Inside Trump’s marijuana meeting; State AGs tell SCOTUS: Keep cannabis user gun ban; Fed study: Teen marijuana use “stable”; Cannabis & holidays
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
By starting a $10 per month pledge on Patreon—or about 45 cents per issue of this newsletter—you can help us rely less on ads to cover our expenses, hire more journalists and bring you even more marijuana news.
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) filed a marijuana bill that would direct the attorney general to form a commission to prepare for federal legalization by recommending cannabis regulations modeled after those currently in place for alcohol.
Scotts Miracle-Gro CEO Jim Hagedorn revealed details about an “insane” marijuana rescheduling meeting in the Oval Office at which he said President Donald Trump described a compromise to put cannabis in Schedule II as a “half-assed” alternative to Schedule III.
Attorneys general from 19 states and Washington, D.C. filed a brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the federal law restricting marijuana consumers’ gun rights—saying that lower court rulings against the ban are “flawed in multiple respects.”
The latest results of the federally funded Monitoring the Future survey show that teen marijuana use “remained stable” last year—even as more states continue to legalize cannabis—and that it is lower now than before states started enacting the reform.
State marijuana regulators are offering guidance about how to legally gift marijuana for the holidays and stay safe while celebrating.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration promoted a podcast about the role of athletics in supporting drug prevention.
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) inserted comments into the Congressional Record about her bill to protect people from being evicted from public housing for marijuana use.
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) tweeted, “Transferring cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III is a meaningful step toward decriminalization. Last year, I urged the Biden Administration to reclassify marijuana, and I was encouraged when they began the rescheduling process. While I welcome this administration’s continuation of that work, I will continue to closely monitor the rule-making process and assess the rescheduling’s impact on expungements, advocate for protections for small businesses against industry consolidation, and ensure this progress is used to reinvest in our local communities—especially those most harmed by the War on Drugs.”
Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) filed a bill that includes provisions to rehabilitate lands damaged by illegal marijuana growing operations.
Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) tweeted, “Pot is a bad idea. So is criminalizing it. In a free society, grownups should make these decisions for themselves. Kudos to Trump for his EO today. Congress should finish the job.”
/ STATES
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed kratom regulation legislation.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) announced a new chair of the Cannabis Compliance Board.
South Dakota’s attorney general said rescheduling marijuana can boost research.
New Jersey lawmakers sent Gov. Phil Murphy (D) a bill to ban intoxicating hemp product sales.
Wisconsin’s Senate president said her chamber is “closer than ever” to voting on medical cannabis legislation, but said the chances of the Assembly advancing the issue are “slim.”
A Delaware representative filed a bill to make consumption of marijuana in public places or in a moving vehicle a civil violation rather than a misdemeanor.
Rhode Island regulators filed proposed changes to marijuana rules.
Michigan regulators published a monthly report on disciplinary actions taken against marijuana businesses.
California regulators said President Donald Trump’s marijuana rescheduling order is “a significant step toward grounding federal cannabis laws in evidence rather than stigma and fear.”
—
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.
—
/ INTERNATIONAL
Jersey’s minister for health and social services is asking lawmakers to choose between three marijuana reform options ahead of a debate scheduled for February 3.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “CBD reduced prostate cancer cell viability and proliferation, with the therapeutic potential to synergise with targeted therapies.”
A study of dental extraction patients found that “higher-concentration CBD (37 mg/mL) may provide analgesia comparable to standard non-opioid therapy.”
A study found that “psilocybin reduces comorbid chronic pain and depression in mice.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The chair of the Idaho Republican Party said patients should have a “right to try” medical cannabis if their doctor sees a benefit.
The American Civil Liberties Union is calling on Congress to build on President Donald Trump’s marijuana rescheduling move by passing legalization legislation.
/ BUSINESS
Vireo Growth Inc. is acquiring Eaze Inc.
NJ Leaf workers in North Brunswick, New Jersey voted to unionize.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.
