NC medical marijuana chances; NM psilocybin; US Embassy’s psychedelics warning; Study: Medical cannabis for cancer; NORML: push back on reform attacks
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The chair of the Ohio House Finance Committee filed a bill to alter the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law—but not as drastically as Senate-passed legislation would.
North Carolina’s new Republican House speaker said his chamber’s members could be more open to accepting a medical cannabis legalization bill sent over from the Senate this session than they have been in past years.
The New Mexico Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill to create a therapeutic psilocybin program by legalizing the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms for use in a supervised medical setting.
The U.S. Embassy in Peru is warning traveling Americans against using the psychedelic ayahuasca—saying it is “dangerous” and can cause “severe illness, including mental health episodes.”
A new study found that medical marijuana provides “significant improvements in cancer-related symptoms” but that “high out-of-pocket costs for cannabis may be especially burdensome among those already financially struggling, raising questions about affordability of and equitable access to this therapy.”
NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that “lawmakers from both parties are placing cannabis consumers in their crosshairs” with new bills to roll back legalization or enact huge tax hikes, and that it’s time to fight back.
The Idaho House of Representatives passed a resolution in support of a proposed constitutional amendment that would block voters from being able to legalize marijuana at the ballot by making it so only the legislature could end prohibition.
The Tennessee House Judiciary Committee approved a bill to tighten restrictions on intoxicating hemp products, including by removing them from convenience and grocery stores.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration Museum posted a video about material seized from a cross-border drug smuggling tunnel that it has in its collection.
A Department of Veterans Affairs official tweeted about a psychedelics chapter she co-wrote for a new book on the neurobiology of mental illness.
/ STATES
Texas Gov. Greg Abott (R) dodged a question about whether he supports Lt. Gov. Dan Partrick’s (R) push to ban consumable hemp products with any amount of THC.
A Nebraska senator authored an op-ed about the need to upload the will of voters who approved medical cannabis legalization ballot initiatives.
Maine lawmakers spoke in support of their legislation to require testing of medical cannabis products and set THC caps.
North Dakota lawmakers discussed their legislation to allow medical cannabis edibles.
Iowa regulators posted guidance for law enforcement about consumable hemp products.
California generated $219 million in cannabis revenue in the fourth quarter of 2024.
New Jersey regulators hosted a town hall meeting to receive input on how to allocate cannabis equity funding.
Alabama regulators will host several hemp program orientation sessions this month.
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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.
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/ LOCAL
Los Angeles, California regulators published an annual report on the city’s cannabis program.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A German Social Democratic Party official said the party would push to maintain the country’s marijuana law if it enters into a governing agreement with a conservative party that wants to repeal it.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study’s findings “support the potential of CBD in alleviating the underlying pathology and symptoms associated with” Alzheimer’s disease.
A study of mice found that “CBD alleviates oxidative stress in stress-induced liver injury, enhances mitochondrial morphology, and reduces liver damage.”
/ BUSINESS
AYR Wellness Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $114 million and a net loss of $164.2 million.
/ CULTURE
Bill Murray and Joe Rogan spoke about the passage of the Controlled Substances Act during the Nixon administration.
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