freedom = The Best State.”
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, spoke at a Cannabis Conference.
Oregon’s Attorney General issued a release about a joint letter that she and other attorneys general from across the country sent to Congress urging them to pass legislation on marijuana banking.
Massachusetts’ treasurer did not give a clear reason for the suspension of the top marijuana regulator in Massachusetts.
Former Michigan House Speaker sentenced to 55-months federal prison for accepting and soliciting bribes as former chair of Medical Marijuana Licensing Board.
The Wisconsin Senate Minority Leader met with Minnesota legislators who were leading the fight to legalize marijuana. She also held separate events as part her ongoing “Grass Routes Tour”.
Georgia regulators significantly overcounted the number of medical marijuana patients in the state.
Connecticut regulators have sent out a letter warning about the sale of hemp products with high THC and synthetic cannabinoids.
Alabama regulators have asked a court for dismissal of a lawsuit brought by a company challenging the awarding process for medical cannabis businesses.
Maine regulators conducted a listening session in order to listen to the concerns of marijuana industry stakeholders.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife has taken action against illegal marijuana growing sites.
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/ LOCAL
Seattle’s mayor has issued an executive directive that states police officers who consider arresting someone for drug possession, or public use of drugs should first determine if the person is a “threat to harm others.”
A Michigan judge has blocked officials in Menominee from issuing any additional licenses for marijuana businesses.
International
The French government will not be likely to introduce legislation legalizing medical marijuana once the pilot program concludes next year.
Bavaria’s German health minister has said that he will implement strict local controls in the event that marijuana is legalized.
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
According to a study, “Activation of the peripheral Cannabinoid System may be helpful in alleviating neuropathic pain and visceral discomfort associated with antitumoral treatments.”
According to a study, “CBD…has potent anti-inflammatory properties.”
/ ADVOCACY / OPINION AND ANALYSIS
A staffer at the American Enterprise Institute wrote an op/ed in which he called on New York officials for high-profile arrests against illegal marijuana businesses operators.
/ BUSINESS
Harvest of OH has filed a brief in court alleging that Trulieve Inc., and its affiliates, acted as a criminal enterprise to carry out a hostile acquisition.
Canaccord Genuity agreed to buy C$16,200,000 of shares in Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. has entered into an agreement with a gross aggregate of approximately C$33.8 Million to sell its shares.
A group of Chinese immigrants is suing a Navajo entrepreneur and a Taiwanese entrepreneur for claiming they were forced to trim marijuana.
Sunnyside workers from Illinois have reached tentative agreements with Teamsters Local 7777 for union contracts.
Employees of Dragonfly Wellness in Salt Lake City voted to join United Food and Commercial Workers.
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Photo by Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
The article House passes cannabis and psychedelics amendements (Newsletter: Sept 29, 2023) first appeared on Marijuana Minute.
