Marijuana votes are blocked in Congress. DEA: cannabis testing is declining as legalization spreads. Portland, ME psychedelics. NM sales
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Top Things to Know
The House Rules Committee blocked the floor vote on an amendment from Rep. Robert Garcia, D-CA, that would have ended the practice of drug-testing federal job applicants to determine if they smoke marijuana.
The National Forensic Laboratory Information System of the Drug Enforcement Administration shows that lab testing for marijuana seized has declined steadily as more states have legalized it. This is consistent with the argument made by advocates that legalization reduces demand for illicit products.
Next month, the Florida Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case involving whether voters can decide on a legalization initiative for marijuana on the ballot of 2024. The state attorney general wants to stop the vote.
Portland City Council in Maine passed a resolution decriminalizing psychedelics. The resolution says that officials should not “use city funds or resources” in order to punish people who use plants or fungi that contain psilocybin or ibogaine or mescaline.
New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department reports that since the sales began in April last year, retailers have sold recreational marijuana products worth more than half-a-billion dollars.
The “entourage” effect of marijuana is supported by a new study. Cannabis containing a variety of natural cannabinoids leads to “a significantly faster and more powerful psychoactive response” compared to pure THC products.
Lubbock activists are close to reaching their signature goal for a local marijuana-decriminalization initiative that they hope will qualify for the ballot in 2024. There are still three weeks before the deadline.
Federal
Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, pleaded not guilt to federal charges relating to lying about alleged illegal drug use when purchasing a firearm.
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a case in which Mendocino California refused to issue a permit for medical cannabis cultivation.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-NV, tweeted: “Forcing cannabis businesses that are legal to operate exclusively in cash puts all of us in danger, including business owners, employees and customers.” I fought to pass the #SAFERBanking act in order to give Nevada businesses the access they need to safe banking services.
Sen. James Lankford, R-OK, tweeted: “Chinese criminal groups are using Oklahoma farmland for marijuana cultivation.” I’m leading the fight to stop bad foreign actors from buying American soil.
One new co-sponsor has been added to the House bill that would strip highway funding from states which legalize marijuana.
/ STATES
The New York Senator who sponsored the state’s marijuana legalization legislation criticized big business for working to undermine equity goals.
Minnesota’s legislative auditor has opened an investigation into Gov. Tim Walz (D) appointed a top marijuana regulatory official who resigned quickly amid allegations her company sold illegal cannabis.
Oklahoma regulators have filed a change to the medical cannabis rules.
The Kentucky Board of Nursing has published medical cannabis professional standards.
Missouri regulators award marijuana microbusiness licences
California regulators have published a discussion document on gross cannabis sales receipts.
Virginia regulators have released a toolkit for parents about marijuana use by minors.
Utah regulators published a quarterly report about the medical marijuana program.
Alaska regulators will review the reinstatement and renewal of marijuana business licenses on Wednesday.
Washington State regulators are hosting a Cannabinoid Science Work Group Meeting on Thursday.
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LOCAL
Detroit City Council Member, Detroit Michigan wrote an op-ed in which he argued that marijuana revenues should be used to prevent and treat youth substance abuse.
International
Fiji’s Ministry of Trade and Cooperatives will be holding public consultations about medical cannabis policy.
A Canadian judge has upheld the decision of a mental health professional who wants to be able use psilocybin to prepare for administering psychedelic assisted therapy to their patients.
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
In a study of sexual behavior among adolescents, marijuana legalization was found to be associated with a lower likelihood that respondents would have 2+ sexual partners. However, condom usage did not appear to be affected.
According to a review, CBD is safe for treating canine [osteoarthritis] and “CBD might reduce pain scores but the evidence is uncertain as to its clinical efficacy.”
BUSINESS
MediPharm Laboratories Corp. has entered into a settlement contract to resolve a dispute relating to a commercial agreement, with a total value of $9,000,000.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. has closed its bought deal offering for common shares, generating gross proceeds totaling approximately C$38.8 Million.
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. completed a market offering of voting subordinate shares with a gross total of C$16,2 million.
Safe Supply Streaming Co. Ltd. started trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange.
CULTURE
Ed Sheeran talked about smoking marijuana with Snoop Dogg.
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The post Florida legal cannabis ballot dispute is heard in court (Newsletter for October 4, 2023) first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
