OK marijuana ballot vote Tuesday; CBO looks at veterans cannabis bill; NYers: alcohol more dangerous than marijuana; Library of Congress hemp report
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Department of Justice is appealing a federal judge’s ruling that struck down the ban on possessing guns for marijuana consumers.
Oklahoma voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday to decide on a marijuana legalization initiative—the first time in U.S. history that a cannabis measure is the only thing on a statewide ballot.
Marijuana Moment will have live results as ballots are counted, so keep our tracker open to see what happens.
A new Congressional Budget Office analysis says a veterans marijuana research bill advancing in the Senate would have a negligible cost—but that it may also fail at its goal of ushering in additional studies by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
A new survey conducted by the New York Department of Health shows that more state residents believe alcohol is a “serious public health problem” than think that about marijuana—and a plurality of respondents want cannabis dispensaries to open in their communities.
The Library of Congress recently published a report looking at hemp regulations in countries around the world.
The Arizona Senate approved a bill to make medical cannabis registrations free for military veterans and to add new qualifying conditions to the program.
/ FEDERAL
A witness at a House Homeland Security Committee hearing spoke about how border crackdowns on marijuana and other drugs have counterproductive effects.
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) tweeted, “In Oklahoma, we already have more marijuana operations than California, Oregon, and Washington combined. That means more crime, addiction, and harm to our neighborhoods. Vote NO on Tuesday, March 7–we do not need more marijuana in our state.”
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) spoke about the prospects for federal marijuana reform but dodged a question about whether he would support a cannabis legalization initiative if one qualifies for Ohio’s ballot.
Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) tweeted that New York regulators’ move to double the number of available social equity marijuana dispensary licenses “is a critical step for Cannabis justice here in NYC, and now it can serve even more New Yorkers. I’m thrilled for these small-business owners!”
/ STATES
Former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating (R) held a press conference to urge voters to reject the marijuana legalization initiative on Tuesday’s ballot. Separately, the state attorney general suggested that while he opposes legalization, he would work to create a process to expunge cannabis convictions if the ballot measure fails.
South Dakota lawmakers sent Gov. Kristi Noem (R) a bill to penalize healthcare providers who reach certain financial arrangements with people seeking to qualify as medical cannabis patients. Separately, the House of Representatives approved a bill to add new medical marijuana qualifying conditions.
The Georgia House of Representatives passed a bill to allow regulators to award additional medical cannabis business licenses.
New York’s Assembly majority leader filed a bill to repeal the THC potency cap on recreational marijuana products.
The Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a bill to remove marijuana concentrate potency limits, with the state’s top cannabis regulator testifying in support.
Washington State legislation to limit marijuana product potency stalled.
Florida lawmakers filed legislation to define hemp derivatives as food.
An Arkansas senator introduced a bill to ban delta-8 THC products.
A North Carolina senator said she’s hopeful the House of Representatives will approve a Senate-passed medical cannabis legalization bill she is cosponsoring.
Pennsylvania lawmakers are circulating three cosponsorship memos to build support for forthcoming marijuana legalization bills. Separately, senators are previewing legislation to expand the medical cannabis program.
A South Carolina judge fined the head of the state Law Enforcement Division for discovery abuses associated with a raid on a hemp farm.
Alaska regulators seized marijuana products from Will’s World Extract and placed an administrative hold on its products over “substantiated evidence of unregistered and unlicensed THC concentrates being inverted into the legal market” at its facility.
California local marijuana equity businesses have until March 31 to submit applications to be considered for provisional licenses.
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/ LOCAL
Cleveland, Ohio’s mayor spoke about plans to expunge marijuana convictions under a new state law.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Colombian Chamber of Representatives posted a video about a recent public hearing on marijuana legalization legislation.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study “showed that the THC+CBD combination disrupted melanoma cell migration.”
A case study of a woman with a dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder “underscores the potential of [cannabis-assisted psychotherapy] as a therapeutic option, leading to robust and sustained improvement.”
The American Journal of Public Health issued a call for abstracts on emerging issues in cannabis surveillance and applied research.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Kentucky Democratic Party tweeted, “For years, Republican politicians have ignored Kentuckians with chronic health issues who have begged for safe and effective relief. @AndyBeshearKY is ready and willing to work across the aisle to legalize medical cannabis. Put a bill on his desk — let’s get this done.”
Disabled American Veterans is urging its supporters to contact lawmakers in support of veterans medical cannabis research legislation.
The Children’s Defense Fund, Drug Policy Alliance, American Society of Addiction Medicine, Human Rights Watch and more than 300 other organizations sent a letter calling on congressional leaders to repeal the lifetime ban on people with past felony drug convictions from receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits.
The Ohio Medical Cannabis Industry Association is speaking out against a state Senate bill that would make changes to the medical cannabis program.
/ BUSINESS
atai Life Sciences is reducing its workforce by approximately 30 percent.
Current and former Tilray Brands, Inc. officials are being sued by an investor who claims they lied about the company’s financial health.
Ben & Jerry’s is encouraging Oklahoma voters to support the marijuana legalization initiative on Tuesday’s ballot.
/ CULTURE
Woody Harrelson said marijuana is “probably no more helpful than alcohol” and that he is “addicted” to it.
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Photo courtesy of Brian Shamblen.
The post Feds appeal cannabis & guns ruling (Newsletter: March 7, 2023) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.
