German legalization votes; CA marijuana dashboard, MN equity debate, VA sales compromise; IL psychedelics
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Top Things to Know
Researchers at the National Institute of Justice of the Department of Justice have said that states need to “get rid of that idea” of marijuana impairment being tested by the amount of THC present in the system of a person. They are criticizing the “per se laws” in many jurisdictions.
The German Bundestag Health Committee has approved a bill legalizing marijuana. It will now be put to the floor for final approval this Friday. However, there are questions about whether it can be implemented on April 1, as planned.
Minnesota’s top pot regulator was pressed by GOP legislators about concerns regarding equity-focused provisions of the state’s marijuana legalization law. She pointed out that her own son has been incarcerated because he used drugs, underlining the importance “of a second chance”.
The Virginia House sponsor who sponsored a bill legalizing recreational marijuana sales reveals some details about a compromise that he will offer to the Senate which has passed a competing cannabis commerce law.
Kansas House of Representatives rejected a marijuana-legalization amendment as part of a larger drug reform bill.
California Department of Cannabis Control has launched an online dashboard to track data about sales, prices, licensing, and harvests. The market data, unlike other states that are legal, will only be updated quarterly, not monthly.
Illinois lawmakers have filed legislation to regulate service centers that allow people to access psychedelics in a controlled setting. They also plan to expand the program so it can include DMT, mescaline and ibogaine.
A new study suggests that mushrooms began synthesizing the psychoactive drug psilocybin around 67 million ago. This was “concurrent” to the arrival of an asteroid which killed the dinosaurs, and 80% of life on Earth.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin approved a revised ballot initiative to expand access to medical cannabis by allowing home-grown and removing the list of qualifying conditions. This would also lead to recreational legalization following federal reform.
A representative from Idaho filed a bill that would impose a minimum $420 fine on anyone found in possession of less than three ounces marijuana. He used several puns about cannabis when telling his colleagues that he had “smoked out” the problems with his previous legislation and made changes to it by his assistant “Mary Jane.”
Federal
Former Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-CO, registered as a lobbyist for the National Cannabis Roundtable.
/ STATES
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), appointed executive director of the Cannabis Expungement Board.
In a debate, Indiana Republican gubernatorial candidate agreed to oppose marijuana legalization.
A representative from Oklahoma filed a bill to combat the cultivation of marijuana on land owned by foreigners in the state.
The South Dakota campaign for marijuana legalization raised approximately $24,000 in the last year.
Colorado regulators have issued a warning about marijuana products that could be contaminated.
California regulators have adopted emergency rules that allow cannabis cultivators to make certain modifications.
Oregon regulators have sent out a bulletin regarding the addition of QR code to temporary receipts for medical cannabis and registration cards.
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/ LOCAL
The Killeen City Council in Texas discussed the pending litigation regarding a marijuana decriminalization bill that was approved by voters.
An Anchorage task force in Alaska is finalizing plans to use marijuana revenue to fund child care and early childhood education.
Los Angeles, California cannabis regulators publish an annual report.
International
Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, warned foreigners against investing in cannabis cultivation.
The Thai health minister stated that the government plans to pass legislation by the end the year clarifying the fact that marijuana is not allowed for recreational use.
/ SCIENCE AND HEALTH
According to a study, “the use of photoperiods greater than 12 hours may have substantial commercial benefits in increasing inflorescence production without reducing cannabinoid levels in certain cannabis cultivars that are grown indoors.”
According to a study, “psilocybin has antidepressant properties with sufficient safety.”
/ ADVOCACY OPINION AND ANALYSIS
A poll of Oregon’s likely voters revealed that 73 percent are in favor of recriminalizing possession of drugs.
A survey of Filipinos revealed that 56 percent wanted the government to let International Criminal Court investigators into the country in order to investigate the bloody “war against drugs” waged by the Philippines.
The Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition (Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition) is a newly formed trade association that represents marijuana businesses within the state.
/ BUSINESS
Metrc has signed a contract to track and trace medical cannabis with Kentucky regulators.
Greenway Greenhouse Cannabis Corporation now has a chief financial officer.
Canopy Growth Corporation has called a special shareholder meeting to discuss the creation of an exchangeable share class.
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The post DOJ researcher raises concerns about cannabis impairment testing (Newsletter for February 22, 2024) first appeared on Marijuana Minute.
