GOP lawmaker notes “trace of racism” in marijuana laws; CA gov signs cannabis tax reform bill; Veterans-led cannabis push; PA psilocybin hearing
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network published an updated report on the number of banks working with marijuana business clients as the Trump administration considers a cannabis rescheduling proposal.
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) said there’s a “trace of racism” in marijuana enforcement, but argued that criminal justice reform advocates have gone too far in their pursuit of scaling back harsh sentencing laws.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill to pause a recently enacted tax increase on marijuana products, saying the state is “rolling back this cannabis tax hike so the legal market can continue to grow, consumers can access safe products, and our local communities see the benefits.”
The Last Prisoner Project and Balanced Veterans Network launched a campaign to mobilize military veterans in support of federal marijuana policy reform, saying they will “amplify their stories to key decision-makers—particularly Republican members of Congress.”
The Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing on the potential of psilocybin to treat depression and other conditions.
/ FEDERAL
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration noted “the number of States legalizing medicinal and/or recreational use of cannabis” in a Federal Register notice about a survey it plans to conduct about drug use among drivers.
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) tweeted, “How many people has 7-OH killed? I can’t find a single case where there wasn’t some other drug (like fentanyl) in the system when someone has died with 7-OH. Maybe I’m missing something. By comparison, Tylenol kills 550 people per year.”
/ STATES
Illinois’s House speaker said lawmakers are getting close to an agreement on hemp product regulations, calling it “the single most contentious topic” that has arisen during his time in the leadership position.
A New Hampshire representative participated in a marijuana legalization forum.
The Georgia House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Georgia’s Medical Marijuana and Hemp Policies will meet on Thursday.
Rhode Island regulators filed proposed changes to hemp rules.
Delaware regulators issued a clarification about county-based restrictions on marijuana businesses.
Colorado regulators published a bulletin about a cannabis surveillance testing program.
California regulators announced their intent to award a contract for the Real CA Cannabis Campaign.
The Utah Medical Cannabis Establishment Licensing Board Work Group will meet on Thursday.
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/ LOCAL
Bell County, Texas’s lawsuit against Killeen’s voter-approved marijuana decriminalization law is returning to local district court.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro discussed his opposition to legalizing marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review of research on post-operative pain management in orthopedic surgery concluded that “while CBD-only interventions showed mixed results, THC/CBD combinations demonstrated modest potential for opioid-sparing effects, with neutral safety profiles.”
A study found that “both CBD and [low-dose ionizing radiation] exhibited promising protective effects against [thioacetamide]-induced hepatic encephalopathy, mitigating brain and liver damage through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Boston Globe editorial board highlighted ongoing issues related to municipalities’ host community agreements with marijuana businesses.
/ BUSINESS
Fluent Servicing, LLC is being sued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity for allegedly failing to provide a reasonable accommodation for an employee with a disability and then firing her.
Grown Rogue International Inc. completed its acquisition of remaining minority interest in its Rogue EBC, LLC subsidiary.
/ CULTURE
Louis C.K. spoke about his past use of marijuana and psychedelics.
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