Congressional block on medical marijuana in workers’ comp; PA cannabis regulatory bill fails; Veterans & marijuana FOIA docs; Study: Cannabis & cancer
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House Appropriations Committee approved a bill containing a provision blocking federal workers’ compensation programs from covering medical cannabis—”regardless of any change in the scheduling of marijuana.”
Petitioners for ballot initiatives to roll back marijuana legalization in Maine and Massachusetts are being accused of “fraudulent” and “misleading” petitioning tactics as new social media posts show them appearing to argue that people who support legal cannabis access should sign the petitions in order to advance or protect marijuana reform.
The Pennsylvania Senate rejected a bill to create a Cannabis Control Board to regulate medical marijuana and potentially one day recreational cannabis—while also restricting hemp THC products in line with a new federal recriminalization law. A motion to reconsider was immediately approved, however.
Mike Davis of the Veterans Action Council explains in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed how Department of Veterans Affairs documents obtained via the Freedom of Information Act reveal the rules for medical cannabis conversations between government doctors and military veterans.
A new study found that “medical cannabis extracts can be meaningfully beneficial for cancer-related symptoms in approximately 50% of patients, particularly for sleep and related symptoms.”
- “Three cannabinoid extracts (THC; CBD; and 1:1) were significantly more effective than placebo.”
Ohio officials are being sued by hemp THC beverage companies that are seeking to block new product restrictions from being enforced in the state.
/ FEDERAL
Former President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden discussed his therapeutic use of psychedelics.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched an enhanced dashboard with data on fatal drug overdoses.
The House bill to federally legalize marijuana got one new cosponsor for a total of 73.
The House bill to let marijuana businesses list on U.S. stock exchanges got one new cosponsor for a total of five.
/ STATES
North Carolina senators filed a bill to ban sales of hemp and kratom products to people under the age of 21.
A Virginia senator criticized Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) for appearing to change her mind on including recreational marijuana sales legalization provisions in budget legislation this month.
Maine regulators issued a recall of marijuana products due to unsafe levels of yeast and mold.
Texas regulators are “still determining how to proceed” with enforcing new hemp product restrictions in light of ongoing litigation.
Colorado regulators published guidance about revised psychedelics rules.
Maryland officials are funding a clinical trial of MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD.
Michigan regulators filed complaints against a marijuana business over alleged violations.
Ohio officials are urging people to be “boat sober” this summer by making sure not to be under the influence of cannabis or alcohol while operating watercraft.
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/ LOCAL
The Chicago, Illinois City Council Public Safety Committee approved a proposal to increase penalties for smoking or selling marijuana near schools and parks.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A Belizean lawmaker spoke about the defeat of a local marijuana referendum in Caye Caulker.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of cancer patients found that “iterative cannabis care plans incorporating ongoing monitoring and adjustment were associated with substantially higher rates of meaningful symptom relief and a lower burden of side effects over time.”
A review concluded that “psychedelics rapidly treat depression via 5-HT2A receptor activation & neuroplasticity.”
/ BUSINESS
The Red White & Bloom Brands Inc. subsidiary Emblem Cannabis Corporation closed its acquisition of Ayurcann Inc.
Missouri retailers sold 135.1 million worth of legal marijuana products in May.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 25-year veteran in the cannabis and drug law reform movement, he covers the policy, politics, science and culture of marijuana, psychedelics and other substances. He previously reported for Forbes, Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and was given the Hunter S. Thompson Media Award by NORML and has been named Journalist of the Year by Americans for Safe Access. As an activist, Tom founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority and handled media relations, campaigns and lobbying for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
