NH & PA legalization; VT safe consumption site bill to gov; Illicit marijuana seizures decline; State cannabis revenue rises
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to say whether President Joe Biden supports rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III as agencies in his administration have determined, saying he is “going to let that review process continue.”
The Congressional Research Service said in a new report that it “appears likely” cannabis will be rescheduled, though it reminded lawmakers that they can “enact marijuana legislation before or after DEA acts” to more fully “eliminate the gap” between federal and state laws.
The New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee amended and approved a House-passed marijuana legalization bill—the first time a proposal to legalize cannabis has ever advanced in the chamber.
A Pennsylvania Republican senator said the state is “getting close” to legalizing marijuana, but the job will only get done if House and Senate leaders sit down with Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) and “work it out.”
Vermont lawmakers sent Gov. Phil Scott (R) a bill to legalize and fund a safe consumption site for illegal drugs, with supporters saying it will help to curb the state’s ongoing epidemic of overdose deaths.
Customs and Border Protection data shows that seizures of illicit marijuana shipments at the U.S.-Mexico border continue to decline as more state legalization laws come online and give consumers places to buy cannabis safely and legally.
States have now generated more than $20 billion in adult-use cannabis tax revenue since the first legal markets launched a decade ago—with a record annual haul of more than $4 billion in 2023, according to a new Marijuana Policy Project report.
The chairman of the Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee said the state Medical Cannabis Commission’s ongoing involvement in litigation over its business licensing decisions has turned it into a “money pit.”
/ FEDERAL
The National Institute on Drug Abuse posted a notice about funding research to “investigate the roles of endocannabinoids and the effects of cannabinoid exposure in the developing brain.”
Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) tweeted, “I cosponsored the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act when it was first introduced in 2022. I’m proud to support it again. Legalizing cannabis is good policy — and long overdue.”
Here’s a look at where all 100 senators stand on marijuana banking legislation.
Former Rep. Mary Bono (R-CA) hosted the head of prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana on her podcast.
Maine Republican congressional candidates Mike Soboleski and Austin Theriault said they are OK with federal marijuana legalization.
The House bill to reduce restrictions on hemp growers got one new cosponsor for a total of 13.
/ STATES
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) recognized the work of marijuana regulators as part of Public Employee Appreciation Week.
Colorado lawmakers sent Gov. Jared Polis (D) a bill to streamline marijuana regulations.
Montana’s House speaker is calling for a special session to consider marijuana tax revenue distribution and other issues.
Nebraska Senate candidates discussed their support for legalizing marijuana.
A California senator authored an op-ed calling on Santa Cruz officials to approve a cannabis dispensary application.
Alaska regulators approved rules on marijuana special investigator hiring standards.
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission is looking for a new executive director.
Oklahoma officials said they seized approximately 32,000 cannabis plants and 2,000 pounds of harvested marijuana as part of an investigation of medical cannabis businesses suspected of administrative and criminal violations.
The New York Cannabis Advisory Board met.
Washington State regulators are hosting public sessions on marijuana social equity rulemaking this month.
—Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,400 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.—
/ LOCAL
At least 47 Ohio municipalities have enacted moratoriums on recreational marijuana businesses.
Detroit, Michigan officials are considering restrictions on marijuana billboards.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is moving to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic.
The Canadian federal government approved British Columbia’s request to recriminalize public drug possession.
A German lawmaker and member of the European Parliament will discuss cannabis reform under European Union law on Thursday.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “medical marijuana, when used to treat agitation in dementia patients, is just as effective as the standard pharmacological treatments.”
A study conducted by federal officials found that “an estimated 321,566 community-dwelling children in the US lost a parent aged 18 to 64 years to drug overdose.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Americans support rescheduling marijuana, 45 percent to 28 percent.
The Republican Party of Florida’s chairman said that county GOP chapters cannot contradict the state party’s stance opposing the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.
The founder of Bay Staters for Natural Medicine reportedly “appears to be coordinating an opposition campaign…in tandem with prominent anti-drug advocacy groups” against a Massachusetts psychedelics legalization initiative that he at one point supported.
/ BUSINESS
Green Thumb Industries Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $275.8 million.
Verano Holdings Corp. reported quarterly net revenue of $221.3 million and a net loss of $4.8 million.
Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly consolidated net revenue of $12.1 million and a net loss of $9.6 million.
Leafly Holdings, Inc. has a new president and chief operating officer.
Incannex Healthcare Inc. completed a pre-Investigational New Drug meeting with the Food and Drug Administration regarding development of its CBD-containing treatment for opioid use disorder.
Compass Pathways plc announced there was “durable improvement in symptoms” with a phase 2 study of its psilocybin treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
NH & PA legalization; VT safe consumption site bill to gov; Illicit marijuana seizures decline; State cannabis revenue rises 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… Before you dig Read More