Fewer lung injuries in legal cannabis states, AMA study finds (Newsletter: April 8, 2020)

AZ legal marijuana effort sues for e-sigs; Rep wants DC cannabis fix in COVID bill; ND campaign looks to 2022; VA gov pressed on decrim amendments

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said the legislative session and the push to legalize marijuana are “effectively over” for 2020.

• “It’s up to the legislature, but I think it’s fair to say it’s effectively over.”

Arizona’s marijuana legalization campaign, along with organizers working to place other initiatives on the November ballot, are asking the state Supreme Court to allow electronic signature collection in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

North Dakota’s marijuana legalization campaign is the latest drug policy reform effort to suspend signature gathering amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Rep.  Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) is calling on her colleagues in Congress to finally lift the ban on legal marijuana sales in the nation’s capital—and she wants to do it through the next round of coronavirus relief legislation.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) is being pushed by advocacy groups to recommend that lawmakers make amendments to a marijuana decriminalization bill that’s currently on his desk. NORML wants an emergency clause enacting the legislation immediately, while ACLU—which opposed the incremental reform as worse than the status quo—wants broader changes.

/ FEDERAL

A federal judge ruled that a medical cannabis investor could not recoup $4.7 million in loans, saying it would undermine federal prohibition enforcement.

Surgeon General Jerome Adams held up a “Got Naloxone?” shirt in a PSA on how to make a face mask out of cloth at home.

National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow authored an article on potential risks to people who smoke and consume drugs during the coronavirus pandemic.

/ STATES

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) said he will consider allowing medical cannabis delivery services during the coronavirus outbreak. Meanwhile, regulators said patients can pick up their medicine at dispensaries’ curbsides.

Massachusetts regulators reported a large spike in medical cannabis patient registrations as recreational marijuana stores have been shuttered amid the coronavirus pandemic.

New Jersey regulators are declining to clarify whether a recent move to generally allow telemedicine during the coronavirus outbreak means that doctors can make medical cannabis recommendations without meeting patients in person.

Pennsylvania regulators issued a notice that temporary medical cannabis rules won’t expire until November 20, 2021 or upon publication of final regulations.

Illinois regulators published updated data about the state’s medical cannabis program.

Alaska regulators are accepting hemp registration applications electronically only due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Oregon medical marijuana program Rules Advisory Committee canceled its April 13 meeting.

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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 cannabis 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

San Francisco, California officials released a coronavirus FAQ that covers what cannabis businesses can and can’t do.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Ontario, Canada is closing its marijuana stores as they are no longer deemed essential during the coronavirus outbreak, though delivery will still be available.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that Connecticut hemp farmers in the 2020 growing season could earn “$5,086 in profits per acre, or $11,656 per acre net return over variable costs.”

Ohio State University’s Drug Enforcement and Policy Center is asking people to fill out a survey on “the issues cannabis businesses and consumers are experiencing” during the coronavirus pandemic.

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

National Cannabis Industry Association Executive Director Aaron Smith published an op-ed arguing that if marijuana businesses are being deemed “essential” by so many state governments, they should be eligible for federal coronavirus relief funds.

The New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce is urging businesses to postpone 4/20 promotions in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

/ BUSINESS

Acreage Holdings, Inc. temporarily furloughed 122 employees, announced the resignation of an executive, terminated a proposed Rhode Island dispensary acquisition and canceled a merger with Deep Roots Medical, LLC, among other moves.

Canopy Growth Corp. temporarily laid off 200 retail staffers.

Storz & Bickel received approval from Canadian regulators for its Volcano Medic 2 medical cannabis vaporizer device.

Planet 13 is distributing 100 free meals each weekday to seniors and people with disabilities at high risk of being exposed to coronavirus if they leave home.

/ CULTURE

Rapper Playboi Carti was arrested on drug and gun charges.

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