ICE raids state-legal marijuana farms; Former GOP House speaker: psychedelics save lives; TX gov’s hemp directive; CA cannabis tax reform advances
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved legislation to ban consumable hemp products with a quantifiable amount of THC—but with a bipartisan agreement to delay the prohibition’s implementation for a year.
Federal officials with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement conducted raids on farms operated by state-licensed marijuana business Glass House Brands as part of a larger immigration crackdown.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) said psychedelic therapy with ibogaine could “save several million lives” and that he’s “personally going to be strongly engaged in moving the idea around and getting people to look at it.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) included two hemp items on the agenda for a special session this month—reiterating his opposition to enacting a blanket prohibition on hemp products, which he called “a lawful agricultural commodity.”
The California Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee approved an Assembly-passed bill to pause a newly enacted tax hike on marijuana products, with the sponsor saying legal cannabis businesses are “constantly at a threat of being overtaken by illegal and untaxed industry.”
Delaware House and Senate lawmakers who championed marijuana legalization legislation are asking for feedback from consumers and businesses ahead of the launch of the recreational sales market.
A new federally funded study found that “initiation of THC-dominant medicinal cannabis was associated with acute reductions in anxiety and depression, and sustained reductions in overall symptom severity over a 6-month period.”
- “Acute effects were dose-dependent: 10–15 mg of oral THC and at least 3 puffs of vaporized cannabis yielded the most robust reductions in anxiety and depression.”
/ FEDERAL
A Department of Veterans Affairs spokesperson said that because marijuana remains in Schedule I, “VA health care providers cannot recommend it or help veterans obtain it.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration is asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to dismiss a lawsuit from an Iowa psychedelic church.
/ STATES
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced that state officials seized $476 million worth of illegal cannabis between April and June.
A Texas representative who voted for legislation to ban consumable hemp products with any amount of THC visited a retailer to learn more about the issue.
The Washington State Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee published a cannabis market study.
Louisiana regulators repealed former medical cannabis rules.
Arkansas officials are making “courtesy visits” to retailers to inform them that a ban on intoxicating hemp products will soon be enforced.
Virginia regulators posted tips on registering to become a medical cannabis patient.
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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
The Kennesaw, Georgia City Council voted to advance a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency published guidance for doctors prescribing medicinal cannabis products.
UK police chiefs are urging officers to crack down on cannabis.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “long-term [medical cannabis] use is a stable and well-tolerated option for managing chronic musculoskeletal pain, with high patient-reported efficacy and minimal cognitive impact.”
A study found that “labeling accuracy for THC content depended on product type, with 96.0% of concentrate products being within ± 15% of labeled THC content compared to 56.7% of flower products.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Fox News host Harris Faulkner suggested that New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani supports safe consumption sites for illegal drugs because “crime and drug addiction, if you get enough of it in the streets and into the bloodstreams of the American people, they’ll be easier to control.”
/ BUSINESS
Glasshouse Farms facilities were visited by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
TerrAscend Corp. closed on an upsize to its senior secured syndicated term loan of $79 million.
Vireo Growth Inc. closed a series of transactions that it said will refinance its senior secured debt and significantly expand its credit capacity under more favorable terms.
/ CULTURE
Mike Tyson tweeted, “Encouraging to see the PA GOP introduce a rec bill today. This bill would ensure that PA residents have access to safe, tested cannabis as opposed to the unsafe, untaxed pesticide laden stuff the illicit cartel operators are selling.”
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