Former Trump AG bashes cannabis rescheduling (Newsletter: September 6, 2024)

RFK hits Harris’s marijuana record; DEA wrong on THC-O, court says; Indian tribe cannabis sales launch; Study: CBD suppositories for menstrual pain

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Former Trump administration attorney general William Barr said the federal move to reschedule marijuana is “grossly irresponsible”—calling cannabis a “gateway drug” but ignoring his own former boss’s recent legalization endorsement.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted a video highlighting criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris’s prosecutorial record on marijuana now that he is endorsing former President Donald Trump.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled that the hemp-derived cannabinoid THC-O-acetate is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, rejecting the Drug Enforcement Administration’s position that it is a Schedule I controlled substance.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is set to launch the first legal recreational marijuana sales to adults over 21 within North Carolina—or any of its surrounding states—this weekend.

A new study shows that CBD vaginal suppositories “significantly reduced frequency and severity of menstrual-related symptoms,” “improved daily functioning” and led to lower use of painkiller drugs.

• “Vaginal suppositories can be an effective route of administration for cannabinoid-based therapies.”

Indigenous leaders launched a new campaign aimed at legalizing medical cannabis in Wisconsin.

/ FEDERAL

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted, “I am incredibly disappointed by the FDA’s decision to request an additional Phase 3 trial of MDMA-assisted therapy to treat PTSD, which will likely delay access to this potentially life-saving treatment by several years.”

/ STATES

New Hampshire Democratic gubernatorial candidates discussed their support for legalizing marijuana during a debate.

Minnesota’s lieutenant governor said the state’s acting top marijuana regulator is “doing an incredible job.”

A former Colorado Senate majority leader authored an op-ed urging Florida conservatives to support the marijuana legalization initiative on that state’s November ballot.

The Florida marijuana legalization campaign released a new ad featuring a mom and teacher who supports the reform on the November ballot.

New York regulators launched a new reporting tool to help marijuana businesses meet climate and sustainability goals.

Virginia regulators awarded conditional approval for a medical cannabis processor license to AYR.

Kentucky regulators received a total of 4,998 applications for medical cannabis business licenses.

Rhode Island regulators will consider a marijuana business licensing process on Friday.

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/ INTERNATIONAL

The Czech Republic’s former national anti-drug coordinator is leading a new campaign on the benefits of marijuana legalization.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study suggested that”route and CBD formulations affect its efficacy in the prevention of epileptic seizures,” and that “inhaled broad spectrum CBD showed a potential superior effect compared to other delivery routes and CBD formulations in the prevention of epileptic seizures.”

A study of rats concluded that the CBD medication Epidiollex “alleviates Gulf War Illness-linked cognitive and mood dysfunction, hyperalgesia, neuroinflammatory signaling, and declined neurogenesis.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Florida Sheriffs Association released a video ad on its concerns about the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.

The Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, Equitable Opportunities Now and other organizations are pushing Massachusetts regulators to investigate alleged marijuana licensing cap violations by owners of Ascend Wellness.

/ BUSINESS

Lykos Therapeutics has a new interim CEO.

The Apothecarium Dispensary workers in Salisbury, Maryland filed to form a union with United Food and Commercial Workers.

Ohio retailers sold $44 million worth of legal recreational marijuana products in the first month of sales.

/ CULTURE

Lady Gaga said she hasn’t smoked marijuana “in years.”

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