DOJ says no guns for prosecutor who uses medical cannabis (Newsletter: October 4, 2024)

Feds hiring joint rollers; AR medical cannabis sigs; DE license apps; AMA study: docs & patients say insurance should cover medical marijuana

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Department of Justice said in a court filing that allowing a Pennsylvania district attorney who uses medical cannabis to possess a gun would be “dangerous,” and it is asking to dismiss his lawsuit challenging marijuana-related restrictions on his Second Amendment rights.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse posted a request for proposals to “develop and manufacture standardized marijuana cigarettes within a range of specified” THC and CBD levels as well as to “prepare, preferably by hand-rolling, a small batch” of joints with “varying concentrations” of cannabinoids.

The Arkansas Supreme Court ordered the secretary of state to keep counting signatures for ballot initiative to expand access to medical cannabis amid a dispute about the manner in which the petitions were processed.

The Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner received more than 1,200 applications for cannabis business licenses ahead of a lottery for retailers—which is “substantially” more than they anticipated after opening up the application window in August.

A new federally funded study published by the American Medical Association found that a majority of chronic pain patients and doctors who treat the condition support federally legalizing medical cannabis and requiring insurance companies to cover the cost.

A Nebraska notary public who owns a CBD store was charged with two dozen counts of “official misconduct” as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged fraud on two medical cannabis legalization initiative petitions.

A New Jersey senator filed a bill to create a process where people could add themselves to a list barring them from entering marijuana dispensaries.

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies has approved seven psilocybin facilitator training programs so far under the state’s voter-approved psychedelics legalization law.

/ FEDERAL

The National Institute of Justice posted about a study it funded on a hemp compliance testing method.

Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) discussed his support for marijuana rescheduling, cannabis banking legislation and clemency efforts.

/ STATES

Indiana gubernatorial candidates discussed marijuana during a debate.

Kentucky regulators published rules on medical cannabis and hemp-derived products.

Tennessee regulators posted changes to hemp rules.

Montana regulators clarified that marijuana dispensaries are allowed to sell gift cards.

The California Cannabis Advisory Committee’s Cannabis Track and Trace Subcommittee will meet on Tuesday.

The New York Cannabis Control Board will meet on Thursday.

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/ LOCAL

Sacramento, California officials are developing a pilot program for marijuana consumption lounges.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Cayman Islands voters are set to decide on a marijuana decriminalization referendum.

Thailand’s public health minister said he is “not against” Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s policy to continue allowing marijuana use.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “cannabis users had lower rates of [all-cause mortality] compared to non-users.”

A study of psilocybin for veterans with severe treatment-resistant depression concluded that “a surprising response and remission was seen.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The executive director of the South Dakota Catholic Conference is urging voters to reject the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.

/ BUSINESS

MedCana is exploring  opportunities to enter the Australian pharmaceutical cannabis market.

Illinois dispensaries sold $21.7 million worth of medical cannabis products in September.

/ CULTURE

Singer Miguel endorsed the marijuana legalization initiative on Florida’s November ballot.

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