GOP senator wants cannabis regulated like alcohol & tobacco (Newsletter: November 20, 2024)

Legal brief: DEA illegally conspired w/ anti-marijuana group; SAFE Banking vote?; Beer group wants higher marijuana taxes; Former Nazis & psychedelics

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Before you dig into today’s cannabis news, I wanted you to know you can keep this resource free and published daily by subscribing to Marijuana Moment on Patreon. We’re a small independent publication diving deep into the cannabis world and rely on readers like you to keep going. Join us at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOW A new filing before the Drug Enforcement Administration judge overseeing its cannabis rescheduling hearing claims that the agency had “unlawful” communications with prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana and should be disqualified from its role in the proceedings. A researcher is asking a Drug Enforcement Administration judge to postpone the agency’s marijuana rescheduling hearing until after President-elect Donald Trump takes over and his administration can conduct a “review of the current rule-making.” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) said marijuana banking legislation and rescheduling are “half-assed” measures, and that cannabis should be legally regulated like alcohol and tobacco. He also argued that hemp-derived products that are available in states across the country are “more harmful” than marijuana itself. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) told Marijuana Moment that the National Defense Authorization Act is the best vehicle to pass cannabis banking legislation by the end of the year, and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said “we’re trying to line up the vote” to get the legislation passed. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) filed a bill aimed at restoring benefits to U.S. Army veterans who were subjected to psychedelic experiments administered by former Nazi scientists as part of a secret Cold War-era program. The Beer Institute is calling for tighter regulations on cannabis and hemp products, as well as taxes that are “higher than the highest rate for any beverage alcohol product.” It also wants a “zero tolerance approach” to THC-impaired driving that could prevent marijuana users from ever being able to legally drive. A new scientific review concludes that there is “evidence that psychedelics, in particular psilocybin, may offer a potential avenue for combating tobacco use disorder.”

Nebraska activists are asking a judge not to overturn voters’ decision to approve two medical cannabis legalization ballot measures amid a legal challenge alleging signature gathering “fraud” and notary “malfeasance” on the initiative petitions. / FEDERAL The National Institutes of Health is providing funding to support research to “examine new or adapted policies pertaining to tobacco, alcohol, and/or cannabis in the U.S., with a particular focus on how the policy or policies influence tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use or secondhand exposure among populations experiencing disparities.” Former Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) said President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) to serve as attorney general “bodes well” for the marijuana industry. / STATES A Pennsylvania representative-elect said she will not support any cannabis reform bills. Washington, D.C. regulators are being sued over enforcement actions against unlicensed marijuana businesses. Arizona regulators filed changes to medical cannabis rules. New York regulators launched a new cannabis seed-to-sale tracking system. Michigan regulators are accepting applications for a cannabis social equity grant program. Washington State officials sent an update on a program meant to “address the lasting economic damage of the war on drugs.” The Virginia Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council met. The Mississippi Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee met. Colorado regulators hosted a forum for potential psychedelics business license applicants. Vermont regulators will consider recommendations for marijuana business licensure on Wednesday. Oregon regulators will consider rules concerning artificially derived CBN on Thursday. The California Cannabis Advisory Board will meet on Thursday. — 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 Detroit, Michigan City Council passed a resolution noting harms of youth marijuana and e-cigarette use. The Dover, Delaware Planning Commission recommended the rejection of proposed marijuana ordinances. / INTERNATIONAL Luxembourg officials are restricting the availability of high-THC medical cannabis flower. Moldovan officials approved rules allowing hemp farming for seed and fiber. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study’s results “show promise for the effects of [cannabis-based medicinal products] on” chronic pain. A study found that “cannabinoid-like compounds found in non-cannabis plants exhibit antiseizure activity in genetic mouse models of drug-resistant epilepsy.” / BUSINESS Missouri retailers sold $123.3 million worth of legal marijuana products in October.

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