California psychedelics, WI medical cannabis, and Fed court psilocybin decision.
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Top Things to Know
The National Institutes of Health has funded the creation of a new Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. This center will “address barriers and challenges” in studying marijuana under federal prohibition and schedule I.
A group of 31 bipartisan members of Congress wrote a letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration urging it to “recognize” the merits of declassifying marijuana completely, as the agency reviews the federal classification.
Psychemedics, a major drug testing company, has replaced marijuana with fentanyl on its five-panel advanced screen. The company says that traditional tests “are rooted in a paradigm four decades old” and have “failed to evolve” at a time when more states are legalizing cannabis.
The U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit ruled the Drug Enforcement Administration erroneously failed to explain their reasoning when denying a request to reschedule psilocybin.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, is against the marijuana legalization measure on the November 7, ballot. Polls indicate that voters are likely to approve the measure and recent campaign finance reports show that supporters outraised the opponents.
California activists have filed an initiative that they hope will be on the ballot in 2024 to legalize psychedelics as a medical, therapeutic, and spiritual drug. Two other psychedelics initiatives are also seeking ballot access, and Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, vetoed the legalization bill.
The Democratic minority leader, a Wisconsin Republican Senator, has been pushing for marijuana legalization. This is undermining her efforts to gain support for medical cannabis legislation. The Democrat argued, however, that the GOP’s supermajority is solely responsible for the lack progress, and it could easily legalize medical marijuana whenever they wanted.
In the midst of ongoing litigation, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission has re-set its business licensing process. It is rescinding any previous denials and awards.
The Missouri NAACP has threatened to file a suit over social equity agreements for marijuana business that use people affected by prohibition to gain licenses, while the larger companies retain profits.
Federal
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, (D-IL), discussed marijuana banking legislation with leaders of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce in a recent meeting.
Rep. Tom Tiffany (R – WI) wrote in a newsletter about the pollution caused by illegal marijuana growing sites.
Two new co-sponsors have joined the Senate resolution asking Russia to release an American who was detained because he had medical marijuana. The total is now five.
One new sponsor has been added to the House bill that allows Department of Veterans Affairs physicians to recommend medical marijuana.
/ STATES
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, cited the legalization of marijuana as an issue of social justice that Democrats have been able to implement.
New Mexico legislators held an hearing to discuss gaps in the enforcement of marijuana laws.
A Georgia representative has announced that he plans to introduce a bill legalizing marijuana.
Senators from New York are calling for more transparency regarding the ownership of marijuana businesses that do not have a license.
New Jersey Senate candidates and Assembly members participated in a town-hall meeting at a marijuana dispensary.
Alabama’s top medical marijuana regulator has reacted to a Politico article that suggested lawmakers could “scrap’ the state’s medical cannabis program.
The Maryland Office of Social Equity’s director discussed the efforts being made to give people from historically marginalized communities an opportunity to be involved in the marijuana business.
Massachusetts marijuana equity regulations came into effect.
California regulators have published a discussion document on cannabis tax questions ahead of a meeting with interested parties on November 16.
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/ LOCAL
Kansas City, Missouri City Council approved the use of $500,000 marijuana revenue for housing during cold weather.
A commissioner from Olmsted County in Minnesota was appointed to the Cannabis Advisory Committee.
International
The UK Home Office has accepted recommendations regarding the legal levels of THC, other cannabinoids and CBD in CBD products.
A Colombian representative published a guide for cannabis users on police encounters.
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
According to a study, “purified CBD was well tolerated and effective at reducing seizures in children and young people with drug-resistant epilepsy.”
In a study of Colorado high-school students, it was found that the retail distribution of recreational marijuana did not have a significant impact on driving after marijuana consumption or marijuana use.
/ OPINION, ADVOCACY & ANALYSIS
In a poll, 18% of Americans said they had used marijuana in the last year for health purposes. 19% consumed it recreationally. And 65 percent felt more comfortable if cannabis was screened and dosed properly by a doctor.
/ BUSINESS
The chief financial officer of COMPASS Pathways plc is leaving the company.
CULTURE
Keyshawn Davi was suspended after a positive test for marijuana.
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The article New federal marijuana research center (Newsletter for October 30, 2023) first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
