DEA announces cannabis hearing, delaying rescheduling until after election (Newsletter: August 27, 2024)

DEA: We can still enforce marijuana laws in legal states; NJ gov tours cannabis biz; CA “legacy cannabis”; Study: More delta-8 use in illegal states

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Drug Enforcement Administration has scheduled a public hearing on the Biden administration’s marijuana rescheduling proposal for December, meaning that the reform will not be enacted prior to the election.

A Drug Enforcement Administration spokesperson said the agency retains the right to arrest people over marijuana regardless of state legalization laws—though it’s “not our intent” to go after simple possession cases.

• “Can a student be arrested by a federal agent? Whether it’s FBI, DEA, HSI? Yes.”

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) incorrectly predicted that marijuana will be rescheduled “right before the election”—but said she’s not sure if former President Donald Trump will get on board with cannabis reform, adding that most politicians are “clueless” on the issue.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s (D) office posted a video of him visiting a marijuana business that has a strain named after him—which the governor said he is “honored” by.

A new $2.7 million research project funded by the California Department of Cannabis Control using marijuana tax revenue aims to “legally protect as intellectual property the individual and collective genetic resources of legacy cannabis breeders and legacy cannabis cultivation communities.”

A new study found “a statistically significant lower rate of ∆8-THC exposures reported to [poison centers] among states where medical or recreational cannabis use was legal than states where cannabis use was illegal.”

• “This is likely attributable, in part, to less market competition from ∆9-THC products in states where their use was illegal, and that ∆8-THC was likely being used as a substitute for ∆9-THC.”

The first state-sanctioned safe consumption site for illegal drugs in the U.S. is set to open in Rhode Island this fall.

/ FEDERAL

The U.S. Department of Agriculture posted a contract opportunity for a seed sorter that must have capabilities “unique to industrial hemp.”

Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) said he supports marijuana rescheduling but is “still looking at” cannabis banking legislation.

San. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) said it is “very appropriate” to reschedule marijuana.

/ STATES

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) provided an update on efforts to shutter unlicensed marijuana businesses.

The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals granted medical cannabis regulators’ request to be removed as a defendant in several lawsuits.

California regulators are readopting emergency rules allowing marijuana cultivation businesses to make changes to their licenses.

Michigan regulators will begin conducting surprise inspections of marijuana businesses on October 1.

Washington, D.C. officials are considering applications for grants to refund medical cannabis cultivation business licensing costs.

Oregon regulators launched a new daily report on psilocybin services licenses and worker permits.

Colorado regulators will host a stakeholder meeting on draft psychedelics fees on Wednesday.

Vermont regulators will consider recommendations for marijuana business licensure on Wednesday.

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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

San Antonio, Texas firefighters withdrew a proposal to remove marijuana metabolites from city drug testing amid labor contract negotiations.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review concluded that “compounds extracted from cannabis, such as cannabinoid (CB), cannabidiol (CBD), phytocannabinoid (pCB), and hemp seed hexane extracts (HSHE), have been shown to reduce skin inflammation, improve moisture retention exhibit strong antioxidant effects, and improve various skin conditions.”

A review concluded that “psilocybin was effective in improving depressive symptoms in over half of the included studies and reduced anxiety symptoms in patients with” major depressive disorder.

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The ACLU of Florida endorsed the marijuana legalization initiative on the state’s November ballot.

Prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana cheered the decision of ParkMobile to stop offering its customers a free gift of $50 in credit toward CBD and THC products.

/ BUSINESS

A former Long Island Rail Road worker who was reinstated after being fired for testing positive for marijuana is now suing for back pay.

Arkansas medical cannabis sales are down compared to last year.

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