Cannabis businesses file federal lawsuit appeal (Newsletter: September 11, 2024)

Harris pushed on marijuana by West; Feds discuss psychedelics; TX candidate smokes bong in ad; Biden clemency push; Study: Cannabis for arthritis

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Lawyers for marijuana companies that are suing to block enforcement of federal prohibition against their state-legal activities filed an opening brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Independent presidential candidate Cornel West is calling on Vice President Kamala Harris to not only “follow through” on marijuana legalization but also decriminalize psychedelics to treat mental health and addiction issues.

Federal officials with the Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs spoke at an event focused on new treatments for PTSD, including therapies involving psychedelics, MDMA, ketamine and other drugs.

Texas Democratic House candidate Sally Duval smokes marijuana from both a bong and a joint in a new campaign ad detailing her support for legalization.

The Last Prisoner Project launched a new effort—#Countdown4Clemency—to pressure President Joe Biden to release federal marijuana prisoners before he leaves office.

A new study published by the American College of Rheumatology found that more than 6 in 10 patients with rheumatic conditions like arthritis reported substituting medical cannabis for other medications—”including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (54.7%), opioids (48.6%), sleep aids (29.6%), and muscle relaxants (25.2%).”

• “The primary reasons for substitution were fewer adverse effects, better symptom management, and concerns about withdrawal symptoms. Substitution was associated with…significantly higher symptom improvements (including pain, sleep, anxiety, and joint stiffness) than nonsubstitution.”

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

New Mexico regulators ordered a recall of cannabis products that tested positive for a prohibited pesticide.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has conducted dozens of inspections looking for intoxicating hemp-derived THC edibles at retailers across the state.

/ FEDERAL

The Drug Enforcement Administration posted a prohibitionist organization’s analysis of cannabis-related poison center calls for children in Missouri.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) called marijuana legalization a political “bazooka.”

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) said “it should be a powerful signal to the rest of the Republican party when even Donald Trump can get on board” with marijuana reform.

/ STATES

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) and the attorney general launched a joint task force to combat the spread of unregulated psychoactive cannabis products. Meanwhile, the secretary of state, defended his decision to reject emergency rules to implement the governor’s executive order banning intoxicating hemp products.

Texas’s lieutenant governor is directing the Senate State Affairs Committee to examine issues related to THC beverages during the legislative interim.

Florida’s first lady tweeted, “Amendment 3 creates a permanent, constitutional right to possess over 100 joints at a time and SMOKE ANYWHERE in Florida—even public places where it could more easily fall into the hands of children. What’s more, it creates a monopoly & blanket legal immunity for big weed corporations who spent $60+ million to write and get Am. 3 on the ballot.” Separately, the campaign working to defeat the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot released its first ad.

Massachusetts’s treasurer fired the state’s top marijuana regulator over alleged “gross misconduct.”

A federal judge said that a Texas law regulating social media “fails to define key categories of prohibited topics,” suggesting that “content related to marijuana use might be prosecuted as ‘glorifying’ ‘substance abuse,’ even if cigarette and alcohol use is not.”

Oregon regulators are asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that aspects of the psilocybin services program discriminate against disabled patients.

New York regulators approved additional marijuana business licenses and advanced a proposal to relax distance requirements between dispensaries.

Vermont regulators are launching a series of on-demand training videos for marijuana business licensees.

The Alaska Marijuana Control Board will meet on Wednesday and Thursday.

Colorado regulators will host a stakeholder meeting about revisions to marijuana rules on Thursday.

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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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/ INTERNATIONAL

Thailand’s deputy prime minister said he is confident the government will continue pushing legislation allowing medical cannabis use.

A lawsuit surrounding the U.S. visa status of UK’s Prince Harry and his past drug use has been terminated.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “decriminalization of drug possession was not associated with an increase in fatal drug overdose rates in Oregon in the 2 years after its enactment.”

A study found that “cannabidiol exhibits potent anti-cancer activity against gemcitabine-resistant cholangiocarcinoma.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Florida Young Republicans endorsed the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.

Former Republican political operative Stuart Stevens suggested that former President Donald Trump may have received campaign contributions from “those who are very invested in the marijuana business” surrounding his endorsement of cannabis reform.

The Hawaii Alliance for Cannabis Reform published a voter guide ahead of the state’s general election.

The Kansas Cannabis Justice Coalition released a list of state legislative candidates it is endorsing.

/ BUSINESS

Vangst is acquiring GreenForce.

Cornbread Hemp is launching what it says is the first U.S. Department of Agriculture certified organic THC edible.

Meta Platforms Inc. is asking a federal judge to dismiss former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s (R) lawsuit alleging it allowed ads falsely claiming he endorsed CBD products to be displayed.

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