Inadvertently, GOP senators tout legalization. DOJ motion on safe injection; Florida marijuana ballot case; Colombian Cannabis Bill; AMA drug policies
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Top Things to Know
The Ohio secretary of state has determined that the activists were only 679 valid signatures away from putting an initiative to legalize marijuana on the ballot in November. However, the campaign still has 10 days left to meet the requirement.
The Department of Justice has moved to dismiss a case that would have allowed a safe consumption facility for illegal drugs to be opened in Philadelphia. This is a disappointment for advocates who had hoped the Biden Administration would embrace these facilities as part of their harm reduction strategy.
Sens. Bill Cassidy, Marco Rubio, Ted Budd and Bill Hagerty are all Republicans who do not support the legalization of marijuana. However, they have inadvertently made a case for it by recognizing that the cartels would be disrupted if the drug was legalized.
The Florida Supreme Court granted an extension to the Attorney General’s request to submit a brief explaining why voters shouldn’t be given a chance to vote on a marijuana-legalization initiative in 2024.
Florida Department of Health has issued licenses for medical cannabis businesses to two Black farmers in accordance with a law signed by Governor Rick Scott last month. Ron DeSantis (R).
One month after an earlier bill on marijuana legalization failed to pass the Senate in the final stages of an eight-step process, Colombian legislators have resubmitted the legislation.
The American Medical Association’s House of Delegates adopted several drug policy resolutions–including ones supporting psychedelic research, opposing the criminalization of kratom, backing the continued inclusion of marijuana in employment drug testing and calling for the elimination of sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine.
Federal
The Food and Drug Administration has published an updated website on its position regarding kratom.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-OR, inserted comments in the Congressional Record regarding his new CBD regulation bill.
One new sponsor has been added to the 11 co-sponsors of the House bill allowing CBD-infused food.
One new co-sponsor has been added to the 11 who have already signed on for the House Resolution on Reparations, which notes that the War on Drugs targeted Black Americans systematically.
/ STATES
Wisconsin’s Senate minor leader tweeted: “Reminder that Wisconsinites spent more than $121 million on #cannabis in Illinois in 2020, including $36 millions in tax revenues to the State of Illinois!” These tax revenues should be used to support our local governments, schools and communities in WI. “It is time to grow and invest our future and get this done.”
The Florida Supreme Court has been asked to hear the case of an ex-Correctional Officer who was terminated for using medical marijuana.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed that an infant died while in their custody, after being taken away from his mother on the grounds she had smoked marijuana.
Arizona regulators have announced a voluntary marijuana recall due to a possible contamination by Aspergillus.
New York regulators could face a lawsuit from owners of a recent raided chain of marijuana businesses without licenses.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety and Department of Natural Resources and State Patrol organized an event on traffic safety in advance of the legalization of marijuana.
A Massachusetts regulator discusses the impact of legalizing marijuana on the unregulated cannabis market.
Oklahoma officials expressed concern about the role that marijuana edibles play in accidental intoxication.
Maryland Cannabis Administration has several job openings.
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LOCAL
Denver, Colorado officials sent a reminder about marijuana businesses odor control plan requirements.
International
The report, commissioned by German legislators, examines the limitations that Germany may face when enacting reforms to marijuana laws under European law.
Uruguayan regulators have published data on the first six years of legal cannabis in Uruguay.
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
In a study, “mixed formulations of THC/CBD are tolerated by patients with Parkinson’s disease and pain.”
The study concluded that “psilocybin is safe, tolerable, and acceptable for [females suffering from anorexia] which is a promising result given the physiological dangers and difficulties with treatment engagement.”
ADVOCACY / OPINION, ANALYSIS & ANALYSIS
Officials from the League of Southeastern Credit Unions and Affiliates spoke on the importance of marijuana banking laws.
/ BUSINESS
Creditor protection was granted to Aleafia Health Inc., and its Canadian subsidiaries.
Cheech &Chong’s Global Holding reportedly spends between $250,000 to $500,000 per month on Twitter ads in order to promote their cannabis gummy product.
Maryland retailers sold legal marijuana products worth $42.6 million in the last week.
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The article Ohio cannabis ballot measure is short of signatures (Newsletter for July 26, 2023) first appeared on Marijuana Minute.
New Mexico cannabis applicants are not subject to federal background checks