Trump pledges to free drug war prisoner; GOP senator: Biden wants more marijuana smokers; Fed psychedelics research
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Drug Enforcement Administration Drug & Chemical Evaluation Section Chief Terrence Boos clarified in a new letter that “cannabis-derived THCA does not meet the definition of hemp”—an interpretation of the Farm Bill that a hemp stakeholder says would “destroy” the industry.
Former President Donald Trump pledged to commute the sentence of dark web drug market Silk Road operator Russ Ulbricht if elected in November—despite his overall position that people who sell illegal drugs should face the death penalty.
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) claimed that President Joe Biden’s reelection strategy is “to get more people to smoke marijuana”—arguing that rescheduling cannabis is a “bad idea” and “sends all the wrong message about the drug use in our country.”
A new federal webpage from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health summarizes scientific findings on the therapeutic potential of psilocybin—including for treatment of alcohol use disorder, anxiety and depression.
/ FEDERAL
Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy spoke in support of decriminalizing ayahuasca, ketamine and psilocybin for people who want to use them to treat PTSD.
The House Appropriations Committee approved a report noting that the Department of Veterans Affairs has clarified that “nothing in VA statutes or regulations specifically prohibits a veteran whose income is derived from state-legalized cannabis activities from obtaining a certificate of eligibility for VA home loan benefits” and that the department is working to “improve communication with eligible lending institutions to reduce confusion among lenders and borrowers on this matter.”
Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) tweeted, “Marijuana has for decades been classified as one of the most dangerous drugs – as dangerous as heroin. President Biden’s move to reclassify cannabis was the right step to start repairing the damage from the War on Drugs that disproportionately hurt Black and Brown communities.”
/ STATES
The Illinois Senate passed legislation to restrict hemp products and amend various medical cannabis rules.
The New Hampshire representative whose marijuana legalization legislation has passed both chambers in differing forms said she would “like to kill my own bill” now that it has been so heavily amended by the Senate.
Montana regulators proposed changes to rules on marijuana sampling protocols and quality assurance testing requirements.
New York regulators published guidance on determining marijuana plant canopy.
Pennsylvania regulators posted a question and answer document about medical cannabis business permit applications.
Vermont regulators will consider recommendations for marijuana business licensure on Wednesday.
Connecticut regulators will consider petitions to add autism spectrum disorder and female orgasmic difficulty as medical cannabis qualifying conditions on June 7.
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/ LOCAL
A Phoenix, Arizona Police Department spokesperson said it’s a “fair assessment” that marijuana legalization freed up resources to combat other crimes.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The head of the Philippine Department of Science and Technology is supporting legislation to legalize medical cannabis.
A Jersey lawmaker filed legislation to legalize cannabis.
Ireland’s first medical cannabis production facility was given planning permission.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “the majority of natural and synthetic cannabinoids included showed promise in improving memory, cognition, and behavioral symptoms,” evidence that “supports further advancing cannabinoids in clinical trials for [Alzheimer’s disease] treatment.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The New York Daily News editorial board said “good riddance” to the state’s outgoing top marijuana regulator.
/ BUSINESS
Canadian retailers sold C$414.1 million worth of legal marijuana products in March.
/ CULTURE
Rapper Jelly Roll said “marijuana has kept me sober.”
The Onion made fun of a new study showing that daily marijuana use outpaces daily alcohol drinking.
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