A Congressman’s plea to the DEA: hurry up with marijuana; VA funds psychedelics research; FL cannabis potency limit; WI medical marijuana, MN expungement
Subscribe for Marijuana Moment to be delivered in your email every morning. You’ll always be up-to-date on the latest cannabis news.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Donate to an independent publisher such as Marijuana Moment to ensure as many voters as you can have access to the best cannabis reporting.
Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
Top Things to Know
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D), the office of Florida Governor, has retaliated. Ron DeSantis’ (R) claim during the presidential campaign that legalizing pot led to an “even bigger black market” was criticized by Florida Gov.
-
A Polis spokesperson said that the state is willing to offer Florida’s governor advice about how to improve economic and personal liberty, similar to what we enjoy in Colorado.
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), in a letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration, called for the agency to reschedule cannabis “as quickly as possible”. He said the agency had “an historic opportunity” to address some of the injustices caused by the misguided policy.
For the first time in decades, the Department of Veterans Affairs has funded studies to determine the benefits of psychedelics like psilocybin or MDMA for treating PTSD and depression. Researchers have been asked to submit proposals.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, said that he would “absolutely sign” a medical cannabis bill that will be soon unveiled by Republican legislators as long as the bill does not contain “poison tablets” — even though he still supports broader legalization of recreational marijuana.
A Florida representative has filed a bill that would limit the potency in smokable cannabis to 10% if the voters approve of a legalization measure which could appear on the ballot this November.
Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety stated that officials are “hard at working” to expunge marijuana records, as mandated by the legalization legislation. In the meantime, they are adding language in existing records to indicate the records may pertain to acts which are no longer illegal.
California Republican Assemblymember revised her bill on psychedelics so that it would create a working group to study creating a regulatory frame work for therapeutic access, and allow health professionals to administer psilocybin or ibogaine.
A judge in Alabama has issued an order that prevents regulators from granting licenses for medical cannabis integrated facilities amid litigation over the awarding process.
According to a new report by the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation, nearly half of all applicants for social equity marijuana licenses reside outside the state.
Federal
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has noted that the new director of New York District Office, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, had worked with Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission before.
Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer (DNY) tweeted he was “going to continue working to end federal prohibition on marijuana and make criminal justice Reforms.”
Raju Chinthala, Indiana Republican candidate for Congress, discusses his support for federal cannabis reform.
STATES
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, is pushing legislators to pass restrictions on hemp products that are intoxicating.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), who spoke on the ongoing search for a top marijuana regulator in the state and appointed separate members to the Cannabis Advisory Council, discussed the ongoing efforts.
New Jersey Senate Committees and Assembly Committees have approved legislation allowing certain public officials to be representatives of cannabis businesses.
Leaders in West Virginia’s legislature have said that they expect to consider marijuana legalization legislation during this session.
Mississippi regulators have announced that products placed on administrative hold for medical cannabis are being retested in anticipation of “cleared product” returning to dispensary shelves very soon.
California regulators have been sued for alleged “massive tax over-collection”.
Colorado regulators have sent out a bulletin regarding changes in cannabis testing regulations.
Massachusetts regulators have extended waivers that allow medical cannabis recommendations to issued via telehealth.
Connecticut Innovations is a venture-capital agency set up by the state. It invested $1.25m in a cannabis firm that moved its headquarters into the state. However, it was not permitted to sell marijuana legally.
Georgia’s medical cannabis regulators are meeting on Wednesday.
—
Marijuana Moment has tracked more than 900 bills relating to cannabis, psychedelics, and drug policy in state legislatures as well as Congress this year. Patreon supporters who pledge at least $25/month gain access to our interactive charts, maps and hearing calendar.
Discover more about our marijuana bills tracker. Become a Patreon supporter to gain access.
—
/ LOCAL
Anchorage’s police chief has expressed concerns over marijuana dispensaries offering free samples and drive through services.
International
The Ministry of Health in Spain is expected to restart work on medical cannabis regulations later this month.
The mayor of Amsterdam in the Netherlands wrote an op-ed, arguing that officials should be pushing for reforms to drug policies on the international stage.
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
According to a review, “CBD is anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory, as well as having anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It can also inhibit abnormal proliferation of endothelial and smooth muscle cells.” This suggests that CBD could be used “as a therapeutic for atherosclerosis and stress-induced hypertension.
ADVOCACY / OPINION, ANALYSIS & ADVOCACY
The Washington Examiner editorial staff claimed that legalizing marijuana is a “major public health crisis.”
/ BUSINESS
Lykos Therapeutics, formerly known as MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, has attracted new investors.
Some Tesla and SpaceX executives and board members have raised concerns over Elon Musk’s drug use.
Cannabis companies in Canada are still having difficulty getting bank accounts, despite the legalization of cannabis.
Workers at the MPX NJ Atlantic City Medical Cannabis Dispensary voted to elect United Food and Commercial Workers Local 15 as their representative during contract negotiations.
Subscribe to Marijuana Moment by for daily updates in your mailbox.
The post CO Gov bashes DeSantis’s cannabis stance, (Newsletter for January 8, 2024), first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
