RFK’s psychedelics use; FL medical marijuana expansion bill; Study: AI can design new cannabis strains; VA legalization op-ed
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) filed a bill to replace a federal ban on hemp THC products that was signed into law by President Donald Trump with a regulatory regime limiting them to 5 milligrams of THC per serving.
The Congressional Research Service said in a new report that the ongoing marijuana conflict between the federal government and states could provide “guidance” for answering questions on how a new national ban on hemp THC products will be enforced.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as recently as last year still used psychedelics “for fun” and would wait “until his wife was not home to go outside and smoke DMT,” journalist Olivia Nuzzi, who allegedly had a romantic relationship with him, suggested in a new book.
A Florida representative introduced a bill to expand medical cannabis access by letting doctors recommend it to any patient who has a condition for which they’ve been prescribed opioids, waiving fees for military veterans and granting reciprocity to out-of-state patients.
A new study suggests that marijuana breeders can use artificial intelligence for “accelerated strain development, improved chemical consistency, and enhanced adaptability to diverse growing environments.”
- “AI-enabled cannabis breeding represents a paradigm shift in strain development, enabling precise control over cannabinoid and terpene profiles while reducing breeding cycle times and resource requirements.”
Max Jackson of Cannabis Wise Guys argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that a Virginia cannabis commission rightly “rejected the monopoly model” for adult-use sales legalization but that lawmakers still need to pass a bill that doesn’t let existing big companies corner the market “before independent operators can even get in the door.”
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration is moving to place a synthetic cannabinoid in Schedule I.
The House resolution urging equity in the cannabis industry got three new cosponsors for a total of 10.
/ STATES
Ohio’s House minority leader sent a press release criticizing Republicans for passing legislation to scale back the voter-approved marijuana legalization law.
Washington, D.C. Council members filed legislation to strengthen oversight of the medical cannabis program.
A New York senator participated in a psychedelic advocacy group’s meeting.
A Florida senator tweeted, “Medical marijuana patients in Florida deserve the FREEDOM to home-grow cannabis without government interference— that’s why I’ve introduced SB 776. With rising prices, we can increase access and lower costs by supporting this long overdue proposal.”
A California judge ruled that regulators’ use of marijuana tracking software is out of compliance with the law.
Missouri regulators sent a newsletter with updates on various cannabis issues.
Massachusetts regulators are expected to approve rules for marijuana social consumption businesses on Thursday.
New Jersey regulators will host meetings to gather public input on allocating cannabis social equity funds next month.
Michigan regulators will host an event on sustainable cannabis packaging on January 15.
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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
A former Compton, California City Council member pleaded guilty to federal charges of participating in a bribery scheme to secure marijuana business permits.
The San Francisco, California Board of Supervisors voted to suspend the local cannabis tax for 10 years.
The Chicago, Illinois City Council delayed a vote on a proposal to ban the sale of intoxicating hemp-derived THC products.
The Glen Cove, New York City Council approved a measure to ban the smoking of marijuana in public spaces.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Madhya Pradesh, India Congress is asking for the resignation of a government minister after her alleged brother was arrested for smuggling marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “legalization of recreational cannabis use in California does not seem connected with an increase in past 30 day cannabis use among adults.”
A review concluded that “in several randomized controlled trials, psilocybin with adjunctive psychotherapy reduced the symptoms of [treatment-resistant depression] and [major depressive disorder] and was generally well tolerated, although longer-term data are lacking.
A study found that a cannabis extract “possesses promising analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties in small laboratory animals.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Wall Street Journal editorial board claimed that “the ill effects of THC are increasing.”
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf Holdings’s chairman and CEO said the company will wind down its hemp product operations before a federal ban takes effect next year.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. has a new managing director for Australia and New Zealand.
/ CULTURE
American basketball player Jarred Shaw avoided the death penalty for possessing cannabis gummies in Indonesia, getting a sentence of 26 months in prison instead.
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