Legalization doesn’t increase youth cannabis use, fed study finds (Newsletter: November 25, 2022)

ID 2024 medical marijuana push; Feds outline psychedelic research priorities; SD hunting licenses for medical cannabis patients

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Idaho activists launched a signature drive to place a medical cannabis legalization initiative on the state’s 2024 ballot.

The National Institute of Mental Health filed a notice laying out its priorities for psychedelic research—including limitations for animal-based research and rules for trials involving children.

A new federally funded study found that legalizing marijuana “was not significantly related” to “the probability or frequency of self-reported past-year cannabis use” by adolescents and that “youth who spent more of their adolescence under legalization were no more or less likely to have used cannabis at age 15 years than adolescents who spent little or no time under legalization.”

• “Findings are not consistent with changes in the prevalence or frequency of adolescent cannabis use after legalization.”

A South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department official said medical cannabis patients won’t be denied state hunting licenses despite the federal prohibition on gun purchases by people who use marijuana.

/ FEDERAL

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is amending its drug testing requirements.

/ STATES

A New Hampshire representative became the new advisory board chair for the New Hampshire Cannabis Association.

The Michigan Court of Appeals upheld a judge’s dismissal of a lawsuit a marijuana business filed against Easton Township over the denial of a license.

Rhode Island’s top marijuana regulator spoke about the impending launch of legal recreational sales.

Missouri regulators outlined the process for medical cannabis businesses to convert to comprehensive licenses to serve the recreational market.

Hawaii’s Dual Use of Cannabis Task Force will meet on Monday.

The Oregon Task Force on Cannabis-Derived Intoxicants and Illegal Cannabis Production will meet on Monday.

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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.

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/ LOCAL

Mobile, Alabama’s City Council debated whether medical cannabis businesses should be allowed.

Stearns County, Minnesota’s attorney expressed opposition to marijuana legalization, saying she doesn’t “see anything good coming out of making more people potheads.”

/ INTERNATIONAL

Canadian federal officials appointed members to an expert panel charged with reviewing the country’s marijuana law.

Romanian lawmakers hosted a debate on medical cannabis legalization.

A European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction official gave a talk on “emerging changes in Europe’s cannabis situation.”

Members of the UK Home Affairs Committee visited Scotland as part of an inquiry into drug policy.

Thailand’s Department of Medical Services published medical cannabis guidelines.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review demonstrated “the neuroprotective effect of cannabidiol, highlighting its general mechanism of action and disease-specific pathways in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).”

A study found that “depression is a risk factor for cannabis-related [emergency department] visits” but that “cannabis legalisation did not further elevate the risk among individuals diagnosed with depression.”

/ BUSINESS

Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc announced changes to its board of directors.

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