MN hires top marijuana regulator, MD legalization comes into effect, Fed employment issues, Affirmative Action ruling’s impact on cannabis in CT
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Top Things to Know
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), the new governor of Minnesota, is now accepting applications for the position of director of the Office of Cannabis Management.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a presidential candidate for 2024, signed a law that prohibits people from possessing cannabis at recovery residences – even if it is recommended by a physician under the state’s legal medical cannabis. Residents are still allowed to have any prescribed medication.
An official with the U.S. Forest Service said that, as more states legalized marijuana, public perception has “shifted drastically” and federal agencies have seen an “uptick in positive drug test results for cannabis” that is causing more employees to be terminated.
Maryland legalized marijuana. Home cultivation and possession are no longer illegal, and sales of marijuana to adults older than 21 have begun. Separate laws were also passed to prevent police from searching based on smells of cannabis, and so that parents and guardians who use marijuana responsibly and lawfully cannot be considered “neglect” by state officials.
Connecticut has passed a law that allows adults older than 21 to grow marijuana in their homes.
The Cannabis Regulators Association has announced new leadership, an expansion of membership to include additional state marijuana regulatory agencies and for the first-time international representatives.
Khurshid Khoja, founder of Greenbridge Corporate Counsel, has written a new Marijuana Moment Op-Ed outlining a solution for saving cannabis social equity programs against the potential far-reaching effects of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative actions.
Nearly a full year after the commission was created under the state’s legalization of marijuana, it finally held its inaugural meeting.
Federal
Sean Spicer, former White House Press Secretary, said that “we rolled marijuana out way too quickly” and “we have to be very cautious when we talk about psychedelics.”
Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D – OR) and Nancy Mace – (R – SC) discuss the prospects of federal marijuana reform.
One new sponsor has been added to the 10 co-sponsors of the House bill repealing 280E, which is a tax penalty for marijuana businesses.
STATES
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), announced that the Cannabis Social Equity Investment Fund will receive up to $150 Million in senior secured capital.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, spoke of how the legalization referendum was won with a larger margin than his own and that the state is implementing the policy “responsibly.”
Oklahoma regulators have been sued for the newly increased fees on medical marijuana businesses.
Colorado regulators have adopted marijuana fees for emergency situations and launched a permanent rulemaking procedure on the subject.
Massachusetts regulators released a memo regarding marijuana social equity policies in host communities.
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/ LOCAL
Berkeley, California officials propose a tax reduction program for marijuana businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A new law in Australia allows psychiatrists to prescribe MDMA and psilocybin.
/ SCIENCE AND HEALTH
After reviewing research on epilepsy in children, it was concluded that cannabidiol showed good efficacy, tolerability, and safety for several syndromes with an emphasis on Lennox Gastaut and Dravet Syndromes.
The study found that psychedelics users were more likely to favor natural substances over synthetic ones, preferring self-production, consumption, and gifting. They also preferred gifting and sales over giving, and administered psychedelics when accompanied by therapeutic support.
/ OPINION, ADVOCACY & ANALYSIS
The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association has announced the addition of Sokaogon Chippewa Community Mole Lake Band Lake Superior Chippewa to its membership.
BUSINESS
Cresco Labs announced that it would not be able complete the divestitures required to allow the former to acquire the latter before the June 30 deadline. The two companies “are working together on the next steps with regard to the transaction.”
Green Thumb Industries Inc. CEO believes Florida regulators are likely to approve the company’s plans to open medical marijuana dispensaries near Circle K gas stations.
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The first time Marijuana Moment published the post DeSantis signs a medical cannabis restriction (Newsletter for July 3, 2023).
