Senator aids psychedelic church’s fight with DEA & IRS (Newsletter: January 10, 2022)

KY medical cannabis bill filed; MS senator brings hemp to marijuana meeting with gov; CA spends $100M on marijuana cannabis grants for cities

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Anti-drug Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) has been helping an Iowa church that wants to incorporate the psychedelic brew ayahuasca into its ceremonies—the Iowaska Church of Healing—with legal fights against the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.

A Kentucky Republican representative filed a medical marijuana bill that’s been revised from past versions in an attempt to win support—or at least remove hostile opposition—from legislative leaders so that it can pass this year.

A Mississippi senator brought hemp to a meeting with Gov. Tate Reeves (R) to help assuage the governor’s concerns about medical marijuana possession limits.

• “I took samples to show him what an ounce actually looks like—what 3.5 grams actually looks like.”

California regulators awarded $100 million in funding to help local governments develop the legal marijuana market by processing business licenses.

/ FEDERAL

A federal judge dismissed a Washington State marijuana dispensary’s racial discrimination lawsuit against state and federal officials.

Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) criticized Democratic leaders for not advancing cannabis reform legislation.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) authored a Wall Street Journal letter to the editor about her marijuana legalization bill.

Florida Democratic Senate candidate Allen Ellison tweeted, “Not only should we legalize cannabis across the country, we should tax the sale of it and pay for higher education.”

Kentucky Democratic congressional candidate William Compton tweeted, “Along with the revenue we can generate by legalizing Marijuana, we should not have someone go to jail for Marijuana. In congress, I will fight to legalize Marijuana nationwide.”

/ STATES

Rhode Island’s House speaker said a new marijuana legalization bill should be released in the next 30-45 days.

New Jersey’s Senate president said he doesn’t think home cultivation of marijuana will be legalized “any time soon.”

South Carolina’s Senate majority leader indicated a medical cannabis bill will be considered soon, saying, “I don’t know where the votes will be, but we all agree it’s time to have a debate and move on.” And another senator said he expects the legislation to be one of the first brought up in the new session.

The Wisconsin House State Affairs Committee approved a kratom regulation bill.

Mississippi lawmakers are expected to consider a medical cannabis bill this week. One senator wants pharmacists to be involved in distributing marijuana.

The Virginia legislature’s Cannabis Oversight Commission will meet on Monday.

Kansas House Democrats tweeted, “House Democrats want Kansans like YOU to decide if Kansas should expand Medicaid and legalize marijuana. Contact your #ksleg-legislator TODAY and tell them you want to vote on issues that affect your life and your health.”

A Florida senator filed a marijuana legalization bill and companion tax legislation.

An Indiana representative filed a medical cannabis bill.

A Maryland senator tweeted, “Legalizing marijuana is not about easing access to personal indulgence, it’s about creating equality.”

The Illinois Supreme Court is being asked by a marijuana business to let regulators name the winners of new craft grower licenses.

New York regulators filed proposed cannabinoid hemp rules. Separately, the Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking certified hemp sampling agents.

The Utah Peace Officer Standards & Training Council voted to make it so cadets applying to be emergency dispatchers will not have to undergo a waiting period if they’ve used marijuana in a place where it’s legal.

Ohio regulators received nine petitions to add new medical cannabis qualifying conditions.

Oregon regulators are conducting a survey on interest in accessing psilocybin services and related issues.

Vermont regulators will consider marijuana issues on Monday.

The Washington State Cannabis Science Task Force will meet on Monday.

—
Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 900 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 Kent, Ohio City Council is moving to place a marijuana decriminalization measure on the November ballot.

Long Beach, California’s mayor tweeted, “In Long Beach we legalized cannabis before the state. We created a regulatory framework and taxed products and production. It’s time to legalize weed across the country.”

Oakland, California officials will discuss loan and grant programs for cannabis equity businesses on Tuesday.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Appointments for first-dose COVID vaccinations in Quebec, Canada spiked after the government announced the shots would be required to enter marijuana dispensaries and liquor stores.

The Australian government is funding clinical trials on psilocybin, CBD, DMT and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy to treat debilitating mental illness.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “t​​wo years after legalization in Canada, the price of dried flower from legal sources decreased, along with a greater percentage of consumers purchasing from legal sources than after one year.”

A study suggested that “MDMA/ecstasy and psilocybin use is associated with lower risk of depression.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The American Medical Association said expanding medical marijuana research will be a topic of discussion at its conference next month.

The Kentucky Democratic Party tweeted, “Democrats are heading to work every day this session committed to fighting for you. Health care, voting rights, universal pre-K, medical marijuana and much more: @GovAndyBeshear, @KYSenateDems and @KYHouseDems are prioritizing the issues Kentuckians care about.”

/ BUSINESS

Columbia Care Inc. is commencing a solicitation of consents from noteholders.

Ayr Wellness sent an update on its stock repurchase program.

Swade Cannabis workers in St Louis, Missouri are seeking to organize a union.

/ CULTURE

Filmmaker Kevin Smith posted about running into his daughter at a marijuana dispensary.

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