GOP-led committee demands cannabis rescheduling explanation (Newsletter: July 11, 2024)

Hawaii gov signs expungements bill; Illinois $1B marijuana sales; Legal cannabis tied to less intimate partner violence; Kansas medical marijuana

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The House Appropriations Committee is directing the Biden administration to produce a report explaining its marijuana rescheduling decision, saying it is “concerned” about “deviations” in the review process as well as the “mental health hazards” of high-potency cannabis.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) signed a bill to create a Clean Slate Expungement Task Force that is expected to formulate a framework to provide relief to people with marijuana and other convictions.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced that retailers in the state have already sold more than $1 billion worth of legal marijuana products so far in 2024.

A new study found that “legalization of recreational marijuana results in a substantial decrease in rates of intimate partner violence,” suggesting that cannabis “could be acting as a substitute for other substances that have a stronger impact on rates of IPV, like alcohol and illicit drugs.”

The Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council approved a request to schedule two days of hearings on medical cannabis during the legislature’s interim period.

Members of the Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Policy discussed the state inspector general’s proposal to place the Cannabis Control Commission under receivership during a hearing.

Kora DeBeck of Simon Fraser University and Perry Kendall of the University of British Columbia argue in a new op-ed that drugs need to be legalized “if we are serious about stopping the crisis of drug overdose deaths,” saying that regulation “is the most promising way to keep our kids and communities safe.”

/ FEDERAL

The Drug Enforcement Administration sent an email about “National Marijuana Facts Week.”

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) cited President Joe Biden’s marijuana pardons as an example of things he has done for the Black community.

The House bill to encourage the Department of Veterans Affairs to study marijuana got one new cosponsor for a total of 10.

/ STATES

A Pennsylvania senator tweeted, “Cannabis is a multibillion dollar industry and it’s time for Pennsylvania to get in the game. Whether It’s SB846, HB2210 or HB2500 my colleagues and I are fighting for equity and social justice in the cannabis industry.”

Florida’s marijuana legalization ballot initiative campaign got another $1 million donation from Trulieve.

New York regulators approved additional marijuana business licenses and changes to rules on marketing.

California regulators executed a new marijuana track and trace contract with METRC.

The Connecticut Social Equity Council’s executive director resigned amid controversy.

The Colorado Department of Transportation posted an article about the effects of lesser-known cannabinoids on driving ability.

Minnesota regulators will open the cannabis business license preapproval window for applicants who have been verified to meet social equity eligibility requirements on July 24.

Arkansas regulators will consider a medical cannabis business’s relocation request next month.

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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

New York City officials are urging a federal judge to reject a request for an injunction against their enforcement efforts against unlicensed marijuana businesses.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Thailand’s deputy prime minister is criticizing the government’s plan to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic.

The Czech Republic’s top drug official, who championed cannabis legalization, has resigned under pressure.

Berlin, Germany officials are squabbling over who is responsible for issuing licenses to cannabis clubs.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that cannabis “extracts have the potential to be used as effective treatments for a variety of diseases associated with acute inflammatory responses.”

A review concluded that “basic science, preclinical, and clinical studies support the influence of psychedelics on all 3 core domains of addiction, comprising negative emotionality (including depression and anxiety), incentive salience (including craving and compulsive use) and executive functioning (including impulsivity and cognitive flexibility).”

/ BUSINESS

Canadian officials fined WeedMD’s founder $350,000 for allegedly disclosing confidential information about the company’s expansion plan to a friend who engaged in insider trading.

Rank Really High launched a digital marketing platform for cannabis dispensaries.

High Tide Inc. shareholders elected board of directors members.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.