Federal cannabis testing report looks at potency & contaminants (Newsletter: July 9, 2024)

ND legalization; OR cannabis labor peace initiative; 1st German marijuana club approved; TX decrim; CA & WA psychedelics

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Free to read (but not free to produce)! We’re proud of our newsletter and the reporting we publish at Marijuana Moment, and we’re happy to provide it for free. But it takes a lot of work and resources to make this happen. If you value Marijuana Moment, invest in our success on Patreon so we can expand our coverage and more readers can benefit: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOW North Dakota marijuana activists submitted what they say are more than enough signatures to qualify a legalization initiative for the November ballot. Officials with the United Food and Commercial Workers union submitted signatures to put an initiative on Oregon’s November ballot that would mandate marijuana businesses to enter into labor peace agreements. Federal officials at the National Institute of Standards and Technology published a new cannabis report focused on helping labs ensure accuracy and precision in testing for cannabinoids, toxic elements and moisture. Officials in Lower Saxony, Germany approved the country’s first marijuana social club—allowing the cooperative to begin cultivating cannabis for members. Activists in Bastrop, Texas turned in signatures to place a marijuana decriminalization initiative on the local November ballot. The effort is being led by a Democratic candidate for the state House of Representatives. California lawmakers sent Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) a bill to streamline the processing of applications to study psychedelics and marijuana—clearing up a Research Advisory Panel backlog caused by a policy change that prevented it from holding closed-door meetings. The Olympia, Washington City Council is considering a psychedelics decriminalization resolution that says “no city funds or resources should be for investigation, prosecution, and arrest of individuals solely for entheogenic plants and fungi.” Michigan representatives filed legislation to merge the state’s medical and recreational cannabis laws, with one lawmaker saying it’s “about making Michigan an attractive and stable place for marijuana businesses to thrive.” A former South Dakota Highway Patrol officer who is now a partner in a medical cannabis company is criticizing what he sees as a lack of enforcement against intoxicating hemp products. / FEDERAL The Drug Enforcement Administration highlighted an article suggesting that “cannabis users are at increased risk of severe COVID.” / STATES Colorado regulators are accepting applications for psychedelics facilitator training programs. The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation is undergoing a staff shakeup. Michigan regulators posted guidance on the types of changes marijuana businesses are required to report and that require approval. New Jersey regulators published a podcast about navigating the marijuana business licensing process. The California Cannabis Advisory Committee’s Medicinal-Use Subcommittee will meet on Wednesday. South Dakota regulators will hold a hearing on proposed rules to increase medical cannabis business fees on July 29. Vermont regulators will hold a series of roundtable discussions with marijuana licensees this month and next month. — Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 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 The Ramsey County, Minnesota prosecutor submitted a public comment endorsing federal marijuana rescheduling. A Jacksonville, Florida City Council member said that if voters understand that marijuana revenue can be used to support public programs there is a good chance they will vote for the legalization initiative on the state’s November ballot. / INTERNATIONAL The Cook Islands Ministry of Health is allowing people to bring medical cannabis into the country from New Zealand and Australia. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study found that “CBD-assisted therapy improved anxiety symptoms in patients with [anxiety] disorder to varying degrees.” A review noted “psilocybin’s promising role in mitigating anxiety and depression symptoms in [Alzheimer’s disease] patients.” / BUSINESS Indiva Limited is commencing a court-approved sale process. SNDL Inc. completed its acquisition of the principal indebtedness of Delta 9 Cannabis Inc. from Connect First and Servus Credit Union Ltd. Illinois dispensaries sold $23.1 million worth of legal medical cannabis products in June. / CULTURE Penn Jillette and Bill Maher discussed marijuana use and legalization.

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