FL ballot restrictions could hurt legal marijuana push; Federal psychedelic report; NH psilocybin vote; Oprah on psychedelics; Study: CBD dentures
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A new poll of Canadian adults shows that they believe legalizing marijuana to be former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s greatest success—and that it was the only policy of his government to receive majority support.
The Government Accountability Office published a report noting that psychedelics have “promising medical applications” but that their ongoing federal Schedule I status poses “challenges” to research.
The New Hampshire House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee unanimously approved a bill to decriminalize psilocybin—removing the threat of jail time for possessing or using the psychedelic.
The Florida House Government Operations Subcommittee approved a bill to impose significant restrictions on the ability to put initiatives on the ballot—a plan that could impair efforts to let voters decide on marijuana legalization next year.
Oprah Winfrey noted a “shift” in attitudes toward psychedelics in recent years—saying that “something is happening in the culture” to make people more accepting, but added that she personally “would be afraid of having a psychotic break” and “losing my mind” if she tried them.
A new study funded by the Canadian government found that CBD-coated dentures are “effective in eradicating all the pathogens on their surface,” highlighting the cannabis component’s potential for “reducing dental biofilms and plaque formation, and improving oral health outcomes.”
The Kentucky Senate passed a hemp beverages bill with an amendment that removes its initially proposed temporary ban on the products and replaces it with language that will instead regulate them.
The Georgia Senate passed legislation to expand access to medical cannabis and to restrict intoxicating hemp-derived products.
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission published a report revealing a lack of diversity among leadership of the state’s marijuana industry despite a mandate to ensure full participation from communities disproportionately harmed by the war on drugs.
Here’s a look inside the first state-sanctioned safe consumption site for illegal drugs operating in the U.S., run by Rhode Island’s Project Weber/RENEW.
/ FEDERAL
Pardon Attorney Elizabeth Oyer was fired.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a sources sought notice for impaired driving countermeasures technical assistance, noting that “drug-impaired driving is growing in prevalence and concern due to a national opioid epidemic, states legalizing cannabis to varying degrees, and the widespread use of prescription medications.”
Rep. GT Thompson (R-PA) paid tribute to Drug Policy Alliance staffer Grant Smith, who recently passed away, in a House floor speech.
/ STATES
Texas’s attorney general suggested he supports medical use of cannabis by veterans.
The Oregon Senate passed a bill to require that at least one of the nine Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission members hold a marijuana producer, processor, retail or wholesale license.
The Missouri Senate Families, Seniors & Health Committee held a hearing on a bill to legalize certain therapeutic use of psilocybin by military veterans.
The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals ended a temporary restraining order that has prevented regulators from carrying out the medical cannabis business licensing process.
California regulators announced recalls of marijuana products due to incomplete and incorrect regulatory compliance testing.
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission’s new executive director took office.
Alabama regulators are moving to repeal medical cannabis cultivation rules.
The U.S. Virgin Islands Cannabis Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday.
New Jersey regulators are hosting several town hall meetings about the medical cannabis program this month.
Colorado regulators will host a forum for people interested in applying for psychedelics business licenses on March 25.
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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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
The Easton, Pennsylvania City Council is expected to vote on a marijuana decriminalization proposal this week.
Allen, Texas’s police chief is pushing lawmakers to crack down on intoxicating hemp products.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Uruguayan regulators issued new marijuana production and distribution licenses.
Canadian regulators are accepting public feedback on CBD as a natural health product and its use for pets.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “cannabinoids offer a promising avenue for the development of innovative treatments to combat drug-resistant infections and reduce the reliance on traditional antimicrobial agents.”
A study found that “acute administration of psilocin exerts anticonvulsant effects that might be mediated at least in part through the kynurenine pathway, opioidergic, serotonergic, and nitrergic systems.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
/ BUSINESS
TerrAscend Corp. reported quarterly net revenue of $74.4 million and a net loss of $30.2 million.
Jushi Holdings Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $65.9 million and a net loss of $12.5 million.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. has a new interim chief financial officer.
The Boston Beer Corporation’s incoming CEO said the company would be prepared to enter the hemp-derived beverage space if it saw an opportunity to do so, but “we just haven’t seen that at this time.”
/ CULTURE
Mindy Kaling joked about worrying her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame would be in front of a cannabis store, saying, “I just don’t want it to reek of weed whenever we walk by.”
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
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