Feds accuse marijuana biz of child labor violations; Congressional psychedelics amendment; WI GOP gov candidate open to legalization
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Former NFL player Ricky Williams met with White House officials to talk about cannabis rescheduling, telling Marijuana Moment afterwards that it “isn’t about politics—it’s about freedom.”
- “Cannabis can change lives—not just for wellness, but for opportunity.”
The Department of Homeland Security is accusing Glass House Brands of employing minors following immigration raids on its state-licensed marijuana cultivation facilities—an accusation the company denies as the White House defended the action, saying workers were involved in cannabis “product” as opposed to legitimate “produce.”
Bipartisan members of Congress filed an amendment to shift $10 million in funding to support psychedelic medical clinical trials at the Department of Defense.
Wisconsin Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Berrien is “open to considering” marijuana legalization—saying he sees “opportunities…around taking THC-infused drinks and pushing those tax funds towards corporate attraction, business attraction, business investment.”
The Washington State Substance Use Recovery Services Advisory Committee is recommending that officials take steps to ensure “a regulated, tested supply of controlled substances to individuals at risk of drug overdoses”—with options such as prescription and supervised consumption, prescription and self-administration, a dispensary model and a community-based “buyer’s club.”
A new study found that “psilocybin and ayahuasca retreats significantly improved veterans’ mental well-being, quality of life, PTSD, anxiety, depression, sleep, concussion, and post-deployment reintegration.”
- “Psychedelic retreats could provide a treatment framework to aid veterans’ recovery by addressing psychological well-being, communal factors, and reintegration into civilian life.”
Ryan Basore of Redemption Cannabis authored a new Marijuana Moment op-ed about how his brand is launching in the same West Virginia town where he spent years behind bars for growing medical cannabis in compliance with state law.
Pennsylvania’s Republican Senate majority leader reacted negatively to a new GOP-led cannabis legalization bill, saying there’s no “prevailing view for legalization of recreational marijuana within our caucus as part of the current budget.”
An Illinois representative hosted a hemp industry stakeholder event to discuss “legislative solutions to ensure that children and minors are protected while also enabling adult consumers to access alternative health solutions that they need.”
A Nebraska medical cannabis advocate who was charged with alleged improper notarizations on legalization ballot petitions is running for governor.
A recent study shows that marijuana legalization in Canada had a nuanced impact on alcohol sales—with purchases at alcohol-only stores declining but sales increasing at retailers that sell both cannabis and alcohol.
/ FEDERAL
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Steven Miller spoke about immigration raids on a state-licensed cannabis business, saying, “This marijuana plantation is a clear-cut example of labor trafficking and child trafficking, which are heinous crimes… I don’t know of anybody, except the governor of California, who would argue that a marijuana plantation is an essential component of America’s food supply chain.”
Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) said, “There shouldn’t be any children at a marijuana facility. But remember, President Trump said he was going to legalize marijuana so these kinds of issues wouldn’t happen.”
Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) tweeted, “Why are there unaccompanied, undocumented CHILDREN working at a marijuana facility? This is NOT what our country stands for, and @POTUS is fixing it.”
Rep. Brad Knott (R-NC) tweeted, “A new low for Democrats. Fighting FOR open borders, illegal mass migration, and cheap marijuana farming.”
Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) tweeted, “Federal law enforcement officers had a warrant signed by a federal judge to enter this marijuana facility where child and illegal immigrant labor was being used. The officers were met with violence and obstruction fueled by rhetoric from open-border soft-on-crime Democrats.”
The House bill to designate psychedelic innovative therapies centers of excellence got one new cosponsor for a total of ten.
/ STATES
Delaware lawmakers who championed legislation to legalize marijuana are celebrating the forthcoming launch of the recreational market on August 1.
California regulators announced recalls of marijuana products due to various reasons.
South Dakota regulators adopted changes to medical cannabis rules.
Oklahoma regulators sent a warning about scams targeted at medical cannabis businesses.
New York regulators sent a reminder that quarantined or recalled marijuana products cannot be sold or distributed under any circumstances.
Virginia regulators are launching a new online medical cannabis patient portal.
Missouri regulators posted a new episode of their cannabis podcast.
Nevada regulators will consider marijuana business issues on Thursday.
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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
A longtime marijuana activist is running for Ann Arbor, Michigan City Council.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A former Philippine representative is optimistic a medical cannabis bill can pass in the new legislative session.
Canadian active medical cannabis patient registration counts continue to decline.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found “effectiveness and safety of cannabis extracts as adjuvants in the treatment of chronic pain.”
A study found that “repeated psilocybin administration in healthy individuals induces positive, lasting effects, with challenging experiences in controlled settings not causing adverse outcomes.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Boston Globe editorial board said Massachusetts’s cannabis employee badging system “imposes needless costs on businesses.”
/ BUSINESS
Missouri retailers sold $125.1 million worth of legal marijuana products in June.
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