Michigan nears $10 billion in marijuana sales (Newsletter: November 29, 2024)

Feds want drug consumers on new workgroup; MD psychedelics task force; Study: Medical cannabis in prescription drug monitoring programs

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…

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 The National Institute on Drug Abuse is seeking people with “lived or living experience with drug use” to join a new workgroup to help shape the federal government’s drug research agenda. Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency data shows that the state is poised to hit the milestone of $10 billion worth of recreational marijuana products sold since the launch of the adult-use market by the end of this year. The Maryland Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances is beginning its work of crafting recommendations to ensure “broad, equitable and affordable access” to substances like psilocybin, DMT and mescaline that are due to be submitted to lawmakers next year. A new study found that adding medical marijuana to state prescription drug monitoring programs leads to a “decrease in the prescribing of scheduled narcotics”—while revealing that some doctors “may have bias against patients who use cannabis and deny them life-improving medications.” / FEDERAL The National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health said that “non-FDA-regulated psychoactive herbal remedies that are used to relieve pain and mood disorders or as a substitute for substance use, such as cannabis, psychedelics, and kratom, are of interest” for grants supporting research on natural products to treat substance use disorders. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up a case from a Mexican citizen and U.S. resident challenging a deportation order over possession of a synthetic cannabinoid. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) filed legislation to allow individuals serving decades-long federal sentences to petition courts for a sentence reduction or release after having served at least 10 years of their sentence, with Booker saying that “thousands of Americans are behind bars due to the draconian sentences of the failed War on Drugs.” Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) tweeted, “America must deliver on the promises it made to my fellow veterans. And when it comes to mental health, we should explore every tool available.  I’m glad to see @US_FDA launch this cannabis study to find solutions for PTSD relief.” / STATES New Mexico regulators ordered a recall of marijuana products that tested positive for a prohibited pesticide. Kentucky regulators filed changes to rules on hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Minnesota regulators rejected petitions to add dry powder inhalation, infused flower and concentrates as approved forms of medical cannabis delivery. Oregon regulators published an updated bulletin on a voter-approved initiative to require marijuana businesses to enter into labor peace agreements. Missouri has generated more tax revenue from legal marijuana sales than originally projected. — 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. — / INTERNATIONAL The Czech Republic’s Ministry of Health said general practitioners will be allowed to prescribe medical cannabis for pain relief starting on April 1. A Berlin, Germany senator wants to repeal the country’s marijuana legalization law. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study found that “cannabis oil was associated with significant improvements in pain, [activities of daily living], and [quality of life] in severe knee osteoarthritis.”

A study of posts in an online forum for pregnant women found that “most discussions in this pro-cannabis forum reflected perceptions that cannabis was effective in treating the conditions for which it was used; however, limitations of cannabis’ efficacy were also mentioned.” / BUSINESS Washington, D.C. medical cannabis businesses sold $4.5 million worth of products in October.

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

Email address: