MD & HI psychedelics, Ireland momentum, VA legal sales, Fetterman on marijuana freedom
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Top Things to Know
According to a recent poll by the Tarrance Group, a prominent GOP firm, 80% of American likely voters — including most Republicans under 55 years old — support legalizing marijuana in “all 50 states.”
Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, says that he is against the proposed crackdown by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DNY) on Zyn Nicotine Pouches for the same reasons as he supports legalizing cannabis.
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“I used the same argument when I wanted legalized marijuana.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat from New York, said that she was “fed up” with the slow pace of the expansion of the recreational marijuana market in the state and asked regulators to “go to the drawing board,” to “work harder” as well as “get this done.”
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“I am not satisfied with the speed.”
The Delaware House of Representatives has passed a bill that will significantly increase access to medical cannabis. This includes allowing doctors the freedom to prescribe marijuana for whatever condition they deem appropriate and letting those over 65 years old self-certify.
The Virginia Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee has approved a bill that would legalize the sale of marijuana. It will now move quickly to other panels and finally to the Senate floor, where it must pass by February 13, in order to remain alive.
Leo Varadkar, Irish Taoiseach, said that criminalizing drugs is “not an effective policy”, ahead of a hearing to be held on a bill legalizing marijuana possession.
Maryland lawmakers have filed a bill that creates a Task Force on the Responsible Use of Natural Psychoedelic Substances. The Task Force would make recommendations on “systems for supporting statewide online sale of natural psychoedelic substances and home delivery”, among other things.
Hawaii legislators introduced legislation that would create a therapeutic program for psilocybin and give patients a defense against prosecution if they use the psychedelic according to a mental health professional’s certification.
Douglas Fischer, of Advanced Vapor Devices, argues in a Marijuana Moment Op-Ed that the recent Federal Court ruling on vaping sheds some light on the reasons why federal cannabis legalization must include the correct regulatory framework enforced and monitored by the appropriate agency.
The South Dakota Senate Health and Human Services Committee has killed a bill passed by the House that would have restricted doctors’ ability to recommend medical marijuana to their patients.
A Washington State Republican Senator filed a bill that would give cities and counties an increased share of marijuana taxes. He said this was an alternative to Democrats plan to triple property tax increases each year.
Kansas activists organized a day of action to promote medical cannabis and to urge lawmakers to pass legislation that would allow patients to use the drug without fear of being arrested.
Federal
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health held a webinar for technical assistance on funding opportunities for a new Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
The Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation hosted an event at which the former Senate majority leader Tom Daschle, D-SD, spoke.
Rep. Rep.
Five new co-sponsors have joined the eight who already support the House bill that protects people from losing federal jobs or security clearances because of past marijuana use.
A total of 98 people have now co-sponsored the House marijuana banking legislation.
STATES
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, (D), cited his appointee on the Employment Security Board of Review for the efforts of organizing a cannabis union.
West Virginia lawmakers sent Gov. Jim Justice (R), a bill decriminalizing drug testing kits.
On Monday, the Florida House Agriculture, Conservation and Resiliency Subcommittee is scheduled to consider a bill that would restrict hemp-derived goods. Separately the Florida Supreme Court has declined to hear the case of an ex-correctional officer who claimed he had been wrongfully fired because he used medical cannabis.
A representative from Indiana spoke out about his support for the legalization of marijuana.
A West Virginia delegate discusses the prospects for marijuana law.
A lawsuit has been filed against New York regulators, claiming their licensing process for marijuana businesses is discriminatory.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture funds hemp research projects.
Michigan regulators have published a report every month on the disciplinary measures taken against marijuana businesses.
Nevada regulators are holding an hearing Wednesday on possible cannabis rule changes.
The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority Board of Directors meets on Wednesday.
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/ LOCAL
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors in California voted to accept an state grant for the processing of marijuana business licenses.
International
The Ministry of Economy in Israel is investigating Canadian imports of cannabis.
The mayor of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, is calling for the legalization of cocaine as he hosts a drug conference and releases a document about a new approach.
The South Korean Government is moving to prohibit references to marijuana and drug names in brand names and food products.
A German legislator tweeted: “I remain confident that the Cannabis Act, as agreed, will pass.”
/ SCIENCE AND HEALTH
The results of a study “expand the knowledge regarding antimicrobial activities of CBD and demonstrate it’s ability to kill human intracellular pathogen M. Tuberculosis.”
/ ADVOCACY OPINION AND ANALYSIS
The American Council on Science and Health has published a blog on the benefits of rescheduling cannabis.
Laura Ingraham, Fox News’ host, suggested that marijuana was a “gateway” drug.
BUSINESS
BZAM Ltd. has lost its chief financial officer.
SpringBig Holdings, Inc. has announced that it has secured debt financing of $8 million with a group of lenders.
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Photo by Mike Latimer.
The article NY Gov “Fed Up” with Cannabis Market Launch (Newsletter: Jan 29, 2024) first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
