The congressman talks about the exemptions as a banking supplement; Lawmakers Want Another U.S. Marijuana Prisoner Freed From Russia; cannabis fed breath tests; Regs IL
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/ MAIN THINGS TO KNOW
Arkansas Marijuana Activists filed a lawsuit before the state Supreme Court to secure ballot access for his legalization proposal that was rejected by the Board of Election Commissioners despite having enough voter signatures.
Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) spoke with Marijuana Moment about the push for cannabis reform in Congress and how his new delisting bill could be an “adjunct” to a broad package of reforms that bipartisan leaders are crafting that include banking and others
As US basketball player Brittney Griner’s Russian cannabis conviction sparks international outrage, bipartisan lawmakers led by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) sent a letter urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken to grant similar “wrongfully detained” status to another American who is incarcerated in this country for medical marijuana.
“While he may not have the notoriety of a famous WNBA athlete, we believe the work of the Biden administration to bring Mr. Fogel home to his family is essential.”
The National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking a contractor to help conduct a study measuring how the concentration of cannabis compounds in users’ breath declines over time after use.
An Representative from Illinois plans to introduce legislation to consolidate the state’s marijuana regulations under a single new commission, rather than the patchwork of agencies overseeing the cannabis market now.
/ FEDERAL
President Joe Biden said he is “working hard” to free American basketball player Brittney Griner, who was sentenced to prison in Russia for vaping cannabis, and that he is “hope” that she will be released.
The senate confirmed new members of the US Sentencing Commission.
Representative Dean Phillips (D-MN) tweeted: “Brittney Griner’s 9-year sentence for possession of cannabis is as absurd as classifying cannabis as a Schedule I narcotic.”
Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) tweeted: “Brittney is a political prisoner. Her conviction for possessing less than *1 gram* of cannabis oil is unimaginably cruel and outrageous. Also a reminder that cannabis inexplicably remains a schedule 1 drug in the States United States and millions have been locked up on non-violent drug charges.”
Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for expressing concern over the Russian cannabis conviction of American basketball player Brittney Griner when she herself oversaw marijuana cases as a prosecutor and the Biden administration is not taking meaningful action to release national prisoners.
/ STATES
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) signed a bill allowing medical cannabis patients under the age of 18 to have up to four designated caregivers.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) pardoned more people for marijuana and other crimes.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) tweeted: “Illinois, look what we’ve accomplished these past four years:… 🍃 Legalized cannabis for adults… And we’re just getting started.” Separately, the lieutenant governor tweeted: “Four years ago, @JBPritzker and I promised to legalize adult cannabis and eliminate cannabis-related registrations. Four years later, our efforts to build a more equitable Illinois are coming to fruition.”
Nebraska Democratic gubernatorial candidate Carol Blood, currently a state senator, tweeted that the state’s “watered down hemp bill is ineffective.”
Texas Democratic agriculture commissioner candidate Susan Hays accused the incumbent of being slow to embrace medical cannabis.
A California the senator talked about his bill to legalize the possession of psychedelics.
A virginia the senator participated in a ribbon cutting on a new medical cannabis dispensary.
washington dc Officials are launching a joint cannabis task force to conduct inspections of unlicensed marijuana businesses.
montana regulators presented proposed changes to the rules on the marijuana waste management process.
Connecticut regulators are being sued by a company that was denied a license to grow marijuana.
The Oregon The Working Group on Cannabis-derived Intoxicants and Illegal Cannabis Production of the Subcommittee on Water and Natural Resources has met.
Ohio regulators will consider medical cannabis rules on Monday.
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Marihuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25 a month, get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so you don’t miss anything new.
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/ LOCAL
of New York City mayor tweeted: “I’m proud of the work New York’s overdose prevention centers are doing. Since opening, they’ve saved lives and connected people with basic needs and social services. All New Yorkers deserve access to safe health care and treatment. And we’re leading the way with these places.”
Denver, Colorado voters will see a measure on the November ballot to raise taxes on recreational marijuana sales and use the revenue to fund out-of-school scholarships.
The Harker Heights, Texas The City Council voted to place a marijuana decriminalization initiative on the November ballot instead of immediately enacting the reform.
The Medford, Oregon The City Council refused to put a measure on the ballot to ban psilocybin service businesses.
The Detroit, Michigan The City Council voted a measure on the November ballot to revise the rules for the recreational marijuana business.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Russia’s The foreign minister said the country is “ready to discuss” a prisoner swap involving US basketball player Britteny Griner, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for possessing cannabis vapour.
from Belize The minister for new growth industries said the decision to delay a referendum on legalizing cannabis had to do with the cost of running the election, rather than concerns about banking, as reported previously
canadian Licensed marijuana companies destroyed 468 tons of unsold, unpackaged dry cannabis in 2021.
/ SCIENCE AND HEALTH
One study suggested that “CBD can reduce the severity of anxiety and has an adequate safety profile in youth with treatment-resistant anxiety disorders.”
One study suggested that “CBD may protect against induced sepsis inflammation and subsequent arrhythmias”.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION AND ANALYSIS
The Racine Journal Times Editorial Board calls on Wisconsin lawmakers to legalize marijuana.
The Star-Ledger Editorial Board he said it would be repeating the mistakes of the war on drugs to clamp down on unlicensed marijuana sellers with tough criminal penalties.
Ben & Jerry’s Co-founder Ben Cohen wrote an op-ed on the need to go beyond marijuana social equity programs to restore communities damaged by the war on drugs.
The executive vice president of the prohibitionist organization Smart approaches to marijuana He authored an op-ed criticizing a new Senate bill to allow cannabis advertising on television and radio.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation reported quarterly net income of C$110.1 million and a net loss of C$2.1 billion.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said he was drug tested by the federal government after smoking pot on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
Missouri dispensaries sold more than $33 million in medical cannabis in July.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
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