Most VP picks back cannabis legalization (Newsletter: July 25, 2024)

Fed transit board rescheduling warning; FL poll; OH nears rec marijuana sales; TX AG’s decrim suit dismissed; NY study: Cannabis reduces opioid use

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.

Email address:

Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…

Your good deed for the day: donate to an independent publisher like Marijuana Moment and ensure that as many voters as possible have access to the most in-depth cannabis reporting out there. Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOW Most of the top contenders for the Democratic vice presidential nomination support legalizing marijuana—and some of them have even signed cannabis legalization bills into law. The National Transportation Safety Board is warning that marijuana rescheduling could create a “blind spot” in drug testing of federally regulated workers in safety-sensitive positions—despite Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently saying the reform “would not alter” drug testing rules. Florida likely voters support the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot by a margin of 64 percent to 27 percent—according to a new survey from the opposition campaign’s own pollster. The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control has taken another step toward launching recreational marijuana sales by granting the first certificate of operation to a dual use testing lab—as well as approving more growers and processors. A Texas judge dismissed Attorney General Ken Paxton’s (R) lawsuit seeking to overturn the local voter-approved marijuana decriminalization law in San Marcos. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s proposal to ban two psychedelics is facing a new legal challenge from the advocacy group Students for Sensible Drug Policy, which is representing graduate students, post-docs, staff scientists and professors who have been researching the substances. A new study conducted by the New York Office of Cannabis Management shows that more than three out of four medical marijuana patients in the state say cannabis has allowed them to reduce their intake of prescription drugs such as opioids. Ohio lawmakers have filed legislation to restrict and regulate intoxicating hemp-derived products, including delta-8 THC. / FEDERAL Sen. Mark Kelly’s (D-AZ) reportedly told his daughter that her Instagram post about MDMA and marijuana “would not be in anyone’s best interest. At least not yours or mine.” Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) noted the cannabis reform work of Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations in comments in the Congressional Record. / STATES Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero (D) signed a bill providing a testing exemption for cannabis products. California voters will decide on a ballot initiative to increase penalties for certain drug and retail theft crimes in November. Pennsylvania’s attorney general touted enforcement actions against a large-scale manufacturing lab that produced DMT, psilocybin mushrooms and THC products. A federal judge rejected a motion to block Wyoming hemp regulations from taking effect. Washington State regulators posted guidance about a new medical cannabis excise tax exemption. Minnesota regulators began accepting applications for cannabis business social equity license preapproval. — 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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania City Council delayed a vote on a proposal to prohibit employers from drug testing medical cannabis card holders. The Dover, Delaware City Council approved a moratorium on recreational marijuana businesses through the end of the year. / INTERNATIONAL A Canadian government memo reportedly discussed plans to  implement a “national decriminalization” drug policy. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study found that “participants reported a significant decrease in [gastrointestinal] symptom severity when using [medical marijuana] versus when not using MMJ.” A review concluded that “psychedelic use is linked with a variety of subjective indicators of spiritual growth, including stronger perceived connections with the divine, a greater sense of meaning, increased spiritual faith, increased engagement in religious and spiritual practices, an increase in feelings of unity and self-transcendence, positive changes in worldview, increased connectedness with others, and reduced fear of death.” / ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS The Hawaiʻi Alliance for Cannabis Reform published a voter guide for the state’s primary elections. / BUSINESS LeafLink acquired the assets of Dama Financial’s banking division. Organigram Holdings Inc. completed an early partial funding of its final third tranche investment into Phylos Bioscience Inc. Weedmaps and NuggMD are partnering on a pilot program to streamline the medical cannabis education and application process for patients. Arkansas dispensaries sold $135.5 million worth of medical cannabis products in the first half of this year. / CULTURE Elton John co-authored an op-ed with New Zealand’s former prime minister that calls for replacing the war on drugs with a health-focused approach.

Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.

Email address: