MI stops gov’t employees from testing for marijuana; Meta allows hemp & CBD ads; 280E Boston Tea Party; Cannabis banking guidelines
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Top Things to Know
The House Rules Committee and Republican leadership in Congress blocked the floor vote on all marijuana and psychedelic amendments to National Defense Authorization Act.
The House Appropriations Committee has rejected an amendment which would have asked the White House simply to start preparing for federal marijuana legalization through studying state cannabis regulatory frameworks.
The Michigan Civil Service Commission has voted to stop pre-employment drug testing for the majority of government job applicants. Those who have already been punished can also request that their sanction be revoked retroactively.
Washington, D.C., has passed a law prohibiting most private employers from punishing or firing employees who use marijuana during non-work time.
Meta has amended its advertising policy, allowing promotion of CBD and hemp products on its platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, but with restrictions.
MariMed performed a Boston Tea Party style stunt in protest of the federal 280E law, which prevents marijuana companies to take business expense deductions available to other industries.
The Cannabis Financial Industry Group has published a document that offers best practices and standards to banks who are interested in starting to service marijuana businesses.
Red Lake Nation Tribal Council, Minnesota, voted on August 1 to start recreational marijuana sales. This is at least one year before the state expects to license cannabis for general use. Alcohol will still be banned on the reservation.
Federal
The Secret Service concluded its investigation into the cocaine found at the White House, but “a lack of physical proof” prevented it from identifying a suspect.
As part of its review on marijuana’s schedule, the Food and Drug Administration received data from five states that have medical cannabis programs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report that concluded “that the number of weekly visits to emergency departments by young people who were involved in cannabis use was higher during COVID-19 in 2020, 2021 and 2022 compared with similar periods in 2019.”
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND, spoke of some Democrats’ attempts to change an important section of the marijuana banking bill for GOP legislators.
Rep. Warren Davidson, R-OH, tweeted that “#SafeBanking is a necessity.”
STATES
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D), Hawaii’s governor, signed a bill to revise hemp regulations.
Andy Beshear, Kentucky Governor (D), tweeted: “The majority agree that medical marijuana is a sensible solution for people struggling with a wide range of issues. From veterans with PTSD, to cancer patients.” It’s because of this that I advocated legalized medical cannabis–and finally we got it done.”
Washington, D.C. Council has approved a bill that will expand the criteria for social equity marijuana businesses, and allow visitors to get short-term medical cannabis card.
A Pennsylvania representative stated that Democrats plan to pass a bill legalizing marijuana with their House majorities.
The Minnesota representative, who sponsored the now-enacted bill legalizing marijuana, spoke of banking challenges for cannabis businesses.
After receiving public feedback, New York regulators changed the proposed marijuana regulations.
Illinois regulators conducted a lottery for the awarding of licenses to marijuana dispensaries that promote social equity.
Montana regulators updated lawmakers on plans to crackdown on synthetic cannabinoids, and hemp products that are intoxicating.
Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission meeting
Maryland regulators held a seminar on technical assistance for cannabis businesses.
Ohio regulators have published updated numbers of medical cannabis patients and caregivers.
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/ LOCAL
New York City officials have published a guide for cannabis businesses.
Denver, Colorado officials have sent a summary of the marijuana industry check-in they hosted last month.
International
The Ukrainian Parliament has given initial approval to the medical cannabis bill.
The UK Home Secretary clashed over the proposal of Scotland to decriminalize drug use.
A subcommittee of the Philippine Senate held an hearing on a bill relating to medical cannabis.
The European Economic and Social Committee has adopted an opinion that acknowledges the potential of psychedelic therapy and says more research on them is required.
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
In a study, “CBD and D9-THC were well tolerated by patients with chronic back/neck pain and doses of 1.5 mL and 1.0 mL showed clinically significant pain reductions compared to baseline scores.”
According to a study, “most Veterans started using cannabis as a way to manage symptoms of pre-existing mental and/or medical conditions.” The study also found that, “despite some adverse side effects, most Veterans reported improved overall quality of their life, sleep and relationships, mood and pain.”
BUSINESS
Morgan Stanley has reportedly removed TerrAscend Corp.
Blake Mycoskie, the founder of Toms Shoes, wrote an op/ed in which he announced his intention to invest and give away $100 million dollars to support research into the therapeutic benefits psychedelics.
AYR Wellness Inc. acquires Twice the Wellness, LLC.
Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc. now has a new chief executive officer.
RISE Dispensaries has launched the “Thanks, Dick”, campaign to “celebrate ironically” President Richard Nixon signing the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.
Missouri retailers sold 121,30 millions dollars worth of legal marijuana in June.
CULTURE
Bill Maher claimed that marijuana “makes you better”. I am more creative. It makes my mind work faster .”
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The article GOP blocks cannabis and psychedelics Amendments in Congress (Newsletter for July 14, 2023) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.
