WI lawmakers announce legalization bill at IL dispensary; USDA approves CO hemp plan; MI funds research on marijuana for PTSD with cannabis revenue
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Senate approved an infrastructure bill that contains provisions directing federal agencies to create a process to let researchers study marijuana that consumers actually buy from dispensaries, instead of just using government-grown cannabis. The House has already passed similar legislation.
Wisconsin lawmakers announced a new marijuana legalization bill—at a press conference outside a cannabis dispensary in neighboring Illinois.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Colorado’s hemp plan—a move that Gov. Jared Polis (D) celebrated at a press conference he held next to a hemp field where he unveiled a congratulatory quote from Willie Nelson.
Michigan’s attorney general and solicitor general filed a brief arguing that people who are fired for off-the-job marijuana use are not disqualified for unemployment benefits.
Michigan regulators are spending $20 million in marijuana tax revenue to fund research on the benefits of medical cannabis for military veterans. The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies is getting nearly $13 million of that for the first-ever clinical trial of inhaled botanical cannabis for PTSD.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) discussed concerns about energy usage in the marijuana industry.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said he supports medical cannabis and industrial hemp but won’t back recreational marijuana legalization until research shows that it isn’t a “gateway to higher-level drugs.” (About 13:30 into the audio.)
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) tweeted, “Ending the War on Drugs is not a partisan issue. The families devastated are Democrats, Independents, and Republicans. The War on Drugs has gone on too long and must come to an end.”
Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) tweeted, “Californians are having to cut their water usage by 15%, meanwhile criminals running illegal marijuana grows in CA are stealing an estimated 5 million gallons of water per day. That is why I am working to combat these illegal marijuana grows and the bad actors running them.”
/ STATES
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) signed a bill adding opioid use disorder as a medical cannabis qualifying condition and allowing out-of-state patients to shop at dispensaries.
Here’s a look at where New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), who will replace resigning Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), stands on marijuana.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) tweeted about a new community plaza, saying, “Late last month, MK and I stopped by and saw firsthand how this new space can transform a community. I’m proud we’re dedicating $1.5 million in cannabis revenue into projects like this that will help reduce violence and build safer communities.”
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Cranley, currently Cincinnati’s mayor, included a pledge to legalize marijuana in his campaign announcement video.
South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Cunningham tweeted, “More than half a million people were arrested for marijuana in 2019. That’s roughly the population of the largest county in South Carolina, Greenville. When I’m governor, South Carolina will no longer add to these statistics.” He also highlighted a thread about how cannabis convictions harm people’s lives.
The Massachusetts legislature’s Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Committee will hold a hearing on legislation to legalize safe consumption sites for illegal drugs next month.
Alaska regulators amended rules on THC content in marijuana edibles.
California officials included an update on efforts to enroll cannabis growers in water usage programs in a new report.
Alabama’s Medical Cannabis Commission will hold its first meeting on Thursday.
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/ LOCAL
The Billings, Montana City Council voted to place questions on the November ballot about what kinds of marijuana businesses can operate in the city.
The Santa Fe, New Mexico Police Department is loosening restrictions on past marijuana use by recruits.
The Sioux Falls, South Dakota School District Board of Education gave initial approval to a medical cannabis plan for schools.
The San Diego County, California Office of Equity & Racial Justice is seeking proposals for a cannabis social equity program.
A Cincinnati, Ohio ordinance enacted in 2019 to expunge marijuana convictions does not appear to have led to anyone getting the intended relief yet.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A former UK Conservative Party leader is calling on the government to decriminalize drugs.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “although preclinical evidence suggests cannabinoids are of value in treating chronic inflammatory diseases, the clinical evidence is scarce.”
A case study of a patient with schizophrenia and substance use disorder who was given CBD cigarettes with a low THC content “demonstrates the potential of smoked CBD as a substitute for severe and chronic [cannabis use disorder].”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Americans for Safe Access submitted comments to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy about the impact of federal policies on medical cannabis patients.
The Cannabis Council of Maine is a new advocacy effort involving existing marijuana reform groups in the state.
/ BUSINESS
Harvest Health & Recreation Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $102.5 million and a net loss of $19.2 million.
iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $54.2 million and a net loss of $15.3 million.
Verano Holdings Corp. reported quarterly revenue of $199 million.
The Parent Company filed a federal form that is required to uplist to trade on a major exchange.
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company created a subsidiary called The Hawthorne Collective, which is investing $150 million in RIV Capital.
Weedmaps added ordering functionality to its iPhone app.
Surfside raised $4 million in seed funding in a round led by Casa Verde.
/ CULTURE
Beyoncé said she’s experienced CBD’s “benefits for soreness and inflammation” and is now building a hemp and honey farm.
The Professional Fighters League announced that Columbia Care, Inc. will become its official CBD partner.
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