Psychedelics decrim qualifies for DC ballot (Newsletter: August 6, 2020)

Canada issues legal psilocybin exemptions for patients; #3 House Dem talks marijuana; AZ gov files argument against legalization measure

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) took to the Senate floor to bash House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) recent comment about marijuana as a “therapy that has proven successful” amid the coronavirus debate.

• “I hope she shares her breakthrough with Dr. Fauci.”

Canadian Health Minister Patty Hajdu granted the right to legally use psilocybin mushrooms to cancer patients who had applied for an exemption.

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) sat down for a cannabis chat with an executive at Canopy Growth Corp.

• “Decriminalization carries the day in the caucus,” the 3rd-ranking House Democrat said.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) and other officials filed voter guide arguments against a marijuana legalization measure that’s likely to be on the state’s November ballot.

• “We know from states that have fully legalized marijuana that it has real consequences: more deaths on highways caused by high drivers, dramatic increases in teen drug use, and more newborns exposed to marijuana.”

/ FEDERAL

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ruled that state drug law violations don’t necessarily trigger deportation for immigrants with green cards.

Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) and 31 cosponsors filed a bill to lift the federal ban on people with felony drug convictions from being able to use Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits through December 2022.

Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) and other senators wrote a letter pressing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the U.S. response to human rights violations in the bloody Philippine “drug war.”

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) tweeted, “Americans need real solutions to get through this pandemic, not @SpeakerPelosi’s liberal wishlist. When a coronavirus relief bill mentions marijuana more times than jobs, it cannot be taken seriously.”

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) tweeted, “The House may have passed the HEROES Act, but it’s nothing more than a long list of liberal priorities that have nothing to do with #COVID19 – like tax breaks for the rich & marijuana subsidies. We need to stay in session & pass REAL relief for Texans.”

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) tweeted a meme about “when people want to legalize cannabis without ensuring restorative justice for those unfairly impacted by the failed war on drugs.”

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) touted marijuana and psychedelics policy victories in House-passed spending legislation.

Delaware Democratic Senate candidate Jess Scarane tweeted, “I will fight to legalize cannabis at the federal level, release people in…jail because of marijuana, expunge records, and ensure communities most affected by the war on drugs are the ones that benefit from legalization tax revenue.”

Texas Democratic congressional candidate Julie Oliver tweeted, “End the federal prohibition on marijuana, expunge the records of low-level drug offenders, and make sure that those most targeted by the war on drugs have equitable  access to a cannabis industry that will pump billions in revenue into the Texas economy.”

/ STATES

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed a hemp bill into law.

Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “It has been 314 days since Governor Tom Wolf and I called on the legislature to immediately decriminalize marijuana and work on legislation to legalize. We need action now.”

Illinois’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “Everyone can play a role in the fight for #justice—even you!  Volunteer to review #R3 grant applications to make sure adult-use cannabis tax revenue is reinvested in communities most harmed by the War on Drugs.”

New Hampshire Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andru Volinsky spoke about the economic potential of legalizing marijuana.

Texas regulators are now accepting applications for licenses to manufacture or sell consumable hemp products.

California regulators published guidance on the use of pesticides on marijuana.

Colorado regulators are seeking nominations for people to serve on the Hemp Advisory Committee.

Nevada regulators will consider a proposed settlement in a case challenging the state’s marijuana business license awarding process on Friday.

Oklahoma regulators released an updated list of licensed medical cannabis testing labs.

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/ LOCAL

Portland, Maine officials argued in federal court that Acreage Holdings can’t pursue a lawsuit against the city’s marijuana business ownership residency policy due to ongoing national prohibition.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Thailand’s cabinet approved a policy allowing patients and healers to grow cannabis.

The UK Food Standards Agency is co-hosting a webinar on the approval process for CBD products on August 18.

Canadian regulators provided a marijuana licensing update.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “overall teen marijuana use decreased or remained stable following legalization.”

A review concluded that “cannabinoids have incredible potential as antineoplastic agents as experimental models demonstrate that they can reduce tumor volume and [aberrant crypt foci] formation.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Marijuana Policy Project sent letters urging President Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to support cannabis reform.

/ BUSINESS

MedMen Enterprises Inc. announced that former basketball player Al Harrington joined its board of directors.

Organigram Holdings Inc. launched three new strains.

New Mexico dispensaries sold $92 million worth of medical cannabis products in the first six months of 2020.

/ CULTURE

“The Next Marijuana Millionaire” is a new reality TV show.

Former model Kathy Ireland responded to a question about whether she smokes marijuana, tweeting, “Great question. Nope. Am too much of a control freak. Let’s separate  CBD from THC. Have seen great CBD results in skin care, stress relief, nutrition. Anecdotal results for pain, nausea, seizures and more from physician prescribed THC. So much to learn about these therapies.”

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.