Fetterman’s marijuana petition; Trump pushes death penalty for drug sellers; PA legalization; NJ home grow; Study: Cannabis for weight loss
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…
Your good deed for the day: donate to an independent publisher like Marijuana Moment and ensure that as many voters as possible have access to the most in-depth cannabis reporting out there.
Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
President Donald Trump reiterated his support for using the death penalty on people who sell illegal drugs—calling it a “very humane” policy— and said the government will spend hundreds of millions of dollars on an advertising campaign about “how bad drugs are,” predicting it will lead to a 50 percent reduction in drug use.
House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) filed a bill to continue blocking marijuana businesses from taking federal tax deductions under the 280E penalty—even if cannabis is rescheduled—and he could seek to attach it to must-pass budget legislation.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) is asking supporters to sign a petition in support of federal marijuana legalization—saying that “full legal weed means more justice, more jobs, and more freedom.”
Pennsylvania State Police and Department of Health officials said at House and Senate hearings that they’re prepared to implement marijuana legalization if it is enacted and that they’re eager to work with lawmakers to craft the details of the legislation.
Dozens of New Jersey cannabis business leaders are pushing lawmakers to let marijuana consumers grow their own at home—starting with medical cannabis patients—and some candidates in this year’s gubernatorial election agree.
A new study found that using the marijuana components THCV and CBD every day is “associated with clinically significant weight loss, decreases in abdominal girth, systolic blood pressure, and total and LDL cholesterol.”
The director of the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation said during a meeting with marijuana microbusiness owners that “we’re never going to get this market fully built out” if officials can’t root out predatory practices from the licensing process.
The Last Prisoner Project’s Stephanie Shepard argues in a new op-ed that Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) has another chance to “correct a grave injustice” by signing a bill to provide resentencing relief for people with marijuana convictions after vetoing similar legislation last year.
/ FEDERAL
White House Pardon Czar Alice Marie Johnson discussed her plans for the new role.
/ STATES
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) tweeted, “Let’s not kid ourselves. Pennsylvanians who want to buy adult-use cannabis are just driving across the border to one of our five neighboring states where it’s legal. Up to 60% of the customers at those stores just over the border are Pennsylvanians, and we’re losing out on an industry that will bring in $1.3 billion in new revenue to our Commonwealth. Let’s work together — Republicans and Democrats alike — and legalize adult-use cannabis.”
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) said Congress’s interference with the city’s ability to regulate cannabis is “dangerous.”
North Carolina’s attorney general is facing a civil rights complaint over the state’s cannabis enforcement practices.
New Jersey’s Senate president filed a bill to recriminalize buying marijuana from unlicensed sources. Separately, regulators will host hearings about how to allocate cannabis social equity funds on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Indiana’s House minority leader said Democrats will continue to push to legalize medical cannabis despite the Republican majority killing reform bills this session.
The Idaho House State Affairs Committee approved a legislation to require that any measure to legalize a drug get two-thirds supermajority support in the legislature to be enacted.
The Washington State House Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a hearing on a bill to license marijuana consumption areas and events.
Colorado regulators issued health and safety advisories about marijuana products found to have artificial ingredients and with yeast, mold and aspergillus above acceptable levels.
The California State Auditor issued a report and recommendations about cannabis business licensing.
Arkansas regulators are extending a contract with BioTrack THC to run the state’s medical cannabis track and trace system.
—
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
New Zealand’s minister for regulation announced a review of “outdated and burdensome regulations” on hemp.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of rats found that “CBD reduces lung damage in lung contusions caused by blunt chest trauma through its anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects.”
A review highlighted the “growing potential of psychedelic therapy in treating [substance use disorders] pertaining to alcohol, tobacco, and cocaine dependence.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Heritage Foundation published a post calling on the Trump administration to “overhaul drug policies and strengthen America’s commitment to reducing and delegitimizing drug use.”
/ BUSINESS
Missouri marijuana businesses are being targeted by apparent phishing scams.
/ CULTURE
Woody Harrelson and Joe Rogan discussed their support for marijuana legalization.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
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.
