DOJ rule eases marijuana user gun rights restoration; MA legalization rollback poll; Alcohol industry op-ed on hemp drinks
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Free to read (but not free to produce)! We’re proud of our newsletter and the reporting we publish at Marijuana Moment, and we’re happy to provide it for free. But it takes a lot of work and resources to make this happen.
If you value Marijuana Moment, invest in our success on Patreon so we can expand our coverage and more readers can benefit: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Marijuana Moment obtained all final briefs filed by parties in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s cannabis rescheduling hearing—with DEA pointing out that the opposition’s own witnesses “supported the therapeutic use of marijuana in certain instances” and anti-reform groups expressing concerns about process, public health and safety.
- “The vast majority of individuals who use marijuana do so in a manner that does not result in dangers to themselves or to their communities.”
The Department of Justice adopted a new rule to help people restore their gun rights that contains provisions that will block officials from denying applications over the use of marijuana or any cannabis convictions.
A poll of Massachusetts likely Democratic primary voters shows that they overwhelmingly oppose a measure to roll back the state’s marijuana legalization law on the November ballot, 79 percent to 16 percent.
Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America’s Dawson Hobbs argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that the cannabis industry should support a new bill in Congress to regulate hemp THC drinks instead of ban them.
- “Pushing an existing market back into the shadows would not eliminate demand, improve product safety or resolve the contradictions in federal cannabis law… It gives opponents of cannabis reform an easier argument: that intoxicating cannabinoid products cannot be responsibly integrated into the economy outside prohibition.”
A federal judge dissolved an order that blocked the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission from awarding marijuana business licenses now that changes to state law have mooted litigation challenging the process.
The administrator of South Dakota’s medical cannabis program told lawmakers that the number of patients who are registered to legally grow their own marijuana at home has increased by more than 1,000 percent over the past four years.
/ FEDERAL
President Donald Trump announced that the University of Miami gave the federal government its 1994 ibogaine Investigational New Drug application, which he described as a “Historic Gift” that will “give everyone direct access to the foundational FDA authorization to accelerate its development as a medical treatment in the U.S.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Laboratory Sciences cited its work on metals in hemp cigarettes and cannabis exposures in children in an annual report.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration tweeted, “There are no federal standards for the content, purity, or potency of most CBD products. Some may contain ingredients not listed on the label, including synthetic compounds, pesticides, or other impurities.”
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) tweeted, “Intoxicating hemp products — often called ‘gas station weed’ — are widely available and accessible to children. These dangerous products should NEVER be sold to children. I’m leading the fight in Congress to put an end to the sale of these products. This is a serious public health and safety issue, and Congress must act.”
The House bill to protect people from being evicted from public housing over marijuana use got one new cosponsor for a total of two.
/ STATES
Illinois regulators filed proposed rules on outdoor cannabis cultivation.
Oklahoma medical cannabis regulators issued a response to an audit of their operations.
Massachusetts marijuana regulators are seeking $7.9 million in additional funding.
Washington, D.C. regulators launched a new streamlined medical cannabis patient and caregiver registration portal.
Ohio officials are encouraging families to have conversations with students about informed cannabis decisions, responsible alcohol use and smart financial habits as the school year begins.
California regulators sent updates on various cannabis issues.
Maryland regulators will host a webinar about the cannabis regulatory process on August 25.
New York regulators will host a webinar about cannabis education for community based organizations on August 27.
—
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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—
/ INTERNATIONAL
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah received a briefing about Gandaki Province’s move to allow cannabis cultivation from its chief minister.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “CBD may offer therapeutic benefits in a range of conditions, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, anxiety disorders, and epilepsy” and that “emerging data also support its potential use as an adjunctive therapy for COVID-19.”
A review concluded that “psychedelics offer a potential in treating core symptoms of” neurodevelopmental disorders and that “preclinical and clinical evidence is still limited but highly promising.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Boston Globe editorial board cautioned municipalities to carefully heed restrictions on how they can apply community impact fees on marijuana businesses.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. formally launched its bid to purchase all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Aurora Cannabis Inc.
Cresco Labs is being sued by Palomar Excess & Surplus Insurance Co., which is seeking a court declaration that it need not provide coverage to defend the company against two proposed class action lawsuits alleging misleading marketing of cannabis products.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.
