Trump’s DEA pick backs cannabis decrim (Newsletter: December 2, 2024)

DEA sued over marijuana records; Surgeon general pick supports medical cannabis; ID legalization; Study: Medical marijuana reduced opioid Rx in UT

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…

BREAKING: Journalism is often consumed for free, but costs money to produce! While this newsletter is proudly sent without cost to you, our ability to send it each day depends on the financial support of readers who can afford to give it. So if you’ve got a few dollars to spare each month and believe in the work we do, please consider joining us on Patreon today. https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOW Chad Chronister, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, is a Florida sheriff who endorsed a local marijuana decriminalization policy enacted by county officials. If confirmed, he’ll oversee the last step of the federal cannabis rescheduling review. The Drug Enforcement Administration is being sued by a lawyer who says the agency failed to respond in a timely fashion to a Freedom of Information Act request seeking copies of allegedly unlawful communications it had about the marijuana rescheduling process with a prohibitionist group. The Veterans Action Council is asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to overturn the Drug Enforcement Administration’s decision not to include the group in the agency’s upcoming marijuana rescheduling hearing. Janette Nesheiwat, who President-elect Donald Trump picked to serve as the next U.S. surgeon general, said she’s “all for medical marijuana” but also suggested that cannabis use is linked to higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Idaho’s secretary of state cleared marijuana activists to begin collecting signatures for a legalization measure they hope to qualify for the 2026 ballot. The Utah Medical Cannabis Policy Advisory Board discussed a new study showing that “there has been a noticeable decrease in deaths related to prescription opioids” since medical marijuana was legalized.

A New York marijuana business owner once held up by state officials as the face of the Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund is facing foreclosure amid mounting tax bills, an increasing monthly loan bill from the fund and a lawsuit over an outstanding invoice for legal fees. / FEDERAL Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) tweeted, “We need to legalize marijuana. And in the meantime, we need to do everything we can to repair the harms of an unjust war on drugs. @POTUS has made good progress, but I’m pushing him to do even more before the end of his term.” Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) discussed her support for marijuana rescheduling and cannabis banking legislation. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) dodged questions about marijuana rescheduling and cannabis banking legislation. / STATES Hawaii lawmakers said they hope to address an oversight in failing to extend a deadline to continuing allowing medical cannabis caregivers to grow for patients. The Minnesota Court of Appeals is taking up a case challenging regulators’ marijuana business licensing process. Alaska regulators filed changes to rules on marijuana business license application requirements. Oregon regulators published guidance on psilocybin potency. Michigan regulators will host a webinar on proposed changes to marijuana rules on Wednesday. The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority Board of Directors will meet on December 9. — 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 A Costa Rican court is blocking a marijuana legalization referendum, ruling that it conflicts with international treaties. Bavaria, Germany officials rejected the application of a proposed cannabis club in Munich / SCIENCE & HEALTH A review concluded that “CBD-rich cannabis shows promise in improving behavioral symptoms associated with” autism spectrum disorder. A study of rats found that “cannabis smoke and oral Δ9THC enhance working memory in aged but not young adult subjects.” / ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS The German Medical Association is pushing the federal government to repeal the country’s marijuana legalization law. / BUSINESS RIV Capital Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $4.9 million and a net loss of $63.4 million. Tokyo Smoke completed a restructuring process. / CULTURE Seth Meyers joked about the prevalent smell of marijuana in New York City.

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

Email address: