DEA rescheduling hearing day 2; Military psychedelics amendment advances in Congress; THC drinks & restaurants poll; Study: Cannabis for back pain
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Marijuana reform opponents participating in the second day of a Drug Enforcement Administration hearing on the Trump administration’s rescheduling proposal put significant focus on pressing a government witness about recently adopted changes to an analysis used to determine whether drugs have accepted medical value—with a Food and Drug Administration official acknowledging that cannabis could not have passed the prior test.
- Another government witness testified about cannabis’s role in treating pain patients and its relative safety compared to opioids—saying, “Withdrawal from opioids is like a dumpster fire. Withdrawal from marijuana is more like dying glowing ember of a campfire.”
The House Rules Committee is allowing a National Defense Authorization Act amendment to extend a military psychedelics research program to advance—but is blocking separate proposals on marijuana test waivers for recruits and access to Schedule I drugs under “Right to Try.”
Every Pennsylvania Democratic senator signed a discharge resolution that aims to increase pressure on the Republican majority to allow a vote on a marijuana legalization bill that is stuck in a committee chaired by the legislation’s GOP sponsor.
A new poll shows that 77 percent of marijuana consumers are more likely to dine at restaurants that offer THC drinks as an alternative to alcohol—a finding that comes as the White House is pushing Congress to keep hemp products federally legal.
A new study of chronic lower back pain patients found that “inhaled cannabis was associated with large, sustained, and statistically robust improvements in pain, disability, and pain interference, accompanied by near-total displacement of opioids, NSAIDs, antidepressants, and gabapentinoids.”
- “Concomitant opioid use fell from 100% at baseline to 4.6% at Year 5.”
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers (R) signed off on medical cannabis regulations despite his personal opposition to marijuana reform.
Claire Fiddian-Green of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation argues in a new op-ed that as Indiana’s neighbors launch legal marijuana markets, officials should take a “thoughtful, data-informed approach” to updating the state’s cannabis laws.
/ FEDERAL
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is proposing to eliminate a requirement for drug testing programs to submit at least two blind performance test samples that are positive for marijuana in each quarter.
Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) sent a press release about his new bill to fund marijuana research and create a cannabis-focus scholarship program.
/ STATES
Rhode Island regulators are asking a federal judge to lift a temporary injunction preventing marijuana business licensing.
Vermont regulators took action on various cannabis issues.
Colorado regulators published guidance on new cannabis testing requirements.
Michigan regulators published marijuana price guidance.
Maine regulators published several pieces of cannabis guidance.
Virginia regulators are conducting a survey on cannabis rules.
New York regulators posted a presentation on water circularity in cannabis.
The California Proposition 64 Advisory Group will hold a stakeholder meeting on July 16.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
Israeli officials opened a new investigation into allegations of dumping of medical cannabis into the country’s market from Canada.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “short-term, self-titrated [medical cannabis] was feasible and appeared generally well tolerated in this open-label setting, suggesting potential benefits for pain, sleep, and nocturnal urinary frequency in” Parkinson’s disease.
A review concluded that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy “may produce clinically meaningful, large short-term reductions in depressive symptoms.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The National Republican Congressional Committee is criticizing Rep. Vicente Gonzalez’s (D-TX) record as a lawyer defending people charged with marijuana and other drug offenses.
/ BUSINESS
Tilray Brands, Inc. is acquiring HelloMD Corporation.
TerrAscend Corp. signed an option agreement to acquire Aunt Mary’s Dispensary LLC.
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