MA gov’s bill to increase veteran medical marijuana access; Study: Every legalization state sees reduced teen cannabis use; Psychedelic therapy op-ed
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Texas Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton has accepted more than half a million dollars in alcohol industry-linked donations to his political campaigns while taking steps to crack down on cannabis, a review of campaign finance records by Marijuana Moment shows.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) filed legislation proposing to increase military veterans’ access to medical marijuana by allowing them to receive patient cards without having to get a doctor’s recommendation.
A new report from the Marijuana Policy Project shows that teen use of marijuana has decreased in every single state that has legalized cannabis for adults—contradicting opponents’ scare tactic messaging that claimed the reform would harm kids.
Psychedelic therapist Melissa Scannell argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that access to substances like psilocybin or ibogaine is “not the entire treatment” and that successful therapy requires “careful preparation, skilled support and meaningful integration afterward.”
- “Access to a substance without access to a therapeutic container is not comprehensive mental health care.”
/ FEDERAL
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy announced nearly $70 million in Drug-Free Communities Support Program and Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Local Drug Crisis Program grants.
The Drug Enforcement Administration highlighted tips for students to stay safe in the context of drugs during the beginning of the school year.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) filed an amendment to a college sports bill to prohibit agreements with student athletes that promote “gambling, tobacco or nicotine products, marijuana, alcoholic beverages, or sexually explicit commercial products or services.”
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) tweeted, “From mayor to senator, I’ve always been pro legal weed. While I don’t partake, it’s a freedom issue — adults should be able to make their own choice to use it or not.”
/ STATES
Nebraska’s attorney general said he won’t be challenging the state’s voter-approved medical cannabis law anymore after losing in the state Supreme Court.
The Michigan Senate amended and approved a House-passed bill to require officials to develop and distribute a notice on the effects of cannabis, hemp and nicotine products to schools.
Florida regulators filed proposed changes to rules on background checks on medical cannabis business employees and owners.
Maine regulators are considering changes to rules on medical cannabis research grants.
Illinois regulators have granted approvals that double the number of dispensaries licensed to sell medical cannabis.
Delaware’s top marijuana regulator visited a cannabis cultivation facility.
Kentucky regulators posted an update on growth of the medical cannabis program.
Georgia regulators will host a medical cannabis conference on October 16.
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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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
The Nevada City, California City Council approved a resolution making criminalization of psychedelics among the city’s lowest law enforcement priorities.
Los Angeles, California officials announced that the first cannabis dispensary has joined the city’s Green Business Program.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Scotland First Minister John Swinney said he supports decriminalizing drugs.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study provided “preclinical evidence that Lebanese Cannabis sativa L. crude ethanolic extract possesses antitumor and chemosensitizing potential in colorectal cancer models.”
A review concluded that “results support MDMA-[assisted therapy] for PTSD core symptoms and quality-of-life measures.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Hemp Beverage Alliance announced members of a supply chain advisory board.
/ BUSINESS
Aurora Cannabis Inc. filed an application with the Alberta Securities Commission seeking an order requiring Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. to address “several deficiencies” in its unsolicited bid to acquire the company.
Curaleaf took out a full-page ad in the New York Post calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) to sign legislation aimed at addressing out-of-state cannabis entering the New York’s market.
IM Cannabis Corp. regained compliance with Nasdaq minimum price bid requirements.
Herbal Wellness Center in Jackson, Ohio reopened after a temporary closure that followed reports of adverse health effects from people who bought vape pens there.
/ CULTURE
Matthew McConaughey spoke about smoking marijuana with Willie Nelson.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
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