MO cannabis measure makes November ballot (Newsletter: August 10, 2022)
FL Ag commish slams Biden marijuana/gun suit reply; NJ interstate cannabis commerce bill; Study: Legalization reduces poisonings; OR psilocybin votes
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Missouri's secretary of state certified that activists collected enough signatures to place a marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot. The decision comes after preliminary county analyses indicated the campaign failed to submit enough valid petitions in key congressional districts.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, currently a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, told Marijuana Momentin a phone interview that the Biden administration's response to her medical cannabis and gun rights lawsuit is "insulting" when the Department of Justice claims that cancer patients are too "dangerous to trust" with firearms.
New Jersey's Senate president filed a new bill that would allow the governor to enter into agreements with other states for interstate cannabis commerce.
A new study found that legal access to real marijuana is associated with "significant reductions" in poisonings from synthetic cannabinoids like Spice and K2.
"More permissive cannabis law may have the unintended benefit of reducing both motivation and harms associated with use of synthetic cannabis products."
Voters across Oregon will see local measures to ban psilocybin services businesses on their November ballots, just two years after a statewide initiative legalizing access to the psychedelic for certain uses was strongly approved.
/ FEDERAL
The Department of Justice and attorneys for a proposed safe consumption site for illegal drugs have once again agreed to a delay on the deadline for the Biden administration to reveal its position in the case as "productive" negotiations continue. It's now due September 22.
Former White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Deputy Director Art Kleinschmidt authored an op-ed suggesting that ending the war on drugs would amount to allowing "rampant crime in our cities."
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) posted a Twitter thread attempting to draw a parallel between the investigation of potentially improper handling of federal documents by former President Donald Trump and the war on drugs and mass incarceration.
Former Rep. Greg Ganske (R-IA) authored an op-ed reiterating his support for marijuana legalization with regulations.
Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Charles Booker reiterated his support for legalizing marijuana.
/ STATES
Arkansas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Jones spoke about his support for legalizing marijuana and criticized Republican opponent Sarah Sanders for not taking a position on a pending legalization ballot initiative.
Colorado's secretary of state confirmed that a second psychedelics legalization initiative failed to make the ballot.
Wisconsin Democratic treasurer candidate Gillian Battino tweeted, "We must be prepared for the legalization and decriminalization of cannabis in the near future. As your State Treasurer, I'm ready to plan strategically for a state banking system that supports cannabis businesses."
Florida Democratic chief financial officer candidate Adam Hattersley, currently a state representative, tweeted, "Legalizing recreational cannabis would be a boon to Florida's economy. As your next CFO, I will work with the legislature to legalize recreational adult use of cannabis, bring investment to Florida, and expunge the records of non-violent drug offenders."
A Kentucky judge ruled that delta-8 THC hemp products are legal.
Michigan's top marijuana regulator is transitioning to a new position in the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Massachusetts regulators posted guidance on hemp remediation and post-harvest testing.
The California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development is accepting applications for the cannabis revenue-funded Community Reinvestment Grants program.
Virginia's Task Force to Analyze Industrial Hemp Extracts and OtherSubstances Containing Tetrahydrocannabinol Intended for Human Consumption met.
Iowa regulators will discuss the medical cannabidiol program at a meeting on Friday.
Colorado regulators will host a stakeholder meeting about proposed marijuana rule revisions on Friday.
Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 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.
/ LOCAL
Seattle, Washington's mayor proposed several cannabis equity measures.
The Stevens Point, Wisconsin City Council is considering putting a nonbinding marijuana legalization advisory referendum on the November ballot.
The Los Angeles County, California Board of Supervisors voted to place a measure on the November ballot to tax marijuana businesses in unincorporated areas.
Granite County, Montana voters will see measures on the November ballot to allow and tax marijuana sales.
The Missoula, Montana City Council approved a cannabis business licensing ordinance.
The Flathead County, Montana Commission will hold a public comment session on a proposal to put a measure to ban marijuana businesses on the November ballot on Wednesday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Ontario, Canada's government-owned cannabis stores were unable to process deliveries after a logistics partner experienced a cyberattack.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that "evidence suggests that cannabis-based medicine can be safe and effective in pain relief."
A study indicated that "older adults' beliefs about cannabis use are shifting and this is likely related to legalization and broader social acceptance of cannabis."
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation is hosting a cannabis fellowship program sponsored by tobacco company Altria.
ASTM International's cannabis committee approved new standards on environmental conditions during packaging, transit and storage of cannabis and hemp flower.
The League of Women Voters is partnering with cannabis company WANA Brands on a Colorado voter registration drive.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, Black Economic Council of Massachusetts and other organizations sent a letter urging Gov. Charlie Baker (R) to sign a cannabis equity and business bill.
Curaleaf International Holdings Limited is acquiring a 55 percent stake in Four 20 Pharma GmbH.
WM Technology, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $58.3 million and an operating loss of $13 million.
Cronos Group Inc. reported quarterly consolidated net revenue of $23.1 million and a net loss of $20.3 million.
Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $18.9 million and a net loss of $7.9 million.
COMPASS Pathways PLC is being sued by Terran Biosciences for allegedly stealing trade secrets.
Arkansas dispensaries sold $23.3 million worth of medical cannabis in July.
/ CULTURE
An NFL spokesperson said Aaron Rodgers's use of ayahuasca isn't considered a violation of the league's drug policy.
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