SC medical marijuana; Feds removing MDMA from drug testing; CA psychedelics; Ventura on cannabis politics; DEA psilocybin; Legalization & immigrants
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Reps. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) and seven other bipartisan members of Congress sent a letter pressing the Department of Veterans Affairs to form a strategic plan to implement MDMA-assisted psychedelic therapy in preparation for federal approval as soon as this summer.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Drug Testing Advisory Board is weighing proposals to remove MDMA from federal workplace drug testing programs while adding fentanyl.
The South Carolina House Medical Cannabis Ad Hoc Committee held a hearing on a Senate-passed bill to legalize patient access—but only took testimony from law enforcement and the medical community.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is arguing in a new court brief that a federal right to try law does not allow a doctor to treat cancer patients with psilocybin for end-of-life care.
A pair of new polls found that significantly more Biden voters than Trump voters want to live in a place where marijuana is legal, but that majorities of both Democrats and Republicans back legalizing cannabis as a policy.
The California Senate Public Safety Committee approved a bill to legalize psychedelic service centers where people could access psilocybin, MDMA, mescaline and DMT in a supervised environment with trained facilitators.
Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura spoke to Marijuana Moment about his new cannabis brand and the politics of legalization—including his view that the Drug Enforcement Administration should not be in charge rescheduling decisions.
- “I think the people that banned marijuana should be put in prison.”
A new study found that states that legalize marijuana see a “moderate relative decrease” in immigrant deportation rates—suggesting that legalization “may help to mitigate some of the unintended immigration-related consequences of cannabis prohibition.”
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (R) launched an investigation into four companies as part of an effort to crack down on intoxicating hemp products.
South Dakota activists used 4/20 sales events at medical cannabis dispensaries to collect signatures for a recreational marijuana legalization initiative they hope to qualify for the November ballot.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration is promoting a prohibitionist organization’s analysis of data on teen marijuana use.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the revocation of a pilot certificate over transportation of marijuana.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) said marijuana is “sort of the sleeper issue of this election.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said he is undecided on the marijuana legalization initiative on Florida’s November ballot and that he’d be surprised if former President Donald Trump supported it as a voter in the state.
/ STATES
Ohio’s top marijuana regulator spoke about efforts to launch recreational marijuana sales.
Wisconsin regulators filed hemp research rules.
A Missouri regulatory spokesperson said Dutchie outages over 4/20 did not interfere with the state’s marijuana tracking system.
New Jersey regulators made a blog post celebrating “three years of growth and equity” in the cannabis industry.
The Colorado Disability Funding Committee is auctioning off another round of marijuana-themed license plates.
Michigan regulators will host an event about rules that apply to THCA on Thursday.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,400 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
New York City’s mayor spoke about plans to crack down on unlicensed marijuana sellers.
Kenton County, Kentucky mayors discussed steps toward launching medical cannabis access.
Siskiyou County, California’s sheriff is calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to provide funds to help clean up illegal marijuana grow sites.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canadian Prime MInister Justin Trudeau said the federal government is “happy to support” British Columbia in allowing it to implement a drug decriminalization policy. Meanwhile, some Vancouver City Council members are seeking to end the pilot program.
An official with Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council spoke about efforts to develop cannabis regulations.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “acute migraine treatment with vaporized cannabis flower containing 6% THC/11% CBD was efficacious at 2 hours post-treatment with sustained pain freedom at 24 hours.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of New Yorkers found that 48 percent think illegal cannabis sales is a serious problem and that 56 percent want the government to do more to crack down on it.
The Miami Herald editorial board criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for the arguments he is making to oppose the marijuana legalization initiative on the state’s November ballot.
/ BUSINESS
Trulieve and a former manager who sued the company after he said he was fired for reporting misconduct and safety violations reached a settlement.
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