FL will legalize cannabis, GOP congressman says (Newsletter: June 11, 2024)

HHS sec on DEA rescheduling reluctance; Slovenia voters approve marijuana on ballot; NY cannabis farmers markets; NFL THC lawsuit; DEA psychedelics

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said his department “did our job” with a marijuana rescheduling recommendation, but suggested that Drug Enforcement Administration officials are not on board with the move.

• “Let’s be real: You can’t incarcerate your way to a solution here. You can regulate it.”

Slovenia voters approved marijuana legalization and medical cannabis ballot referendums.

Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) is predicting that Florida voters will approve a marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot—though he is less optimistic about the prospects for achieving federal reform, including cannabis banking legislation, ahead of the election.

Leaders of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies are trying another route of banning most consumable hemp-derived cannabinoid products such as delta-8 THC by attaching the same language that was inserted into the Farm Bill to separate must-pass spending legislation.

New York lawmakers sent Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) legislation to reinstate marijuana farmers markets across the state with a new cannabis growers showcase permit.

Football player Randy Gregory is suing the NFL and the Denver Broncos over fines he faced for testing positive for THC due to a prescribed cannabinoid medication, which he says he needs to treat anxiety, PTSD and pain as an alternative to opioids and benzodiazepines.

The Drug Enforcement Administration formally canceled a scheduled Monday administrative hearing on its proposed ban of two psychedelic compounds as the constitutionality of the scheduling process is being challenged in federal court.

Marijuana rolling paper company DaySavers announced it will pay people $4.20 to “smoke joints for science” as part of a study on how different cultivation and processing practices affect cannabis consumers’ smoking experiences.

Missouri court clerks are struggling to wade through decades of records as they work to expunge marijuana convictions under the state’s voter-approved legalization law, even as deadlines to finish the job have already passed.

A woman is facing a potential 30-year prison sentence in Minnesota for possessing eight ounces of bong water used to smoke meth, which state law considers the same as eight ounces of pure methamphetamine.

/ FEDERAL

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein is being asked by the Federal Election Commission to explain a $300 payment her campaign made to the First Church of Cannabis.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health tweeted, “The cannabis plant contains more than 100 different cannabinoids. Some evidence suggests that cannabis and cannabinoids may be modestly helpful for chronic pain and multiple sclerosis symptoms.”

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) said he would like to get a marijuana banking bill “across the finish line.”

Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Hill Harper criticized rival contender Rep, Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) for not cosponsoring a federal marijuana legalization bill, though she did vote for it.

/ STATES

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) made new leadership appointments at the Office of Cannabis Management.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) toured a hemp farm.

Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura said he plans to launch pre and post-workout cannabis products.

Connecticut’s consumer protection commissioner thanked the Medical Marijuana Program Board of Physicians for voting to approve female orgasmic disorder and autism spectrum disorder as medical cannabis qualifying conditions.

Colorado regulators issued guidance and a checklist about cannabis reduced testing allowance privileges.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s Seed Equity Grant Program graduated 48 entrepreneurs from the Cannabis Technical Assistance Program.

Washington, D.C. regulators will begin accepting applications for a final round of medical cannabis business licenses on July 1.

Nevada regulators will host webinars on the application process for a cannabis establishment license in White Pine County on Thursday and on July 10.

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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

Oakland, California officials will host a cannabis equity stakeholder meeting on Tuesday.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Nepal’s deputy prime minister committed to drafting regulations for a feasibility study on the cultivation of medical cannabis.

British Columbia, Canada’s premier said he disagrees with the provincial health officer’s support for legalizing drugs.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study concluded that “although showing no advantage over placebo with respect to improving total symptom distress, a 1:1 THC:CBD medicinal cannabis oil resulted in a statistically significant improvement in cancer-related pain at the expense of increased psychomimetic toxicity.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America tweeted, “Not all wounds are visible, and treatment for those wounds is not one size fits all. IAVA supports alternative therapies for veterans, including rescheduling cannabis and researching the use of psychedelics. For PTSD Awareness Month, let’s fight together to help those suffering.”

S3 Collective formed a new governmental advisory committee that includes former state marijuana regulators.

/ BUSINESS

C21 Investments Inc. closed its acquisition of a marijuana dispensary in South Reno, Nevada.

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. closed on the acquisition of a property in Ocala, Florida and entered into a lease with a subsidiary of AYR Wellness Inc.

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. is partnering with TerraCycle on a new cannabis packaging recycling initiative.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.