Vote for Colombian legalization; HI psychedelics Task force; CA AG: lower marijuana taxes; Kratom at Congress; CT equity loans
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Top Things to Know
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has recommended that marijuana be moved from Schedule I to Schedule III. It is now up to the Drug Enforcement Administration whether they accept the suggestion that cannabis be moved out of the most restricted federal category.
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When asked about HHS’s recommendation to reschedule marijuana, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that it was an “independent” process that is “guided” by “evidence” and that the president’s team “just won’t comment on that specifically.”
Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services, confirmed the major federal marijuana rescheduling announcement in a tweet sent at exactly 4:20 PM. It wasn’t the first time the secretary posted cannabis news around the symbolic 4:20 PM time.
The news that HHS recommends marijuana be moved from Schedule II to Schedule III was met with mixed reactions by members of Congress, governors and advocates.
The Colombian Chamber of Representatives First Committee has approved a new bill legalizing marijuana. This is the first of the eight votes required to pass it. A previous version of the bill failed at the last stage of the Senate floor during the last session.
The Hawaii Governor’s Office of Wellness and Resilience has established a Breakthrough Therapies Task Force to study the best way to regulate access to psychedelics such as psilocybin and MDMA.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, said that the state should “lower taxes” on marijuana business to allow them to compete against the illicit market.
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The barriers to entry are high. The costs of operating are too high .”
James Carroll, the former director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy during the Trump administration, has stressed the importance of fighting back against “misinformation”. This comes from the Food and Drug Administration.
Connecticut’s Social Equity Council and Department of Economic and Community Development have launched a new Canna-Business Revolving Loan Fund in order to provide financial assistance for social equity marijuana businesses.
Federal
Sen. Cory Booker, (D-NJ), and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), filed legislation to increase access to drug testing strips.
Rep. Rep.
/ STATES
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican governor of Alabama, said that she had “confidence” in her state’s top medical marijuana regulator despite legal challenges to the licensing process.
Indiana’s Attorney General and local police agencies have been sued for enforcement actions taken against hemp products businesses.
Wisconsin’s Senate Minority Leader tweeted: “It’s only been a week, and Minnesota is already reaping economic benefits from legalization!” Wisconsin is falling behind. It has become an island of prohibition, and this is hurting the state’s economic growth.
Hawaii’s representative has said that lawmakers will be considering marijuana legalization legislation during the 2024 session.
Maine Representative said that blood tests for cannabis are inaccurate.
Virginia regulators have published guidelines on packaging cannabis.
New Jersey regulators begin accepting applications for licenses to distribute, wholesale and deliver marijuana on September 27.
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/ LOCAL
A Houston, Texas councilmember criticised her opponent’s launch of a THC-infused flavored seltzer.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Western Australia’s Government has endorsed steps to increase access to medical cannabis.
One German legislator tweeted that, in his proposal for marijuana legalization, the health minister of Germany “apparently wishes to continue the prohibition policies of the past decade.” This is not in line with the coalition agreement. “We will fundamentally revise this law.”
The Canadian cannabis exports soared during the fiscal year 2022-2023.
/ SCIENCE AND HEALTH
Cannflavins have “therapeutic potential” in autism spectrum disorders, according to a study.
The study concluded that there were no significant differences in driving ability between low-THC/CBD products and placebo, but that drivers who detect THC after consuming low-THC/CBD rich cannabis could face legal consequences.
/ ADVOCACY / OPINION AND ANALYSIS
The Drug Free America Foundation has published a report that shows “that in states where high-THC pot is legalized, either medically or recreationally, the frequency of driving while impaired by marijuana is 32 percent greater than it would be in states without such laws.”
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies has posted videos of its recent conference.
/ BUSINESS
StateHouse Holdings Inc. has reported a quarterly net revenue of $25,3 million.
Dark Horse Medicinals Missouri LLC has filed a lawsuit against Delta Extraction for allegedly conspiring to sell cannabis that was not legal in Missouri.
CULTURE
Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, said that he had traded players who smoked too much pot.
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The post Fed cannabis scheduling recommendation (Newsletter for August 31, 2023) appeared initially on Marijuana Moment.
