Military couldn’t test recruits for cannabis under approved bill (Newsletter: May 24, 2024)

Farm Bill hemp amendment; Lawmakers want DEA marijuana answers; Ted Cruz slams rescheduling; TX legalization poll; DE conversion licenses

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The House Armed Services Committee approved National Defense Authorization Act legislation that would block the military from testing recruits for marijuana, request an update on DOD psychedelics research and require a report on how many service members have been discharged due to cannabis.

The House Agriculture Committee approved a Farm Bill amendment to impose a wide-scale ban on hemp-derived cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC—with some industry advocates saying it could even federally criminalize many CBD products. The overall legislation also contains provisions to remove restrictions on certain hemp farmers and scale back the ban on industry participation by people with felony drug convictions.

Reps. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) and Ben Cline (R-VA) sent a letter demanding that Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Anne Milgram explain why she did not sign the marijuana rescheduling proposed rule and criticizing her for refusing to answer cannabis questions at a recent hearing.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) suggested during a hearing that rescheduling cannabis might lead to more people dying in car crashes from impaired driving.

• “The Biden administration, rather than working to keep our families safe on the roadways, has instead decreed that it will reclassify marijuana.”

A poll found that 60 percent of Texas adults support legalizing marijuana, including a plurality of Republicans—and that of those who are opposed to full legalization, 42 percent at least back decriminalizing cannabis possession.

The Delaware House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance and Commerce Committee approved a bill to let medical cannabis businesses convert to dual licensees that could serve both patients and recreational consumers—but only if they have a labor peace agreement and plan to support social equity.

The California Senate passed a bill to remove marijuana-related employment protections from people who work in certain law enforcement positions.

/ FEDERAL

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vice presidential running mate Nicole Shanahan has reportedly used psilocybin, cocaine and ketamine.

The Department of Veterans Affairs launched an internal “Psychedelic Charter” to devise a strategy for the deployment of psychedelic treatments for mental health disorders.

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) said in a Senate floor speech that “there are thousands of Chinese nationals that have come into my state that are working in illegal marijuana operations.”

Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) tweeted, “Honored to be recognized by Healing Breakthrough for championing veteran access to psychedelic-assisted therapies. These therapies can help us address PTSD and end the veteran suicide epidemic—so I’ll keep working with the PATH Caucus to get our heroes the care they’ve earned.”

Ohio Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno said he does not support legalizing marijuana but does back cannabis banking legislation.

/ STATES

New York’s attorney general secured a $15.2 million judgment against the owner of seven unlicensed marijuana dispensaries.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill to strengthen oversight of medical cannabis testing laboratories.

Massachusetts regulators are being sued by businesses that want to be able to transport marijuana to islands.

Washington State regulators are accepting public comments on proposed rules concerning the sale of cannabis waste.

Colorado’s Hemp Advisory Committee is seeking to fill six vacant seats.

New Jersey regulators posted an overview of medical cannabis’s role in treating anxiety.

Delaware’s top marijuana regulator is hosting social equity-focused technical assistance workshops 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.

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/ LOCAL

Cook County, Illinois officials launched a cannabis development grant program.

The Providence, Rhode Island City Plan Commission is proposing to increase buffer zones between schools and marijuana businesses in certain parts of the city.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis said his administration is only focused on legalizing medical cannabis and that the “jury remains out” on broader recreational marijuana legalization.

The Philippine House of Representatives gave second reading approval to a medical cannabis legalization bill.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that CBD “ameliorates PTSD-like symptoms by inhibiting neuroinflammation through its action on CB2 receptors in the brain of male mice.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll found that Tennessee voters support legalizing marijuana, 60 percent to 39 percent.

The National Association of Black Cannabis Lawyers is urging people to use the marijuana rescheduling public comment period to push for broader reform.

An attorney for the Alliance of Legal Cannabis Entities-DC sent a letter suggesting that landlords that rented to previously marijuana businesses may be responsible for providing compensation for “revenues illegally diverted” from licensed medical cannabis dispensaries.

/ BUSINESS

Akanda Corp. is moving to implement a 1-for-40 reverse stock split.

atai Life Sciences has two new board of directors members.

Washington, D.C. businesses sold $5.1 million worth of medical cannabis products in April.

/ CULTURE

Dr. Drew Pinsky said he has “very complicated” feelings about the federal marijuana rescheduling move.

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