CA cannabis & psychedelics bills advance to floor votes (Newsletter: August 12, 2022)

AR court puts marijuana on ballot (but votes might not count); GOP congressman “hopeful” on psychedelics; NY retail apps soon; MD cannabis ballot info

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Arkansas Supreme Court ordered the secretary of state to certify a marijuana legalization initiative for the November ballot while a legal challenge is pending. But depending on the outcome of the case, the votes on the measure may never be counted.

The California Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees cleared major drug policy reforms for floor votes—including bills to allow interstate cannabis commerce and protect people from losing jobs for off-duty marijuana use—but a bill to legalize psychedelics possession was amended in a way that wasn’t  immediately clear, even to its sponsor.

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) said he’s “hopeful” that either his amendment on research into the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for active duty military members with PTSD, or a similar proposal from or Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)—both of which passed the House—will make it through the Senate.

• “I am not sure there’s serious opposition.”

Maryland elections officials certified the final text of the marijuana legalization referendum that will appear on the November ballot, and prepared a summary of its provisions.

New York regulators announced they will begin accepting applications for the first marijuana dispensary licenses—exclusively from people impacted by the war on drugs—in two weeks.

Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT) filed a new bill that would require the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to develop a program to prevent on-duty impairment from marijuana or other drugs by government employees.

/ FEDERAL

President Joe Biden issued a memo authorizing U.S. officials to continue intercepting and shooting down aircraft “reasonably suspected to be primarily engaged in illicit drug trafficking” in Colombia.

The Department of Veterans Affairs’s National Center for PTSD will host a lecture on “Legalized Cannabis and PTSD Treatment” on Wednesday.

New questions are being raised about how a Drug Enforcement Administration agent avoided trial and returned to work after fatally shooting a neighbor he said was trespassing on his land.

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) discussed marijuana banking legislation at an Independent Community Banks of North Dakota conference.

New York Democratic congressional candidates agreed on marijuana legalization during a debate.

Florida Democratic congressional candidate Cindy Banyai tweeted, “I support full cannabis decriminalization and expungement of records.”

/ STATES

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) signed a cannabis business and equity bill, but vetoed a section of the legislation that would have directed officials to study medical cannabis access for students in schools.

Florida Democratic agriculture commissioner candidate Ryan Morales spoke about his support for legalizing marijuana and psilocybin. Meanwhile, rival Democratic contender JR Gaillot tweeted, “I am the only candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture with a plan for the Cannabis and Hemp industry. I am not an ‘activist’, I am a Harvard educated professional.”

A Kansas senator said revised medical cannabis legislation could be filed as soon as November.

A Tennessee representative tweeted, “Cannabis reform-favored by 81% of Tennesseans, including both sides of the aisle. I have sponsored or supported legislation for medical cannabis and decriminalization of cannabis. We are keeping legitimate treatment from veterans, cancers patients, MS patients, and so many more. We are incarcerating people (racially disproportionately I will add) for  a plant that is legally sold in most of the country. This benefits no one except our private prisons (I should mention I also sponsored a bill for a moratorium on private prisons.) How is this radical?”

Alabama regulators approved medical cannabis rules.

Colorado regulators adopted emergency rules on marijuana business ownership and employees.

Michigan regulators published a bulletin on maximum THC concentrations for infused products.

Maine regulators issued guidance on allowable THC variance in edible cannabis products, delivery services and timing for implementation of batch tracking and final form testing, among other issues.

The Pojoaque pueblo in New Mexico opened the state’s first tribe-run marijuana dispensary.

Oregon regulators posted a summary of questions and answers from psilocybin services public listening sessions.

Kentucky’s Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee met.

U.S. Virgin Islands regulators are expected to post proposed marijuana rules on Friday.

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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

Gorham, New York voters overturned the Town Board’s ban on marijuana retail and social consumption businesses.

The Colorado Springs, Colorado City Council voted to place measures to allow and tax recreational marijuana businesses on the November ballot rather than immediately enact the reforms.

The Warren, Rhode Island Town Council approved an ordinance banning smoking marijuana in public spaces.

The Josephine County, Oregon Board of Commissioners voted to place a measure on the November ballot to ban psilocybin services businesses.

The Killeen, Texas City Council adopted explanatory language for a marijuana decriminalization initiative on the November ballot.

Dallas County, Texas’s district attorney spoke about his office’s decision not to prosecute most marijuana possession cases.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Ontario, Canada’s government-owned cannabis wholesaler temporarily capped the number of products that retailers can order in the wake of a cyberattack on a partner company.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “CBD is able to provide pro- and anti-inflammatory effects in isolated B cells and [peripheral blood mononuclear cells].”

A study concluded that decriminalizing drugs in New Jersey would result in “more than 1 billion dollars in anticipated savings.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll of UK adults found that they support decriminalizing cannabis, 45 percent to 43 percent, and back opening safe consumption sites for illegal drugs, 55 percent to 25 percent, but oppose decriminalizing other substances.

The president of the New Mexico Broadcasters Association authored a letter to the editor responding to criticism from prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana about legislation to allow cannabis ads on TV and radio.

The Los Angeles Times editorial board is criticizing Republican lawmakers for urging California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to veto a bill allowing safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.

The Albuquerque Journal editorial board is calling on New Mexico officials to work harder to deliver on promises of equity in the cannabis industry.

/ BUSINESS

Columbia Care is winding down operations in the UK and the rest of Europe, and will “refocus efforts on the U.S.-based business.”

TerrAscend Corp. reported quarterly net revenue of $64.8 million.

Schwazze reported $44.3 million in quarterly revenue.

Leafly Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $12.1 million.

Akerna reported quarterly revenue of $6.1 million and a net loss of $29.6 million.

/ CULTURE

Former basketball player Chris Webber launched a new cannabis brand.

Britney Spears is being accused of racism after naming only Black celebrities in a now-deleted Instagram post about marijuana use.

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