Rand Paul works on hemp “compromise”; TX medical marijuana expansion; Congressional report on easing Schedule I research; MDMA for depression
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
President Donald Trump said he’s “going to look at” marijuana as the White House chief of staff reviews key agency positions on rescheduling that “now sit in a report on her desk,” according to CNN and Wall Street Journal reports.
Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said President Donald Trump will not federally legalize marijuana, which is separate from whether his administration will follow through on cannabis rescheduling.
- “That’s not going to happen. That will not happen… Not under this president.”
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) said he is working with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House members to “reach a compromise” on hemp legislation in light of his concern that a current proposal is “non-specific” and “could be interpreted to mean zero THC, which would not only be nearly impossible to produce, but also may have no customer base.”
The Congressional Research Service said in a new report that legislation to ban fentanyl-related substances signed by President Donald Trump also “contains multiple provisions designed to streamline research with Schedule I controlled substances” such as marijuana and psychedelics.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is previewing proposed rules to expand the state’s medical cannabis program under recently enacted legislation that will increase the number of licensed dispensaries, add new qualifying conditions and approve additional product forms.
A new study on MDMA-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder found “statistically and clinically significant reductions in depressive symptoms and functional impairment following treatment.”
- “We also observed a statistically and clinically significant reduction in PTSD symptoms.”
Thirteen Minnesota cities are seeking to open their own government-run marijuana dispensaries under a unique provision of the state’s cannabis legalization law.
An Alabama judge dismissed a lawsuit against the Medical Cannabis Commission filed by parents who say their children could benefit from medical marijuana and are upset regulators haven’t yet established a patient registry.
The St. Louis County, Missouri Council delayed a vote on a proposal to limit sales of intoxicating hemp products to only marijuana dispensaries amid opposition from the local NAACP and others.
/ FEDERAL
President Donald Trump reportedly secretly signed a directive to authorize the use of military force against certain drug cartels that his administration has deemed terrorist organizations.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) tweeted, “I still want to know who left the Cocaine in the White House.”
The House bill to respect state marijuana laws got one new cosponsor for a total of five.
/ STATES
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) reiterated his concerns about marijuana legalization, saying “when you legalize it, it sends the message it’s OK.”
A Pennsylvania senator responded to a post from the Senate president pro tempore about what taxes Democrats are willing to raise by tweeting, “I’ve got an answer: legalize adult-use cannabis. $400M a year without a broad-based tax hike — fueling SEPTA, not shortchanging hospitals, nursing homes, or schools. The math is simple.”
A New York judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging marijuana regulators’ inspection authority.
California regulators announced a recall of marijuana products due to the presence of aspergillus. Separately, the state auditor issued a critical report and recommendations about efforts to prevent marijuana packaging that is attractive to children.
Missouri regulators filed proposed changes to marijuana licensing rules.
New Jersey regulators fined several cannabis companies over alleged violations.
Oklahoma regulators suspended a medical cannabis testing lab’s license.
Vermont’s first state-run cannabis testing lab is preparing to open.
The Colorado Department of Transportation posted new data on cannabis-impaired driving.
The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday.
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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
Suffolk County, Massachusetts’s sheriff is facing federal charges of extortion involving the purchase of an equity interest in a cannabis company.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canadian medical cannabis exports to Germany are increasing.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that marijuana legalization “is associated with significant increases in both agricultural employment and wages.”
A review “underscores the innovative potential of psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT as adjunctive treatments for” traumatic brain injury.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The National Association of Attorneys General had a panel that included a focus on “the influence of Big Marijuana” at a drug policy conference it hosted.
NORML’s Facebook page was hacked.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation reported quarterly net revenue of C$72.1 million and a net loss of C$41.5 million.
TerrAscend Corp. reported quarterly net revenue of $65 million and a comprehensive loss of $49 million.
WM Technology, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $44.8 million.
Cronos Group Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $33.5 million and a net loss of $38.5 million.
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. entered into agreements to make an investment totaling up to $270 million into IQHQ, Inc.
/ CULTURE
Actor Armie Hammer said that at one point he was “smoking upwards of like 15 to 20 joints a day.”
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