Nixon admitted cannabis isn’t dangerous in newly discovered tape (Newsletter: September 16, 2024)

Senate marijuana vote this week; FDA on seizing cannabis products; NE medical marijuana; PA legalization; CA hemp lawsuits; Record cannabis sales

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

President Richard Nixon admitted in a newly unearthed White House recording that marijuana is “not particularly dangerous”—undermining his and subsequent administrations’ decisions to classify it in Schedule I.

Food and Drug Administration Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods James Jones said at a congressional hearing that the agency has the power to seize cannabis-infused foods and drinks, but it usually just sends warning letters to companies instead.

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has scheduled a vote for Wednesday on a bill to protect people from being denied federal employment or security clearances over past marijuana use. The “DOOBIE Act” is sponsored by the panel’s chairman.

Nebraska’s secretary of state certified two medical cannabis legalization initiatives for the November ballot—but they are facing new legal challenges, including from the attorney general who is alleging petition fraud. If either of those efforts succeed, votes might be blocked from being counted after Election Day.

Bipartisan Pennsylvania lawmakers filed a new marijuana legalization bill as part of a stepped-up push to enact reform as a growing number of neighboring states see the benefits of legal cannabis sales.

Hemp and CBD industry advocates are threatening to file lawsuits against California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) emergency rules banning hemp products with any “detectable amount of total THC.”

At least six states saw record-breaking monthly marijuana sales in August, according to new data posted by officials in Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri and New York.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed a bill to restrict sales of intoxicating hemp products, even as he said some of its provisions are flawed.

NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano notes in a new op-ed that Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump both “wisely see advocating for marijuana policy reform as an opportunity to connect with a wide range of potential voters.”

/ FEDERAL

A top operative behind former President Donald Trump’s new World Liberty Financial crypto project previously served time in prison for selling marijuana.

The Drug Enforcement Administration highlighted a study suggesting higher rates of youth death by suicide in states with legal recreational or medical marijuana.

/ STATES

Massachusetts’s treasurer appointed a new acting chair of the Cannabis Control Commission.

The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals rejected regulators’ motion to dismiss legal challenges to their medical cannabis business licensing process.

The Kansas Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case on whether police can use the smell of marijuana as reasonable suspicion to conduct a search on Tuesday.

California regulators announced a recall of marijuana products due to the presence of the pesticide chlorfenapyr.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested a paid petition circulator on charges of fraud related to a proposed marijuana legalization initiative that is different from the one on the November ballot.

Washington, D.C. regulators have only one marijuana inspector.

Ohio regulators posted updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.

Georgia regulators will consider medical cannabis production business license renewals on Wednesday.

The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday and on November 13.

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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

The Boston, Massachusetts Cannabis Board will meet on Wednesday.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Pakistan’s National Assembly passed a cannabis regulation bill.

Italian lawmakers approved legislation to ban the sale of so-called “cannabis light.”

The Western Australia Legislative Council approved a motion calling for a review of industrial hemp laws and regulations.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review concluded that “the use of cannabis for endometriosis-related pain holds significant promise for addressing the often-debilitating comfort experienced by those with this condition.”

A review of studies on veterinary medical cannabis use concluded that “short-term use of phytocannabinoid products appears generally safe, but further research is required to understand the routes of administration, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics across various species.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll found that North Carolina voters support legalizing medical cannabis, 70 percent to 16 percent.

/ BUSINESS

Acreage Holdings, Inc. entered into an amended and restated credit agreement with a subsidiary of Canopy Growth Corporation and a third-party lender.

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of $1.90 per share.

/ CULTURE

Whitney Cummings joked about why she quit using marijuana.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.