Lawmakers seek CBD input, DeSantis names a drug policy council, MN GOP calls for a marijuana special session and WA conviction reimbursements
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Top Things to Know
Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer (D) stated that lawmakers are making “good” progress on a marijuana bank bill. He added that this has “always” been a top priority for him and he believes it will advance as part a “very fruitful fall.”
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“We’re close.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a presidential candidate in 2024, has appointed new members to Florida’s Drug Policy Advisory Council. These include a sheriff that campaigned against a ballot initiative for medical cannabis which voters approved as well as another sheriff that supports marijuana decriminalization.
Leaders of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and House Energy & Commerce Committee, both bipartisan, are asking stakeholders for their input on a potential regulatory framework to be developed for CBD in light of inaction by the Food and Drug Administration.
Members of Congress from both parties are celebrating the passage of the House amendments that will allow veterans to get medical marijuana prescriptions from Department of Veterans Affairs physicians and encourage research on the therapeutic potential of psychoactive substances.
Minnesota Republican legislators are pressuring Gov. Tim Walz and the Democratic House majority and Senate majority are calling for a special meeting to discuss what they call “glaring” issues in the marijuana legalization bill that takes effect Tuesday.
Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts has launched a website where people can request reimbursement of their legal fees in the event that they were charged under laws criminalizing marijuana and drugs, which the Washington State Supreme Court later declared unconstitutional.
The White Earth Nation Tribal Council has voted to legalize cannabis and start sales this week. This is the second Indian tribe to do so in Minnesota, ahead of the launch of Minnesota’s licensing system for adult-use marijuana next year.
The new Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services regulations that went into effect on Sunday could lead to fines and even the loss of licenses of marijuana businesses for any violations at events that they host.
Federal
Rahul Gupta, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and Joe Biden, President of the United States of America.
The Congressional Research Service cited a U.S. Court of Appeals Third Circuit decision that determined that legalizing hemp did not create a “new element” that the government would have to prove affirmatively when prosecuting marijuana related offenses.
Sen. Sen. Brian Babin, R-TX, and cosponsors filed resolutions commending the Coast Guard for its efforts in interdicting marijuana and other illegal drugs.
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-OR, tweeted: “I won’t stop pressing to get SAFE Banking approved so that legal cannabis businesses have access to necessary financial services. Cannabis businesses still need financial services, and most of the states that have legalized recreational marijuana can’t wait.
The House marijuana banking legislation has gained one more co-sponsor, bringing the total to 66.
One new co-sponsor has been added to the 22 who have already signed on to the House bill allowing Department of Veterans Affairs physicians to recommend medical cannabis.
One new co-sponsor has been added to the House bill that allows marijuana users to own guns.
One new sponsor has been added to the six who have already co-sponsored the House bill to ease restrictions on hemp farmers.
STATES
Oregon Gov. Former state marijuana regulator Tina Kotek is accusing her of removing the former chief of the department from his post at the request of a cannabis CEO.
The Minnesota Senator who sponsored the marijuana legalization law that was passed this session talked about the launch.
A New York Senator has criticized newly proposed legislation that criminalizes public marijuana consumption.
The Rhode Island Supreme Court has upheld the 2019 search of a vehicle by police based on the smell marijuana even though it was legalized at the time.
Massachusetts’ top marijuana regulator has announced his intention to retire.
Missouri regulators received 25 marijuana license applications the first day they were accepted.
Colorado regulators have hired a director of the natural medicine program to supervise aspects of a new psychedelics law.
Michigan regulators have posted a new video on marijuana social equity.
Washington State regulators will be holding meetings to discuss the preliminary draft rules for the accreditation of cannabis labs on Wednesday, August 10.
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/ LOCAL
Officials in Killeen, Texas are asking for additional time to submit a brief against a Bell County lawsuit filed against the city’s decriminalization of marijuana law.
On August 8, voters in several Missouri counties and cities will vote on local marijuana tax ballot measures.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Portuguese parliament approved an extension of the drug decriminalization laws that will allow possession of more than the allowed amount of drugs for consumption over a 10-day period to no longer be considered evidence of trafficking.
William Ruto, the Kenyan president, wore a shirt with a pattern that looked like a cannabis leaf.
The Speaker of Ghana’s parliament clarified that the recently passed Cannabis Licensing Bill does not legalize marijuana for recreational use.
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
CBD is said to reduce hyperglycemia.
In a study on rats, CBD was found to provide long-term protection from fear relapse following successful extinction. It also alleviated stress-induced impairments of extinction learning. This provided “valuable insights into CBD’s potency as a potential candidate therapeutic for anxiety- and trauma related disorders.”
/ ADVOCACY / OPINION AND ANALYSIS
The Florida Democratic Party chair said that the potential legalization of marijuana and abortion rights measures on the ballot in 2024 are part of “a perfect storm” for boosting voter turnout.
/ BUSINESS
Eaze faces a lawsuit by the founders Green Dragon who accuse it of operating an illegal operation and of defrauding its investors.
Emjay offers striking SAG-AFTRA and WGA members discount vouchers on cannabis.
Cone Denim’s executive discusses the use of hemp in jeans.
CULTURE
Post Malone spoke about his use of Psilocybin.
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The post Cannabis Banking a “Priority” for Schumer, (Newsletter : July 31, 2023) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.
