DEA selects cannabis rescheduling hearing witnesses (Newsletter: October 30, 2024)

Harris vs. Trump on marijuana; FL legalization oppo pays influencers; KS cannabis poll; AZ adult-use deliveries set to begin

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 The Drug Enforcement Administration has begun selecting witnesses for an upcoming marijuana rescheduling hearing and is informing those who will be invited to testify. With just days to go before Election Day, Marijuana Moment compiled a comprehensive look at where Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald stand on cannabis. It’s the first time in history that both major party candidates back legalization at some level. A new poll from NuggMD finds that a majority of marijuana consumers plan to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris for president—while two in five say they’re supporting former President Donald Trump. A new poll shows that 65 percent of Kansas residents—including majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents—support legalizing recreational marijuana to raise revenue for the state. That’s more than those who want to raise alcohol or tobacco taxes to boost revenue. The campaign working to defeat Florida’s marijuana legalization ballot initiative is paying right-wing influencers—including former Trump attorney Jenna Ellis and actor Kevin Sorbo—to post tweets arguing against the measure. The Arizona Department of Health will begin allowing recreational marijuana deliveries to consumers on Friday—months ahead of schedule. The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission selected an Illinois marijuana official as its new executive director. The South Dakota legislature’s Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee heard testimony from industry representatives who want various rules changes. / FEDERAL Former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tweeted, “FDA’s war on public health is about to end. This includes its aggressive suppression of psychedelics…. If you work for the FDA and are part of this corrupt system, I have two messages for you: 1. Preserve your records, and 2. Pack your bags.” Customs and Border Protection posted data on the number of its employees who tested positive for marijuana or other drugs last fiscal year. / STATES Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) hosted a press conference with medical professionals who oppose the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot. Former Gov. Jeb Bush (R) is also campaigning against the reform. And the legalization campaign released a new ad accusing politicians of “lying” about the measure. New Hampshire Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joyce Craig toured a cannabis production facility. A Nebraska trial on signatures for two medical cannabis ballot initiatives began. Massachusetts lawmakers will hold a hearing on issues with the Cannabis Control Commission on Wednesday. A Texas representative will appear at a rally for a marijuana decriminalization initiative on the Dallas ballot on Saturday. New York’s acting top marijuana regulator discussed how to address a backlog of business license applications. Maryland regulators are holding meetings on how cannabis tax revenue can be reinvested into communities this month and next month. Colorado regulators posted a FAQ about psychedelic healing center rules. Missouri marijuana arrests have declined substantially since legalization, unsurprisingly. Vermont regulators will consider recommendations for marijuana business licensure 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 A judge ruled that New York City’s law used to carry out a crackdown on unlicensed marijuana businesses is unconstitutional. The mayors of Holyoke and West Springfield, Massachusetts endorsed the psychedelics legalization initiative on the state’s November ballot. A judge will hold a hearing in a case challenging Killeen, Texas’s voter-approved marijuana decriminalization law on Wednesday. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study found that “extracts rich in cannabidiol or Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol inhibited the growth of two canine prostate carcinoma cell lines.” A study found that “phytocannabinoids restore seizure-induced alterations in emotional behaviour in male rats.” / ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS A poll of Florida likely voters found that they support the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot, 60 percent to 34 percent. The chair of the Florida Democratic Party tweeted, “The racial disparities has always been the story and intent of the war on cannabis. It is past time to end it and right the wrongs! #Yeson3” / BUSINESS SHF Holdings, Inc., d/b/a/ Safe Harbor Financial originated a $1.07 million secured credit facility for a Missouri-based cannabis operator, which it says is the first tranche of a $5 million commitment to refinance existing senior debt.

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

Email address: