WI gov pushes Congress on hemp; VA marijuana sales bills advance; CT psychedelics; WA medical cannabis in hospitals
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Free to read (but not free to produce)! We’re proud of our newsletter and the reporting we publish at Marijuana Moment, and we’re happy to provide it for free. But it takes a lot of work and resources to make this happen.
If you value Marijuana Moment, invest in our success on Patreon so we can expand our coverage and more readers can benefit: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) sent a letter urging the state’s congressional delegation to work to prevent the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products, saying the need for action is “further intensified by the fact that Wisconsin has not enacted legislation legalizing medical or recreational marijuana, despite multiple attempts by my administration to do so.”
A poll of Massachusetts residents found that they overwhelmingly oppose a proposed ballot initiative to roll back the state’s marijuana legalization law, 63 percent to 20 percent.
The Virginia House of Delegates and Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee approved bills to legalize recreational marijuana sales, moving the chambers closer to negotiations on a final version to send to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).
The Washington State Senate Ways & Means Committee approved a bill to allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes and hospices.
The Connecticut legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Health approved a bill to expand the state’s psychedelics pilot program to allow all adults who meet clinical eligibility criteria can participate, instead of just veterans, retired first responders and direct care health care workers.
Gennaro Luce and Matthew Myro Rothman of CannaLnx argue in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that rescheduling won’t stabilize the industry unless it is accompanied by “clear federal guidance on reimbursement pathways, claims administration and benefit integration” for medical cannabis.
/ FEDERAL
A former Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs and the Office of Legal Policy official authored an op-ed about a case before the Supreme Court on cannabis consumers’ gun rights.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats criticized President Donald Trump for pardoning former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández for drug charges while at the same time conducting deadly military strikes on suspected drug boats.
The Food and Drug Administration Division of Applied Regulatory Science noted some of its cannabis research projects in an annual report.
/ STATES
The Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus included cannabis legalization in its policy agenda.
Alaska lawmakers are considering legislation to revise marijuana taxes.
Vermont regulators took action on hemp-derived ingredients, product formulation requirements, labeling standards and packaging waivers.
Missouri regulators published guidance on infused marijuana prerolls and infused flower.
Ohio regulators published guidance on cannabis weekly inventory report requirements.
Washington State published guidance on cannabis transport manifests.
The California Legislative Analyst’s Office published an update on cannabis tax revenue.
Michigan regulators filed a complaint against a marijuana business over alleged violations.
—
Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of 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.
—
/ INTERNATIONAL
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country is not waging a “war on drugs” even as it ramps up military operations against cartels.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “CBD engages the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and related receptors to preserve epithelial barrier integrity, regulate gut microbiota composition, and modulate intestinal oxidative stress and inflammation.”
A study found that “mystical experiences – particularly experiences of unity, sacredness, and transcendence – during psilocybin sessions are associated with greater [obsessive-compulsive disorder] symptom reduction.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana launched an ad campaign urging Virginia lawmakers not to legalize recreational marijuana sales.
/ BUSINESS
Verdant Partners is acquiring the retail operations of Native Roots.
PAX released a newly redesigned cannabis dry herb vaporizer.
/ CULTURE
Ethan Hawke spoke about how his first acting award he ever won was a bong from High Times.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Max Jackson.
Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.
