Ten years of SAFE Banking advocacy, bipartisan support for marijuana security clearing reform, Berkeley psychedelics votes and CT marijuana sales
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Top Things to Know
Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), said marijuana banking legislation was on the summer agenda of the Senate. He stressed that Republican backing will be required and did not mention his previous expressed intention to attach cannabis exclusions to the SAFE Banking Act.
On Monday, Congress marked 10 years since the first marijuana banking bill was introduced. The bill has evolved and the support for it has grown. Now, lawmakers are making a last push in hopes of finally getting it signed into law by this year.
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), says he is hopeful that his National Defense Authorization Act Amendment, which protects people from having their security clearances denied because of marijuana, will receive bipartisan support. The amendment is being discussed in Congress this week.
Massachusetts political strategists have filed the initial paperwork to launch a campaign that could place an initiative legalizing psychedelic therapy on ballots in 2024.
On Tuesday, the Berkeley City Council in California will vote on a proposal to “de-emphasize enforcement” against psychedelics.
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection reports that retailers sold nearly 24 million dollars worth of legal marijuana in June, a new monthly record which caps the first six months of legal cannabis sales in Connecticut.
Federal
Former leaders of the Sauk Suiattle Indian Tribe, located in Washington State, have asked Interior Secretary Deb haaland to investigate the current leadership. This is because, according to them, they “misappropriated Federal Grants for personal gain including opening a cannabis store.”
The U.S. Department of Energy held a presentation entitled “Scaling up the Industrial Hemp Supply Chain as a Carbon Negative Feedstock for Fuel and Fiber.”
Sen. John Fetterman, (D-PA), tweeted: “This is why people hate DC. TLDR: Republicans killed a bill to research cannabis for veterans in order to harm Jon Tester’s prospects. Truly despicable.”
Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-MO, wrote a letter to constituents about his support of marijuana banking legislation.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, (D-NY), posted on Facebook about the support Congress has for reforms to marijuana and psychedelics.
STATES
The North Carolina Senator said that a medical marijuana bill is “by no mean” dead for this session.
A Minnesota representative posted on Twitter that he is against a local proposal to implement a moratorium in Rochester for marijuana business licenses. He said, “It’s Time to De-Stigmatize Cannabis Use.”
A judge in Alabama held a status meeting on the litigation regarding regulators’ awarding of medical cannabis business licences.
California regulators have issued a warning to cannabis businesses, informing them that Professional Technical Union Local 33 is not an actual labor organization with which they can enter a labor agreement for the purpose of complying with state law.
Virginia regulators have sent a new update regarding changes to the medical cannabis rules.
Illinois regulators have finalized the list of participants for a lottery on Thursday to determine who will be eligible to participate in a social equity criteria lottery for marijuana businesses.
Maine regulators have launched a panel series called “Cannabis Conversations”. Separately, they are conducting a listening tour of the state to discuss marijuana issues.
New York regulators have uploaded a series videos about marijuana packaging and labeling regulations.
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/ LOCAL
Portland, Oregon Mayor tweeted his opposition to a Multnomah county plan to distribute harm-reduction supplies to fentanyl users, stating that it would “encourage the use of a drug which is the leading cause for death among Americans under 50, and responsible for overdoses that result in 190 deaths a day.”
A group against drugs is concerned that Denver’s new mayor has appointed so many operatives from the cannabis industry to his transition team.
INTERNATIONAL
The Ukrainian Health Ministry supports President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request that lawmakers pass medical marijuana legislation.
The government of India, Himachal Pradesh is planning to offer cannabis cultivation training.
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
According to a study, “CBDA-methyl ester demonstrated a neutralizing action on all SARS-CoV-2 strains tested.”
According to a review, “research shows that psilocybin is effective in treating anxiety and depression symptoms as well as improving [health-related life quality] and having no serious side effects.”
ADVOCACY / OPINION, ANALYSIS & OPINION
In a poll, Pennsylva adults supported legalizing marijuana by a 50 to 31 percent margin.
The Baltimore Sun’s editorial board stated that the state’s experiences with marijuana legalization thus far show that prohibitionists fears have not been realized.
/ BUSINESS
TerrAscend Corp. has closed the acquisition of Herbiculture Inc.
In June, New Mexico retailers sold recreational marijuana products worth more than $33 Million.
CULTURE
Bill Maher was told by Rainn Wilson about his bad experience with marijuana, which convinced him to never use it again.
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The post Schumer puts marijuana banking on summer agenda, (Newsletter for July 11, 2023) first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
