PA banking bill signed; DEA faces new psilocybin court battle; Medical marijuana gun rights lawsuit revised; CA sustainable cannabis growing grants
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
North Dakota activists submitted what they believe are more than enough signatures to place a marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) signed a marijuana banking and insurance bill into law.
The Drug Enforcement Administration may soon find itself in court again in the next procedural step in a doctor’s effort to provide his terminally ill patients `with access to psilocybin-assisted therapy.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is also running as a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, has amended her lawsuit on medical cannabis patients’ gun rights to make new arguments in light of a recent Supreme Court decision on the Second Amendment.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife awarded more than $1.7 million in grants to help promote sustainable marijuana cultivation practices and assist growers with obtaining their annual licenses.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture posted short podcasts about hemp pest management strategies.
Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) tweeted, “It’s well past time to end the racist and predatory war on drugs. We have a majority — and it’s time to use it.”
Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) sent a statement supporting an amendment from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) to require the military to study the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin and MDMA.
Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Charles Booker tweeted, “Cannabis should be legal. Rand Paul should be retired. We’ll make both happen. Good afternoon.”
/ STATES
A spokesperson for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) criticized the cannabis stock holdings of Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is also a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, saying she is “pushing her own interests ahead of what’s best for the people of Florida.”
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) boasted in a tweet that the state has “chile, recreational cannabis, and paid leave too!”
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) tweeted, “Effective immediately, under the new law, residents over 21 no longer need a doctor’s recommendation for a medical marijuana patient card, which was required to enter and make purchases at one of the city’s seven medical marijuana dispensaries.”
Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Perez, a former U.S. secretary of labor and Democratic National Committee chairman, tweeted, “I was proud to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with leaders in the Black community—and became the first candidate in this race to do it. Among other items, a Perez-Sneed administration will ensure that cannabis tax revenue is distributed to minority communities most impacted.”
Colorado’s treasurer tweeted, “We will [be] advocating to allow our legal cannabis businesses to participate in the federal banking system.”
An Oklahoma representative spoke about his concerns with legalizing marijuana and said he thinks voters will defeat the reform on the ballot in November.
Illinois regulators are facing 11 new lawsuits challenging the state’s marijuana business license application process.
The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development plans to publish a solicitation for a marijuana revenue-funded community reinvestment grants program next month.
Washington State regulators published guidance for outdoor cannabis producers.
Oregon regulators are conducting a survey about the cash payment process for marijuana taxpayers.
Connecticut’s Social Equity Council is set to review marijuana business license applications on Tuesday.
Maine regulators are holding marijuana stakeholder outreach sessions across the state.
Vermont regulators will review recommendations for marijuana social equity approval and business licensure on Wednesday.
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/ LOCAL
The Deschutes County, Oregon Board of Commissioners will hold a hearing on a potential measure to ban psilocybin services businesses on Wednesday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The UK’s foreign secretary is currently reviewing whether proposed cannabis legislation in Bermuda can be given royal assent to become law.
Germany’s drug commissioner is calling for a debate on potential THC caps for legal marijuana.
Thailand’s Department of Health warned outlets selling cannabis-infused foods or beverages to apply for permission from local authorities. Separately, the industry minister said the government wants to make the country a regional manufacturing center for hemp products in the next five years.
Canadian officials’ decision to reject healthcare professionals’ applications to use psilocybin in order to train to administer it to patients is being challenged in court.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of young adults with cancer who use cannabis found that “more frequent consumption was associated with greater perceived improvement in certain symptoms.”
A study found that “the use of medical cannabis among patients with musculoskeletal conditions effectively reduced pain levels.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party tweeted, “If you want adult-use cannabis legalized in Minnesota, vote DFL. It’s just that simple.”
The National Industrial Hemp Council published a request for proposals under a Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program it was awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service to conduct a regulatory and management assessment in Europe.
/ CULTURE
Snoop Dogg posted a photo of “Sleepy Joe OG” cannabis packaging that makes fun of President Joe Biden.
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