Newsletter
Biden misstates cannabis pardon impact (Newsletter: January 30, 2024)
DEA agent fired for CBD gets job back; WA homegrow; OH legalization rules; Yellen on marijuana use; OR interstate cannabis suit dropped
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
President Joe Biden is inflating the impact of his marijuana pardons, falsely suggesting during a campaign speech that his act of clemency “expunged” records and that people were released from prison.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has agreed to reinstate an agent who filed a lawsuit after being fired over a positive THC test that he said was caused by CBD products he used as an opioid alternative to treat pain. The agency will also provide some back pay.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), along with state and local New York lawmakers, held a press conference to push the Drug Enforcement Administration to fully deschedule—and not merely reschedule—marijuana.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen discussed her experiences smoking marijuana—joking that it “always helps” when she’s stuck on a Candy Crush level, but clarifying that she actually hasn’t used cannabis since college.
The Washington House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee approved a bill to legalize marijuana home cultivation and separately gutted separate legislation that would have banned sales of high-THC products to people under 25.
The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control posted an initial batch of proposed regulations for the state’s voter-approved recreational marijuana program—but the rules may need to change if pending legislation to expedite sales is enacted.
An Oregon marijuana wholesaler voluntarily withdrew its federal lawsuit seeking to force the state to allow interstate cannabis commerce, saying that “big things are coming on this front very soon.”
A new poll found that a majority of active duty military service members and veterans, along with their family members, support legalizing marijuana.
/ FEDERAL
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) cited cannabis banking legislation as an area of bipartisan cooperation on his panel.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted, “No one should face eviction or be denied housing for legally using marijuana or treating a medical condition in states where it is permitted. @EleanorNorton and I have legislation to ensure it does not happen.”
/ STATES
A former Colorado assistant attorney general authored an op-ed on the implications of federal marijuana rescheduling.
A Florida Democratic representative accused Republican donors of having “economic motives” to “maintain the current system of vertical integration [for medical marijuana] and legalize cannabis for recreational use.”
A Kansas representative discussed the prospects for medical cannabis legislation.
A South Carolina senator spoke about his bill to prevent police from using the smell of marijuana as probable cause for searches.
A New York assemblymember criticized regulators for having only 14 investigators focused on cannabis business compliance.
Iowa regulators filed revised medical cannabis rules.
California regulators proposed rulemaking concerning cannabis cultivation license changes at the time of renewal.
Alaska’s Cannabis Potency and Pesticide Testing Lab User Group will hold monthly meetings from February through June.
Vermont regulators will consider recommendations for marijuana business licensure on Wednesday.
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/ LOCAL
Uxbridge, Massachusetts officials reached an agreement in court to largely refund community impact fees paid by a marijuana business.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Irish lawmakers are expected to debate a marijuana legalization bill on Wednesday.
South Africa’s Department of Justice said excluding military members from being able to use marijuana legally would be unconstitutional.
A Canadian lawmaker criticized the federal government for allowing provinces to enact drug decriminalization experiments.
Antigua and Barbuda regulators are offering discounted medical cannabis business licenses.
The Cayman Islands’s chief medical officer said hemp products are being removed from store shelves due to local laws, not because of any directive from the Public Health Department.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “CBD can potentially ameliorate certain psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, [substance use disorders], and PTSD.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Washington Examiner editorial board criticized Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) for touting his state’s cannabis sales.
/ BUSINESS
High Tide Inc. reported quarterly revenue of C$127.1 million and a net loss of C$31.8 million.
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