Houston marijuana measure to ballot; NC hemp op-ed; VA gov & AG defend hemp ban from lawsuit
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
President Donald Trump has been “misinformed by his staff” about hemp issues, according to Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC), who led an unsuccessful effort to keep the planned federal recriminalization of hemp THC products on track.
The Houston, Texas City Council voted to place an initiative to make misdemeanor marijuana possession the “lowest possible enforcement priority” for local police on the November ballot.
Chris Karazin of the hemp business Carolindica argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that Congress should heed the lessons of the contentious hemp policy debate in North Carolina and “build a regulatory framework that protects consumers while preserving access to products that millions of Americans already use.”
- “Every industry benefits from predictable regulations. Hemp should be no different. Consumers deserve safe products. Businesses deserve certainty. Policymakers have an opportunity to deliver both.”
A spokesperson Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) and Attorney General Jay Jones (D) defended newly approved hemp product restrictions in the face of a lawsuit from businesses who say the change is unlawful.
/ FEDERAL
The National Institute on Drug Abuse is accepting input on its 2027-2031 strategic plan.
The Drug Enforcement Administration launched a “Together for Families” network.
The Birmingham VA Health Care System sent a press release about its participation in a psilocybin trial.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) tweeted, “I fought and won a major vote in the Senate this weekend to stop the hemp ban that would’ve devastated Minnesota’s farmers, brewers, and small businesses. Minnesota already has sensible safety rules in place, and now this moves to the House and must pass.”
A spokesperson for Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said delaying the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products would “continue to expose our nation’s children to unregulated, intoxicating, hemp-derived THC products.”
/ STATES
Former Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum was jailed for allegedly missing a drug test and then testing positive for methamphetamine.
Indiana’s attorney general claimed that tax revenue from marijuana legalization is “not outweighing the social costs.”
New York’s Assembly majority leader discussed ongoing efforts to build the state’s legal marijuana market.
Wyoming lawmakers discussed their views on marijuana policy.
A federal judge rules that a New Jersey labor peace agreement requirement for cannabis businesses is preempted by federal law.
Georgia regulators toured a medical cannabis cultivation facility.
California officials touted enforcement actions against suspected illegal cannabis operations.
Missouri regulators published the latest episode of their cannabis podcast.
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/ LOCAL
Kalamazoo, Michigan officials are distributing free cannabis lock bags.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Canadian government is investing C$24 million to establish a national cannabis and brain health research consortium.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “across multiple conditions, cannabinoids demonstrate modest benefits in symptom reduction, including improvements in patient-reported spasticity in multiple sclerosis, significant seizure reduction in treatment-resistant pediatric epileptic syndromes, antiemetic effects in refractory [chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting], and appetite stimulation in cachectic states.”
A study found that “use of CBD in patients with [obsessive-compulsive disorder] led to a decrease in the mean OCD score during the study period.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The executive director of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association authored an op-ed urging Congress not to reverse the planned federal recriminalization of hemp THC products.
Americans for Safe Access is leading an effort to encourage the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and medical schools to include the endocannabinoid system in a medical nutrition education initiative.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf was reportedly investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for money laundering and public corruption, though two federal grand juries declined to bring charges.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. completed its move to redomicile from British Columbia, Canada to Delaware.
Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $126.1 million and a net loss of $9.8 million.
Vireo Growth Inc. subsidiaries entered into a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility providing a $65 million initial commitment, expandable to $85 million and further to $105 million through a $20 million accordion feature.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
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