Prohibition blocks cannabis studies, federal health officials say (Newsletter: August 5, 2024)

Schumer to DEA: Reschedule now; Study: Legalization not driving teen marijuana use; OH sales this week; Cannabis in sports; FL oppo; MA psychedelics

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

A new report from the Department of Health and Human Services says that federal laws prohibiting marijuana “hinder our ability to fully understand” the therapeutic potential of cannabis, arguing that researchers should be able to study products from state-legal dispensaries.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and five other senators sent a letter calling on the Drug Enforcement Administration to “promptly finalize” federal marijuana rescheduling, saying it will create “significant benefits to public health, research, business, and Americans harmed by the lasting effects of our punitive drug policies.”

A new federal study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration shows that teen marijuana consumption has declined significantly since states started legalizing cannabis for adults—contrary to prohibitionist claims that youth use would skyrocket.

The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control announced that it will allow recreational marijuana sales to begin on Tuesday, and several companies said they have been told that their formal certificates of operation will be issued imminently.

The head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency criticized the World Anti-Doping Agency’s “unfair” and “disappointing” decision to continue punishing Olympic athletes for marijuana use, saying it was made in a “very closed-door process.”

Billionaire Ken Griffin, CEO of the Citadel hedge fund, is donating $12 million to the campaign to defeat the marijuana legalization initiative on Florida’s November ballot.

Massachusetts lawmakers sent Gov. Maura Healey (D) a veterans-focused bill containing a provision to create a psychedelics working group that will be charged with making recommendations on the therapeutic benefits of substances like psilocybin and MDMA.

The New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board is investigating possible police misconduct during a recent raid on an allegedly unlicensed marijuana retailer.

NORML’s Paul Armentano argues in a new op-ed that “Reefer Madness”-minded members of Congress need to evolve on marijuana policy just like Vice President Kamala Harris did and the majority of American voters have.

/ FEDERAL

President Joe Biden said he’s “not giving up” on trying to free U.S. citizen Marc Fogel, who is jailed in Russia for possessing medical cannabis.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) said an amendment to ban most consumable hemp products is “un-American.”

The House marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor for a total of 128.

/ STATES

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) tweeted, “Adult-use recreational marijuana is legal in Missouri through authorized, licensed dispensaries. However, there are currently no federal or state standards regarding hemp-derived compounds. We are taking actions to protect Missouri kids!”

A New York senator is raising concerns about marijuana-impaired driving, saying that the state “rushed through legislation to legalize” cannabis.

An Ohio representative said he doesn’t think the State Fair will feature marijuana in the near future.

An Alabama judge is considering a motion to amend a temporary restraining order so that regulators can issue a company’s medical cannabis license.

The California State Fair’s marijuana consumption and purchase area saw more than 100,000 visits.

Washington State regulators filed proposed rules on THC products and on the cannabis social equity program.

The Minnesota Cannabis Expungement Board’s executive director discussed ongoing efforts to expunge felony marijuana records.

Maine’s top marijuana regulator spoke about the early work of the new Cannabis Hospitality Task Force.

Oregon regulators are accepting applications to serve on the Psilocybin Advisory Board.

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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

A former New York City undersheriff filed a lawsuit alleging that he was improperly stripped of duties for raising concerns that raids against unlicensed marijuana retailers were illegal.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The Philippine solicitor general said officials won’t stop International Criminal Court personnel from interviewing people as part of a probe of the nation’s bloody “war on drugs.”

North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany officials have received 43 applications for cannabis social clubs in the first four weeks of accepting proposals.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “addition of oral THC:CBD was cost-saving for refractory chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting despite guideline-consistent anti-emetic prophylaxis, supporting its use in clinical practice and reimbursement by funders.”

A study found that “cocaine and benzoylecgonine were detected in Brazilian Sharpnose sharks.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll found that likely Republican primary voters in Florida’s 72nd House district found that they oppose the marijuana legalization initiative on the state’s November ballot, 57 percent to 43 percent.

/ BUSINESS

SNDL Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$228.1 million and a net loss of C$5 million.

Compass Pathways plc reported a quarterly net loss of $38.1 million.

Aurora Cannabis Inc. entered into a commercial collaboration with Cogent International Manufacturing Ltd.

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