Senator wants marijuana research in infrastructure bill; CT equity panel approves drug war impact map; Record IL cannabis sales
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a report criticizing “arbitrary” THC limits on hemp and calling on the Food and Drug Administration to continue developing regulations to allow CBD products while enacting a policy of enforcement discretion in the meantime. The language is attached to new spending legislation, which also extends the hemp pilot program.
Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Brian Schatz(D-HI) are seeking to attach provisions to streamline marijuana and CBD research to the bipartisan infrastructure bill on the Senate floor this week. The Senate passed similar legislation late last year but it was not enacted. The new proposal is separate from the provisions already in the infrastructure measure to let scientists study dispensary cannabis.
Connecticut’s new marijuana Social Equity Council held its first meeting and approved a map of areas that have been disproportionately harmed by the drug war. It’s the first step toward licensing equity cannabis businesses.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation reported that the state set yet another monthly marijuana sales record in July. Retailers sold $127,794,220.50 worth of recreational cannabis products, with some citing Lollapalooza as a reason for a boost in sales to out-of-state consumers.
A former top Republican House Judiciary Committee staffer and the Natural Products Association authored an op-ed for Marijuana Moment calling on Congress to effectively regulate CBD in foods and dietary supplements now instead of waiting until comprehensive cannabis reform is ready.
/ FEDERAL
The National Institute of Justice tweeted, “An NIJ-supported study looked at how the legalization of marijuana had any influence on crime rates in Colorado and Washington. Results suggest that marijuana legalization and sales have had minimal to no effect on major crimes in Colorado or Washington.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “Americans want an end to marijuana prohibition. That’s why @SenBooker, @RonWyden, and I released our Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act to work to end the federal prohibition and undo the harms of the War on Drugs.”
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) sent a press release about the Senate Appropriations Committee approving his amendment on military veterans’ medical cannabis access.
Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) hosted a town hall to “discuss the threat from illegal marijuana cultivation in our communities,” which he called “a major crisis,” adding that he is “committed to doing all I can to shut these grows down.”
Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) authored an op-ed about efforts to combat illegal marijuana cultivation.
/ STATES
Ohio’s attorney general rejected the ballot summary for a proposed marijuana legalization initiative.
An Arizona judge dismissed a petition to expunge a marijuana record because it could not be proven that the weight of the cannabis involved was low enough for it to be eligible.
A Pennsylvania court ruled that workers who are fired for medical cannabis use have a right to sue.
Oregon regulators are being sued by a hemp grower for alleged failure to issue registrations.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council approved rules for legal medical cannabis on the Qualla Boundary, located within North Carolina.
Illinois regulators held a lottery for marijuana social equity business licenses.
Washington State regulators sent an enforcement bulletin on the conversion of CBD to delta-9-THC.
Michigan regulators published a list of approved active ingredients for marijuana growers.
New Mexico regulators will hold a public hearing on draft marijuana rules on Friday.
Alabama’s Medical Cannabis Commission will hold its first meeting on Thursday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,200 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
The New Orleans, Louisiana City Council approved measures to end penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana and pardon approximately ten thousand cannabis convictions and pending cases.
The Evanston, Illinois Reimagining Public Safety Committee discussed decriminalizing drugs.
A San Francisco, California supervisor plans to file a resolution calling on the mayor to declare a state of emergency on the overdose crisis and authorizing safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.
The Sioux Falls, South Dakota Planning Commission recommended the city approve restrictive medical cannabis zoning rules.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Victoria, Australia Legislative Council’s Legal and Social Issues Committee published a report calling on the government to consider the impacts of legalizing marijuana, but the premier rejected it.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested there is “no pharmacological difference in vitro in the antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, or permeability effects of purified natural versus synthetic CBD.”
A study found that “cannabis potency may be increasing faster in states with [medical marijuana laws] or [recreational marijuana laws] than in other states,” though the policies “have not impacted prevalence in adolescents but have consistently been shown to increase rates of adult non-medical use and [cannabis use disorder].”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that 73 percent of Utah voters support federal legislation to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.
The Colorado Springs Gazette editorial board is supporting a proposed statewide ballot measure to increase marijuana taxes to fund education programs.
The Associated School Boards of South Dakota created a sample medical cannabis policy for schools.
The Citizens Alliance of Mississippi is pushing lawmakers to sign a pledge to support a free market medical cannabis program.
/ BUSINESS
Hawthorne Gardening Company signed an agreement to acquire Hydro-Logic Purification Systems, Inc.
Prohibition Holdings Ltd acquired Business of Cannabis.
The executive chairman of Emerald Health Therapeutics Inc. was arrested and charged with securities fraud.
22nd Century Group, Inc. will begin trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on August 16.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. launched a new brand portfolio.
Tilray, Inc. released a new line of medical cannabis edibles in Canada.
Victory Hemp Foods raised roughly $4.5 million in capital to expand production capacity.
/ CULTURE
Former football player Calvin Johnson spoke about his marijuana company Primitiv.
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