Pennsylvania cannabis legalization could happen quick, lawmakers say (Newsletter: June 25, 2024)

NC medical marijuana; Rescheduling hearing push; LA gov signs cannabis & hemp bills; Dallas decrim; UN official: End drug war; DEA psychedelics suit

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The North Carolina Senate passed a bill to legalize medical cannabis—sending it to the House, where leadership says the measure cannot receive a floor vote until a majority of Republican members indicate support.

Bipartisan Pennsylvania lawmakers are signaling that a bill to legalize marijuana could advance imminently amid an added sense of urgency as more neighboring state cannabis markets come online—including in Ohio where provisional licenses are being issued.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) signed bills to decriminalize marijuana paraphernalia and regulate intoxicating hemp products.

Marijuana reform opponents, including former Drug Enforcement Administration heads, 18 Republican U.S. attorneys and various prohibitionist groups—along with some legalization supporters—are requesting a public hearing on the Biden administration’s cannabis rescheduling proposal.

Dallas, Texas activists submitted nearly 50,000 signatures to put a marijuana decriminalization initiative on the local November ballot.

The United Nations special rapporteur on the right to health published a report urging countries to end the war on drugs and “move toward alternative regulatory approaches that put the protection of people’s health and other human rights front and centre.”

A federal court dismissed a lawsuit challenging the Drug Enforcement Administration’s process for receiving expert input about its proposed ban of two psychedelics, with the judge saying plaintiffs failed to abide by a directive to secure legal counsel by a court-imposed deadline.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) said the state’s Cannabis Control Commission is in “crisis right now” and needs to go in “a different direction.”

• “And a change is in order. What that looks like, I’m not sure.”

/ FEDERAL

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that the Internal Revenue Service properly denied tax-exempt status to an ayahuasca church.

The Congressional Research Service published a report about a Supreme Court decision on when prior state drug convictions qualify as “serious” offenses when sentencing someone for unlawfully possessing a firearm.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) said he supports marijuana banking legislation but wants provisions to right “past wrongs” attached.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) said he is optimistic marijuana rescheduling will be finalized by the end of the year.

/ STATES

An Ohio representative said lawmakers should pass legislation to restrict delta-8 THC products.

A Massachusetts representative said allegations that a psychedelics activist impersonated a military veteran are “alarming, and if true, disturbing.”

A Utah senator spoke about the passage of his bill to create a pilot program to allow hospitals to administer psilocybin and MDMA as an alternative treatment option.

The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals dismissed a lawsuit challenging medical cannabis regulators’ business licensing process, but kept alive a separate case.

Minnesota regulators launched a system for verifying potential marijuana business license applicants’ social equity status.

Delaware’s top marijuana regulator said the state is hosting cannabis social equity workshops so applicants “don’t waste money and don’t get taken advantage of.”

Vermont regulators will consider recommendations for marijuana business licensure on Wednesday.

Nevada regulators will consider changes to marijuana packaging and labeling rules on Friday.

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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

The Las Cruces, New Mexico City Council heard testimony about U.S. Customs and Border Protection seizures of products from local licensed marijuana businesses.

/ INTERNATIONAL

A former Philippine senator who criticized the nation’s bloody “war on drugs” was acquitted of narcotics charges.

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice accused Catholic bishops of “misinformation” in comments about a case on marijuana possession.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study of animal stomachs found that “C. sativa and C. indica supplementation can modify ruminal fermentation, the concentrations of specific volatile fatty acids, and methane production.”

A review “shows the therapeutic efficacy of cannabis in managing neurological disorders such as epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, neurodevelopmental disorders, psychiatric disorders, and painful pathologies.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Idaho Democratic Party adopted a platform plank supporting legalizing medical cannabis.

The Democratic Governors Association tweeted, “This week, Gov. @IAmWesMoore pardoned 175,000 low-level marijuana convictions. This is a major step to heal decades of social and economic injustice that disproportionately harms Black and Brown Americans.”

The National Urban League cheered Gov. Wes Moore’s (D) mass marijuana pardon.

The Boston Globe editorial board said the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission “needs serious reform.”

/ BUSINESS

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. launched a new line of hemp-derived THC products that it is selling on an online storefront and via strategic partnerships through conventional retail and delivery in partnership with DoorDash.

A lawsuit accusing Glass House Brands of illegally selling marijuana outside of the licensed market is slated to be dismissed this week.

/ CULTURE

Football player Tae Hayes was arrested for marijuana possession in Alabama.

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