Federal government: marijuana legalization does not increase teenage use; OH marijuana bill delayed; Colombia cannabis bills stalled; MA psychedelics, MD sales
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Top Things to Know
According to a National Institute on Drug Abuse representative, Marijuana Moment reported that the results of a recent teen drug survey showed that legalizing adult-use cannabis “hasn’t really affected” youth drug use rates. He said that prohibitionist fears “haven’t played out.”
A federal rescheduling could trigger a cascade state-level reforms. More than half of the states have laws which automatically trigger state-level changes when a federal reclassification is made.
The American Medical Association published a study funded by the federal government that found one in four Americans had used a new cannabinoid, such as CBD or delta-8 THC. CBG and CBN were also included. Delta-8 is more commonly used in states that have banned marijuana, suggesting that prohibition could “unintentionally” promote the use of these products.
Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens said that lawmakers would not be sending to the governor a bill revising the marijuana legalization law approved by voters before the end of this year. However, he was open to exploring expungements and starting sales earlier in the year 2024.
Colombia’s Senate voted to shelve a marijuana legalization bill that has already passed the Chamber of Representatives–meaning that supporters will need to restart the two-year process over again in 2024 in order to revive the reform.
Pennsylvania lawmakers sent Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D) bill would allow grower-processors of medical marijuana to sell cannabis directly to patients, and grant cultivation permits for independent dispensaries.
Provincetown’s Select Board, Massachusetts passed a resolution decriminalizing psychedelics. It is the seventh municipal body to pass such a resolution in Massachusetts. The measure calls for changes in a proposed statewide initiative to legalize marijuana that could appear on the ballot in 2024.
Maryland Cannabis Administration reports that recreational marijuana sales reached another monthly record in November while medical cannabis purchases continued their decline.
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission has awarded integrated facility licenses to five businesses. These facilities will be able to grow, process and even sell medical marijuana on-site.
Federal
The House of Representatives has passed a bill that would schedule xylazine.
Rep. Rep.
/ STATES
Hawaii’s attorney general sent lawmakers to Massachusetts to examine the state’s legalization of marijuana.
The co-chairman of Connecticut’s Judiciary Committee has said that he will “definitely reintroduce” a decriminalization law for psilocybin in 2024.
The New York Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair said that she was “not happy” about the regulators’ decision of ending the state’s cannabis farmers market program, and will be submitting legislation to extend it.
A senator from Ohio discussed his support of allowing medical marijuana dispensaries the opportunity to sell recreational cannabis on a more expedited basis.
An op-ed written by a Missouri representative claimed that the increasing local and county taxes on marijuana fuel the illicit market.
Alabama’s top medical marijuana regulator speaks about efforts to launch industry.
Michigan regulators have published a report every month on the disciplinary measures taken against marijuana businesses.
The Colorado Department of Transportation has posted information regarding driving while under the influence of delta-8-THC products.
New Jersey regulators reminded the public that the deadline for submitting comments to the proposed rules on expanding the availability of edible cannabis products is Friday.
On Thursday, Oregon regulators will be considering rules on the tagging of marijuana batches.
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/ LOCAL
The organization that runs New York City’s first government-sanctioned safe consumption sites for illegal drugs published a report on the first year of operations.
International
The Victoria Legislative Council in Australia debated marijuana legalization.
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
According to a study, “the first period of strict market restrictions following the legalization of nonmedical cannabis wasn’t associated with an increased use of health services or frequency of psychotic disorder.”
CBD inhibits mast cell degranulation by [immunoglobulin E] in mice.
/ OPINION, ADVOCACY & ANALYSIS
The National Cannabis Roundtable has published its first Corporate Social Responsibility Report.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation has announced that the board of directors has approved a consolidation of shares that will take place on Friday.
Glass House Brands Inc. has announced the close of its $15 million Series D preferred stock issue.
Workers at the AYR Wellness Dispensary in Henderson, Nevada voted unanimously to join Local 711 of the United Food and Commercial Workers.
Michigan retailers sold 260.5 million dollars worth of legal marijuana in November.
New Jersey retailers sold legal marijuana products worth $762.9 millions in the first quarter of 2023.
Illinois dispensaries have sold medical cannabis products worth $25.6 million in November.
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The article Cannabis rescheduling could have a huge impact on the states (Newsletter for December 14, 2023) first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
