House defeats AOC psychedelics amendment (Newsletter: June 14, 2019)

Congressional report pushes feds on marijuana hiring policy; MS medical cannabis measure has 2/3 needed signatures; Updated cannabis banking report

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The House Rules Committee cleared an amendment from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) aimed at removing barriers to research on psychedelic drugs for a floor vote. However, a separate measure from Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) that would have shielded colleges and universities from losing federal funding for allowing medical cannabis on campus was blocked from advancing, despite prior pledges from Chairman James McGovern (D-MA) to allow marijuana amendments on the floor.

The House Appropriations Committee included language in a spending bill report urging the federal government to reconsider policies on “hiring and firing of individuals who use marijuana” in accordance with state laws.

Activists in Mississippi say they’ve already collected roughly two-thirds of the signatures they need to qualify a medical marijuana measure for the state’s 2020 ballot.

/ FEDERAL

The Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General reported that a senior Drug Enforcement Administration official “wasted and misused hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds and engaged in misconduct when he took actions to get his son and former colleagues contractor positions” and made “false entries about alcohol counseling” on a national security form.

The House Financial Services Committee released a more detailed report on marijuana banking legislation that includes the views of Republicans who argue the bill is being rushed to consideration without addressing their concerns.

The Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control will hold a hearing on international anti-drug efforts on Tuesday.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) spoke about his support for ending the war on drugs.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) tweeted, “I think a lot about the policies I support through the lens of family: – Ending the war on drugs helps keep families together…”

Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY) tweeted, “Proud to cosponsor @RepJeffries’ Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act, which would decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, help states expunge low-level marijuana convictions and allocate funding for minority & women-owned businesses. These measures are long overdue.”

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “Illinois is poised to become the 11th state to legalize marijuana with over 770,000 residents eligible to have their convictions removed.  Marijuana legalization is about racial justice.” He also tweeted, “Our fight to end the prohibition of marijuana must include: ✅ Expunging prior low-level offenses ✅ Making sure that communities of color are able to participate in the legal economy ✅ Investing revenue in the communities most affected by draconian drug laws”

Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) tweeted, “Had the distinct pleasure of meeting Dylan Williams, of Town Farm in #Ledyard, who is the first in CT to receive a permit to grow hemp through the #CT DoA’s new hemp licensing program. Thank you to Dylan & Town Farm for hosting me, and I’m excited for the opportunities ahead.”

/ STATES

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed a hemp legalization bill.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signed a bill creating a process to study the potential future legalization of medical cannabis and to renew the state’s limited CBD law.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed a bill changing marijuana tax rules. Separately, the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee held a hearing on cannabis regulations.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) reiterated that he wants lawmakers to legalize marijuana this year but that he doesn’t think it is “feasible.”

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) tweeted, “Believe it or not, Congress is acting on marijuana. It is time for the @councilofdc to push forward on our #SafeCannabis legislation!”

The Nevada treasurer’s office tweeted, “Our office is excited to launch this pilot program establishing a closed loop banking solution for Nevada’s marijuana industry. We’re hopeful that this program will improve public safety and increase accountability for the industry statewide.” Separately, a judge resumed hearings in a case challenging the state’s marijuana business license awarding process.

Florida’s agriculture commissioner created a new Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee. Separately, the state Board of Medicine approved forms for doctors to recommend smoking medical cannabis.

Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner published an op-ed about Hemp History Week.

The New Jersey Senate and Assembly approved legislation to expunge marijuana convictions. Meanwhile, lawmakers delayed consideration of a bill to expand the state’s medical cannabis program while they work out disagreements with Gov. Phil Murphy (D).

Ohio regulators will consider adding anxiety and autism spectrum disorders as medical cannabis qualifying conditions on Wednesday.

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/ LOCAL

Shelby County, Tennessee commissioners approved a resolution endorsing the decriminalization of marijuana.

The Cincinnati, Ohio City Council is expected to vote on a long-delayed marijuana decriminalization proposal on Wednesday.

The chairman of the New York City Council Justice System Committee is pressing Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) about whether he has a plan to reduce racial disparities in marijuana enforcement.

Los Angeles, California officials are being asked by a cannabis industry group to crack down on unlicensed marijuana businesses.

/ INTERNATIONAL

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she is unlikely to reveal how she will vote on next year’s marijuana legalization referendum.

Paraguay’s government held a meeting about crafting medical cannabis regulations.

/ ADVOCACY

The New York Farm Bureau endorsed marijuana legalization.

The Connecticut Democratic Party tweeted, “Democrats at home pave the way for a booming industrial hemp industry; @RepJoeCourtney pushes Washington towards bank reforms that will allow growers to deposit hemp proceeds. Hemp is a 21st-century business opportunity for Connecticut.”

Here’s a look at lobbying efforts by the financial services industry in support of congressional marijuana banking legislation.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “medical cannabis appears to be a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of fibromyalgia symptoms.”

A study revisiting prior research on state medical cannabis laws and opioid overdose deaths with new data concluded that “not only did findings from the original analysis not hold over the longer period, but the association between state medical cannabis laws and opioid overdose mortality reversed direction from −21% to +23% and remained positive after accounting for recreational cannabis laws.”

/ BUSINESS

Tilray, Inc. and its parent company Privateer Holdings, Inc. are entering a downstream merger through which the subsidiary will take over.

Kroger will begin selling CBD products in some stores.

Harborside began trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange.

Oklahoma retailers sold more than $23 million worth of medical cannabis products in May.

/ CULTURE

The head of the Tokyo Olympics warned that marijuana will be banned at next year’s games.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.