Ukraine medical cannabis bill signed; Wisconsin cannabis push dead; first NV consumption lounge, NC judge bans marijuana odors; AK psychedelics
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Top Things to Know
National Institute of Justice, a division of the Department of Justice, announced that federally-funded researchers had discovered new methods of separating marijuana from hemp by measuring the exact amount of THC present in edibles and flower.
The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has signed into law a bill legalizing medical cannabis. He says this can help heal “pain and stress of war with Russia”.
Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said that a limited medical cannabis bill led by the GOP is dead, but it will be heard after the session. Democrats want to force a vote for a more comprehensive medical marijuana amendment.
Melissa Agard, a Wisconsin senator (D), has written a new Marijuana Moment opinion piece in which she criticizes Republicans for their refusal to legalize medical marijuana while implementing a “smoke-and-mirrors” scheme. She accuses them of a “smokescreen” by submitting a restrictive measure that they won’t vote on.
Nevada Cannabis Control Board has issued its first license for a marijuana lounge that plans to open this month.
The North Carolina Superior Court judge issued a ruling that stated anyone who smells of “marijuana or THC, CBD hashish, hemp, and similar substances” is not allowed to enter the courtrooms.
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The Sheriff “will ask that you leave and return without odor on your person.”
Alaska House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee heard a bill that created a Mental Health and Psychedelic Medicine Task Force to recommend frameworks and licensing for therapeutic practitioners.
The Florida Senate passed unanimously a bill that would restrict hemp products, and ban delta-8-THC.
Both the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates passed legislation protecting public sector employees such as teachers and firefighters from being terminated for using medical cannabis.
Federal
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published a podcast on the challenges of building hemp genetic cultivars to be used for research.
In a memo, the House Natural Resources Committee addressed the negative environmental effects of illegal marijuana cultivation operations.
Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-MO, said that the bipartisan negotiations over a section of marijuana bank legislation dealing with gun seller protections are “down to only a few words.”
/ STATES
South Carolina’s Senate Majority Leader voted against the medical marijuana legalization bill. This is a change from his vote two years earlier, when he said he was “less comfortable” with it.
A Maine legislative panel approved a bill that would remove the requirement to label marijuana gummies individually.
Maryland legislators are considering legislation that would change the distance restrictions for marijuana business.
A senator from Oklahoma has filed a bill that will monitor how much water medical cannabis growers are using.
The Ohio State Medical Board Medical Marijuana Committee seeks expert opinions to determine whether medical marijuana can help patients with female orgasmic disorder disorder and autism spectrum disorder.
Oregon regulators have published a bulletin regarding the fees for cannabis packaging and labeling changes.
Minnesota regulators have conducted a survey to determine the state of medical cannabis.
Massachusetts marijuana regulators gave a lecture as a guest at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
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LOCAL
Officials in Massena, New York are seeking an order from the court to close down two marijuana shops owned by residents of St. Regis Mohawk Nation.
International
British Columbia officials have decided to allow the smoking and vaping cannabis on patios.
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
According to a study, “consumer reports of effectiveness [of prescribed medical cannabis] were very positive,” particularly when it comes to THC-containing products.
/ ADVOCACY / OPINION AND ANALYSIS
Media Matters for America has criticized conservative media outlets for “misleadingly blaming” the Oregon overdose deaths on a state law that decriminalized drugs, which was approved by voters.
Buffalo News editorial board calls on New York officials crackdown on unlicensed marijuana business.
BUSINESS
Filament Health Corp. has completed the first export to Israel of botanical psilocybin, according to its statement.
CULTURE
Bill Skarsgard, an actor from Sweden, was arrested at Stockholm Airport for marijuana possession.
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The post DOJ’s new marijuana and hemp testing methods (Newsletter – February 16, 2024) first appeared on Marijuana Minute.
