DOJ memo on guns & marijuana users; Senator blocks Trump’s drug czar pick; KY gov: Medical cannabis sales “very close”; OH marijuana recriminalization
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A newly disclosed Department of Justice guidance memo obtained by Marijuana Moment shows that officials knew the federal law denying gun rights to cannabis consumers is vulnerable to “potential litigation risk”—a revelation that comes as the Supreme Court is taking up a case on the issue.
The Congressional Research Service published a report on a newly approved federal ban on hemp THC products—saying it “remains unclear if and how” the prohibition will be applied and that Drug Enforcement Administration and Food and Drug Administration officials “may lack the resources to broadly enforce” it.
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) blocked Republican leaders’ move to confirm Sara Carter Bailey as director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy on an expedited basis as part of a group of other nominees from President Donald Trump.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said the first medical cannabis products should be on dispensary shelves “within the next couple of weeks” and that the launch of sales is “very, very close”—pointing out that marijuana is an alternative for “people that might have otherwise been taking opioids.”
The Ohio Senate is expected to vote this week on a bill to scale back the voter-approved marijuana legalization law by recriminalizing possession of cannabis purchased in another state and removing anti-discrimination protections for consumers in parental rights, organ transplants and professional licensing.
The World Health Organization’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence rejected a proposal to ease a global ban on coca leaf—even as a review showed the plant does not have any “clinically meaningful public health harms” but that its prohibition creates “substantial public health harms.”
/ FEDERAL
A former Drug Enforcement Administration agent was indicted on federal charges of conspiring to traffic drugs and launder millions of dollars for a Mexican cartel.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) will speak at a cannabis event on January 29.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) tweeted, “The cannabis industry is thriving but the communities harmed most by the War on Drugs are being left out. Today, I joined @RepTroyCarter, @RepLSimon, and @repdinatitus to introduce the RESPECT Resolution to ensure that the economic benefits are shared by those who were harmed by failed policies.”
/ STATES
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Gov. David Apatang (I) issued an executive order transferring marijuana regulation authority from the Commonwealth Cannabis Commission to the Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Control Division.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein (D) touted a grant to a hemp company.
Wisconsin’s Assembly minority leader discussed public support for marijuana reform.
California regulators announced recalls of marijuana products due to the presence of aspergillus and due to lack of good manufacturing practices. Separately, the Cannabis Authority Board of Directors will meet on Monday.
Colorado regulators published health and safety advisories about marijuana products that exceed acceptable limits of total yeast, mold and elemental impurities.
Illinois regulators filed proposed changes to medical cannabis rules.
Arkansas regulators delayed action on a proposed rule to limit out-of-state companies from controlling medical cannabis businesses.
Washington State regulators denied a petition to revise marijuana social equity rules.
Tennessee regulators published a notice about the transition of hemp product regulation to a new agency.
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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
Kansas City, Missouri’s mayor is proposing to ban the sale of intoxicating cannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids, nitrous oxide, bath salts, K2 and kratom.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canadian officials published updated data on medical cannabis use.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study’s results “support the role of cannabis terpenes as partial agonists at CB1R and CB2R and provide the basis for selecting terpenes or terpene mixture for affecting physiological functions involving these receptors.”
A study provided “initial evidence that [psilocybin-assisted therapy] can be feasibly and safely integrated into hospice care for terminally ill patients.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Dallas Morning News editorial board said a new scientific review suggests Texas lawmakers should be cautious about further expanding medical cannabis access.
/ BUSINESS
Heirloom Remedies is being ordered by a judge to pay the federal government $312,651 in damages and penalties for allegedly making misrepresentations to secure COVID-related loans.
/ CULTURE
Jeff Bridges said his favorite odor, before he lost his sense of smell from COVID, was “some fresh weed.”
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