Congress advances state cannabis protections (Newsletter: June 29, 2022)

DC approves medical marijuana self-certify without doctors; WA drug decrim effort stalls; Nancy Mace talks legalization; FL awards student hemp essays

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to protect all state, territory and tribal marijuana programs from federal interference.

The Washington, D.C. Council passed a bill to let people self-certify as medical cannabis patients, without a doctor’s recommendation—effectively circumventing Congress’s rider blocking the legalization of recreational marijuana sales in the nation’s capital.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) spoke to Marijuana Moment about what it means that she prevailed in her Republican primary despite attacks over her cannabis reform advocacy—and what comes next for her legalization bill in Congress.

Washington State activists are giving up on an effort to place a drug decriminalization initiative on the November ballot—even as a new poll shows strong voter support for the measure.  Their focus now is on pressuring lawmakers to act in 2023.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried—also a Democratic gubernatorial candidate—announced the winners of a state student essay contest on hemp innovation. The 5th-to-11th-grade entrants were asked to come up with new hemp-based inventions.

Great Falls, Montana’s ban on recreational marijuana businesses is being challenged with a new lawsuit.

/ FEDERAL

Officials with the Congressional Budget Office and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality spoke on a panel about “the relationship between recreational marijuana laws and use of opioids.”

Customs and Border Protection touted that it seized more than 99,000 pounds of marijuana during the first eight months of Fiscal Year 22.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “There’s no reason why marijuana should be more heavily regulated than oxycontin, an opioid that has killed tens of thousands of Americans.”

Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) tweeted about a new Minnesota law on cannabis products, saying, “These regulations provide important legal clarity for both small businesses producing cannabis products and for the consumers using them. We still need to legalize it – but, in the meantime, these are important first steps.”

/ STATES

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelley (D) and the state attorney general are being sued by delta-8 THC seller who says state law is being “intentionally misapplied” to prosecute businesses like his.

The North Carolina House of Representatives tabled an amendment to keep hemp legal after the current expiration date passes at the end of this month.

The New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee approved a bill to allow small cannabis businesses to qualify for state economic incentives.

The California Legislative Analyst’s Office published an annual report on tax exemptions for donations of medicinal cannabis.

New York regulators began accepting applications for conditional adult-use marijuana processor business licenses.

Colorado regulators published a bulletin about a Drug Enforcement Administration letter on the legality of cannabis seeds.

Connecticut regulators will consider medical cannabis issues at a meeting on July 22.

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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

The San Diego County, California Board of Supervisors voted to put a marijuana business tax measure on the November ballot.

The New York City Council’s Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection held a hearing on the cannabis licensing process.

Here’s a look at the implementation of a New Orleans, Louisiana policy to pardon marijuana convictions.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Pakistan’s Ministry of Science and Technology is forming an authority to regulate cannabis farming. The secretary of the ministry said the country can generate $8 billion in revenue within four years with the crop.

Indonesian lawmakers are considering legalizing medical cannabis.

Guernsey’s Home Affairs Committee president is voicing concerns about cannabis reform.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “CBD and CBG are effective anti-cancer agents against [cholangiocarcinoma], capable of inhibiting the classic hallmarks of cancer.”

A study concluded that “although no significant association was observed between cannabis use and respiratory-related ER visits or hospitalisations, the risk of an equally important morbidity outcome, all-cause ER visit or hospitalisation, was significantly greater among cannabis users than among control individuals.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A Leafly analysis suggests that the reported phenomenon of fentanyl-laced marijuana is a “myth.”

/ BUSINESS

Canopy Growth Corporation reached a settlement in a lawsuit that Rémy Cointreau filed against the company over its Quatreau line of beverages.

/ CULTURE

Joy Behar suggested that Russian officials may have planted cannabis vapes on American basketball player Brittney Griner.

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