GOP lawmakers trash cannabis rescheduling (Newsletter: July 23, 2024)

Analysis: Marijuana to Schedule III creates 50k jobs; Poll: More Americans use cannabis every day than alcohol; Study: Cannabinoids anticancer effect

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) told Marijuana Moment that “I don’t care” whether rolling back the Biden administration’s cannabis rescheduling move under a potential second Trump presidency would politically hurt the Republican party—saying he’s more concerned that cannabis is “not good for your health.”

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) sent a letter criticizing the Biden administration’s “lack of transparency” on the marijuana rescheduling process—demanding that the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services provide a briefing to Congress by August 1.

The Minority Cannabis Business Association projects that rescheduling marijuana will create 55,500 new jobs—saying in a public comment to the Drug Enforcement Administration that the reform will generate up to $2.7 billion in additional wages and $5.6 billion in new economic activity.

A new poll shows that more Americans smoke marijuana on a daily basis than drink alcohol every day—and that alcohol drinkers are more likely to say they would benefit from limiting their use than cannabis consumers are.

A new study shows that lesser-known marijuana components like CBG, CBC, CBN and CBDV are “promising anticancer agents” in treating the blood cancer multiple myeloma.

• “There are evidence for their effect in reducing solid cancer cell growth.”

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission approved draft rules to remove a two-driver requirement for marijuana deliveries and to allow deliveries to take place during longer hours of the day.

/ FEDERAL

Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) cited President Joe Biden’s mass marijuana pardons as a top accomplishment in a statement about the president’s decision not to seek reelection.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) tweeted a link to an article about Chinese immigrants who work at U.S. marijuana operations.

House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) sent a letter pressing Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for answers on the “role illegal immigration plays in perpetuating the fentanyl crisis and marijuana grow operations, including the role that illegal Chinese immigration may play in such criminal activity.”

/ STATES

Pennsylvania senators filed a bill to allow employers to take adverse actions against workers in safety-sensitive jobs over medical cannabis use.

Ohio lawmakers introduced legislation to restrict intoxicating hemp products.

The California Commission on Judicial Performance admonished a judge for remarks he made in court, including one where he alleged that a victim smelled like marijuana.

Alaska regulators filed changes to rules on marijuana plant height.

Florida regulators published a report on industrial hemp yield response curve estimation for various nitrogen and phosphorus rates.

Colorado regulators will host a hearing on psychedelics rules on Thursday.

Maine regulators will hold a marijuana listening session on July 31.

The Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on August 2.

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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL

The Augusta, Maine City Council gave initial approval to a proposal to allow recreational marijuana businesses.

San Luis Obispo County, California officials are accepting applications for cannabis microbusiness licenses in unincorporated areas.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. touted the country’s “bloodless war on dangerous drugs.”

Germany’s health minister tweeted, “Cannabis can be a good medicine for suitable patients. Family doctors should also be able to prescribe it without any red tape.”

A Colombian lawmaker filed a marijuana legalization bill.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “Lebanese cannabis oil demonstrated potent cytotoxicity against WEHI-3 leukemic cells” and that it “significantly increased survival rate” in mice.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a report about people who required hospital evaluation after ingesting gummies labeled to contain Amanita muscaria.

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Democratic National Committee tweeted, “The Biden-Harris administration has been working hard for the American people for the last 4 years:.. .✅ Reclassified marijuana. And so much more.”

The chair of the Florida Democratic Party slammed anti-legalization comments made by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), tweeting, “It’s always quite funny to watch Ron TRY to talk about weed. For everyone else, come join the cool kids club.”

/ BUSINESS

Tilray Brands, Inc. received the first medical cannabis cultivation license issued under Germany’s new broader legalization law.

Glass House Brands Inc. touted a California judge’s dismissal of a lawsuit that Catalyst Cannabis Co. had filed against the company.

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit alleging that Canopy Growth Corporation misled investors.

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