GOP congressman arrested for cannabis but opposes legalization (Newsletter: October 29, 2024)

New fed marijuana banking data; Poll: Trump & Harris supporters back rescheduling; ND legalization ad; Study: cannabis for pain & mental health

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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 The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network published new data showing that a record number of banks are now working with marijuana businesses as momentum for cannabis rescheduling and other reforms builds. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who has himself been arrested for marijuana, said he will be voting against the cannabis legalization initiative on Florida’s November ballot. A new poll shows that a majority of voters who back Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump both support marijuana rescheduling—but that while the GOP candidate’s backers are more likely to say cannabis laws are “important,” more voters overall trust the Democrat to handle the issue. The Kansas legislature’s Special Committee on Medical Marijuana voted against a recommendation that lawmakers legalize medical cannabis in 2025, instead saying they should wait and see what happens in other states and on the federal level in the coming months. The campaign working to pass the marijuana legalization measure on North Dakota’s November ballot released a new ad highlighting the economic benefits that neighboring states are getting from their legal cannabis markets. A new study found that medical cannabis use leads to “improvements in chronic pain and mental health symptoms, such as depression, anxiety and stress” and that most patients had a “notable decline in their use of both prescription and over-the-counter pain medications.”

The Nebraska secretary of state’s office held a hearing about two medical cannabis legalization initiatives on the November ballot, with patients and providers delivering impassioned testimony about the plant’s therapeutic benefits for serious health conditions. Kentucky regulators held a lottery to award the state’s first medical cannabis business licenses for cultivators and processors—with a follow-up drawing for dispensaries to be scheduled soon. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced plans to open a cannabis reference laboratory to monitor marijuana products for levels of cannabinoids as well as contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, mold and other pathogens. / FEDERAL Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) said he has “talked to mothers who have lost their kids—their kid was 15 and took something under peer pressure, and then that child lost his life because a bag of marijuana or something else was laced with fentanyl.” The Drug Enforcement Administration and Allen, Texas officials are being sued over raids they carried out on hemp retailers. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy designated five new High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas. Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-OR) raised concerns about cartel-run marijuana grows during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on border issues. / STATES A spokesperson for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) circulated a list of officials opposing the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot. Separately, two committees linked to the governor that are focused on opposing the cannabis measure as well as a separate abortion rights proposal reported raising $8.51 million between October 12 and October 26. And Trulieve donated another $28 million to the pro-legalization campaign. The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission selected a new executive director. New York regulators are restricting cannabis products infused with caffeine. Connecticut regulators published revised marijuana rules. Illinois regulators are advancing changes to hemp rules. Tennessee regulators issued a statement about the scope of new hemp product rules. New Jersey regulators published a pamphlet on safe cannabis use. Washington State regulators sent a newsletter about various cannabis issues. Colorado regulators will hold a roundtable meeting for local governments about psychedelics rules on Wednesday. — 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 Cullman County, Alabama voters will decide on a measure to institute a local medical cannabis tax on the November ballot. The Oakland, California City Council’s Community and Economic Development Committee will consider a proposal to exempt cannabis from a smoke-free ordinance on November 12. / INTERNATIONAL Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he would offer no apologies for the nation’s bloody “drug war” during his administration. Meanwhile, some lawmakers are pushing for him to be criminally charged over the issue. An Italian court held that CBD is not a narcotic. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study “did not find increases in the percentage of women with clinically relevant low birthweight or preterm births following cannabis policy liberalization.” / BUSINESS Green Dragon plans to end its operations by the end of the year. / CULTURE Seth Rogen said that “if we want to see weed legalized at the federal level we have to make sure Kamala Harris wins and Democrats get control of Congress.” Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.