Army cracks down on delta-8 THC use by soldiers (Newsletter: October 21, 2024)

Another FL gov’t anti-marijuana ad; PA legalization billboard; Fed judge rules in THC drug test case for airline worker; Marijuana & pregnancy study

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The U.S. Army issued a new drug policy clarifying that soldiers are barred from using hemp-derived delta-8 THC products and further cautioning them against eating poppyseed bagels, “as newer seeds variety may contain elevated levels of codeine.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is again facing accusations of using taxpayer dollars to improperly campaign against the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot with new state agency ads—including one linking cannabis use to domestic violence.

A federal judge rejected an effort by Alaska Airlines to overturn an arbitration order reinstating an aircraft maintenance technician whom the company fired over a positive test for THC that he said may have been caused by accidentally eating a marijuana-infused edible at a neighborhood block party.

Pennsylvania marijuana activists took out a billboard in the state capital highlighting joint support for legalization from Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump and Gov. Josh Shapiro (D).

New federally funded research published by the American Medical Association involving “the largest number of pregnancies with maternal prenatal cannabis use” ever studied found that marijuana use by pregnant women is “not associated with an increased risk of child early developmental delays” or with childhood autism spectrum disorder.

• “Maternal cannabis use during early pregnancy was not associated with speech and language disorders, global delay, or motor delay.”

NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that recent research shows that “little credence should be given to opponents’ allegations that cannabis legalization promotes either unique or significant risks to mental health.”

Sundie Seefried of Safe Harbor Financial says in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that “rescheduling cannabis is a critical step toward broader reform, but it is not a magic bullet” and could actually “create new layers of complexity as the federal government, state authorities and financial institutions attempt to synchronize their policies and rules.”

The Arizona Court of Appeals ruled that a preschool isn’t considered a “school” for the purposes of medical marijuana business proximity rules.

Conservative group the Family Council Action Committee is tying a medical cannabis expansion initiative on Arkansas’s November ballot to the immigration debate, suggesting it could make the state a “drug use destination.”

/ FEDERAL

The Environmental Protection Agency determined that a public comment about a carbon tax on marijuana dispensaries was not germane to a rule on a San Diego County, California air quality plan.

The Department of Transportation sent an alert about a reported increase in illegal online pharmacies selling and shipping counterfeit pills made with fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) reacted to Vice President Kamala Harris’s cannabis legalization plan by tweeting, “You do remember that you locked up thousands of Black men for marijuana offenses, right?”

/ STATES

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) appointed a Drug Policy Alliance staffer as secretary of aging and long-term services.

The Florida House Democratic Caucus endorsed the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.

Oregon regulators approved changes to hemp rules.

Missouri regulators issued a variance on marijuana product package design rules.

Minnesota regulators have asked some marijuana social equity business license applicants for more information. Separately, changes at the agency have caused some staffers to quit their jobs.

The executive director of the Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office resigned to become chief judge of the Office of Administrative Hearings.

California regulators certified an environmental impact report for the licensing of cannabis cultivation in Mendocino County.

New Jersey regulators discussed medical cannabis issues and approved marijuana business licenses.

The Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission will meet 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 Northampton, Massachusetts City Council passed a resolution endorsing the psychedelics legalization initiative on the state’s November ballot.

A New York City deputy sheriff claims in a new lawsuit that handling seized illegal cannabis caused health issues for law enforcement workers.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted, “Six years ago today, we changed an outdated law, took profits away from criminals, and made our communities safer. We legalized cannabis across Canada.”

Thailand’s cabinet approved draft marijuana and hemp rules.

A Philippine senator filed a resolution seeking an investigation into former president Rorigo Duterte’s bloody “war on drugs.”

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study’s results “support the short-term analgesic effects of THC and anxiolytic effects of CBD and further suggest that orally-administered THC and CBD should continue to be evaluated for the potential to provide both acute and extended relief from chronic low back pain.”

A study found that “cannabidiol ameliorates cognitive decline in 5×FAD mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease through potentiating the function of extrasynaptic glycine receptors.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops  is urging voters to reject the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.

/ BUSINESS

Lykos Therapeutics leaders said they met with Food and Drug Administration officials about next steps in potential approval of MDMA.

Missouri retai;ers sold $117.4 million worth of legal marijuana products in September.

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