Dem congresswoman unsure about cannabis legalization in Florida (Newsletter: August 23, 2024)

NY gov touts “smokin’ hot” marijuana sales; NE hemp & CBD tax killed; Dr. Oz: give cannabis a try for pain; Study: endometriosis & marijuana

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL) told Marijuana Moment she’s not sure how she will vote on the cannabis legalization initiative on Florida’s November ballot—saying she’s concerned about impaired driving but admitting the campaign has “very good commercials.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) touted the state’s “smokin’ hot” marijuana sales, noting that consumers have purchased an “all-time high” of more than half a billion dollars worth of legal cannabis since the market launched.

Nebraska lawmakers removed a proposed tax on consumable hemp and CBD products from a property tax relief bill before sending the final version to Gov. Jim Pillen (R), who signed it into law.

Former Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz is advising patients 65 and older whose doctors recommend medical cannabis for pain to “give it a try.”

A study of women with endometriosis found that “cannabis was rated as the most effective self-management strategy to reduce symptom intensity”—and that “the greatest improvement was observed in sleep (91%), menstrual pain (90%), and non-cyclic pain (80%).”

• “Additionally, ~90% of the participants were able to decrease their pain medication intake.”

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) criticized the secretary of state for refusing to sign off on an emergency rulemaking process to implement the governor’s executive order to ban unregulated intoxicating hemp products.

The South Dakota Legislature’s Rules Review Committee approved a nearly 70 percent increase to medical cannabis business licensing fees.

/ FEDERAL

Former President Donald Trump’s campaign published a memo that criticizes the Manhattan, New York district attorney for moving to “cease prosecutions of most trespassing cases, resisting arrest, prostitution, drug dealing (marijuana), and more.”

The Department of Justice’s inspector general concluded that one of the most prolific federal narcotics prosecutors in the U.S. misused his position when he handed his business card to police investigating his involvement in a hit-and-run car crash while he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

The Drug Enforcement Administration promoted an article about the so-called “ketamine crisis.”

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) said he hopes marijuana rescheduling will happen in a “timely fashion.”

Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) discussed her support for marijuana banking legislation.

/ STATES

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signed emergency medical cannabis rules.

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

Missouri regulators posted guidance on marijuana product recalls, administrative holds and packaging and labeling requirements.

Illinois regulators published guidance on updated excise tax rates and fees for cannabis cultivation.

Utah regulators published guidance on the verification system for out-of-state medical cannabis patients.

Washington State officials awarded $29 million in grants to organizations focused on helping people acquire and secure assets like homes and property “as part of a broader effort to support communities disproportionately affected by systemic racism during the war on drugs.”

The Minnesota Cannabis Advisory Council met.

—
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 Burleigh County, North Dakota sheriff discussed concerns about the marijuana legalization initiative on the state’s November ballot.

Colorado Springs, Colorado activists turned in what they say are enough signatures to put a question about allowing recreational marijuana sales on the November ballot.

The Sacramento, California City Council’s Law and Legislation Committee paused a proposal to increase the maximum number of marijuana dispensaries.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Pakistan’s government will allow hemp cultivation beginning in January 2025.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “residents of socioeconomically advantaged neighborhoods were more likely to live in jurisdictions allowing retail cannabis commerce than those in disadvantaged neighborhoods.”

A study looking at differences between people who buy marijuana through the legal and unregulated markets found that “dispensary purchasers appear to exhibit lower rates of certain drug use compared to non-dispensary purchasers, specifically the use of cigarettes, cocaine, and methamphetamine.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll of Republican voters in Florida’s 72nd House district found that they oppose the marijuana legalization initiative on the state’s November ballot, 57 percent to 43 percent.

The Colorado Springs Gazette editorial board criticized new state psychedelics rules.

/ BUSINESS

Verano Holdings Corp. closed its acquisition of three subsidiaries of The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc.

Dutchie launched an integration with BioTrack Florida.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.