Feds sued over seizures of state-legal cannabis products (Newsletter: October 25, 2024)

Walz & Vance talk marijuana; SD legalization poll; Snoop’s cannabis staffer; THC & driving study; DeSantis bashes legalization measure

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz said communities disproportionately targeted by marijuana criminalization should have “the first shot to make money” in the legal cannabis industry.

Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) admitted in an interview with comedian Theo Von that fentanyl-laced marijuana is rare despite the fact that he constantly raises the alarm about it in his stump speech on the campaign trail.

Eight New Mexico marijuana businesses are suing Customs and Border Protection over agents’ seizures of state-legal cannabis products, which they say has been done without due process and creates opportunities for illicit operators.

A new poll found that South Dakota likely voters oppose the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot, 50 percent to 45 percent.

Snoop Dogg’s entourage includes a staffer tasked with making sure people he is smoking marijuana with don’t get too high and telling them “that’s enough” when they’ve reached their limit, the rapper said.

A new scientific review concluded that “the consensus is that there is no linear relationship of blood THC to driving”—calling into question many states’ laws that rely on per se limits to determine marijuana-impaired driving.

• “Of the 12 papers included in the present review, ten found no correlation between blood THC and any measure of driving.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said even marijuana enthusiasts should vote against the legalization initiative on the November ballot, claiming that it was “written to benefit this one big weed company.”

A potential showdown is brewing between Texas’s medical cannabis and hemp industries in the coming legislative session that begins in January.

/ FEDERAL

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein called for ending the war on drugs and said she would legalize cannabis on day one if elected.

Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) said he feels “the time has more than come” for federal marijuana reform.

/ STATES

California’s attorney general spoke about efforts to crack down on illicit marijuana sales.

Maine regulators are expanding a recall of marijuana products.

Washington State regulators proposed supplemental cannabis equity rules.

California regulators said they continue to see “widespread compliance” with a newly enacted ban on many hemp products.

Oregon regulators are pushing to shut down marijuana testing labs that are accused of falsifying results.

Delaware regulators held a lottery to award marijuana business licenses.

New Mexico marijuana regulators are requesting funding to support enforcement efforts.

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission will consider new executive director candidates on Monday.

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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.

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/ LOCAL

The Wilmington, Delaware City Council’s Community Development & Urban Planning Committee delayed a decision on marijuana business rules.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Uruguayan regulators are allowing pharmacies to sell marijuana with higher THC levels.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “there was a minimal shift of cannabis use in young adults following implementation of recreational cannabis use legalization in Georgia” (the country).

A study of mice found that CBD “suppresses metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer progression and recurrence.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The 60 Plus Association and Teamsters Local Union No. 769 endorsed the marijuana legalization initiative on Florida’s November ballot.

The Marijuana Policy Project published a series of voter guides for upcoming elections.

/ BUSINESS

Curaleaf International published a report urging UK officials to “take immediate action against the rapidly growing online illicit cannabis market.”

/ CULTURE

Seth Meyers said he gets “really quiet” when he smokes marijuana.

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