New York governor: the marijuana law is a disaster; CA psychedelics, HI legalization, VA legal cannabis sales, KY HB420 Bill; AZ Psilocybin
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Top Things to Know
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed lawsuits to reverse voter-approved marijuana laws decriminalization in five cities throughout the state.
California Assembly passed unanimously a bill creating a psychedelics working group to recommend a regulatory frame work for therapeutic access, and to prepare health professionals for administering psilocybin or ibogaine in the future to patients.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, continues to criticize New York’s slow rollout of recreational marijuana. She calls it “insane” and a “disaster”, while admitting that the legislature is unlikely to be willing to start over.
The Virginia Senate Courts of Justice Committee approved and amended bills that would legalize the sale of recreational marijuana and provide for resentencing of people convicted of cannabis offenses in the past.
Hawaii House and Senate lawmakers have formally filed marijuana legalization legislation drafted by the attorney general–but advocates say it needs major revisions in order to not perpetuate a criminalization-focused approach to cannabis.
Kentucky legislators introduced new marijuana legalization laws with the bill number HB 420.
Arizona legislators from both parties filed a bill to legalize the use of psilocybin in medically-supervised centers.
The Florida House House Agriculture, Conservation and Resiliency Committee has approved a bill that restricts intoxicating products derived from hemp.
Arkansas’s medical marijuana program experienced record sales in 2023. However, advocates and industry observers believe that litigation and a ballot initiative are likely to expand access for patients even more.
Federal
Federal prosecutors have offered a deal to settle a 17-year-old case against a California man who ran a medical marijuana dispensary. They said that the case was brought at a time when “there were a proliferation illegal marijuana stores,” but that since then “the landscape in California and throughout the country has changed significantly” and that therefore “limited prosecutorial resource should not be spent on conduct which today would not by prosecuted our office.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, spoke out about the removal of marijuana from Schedule I.
Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-TN, criticized Treasury Sec. Janet Yellen’s eating of psychoactive mushrooms during a trip to China.
STATES
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, Multnomah County chairperson and Portland mayor have each declared a state of emergency for 90 days regarding fentanyl.
Pennsylvania Representative said that he believes the state will legalize marijuana within the next two years.
A senator from Alabama claimed that the medical cannabis regulators were either “corrupt” or “incompetent”.
A Rhode Island representative gave the example of marijuana legalization to illustrate how it can take a long time for policy changes to be implemented.
Virginia regulators have revised their rules regarding medical cannabis registration fees.
New Mexico police searched marijuana dispensaries in order to investigate possible ties with international organized crime.
Michigan regulators reminded residents about the proper way to dispose of marijuana.
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission meets on Thursday.
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/ LOCAL
Clark County officials in Nevada received mandatory DUI prevention plan from proposed marijuana consumption lounges.
International
Irish lawmakers delayed voting on the legalization of marijuana.
Malta’s first cannabis club is now open.
/ SCIENCE AND HEALTH
Cannabidiol modulates the side effects of morphine in female and male rats differently.
According to a study, “MDMA increases positive affective reactions to social feedback.”
/ ADVOCACY / OPINION AND ANALYSIS
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Tweeted, “Another survey that aligns with our veteran member surveys has shown: vets are in favor of legalizing cannabis on the federal level.” The VA should seriously consider and investigate breakthrough alternative therapies.
The National Cannabis Roundtable has added new members.
/ BUSINESS
Aurora Cannabis Inc. has announced that it will consolidate its shares to comply with Nasdaq regulations.
MedMen Enterprises has reportedly begun a round corporate layoffs.
4Front Ventures Corp. has announced that it has closed its amendment to its loan and security contract with its senior secured lenders, under which the company converted approximately $23,000,000 of its principal amount into shares.
Organigram Holdings Inc. has sent its first shipment to Germany of dried bulk cannabis flowers.
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The post TX AG’s cannabis lawsuit seeks decrim laws to be overturned (Newsletter – February 1, 2024) first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
