New DEA head blamed marijuana for shootings; IRS clarifies insurance rule for cannabis biz; Congressional hemp report; Rescheduling; MA psychedelics
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Pam Bondi, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, dodged senators’ written questions about her plans for marijuana rescheduling and enforcement—refusing to clarify where she stands on cannabis issues even when prompted with a mention of Trump’s support for reform.
The new acting administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration has criticized the ongoing marijuana rescheduling process, suggesting that the Justice Department “hijacked” it from the agency for political reasons—and he blamed school shootings on “obsessive pot smoking.
The Internal Revenue Service responded to a public comment to clarify how a new rule concerning micro-captive insurers will impact marijuana businesses that enter into such insurance arrangements.
A new Congressional Research Service report notes the “diverging policy goals and priorities” of various hemp industry stakeholders, “thus complicating policymaking” on how the crop will be addressed in the next Farm Bill.
Students for Sensible Drug Policy’s Kat Murti and Marijuana Justice’s Chelsea Higgs Wise argue in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that the canceled cannabis rescheduling hearings that were set to begin on Tuesday would have had “little impact on the individuals and communities who suffer the most due to federal marijuana criminalization.”
- “Nobody representing those most harmed by marijuana arrests and over-incarceration was designated to participate.”
Massachusetts lawmakers filed 12 psychedelics-related bills, including measures to legalize psilocybin, provide access to regulated psychedelic treatment centers and create a new task force on the issue.
The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation is proposing new rules aimed at addressing what they describe as “predatory” practices in the marijuana microbusiness license application process.
/ FEDERAL
President Donald Trump signed an executive order designating drug cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations,” and he suggested that he could send U.S. special forces to Mexico to attack them.
The Drug Enforcement Administration promoted an article about “the many risks of cannabis and high-dose THC.”
The Food and Drug Administration tweeted, “Curious about what medications you can take when pregnant? Using any form of cannabis products while pregnant, including the use of CBD, THC, and marijuana, can cause serious risks.”
/ STATES
Hawaii’s Senate president noted that his chamber has approved marijuana legalization bills in past sessions that later stalled in the House of Representatives.
Kentucky’s Senate majority floor leader said it “is unlikely that there is a significant appetite within the Senate Republican Caucus to support legislation” to legalize or decriminalize marijuana.
Alabama regulators are moving to repeal medical cannabis cultivation rules.
Minnesota’s former top marijuana regulator spoke about ongoing efforts to launch the recreational market.
The Nevada Cannabis Control Board has a new member.
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/ LOCAL
Denver, Colorado officials will host a tax preparation workshop for cannabis social equity licensees on Monday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Saxony, Germany’s minister president toured a cannabis company’s facility.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “utilizing the core-microbiome species can help to maintain and improve the growth of hemp plants and to target specialized traits of the genotype.”
A study found that “early psilocybin intervention alleviates behavioral despair and cognitive impairment in stressed Wistar rats.”
/ BUSINESS
Verano Holdings’s former vice president and other people were charged with alleged insider trading and conspiracy involving a failed acquisition of another company.
Blum Holdings, Inc. received $900,000 in financing and announced its intent for three acquisitions.
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