Marijuana & insurance coverage bill filed in Senate; KY medical cannabis in hospitals; Study: Marijuana reduces opioid use
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Reps. Andy Barr (R-KY) and Angie Craig (D-MN) filed a new bill to keep hemp THC products legal and replace the broad ban that’s currently set to take effect in November with a new system of federal regulations and taxes.
- The White House supports it, a press release from Barr’s office says.
Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) filed a bill to protect insurance companies from being punished for covering marijuana businesses.
The Kentucky legislature’s Interim Joint Committee on Health Services held a hearing on a proposal to allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in hospitals—a reform that is being adopted in a growing number of other states.
A new study found that “cannabis use for opioid withdrawal was significantly associated with self-reported reductions in opioid use.”
- “Immediate efforts to improve access to legal cannabis—especially for structurally-marginalized [people who use drugs] at highest risk of overdose—may offer a step towards reducing the health and social harms of opioid use.”
The Alabama State Committee of Public Health held a hearing on whether to reschedule marijuana under state law in line with the Trump administration’s federal move—hearing testimony from conservative activists who oppose the reform.
/ FEDERAL
Customs and Border Protection included marijuana in a list of “dangerous narcotics” as part of “drug interdictions that save lives.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration Museum posted a video about heroin bottles in its collection from when the drug was used as a cough remedy.
Kansas Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Noah Taylor discussed his support for marijuana legalization.
/ STATES
New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) signed an ibogaine research bill.
Kansas Democratic gubernatorial candidates agreed on supporting marijuana legalization during a debate.
Arizona regulators announced a recall of marijuana products due to possible contamination with aspergillus.
Virginia regulators are facing an expected lawsuit over new hemp product restrictions.
Florida regulators withdrew proposed changes to medical cannabis business application rules.
Oklahoma regulators published guidance about the medical cannabis recall process.
A report from Maryland officials recommends broadening the cannabis-focused Office of Social Equity’s mandate.
The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission will meet on Friday.
The Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Board will meet on Friday.
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/ LOCAL
The Killeen, Texas City Council received an annual report on enforcement of the voter-approved local marijuana decriminalization law.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of people in recovery from substance use disorders found that “all participants believed cannabis was less addictive than alcohol, cigarettes, and cocaine, but Current-[cannabis users] believed cannabis was significantly less addictive than Former- and Never-CU.”
A study of cannabis cultivation found that “licensed farms consistently predict lower nearby unlicensed cultivation” and that “bans and enforcement shift cultivation rather than suppress it.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of Nebraska adults found that 47 percent support legalizing recreational and medical marijuana, 37 percent back medical cannabis legalization only and 17 percent don’t want any form of legalization.
/ BUSINESS
Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. announced a 14:1 share consolidation.
/ CULTURE
Bill Maher spoke about how he uses marijuana as part of his creative process.
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