DEA rescheduling hearing brief; Hemp tariff bill in Congress; Alcohol lobbyists’ anti-hemp work; NH & KS candidates on marijuana
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the Drug Enforcement Administration has granted federal registration and protections to more than 900 medical cannabis dispensaries across the U.S. in line with the Trump administration’s rescheduling move.
The Drug Enforcement Administration said it cannot grant federal registration and protections to medical cannabis businesses in states with dual-use licenses that also allow recreational marijuana or in states that let patients access medical cannabis with self-certifications.
The Drug Enforcement Administration issued guidance saying that medical marijuana businesses that want to receive federal registration and protections have until late November to begin sourcing cannabis only from and to other companies that have also been granted or applied for registration in a timely fashion.
The Drug Enforcement Administration filed a brief arguing that the Trump administration’s proposal to reschedule marijuana is not undermined by a recently published federal watchdog agency report that found “gaps” in the government’s process for evaluating controlled substances.
- “The Government respectfully requests that the Court give the GAO Report no weight.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration posted a list showing that nearly 7,000 medical cannabis businesses have applied for federal protections under the Trump administration’s marijuana rescheduling move.
Rep. Val Hoyle (D-OR) filed a new bill to impose a substantial tariff on hemp being imported into the U.S. from China while also adding new testing requirements for cannabinoid products that are coming into the country.
Lobbyists for major alcohol companies encouraged attorneys general from states across the country to press Congress to keep the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products on track, according to a new report based on emails obtained via public records requests.
New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) reiterated her opposition to marijuana legalization ahead of Election Day—saying that “I don’t think that legalizing cannabis improves our quality of life” and that the revenue it generates comes at a “deep cost.”
Kansas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cindy Holscher said the Trump administration’s federal marijuana rescheduling move boosts efforts to legalize medical cannabis in the state.
- “I think there’s some things that look a little differently now with the federal-level rescheduling. That does create a little bit of a difference of attitude among some of my peers.”
A Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation podcast highlighted marijuana businesses’ confusion about taking advantage of tax relief that comes with federal rescheduling while agencies still haven’t published guidance on the issue.
Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission officials announced that two more medical marijuana dispensaries are set to open this week, and that regulators are stepping up efforts to educate doctors about the program.
Former police officers Diane Goldstein and Karen Hawkes argue in a new op-ed that Massachusetts voters should reject a measure to roll back marijuana legalization on the November ballot.
- “Police already face considerable demands on their time and resources, and renewed cannabis enforcement would add to that burden.”
/ FEDERAL
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published a report on oral fluid drug testing program case studies.
New Hampshire U.S. Senate candidates Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) and former Sen. John E. Sununu (R-NH) discussed their views on marijuana during a debate.
/ STATES
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) tweeted, “a Halloween safety reminder: Keep cannabis gummies and suckers far away from Halloween candy. Not every gummy is for goblins!”
California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton appeared on a cannabis podcast.
South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jermaine Johnson discussed his support for legalizing medical cannabis.
Texas Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Vikki Goodwin, currently a state representative, said Republicans’ moves to crack down on cannabis “didn’t seem like a very good political move when so many people are buying these products.”
Pennsylvania’s attorney general touted enforcement actions against allegedly illegal sales of cannabis products at gas stations and convenience stores.
A Virginia senator is asking the Committee on Privileges and Elections to investigate federal marijuana-related criminal allegations against the Senate president pro tempore.
A Wisconsin senator authored an op-ed arguing that it’s time for the state to legalize marijuana.
A former New Hampshire representative authored an op-ed criticizing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cinde Warmington’s support for legalizing marijuana.
A New York appeals court rejected a challenge to the state’s marijuana social equity business program.
Several Oklahoma marijuana laws took effect, including measures classifying THC as a Schedule I substance, changing medical cannabis patient employment protections and enacting new labeling requirements.
Tennessee regulators said an email appearing to announce that they lifted restrictions on hemp products was “fraudulent.”
New Jersey regulators delayed an annual review of a cannabis social equity tax and took action on marijuana business issues.
The North Carolina Advisory Council on Cannabis met.
Georgia regulators will consider medical cannabis business licensing on Wednesday.
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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.
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/ LOCAL
Portsmouth, Virginia’s police chief said he is the unnamed senior law enforcement official mentioned in a federal indictment of the state Senate president pro tempore who warned her to stop allegedly illegally selling marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of rats found that “acute ingestion of CBD has prosexual effects, mainly manifested in sexual motivation, which were particularly evident in the sexually inhibited male rats.”
A review concluded that “reductions in anhedonia…were consistently observed following psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy wherein two randomized clinical trials reported greater improvements in anhedonia relative to control or comparator groups.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The National Sheriffs Association, National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and other groups sent a letter asking the Drug Enforcement Administration and Food and Drug Administration to permanently place the entire kratom plant and its preparations and analogues in Schedule I.
/ BUSINESS
MariMed Inc. shareholders approved a proposed reverse stock split.
Illinois retailers sold $118.6 million worth of legal recreational marijuana products in September.
/ CULTURE
Bill Maher reacted to President Donald Trump calling him a “major pothead.”
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Photo courtesy of Carlos Gracia.
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