California gov’s hemp & marijuana amendment gets pushback (Newsletter: August 12, 2024)

V.A. cannabis clarification; OR marijuana labor measure on ballot; MD gov on cannabis banking; MA psychedelics; Poll: Olympian drug use

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Department of Veterans Affairs posted a reminder that its doctors are still prohibited from recommending medical cannabis to veterans even as Ohio’s adult-use sales launch—at least as long as marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law.

Oregon’s secretary of state certified that United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 union organizers submitted enough valid signatures to put an initiative to mandate marijuana businesses to enter into labor peace agreements on the November ballot.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) signed a veterans-focused bill containing provisions to create a psychedelics working group that will be charged with making recommendations on the therapeutic benefits of substances like psilocybin and MDMA.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said he will keep pushing for “a sane and a standard federal policy” on marijuana—including banking access for cannabis businesses—as his state’s market continues to grow.

The California Senate Appropriations Committee is expected on Monday to take up an amendment from Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) that would fold hemp products into the marijuana supply chain—a change advocates say could upend the industry.

A new poll finds that two in three Americans think Olympic athletes should be able to use marijuana without facing penalties—a higher percentage than those who support letting Olympians use alcohol or tobacco without punishment.

A scientific review on using medical marijuana to treat Tourette syndrome found “promising and potentially effective outcomes with the use of cannabis-based medicine in mitigating the severity of tics and premonitory urges.”

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission granted cultivation licenses to two companies after an administrative law judge recommended reversing earlier denials.

A Former Minnesota Democratic political operative agreed to pay $1.2 million to settle a lawsuit brought by two South Dakota cannabis companies and their investors that accused him of fraud.

/ FEDERAL

The Food and Drug Administration rejected an application to approve MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD.

Rep, Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) criticized the Food and Drug Administration’s rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy.

The House bill to federally legalize marijuana got one new cosponsor for a total of 94.

The House bill to encourage the Department of Veterans Affairs to study medical cannabis got one new cosponsor for a total of 11.

/ STATES

Former Minnesota Gov.Jesse Ventura spoke about how incumbent Tim Walz, now the Democratic vice presidential candidate, invited him to the signing ceremony for a marijuana legalization bill.

A Nebraska senator said legalizing marijuana should be included in a property tax relief plan.

California regulators issued a recall of marijuana products due to the presence of aspergillus.

Missouri regulators issued a recall of marijuana products that were not compliantly tracked.

Some Tennessee marijuana convictions could be overturned due to questions about the reliability of police testing methods.

Alaska regulators filed proposed changes to rules on operating plan requirements for marijuana business license applicants.,

Iowa regulators filed revised consumable hemp product rules.

Massachusetts marijuana regulators in charge of licensing and testing have left their jobs.

Ohio regulators sent out tips about responsible cannabis use.

The Oregon Hemp Implementation Rules Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday.

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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 Mohave County, Arizona Board of Supervisors voted to use nearly $110,000 in medical cannabis revenue to fund mental health services.

The Louisville, Kentucky Metro Council approved medical cannabis business location rules.

A Los Angeles County, California civil grand jury issued a report criticizing local marijuana business licensing.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The Netherlands’s justice minister reported that cannabis cultivators are having trouble meeting regulation standards.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study indicated that “CBD possesses neuroprotective properties that significantly counteract the neurodevelopmental impairments induced by neonatal hypoxia in rats.”

Researchers “developed and optimized an effective protocol for in vitro flowering and seed production in cannabis, potentially providing a platform for sterile cannabinoid production and an efficient tool for breeding programs.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Boston Globe editorial board is calling on Massachusetts officials to better oversee marijuana testing.

/ BUSINESS

Canopy Growth Corporation reported quarterly net revenue of C$66.2 million and a net loss of C$127.1 million.

TILT Holdings Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $26.6 million and a net loss of $35.9 million.

Leafly Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $8.7 million and a net loss of $1.3 million.

Lykos Therapeutics said it “intends to pursue all available regulatory pathways to expeditiously” get MDMA approved following the Food and Drug Administration’s rejection of its application.

Eaze Technologies Inc. is being sued by a shareholder.

Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc. announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of common shares.

/ CULTURE

An investment company representing 2 Chainz filed a lawsuit over an alleged cannabis business investment scam.

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