Feds questions marijuana-impaired driving laws. Study: Legal cannabis hurts the beer market. NM touts $1B in sales. DE legalization implementation
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Top Things to Know
The bipartisan spending bill, filed by the leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, extends protections for state medical cannabis, encourages federal agencies study legalization laws and urges researchers to have greater access to cannabis strains. It also advocates hemp as an alternative to plastic.
New draft research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration questions state laws that use a limit on THC levels in blood to determine if marijuana is causing impairment. The report says there are “relatively few studies” supporting the policy.
Delaware’s top cannabis regulator and the representative that sponsored the legalization bill spoke about efforts to launch a market. They also addressed concerns over allowing existing medical cannabis businesses to start sales earlier.
New Mexico’s Regulation and Licensing Department has released new statistics showing that since the launch of the adult-use marijuana market, retailers have sold more than one billion dollars worth of legal marijuana products.
The study also found that the legalization of marijuana in Canada was accompanied by “an immediate drop in beer sales”. This decline is “economically significant” and continues to this day, “suggesting individuals are shifting away from beer toward legal cannabis.”
Custom Cones USA, a rolling paper company owned by DaySavers, is hiring a “ultimate stoner’s dream job,” a content creator that will “get paid for smoking weed.” The salary offered is $70 420.
A lawsuit has been filed against the officials of Highland Park in New Jersey, claiming that their approval of cannabis businesses is in violation with federal laws.
Federal
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), a Republican senator from Kansas, expressed concern about illegal marijuana plants in the U.S. that are backed by Chinese.
Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-WI, discussed his support of legalizing medical marijuana for veterans.
/ STATES
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), tweeted: “I’m asking tech companies to let consumers know where they can find licensed cannabis stores, rather than unlicensed vendors who undermine our legal market.” Let’s make it easy for consumers to purchase safe, tested products. Separately regulators are being sued regarding hemp rules.
South Dakota lawmakers sent Gov. Kristi Noem, (R), sent several bills to the South Dakota Governor.
Washington State lawmakers sent Gov. Jay Inslee’s (D) bill to allow cannabis waste products for sale was sent by Washington State lawmakers.
A Virginia delegate wrote an opinion piece in which he called on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s (R) marijuana legalization bill should be signed into law.
A Kentucky Senator filed a bill that would add new qualifying conditions for medical cannabis.
Maryland lawmakers are looking at legislation that would raise taxes on marijuana and other products to fund a reparations account.
Senator A Missouri Senator spoke on her legislation that would legalize psilocybin for veterans.
Kentucky regulators have posted rules regarding professional standards for medical marijuana practitioners.
Illinois’ top cannabis regulator discusses efforts to ensure an equal industry.
California regulators recalled cannabis products because of distorted labeling. Separately a regulatory attorney spoke about the steps taken by the state to prepare for interstate cannabis commerce.
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission meets on Thursday.
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/ LOCAL
The Kaua’i County Council in Hawaii is considering a proposal that urges state legislators to oppose the legalization of marijuana.
Carroll County’s Board of Commissioners in Maryland will be considering proposed marijuana sale rules on Thursday.
International
Hun Manet, the Cambodian Prime Minster, reiterated his refusal to support legalizing cannabis.
Germany’s Health Minister tweeted: “The judiciary needs to work hard on cannabis laws because amnesty is not being enforced for convictions.” That’s correct. It’s true. But to refuse the amnesty is an injustice. International and European law.
Officials in Sicily, Italy have launched a program for developing local hemp supply chains.
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
The study concluded that “strong evidence exists for the use of CBD as a protective agent in [lead]-exposures.”
A study of rats found that “CBD can be protective against brain injury caused by cardiac [ischemia-reperfusion] damage through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.”
BUSINESS
Planet 13 Holdings Inc. has begun an underwritten public offer of units.
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The post Cannabis provision in bipartisan congressional leader’s bill (Newsletter : March 5, 2020) first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
