Senate recognizes marijuana’s medical use; Feds’ cannabinoid meeting; Slovenia legalization on ballot; NJ psilocybin; VA cannabis policy for veterans
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
New Hampshire House and Senate negotiators reached a deal on a marijuana legalization bill. The final proposal will head to the floor of both chambers for up-or-down votes by a June 13 deadline before potentially going to the desk of Gov. Chris Sununu (R).
The Senate unanimously passed a resolution condemning Russia’s incarceration of U.S. citizen Marc Fogel over cannabis—pointing out that he “did not wish to use opioids to manage his pain and was instead prescribed medical marijuana for pain management.”
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health hosted a meeting where representatives of several federal agencies discussed marijuana science with a focus on the potential of cannabinoids and terpenes to treat pain—but a Drug Enforcement Administration official who was scheduled to speak did not show up.
Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) sent a letter calling on Veterans Affairs Sec. Denis McDonough to rescind his department’s directive blocking VA doctors from issuing medical cannabis recommendations to military veterans in light of a pending federal marijuana rescheduling move.
Voters in Slovenia will decide on marijuana legalization and medical cannabis ballot referendums when they head to the polls on Sunday.
The New Jersey Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee approved a revised psilocybin bill after adopting an amendment to remove provisions that would have more broadly legalized the psychedelic for adults in order to instead focus exclusively on therapeutic access.
A new Washington State law that took effect on Thursday exempts medical cannabis patients from the state’s 37 percent marijuana excise tax when purchasing products that meet certain higher testing standards.
Louisiana lawmakers passed legislation making big changes to the state’s medical cannabis and hemp laws this session—including measures to privatize medical cannabis cultivation and restrict intoxicating hemp-derived products.
/ FEDERAL
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tweeted, “MDMA treatment for PTSD and other mental illnesses has a big drawback — a single treatment is effective. That means small profit potential compared to lifetime treatment with conventional pharmaceuticals. Maybe that’s why an FDA advisory committee shot it down. One of the committee members actually works for Johnson & Johnson.”
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) pressed Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray about Chinese-backed illegal marijuana grow operations in the U.S.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) tweeted, “I helped introduce legislation that would finally decriminalize cannabis nationwide and help set us on a safe and responsible pathway to legalization. It’s past time the federal government catches up to WA state when it comes to cannabis laws—& this bill will help us get there.”
Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), currently running for Senate, tweeted, “The Biden-Harris Administration recently took major steps to reclassify marijuana as a schedule III substance. Like the President says, this is a big deal.”
Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT) joked during a contentious hearing with Attorney General Merrick Garland that she understands why some people want to use cannabis gummies even though she doesn’t partake herself.
Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) tweeted that a Food and Drug Administration panel’s rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy “was a poor decision & a step in the wrong direction. I’ll never stop advocating for innovative solutions for our veterans and service members.”
/ STATES
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed a bill to streamline marijuana regulations.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council, located within North Carolina, approved recreational marijuana sales rules.
A new Mississippi law allowing patients to pick up their supply of medical cannabis once a month rather than every seven days goes into effect on July 1.
California regulators are extending a public comment period on a draft environmental impact report for the licensing of commercial cannabis cultivation in Mendocino County and will hold another meeting about it on June 20.
The Missouri State Auditor’s Office said it will be reaching out to marijuana businesses as part of an audit of the medical cannabis program.
The Illinois Medical Cannabis Advisory Board will meet on Monday.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 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 York City Council’s Finance and Oversight and Investigations Committees will hold a hearing on implementation and enforcement of cannabis laws on September 17.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A Netherlands government commission recommended allowing MDMA therapy.
Canadian regulators issued a notice about a recall of cannabis products due to the “presumed presence” of hexahydrocannabinol.
Luxembourg’s Ministry of Health will be seeking a new medical cannabis supply contractor.
A Philippine representative said he believes that a bill to legalize medical CBD will pass this session.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “cannabinoids could be potential new candidates for the treatment of paclitaxelinduced peripheral neuropathy.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The American Veterinary Medical Foundation published an overview of the implications of marijuana rescheduling.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation established an at-the-market equity program allowing it to issue and sell up to $250 million worth of shares.
The owner of Relief Choices LLC was sentenced to federal prison after being convicted of evading income taxes, failing to file an income tax return and obstructing an Internal Revenue Service audit.
Missouri retailers sold $123.7 million worth of legal marijuana products in May.
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