Senator admits he was wrong about cannabis (Newsletter: March 21, 2022)

Psilocybin CO initiative; RI Legalization Hearing; MD Psychedelic Drug Treatment Bill; Hemp wigs for UK lawyers

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/ THINGS TO KNOW

the National Association of State Treasurers held a session on marijuana banking legislation as part of a conference it hosts in Washington, D.C. Officials at the event plan to meet lawmakers on Capitol Hill to discuss the SAFE Banking Act .

Colorado activists chose one of four proposed psychedelics reform initiatives they will pursue for the November ballot. Signature collection will soon begin for the measure, which would legalize psilocybin, create licensed “healing centers” for therapeutic use and seal past convictions.

the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a jointly-negotiated bicameral marijuana legalization bill, though lawyers who testified criticized its disbarment provisions for not being automatic.

the Maryland House Appropriations Committee held a hearing on a bill to create a state fund that could be used to provide access to psychedelics such as psilocybin, MDMA and ketamine to veterans with PTSD.

A british lawyer disrupts the tradition of wearing horsehair wigs in court with a new vegan version made from hemp.

/ FEDERAL

the Internal Revenue Service denied tax-exempt nonprofit status to a church whose ceremonies involve the use of marijuana.

Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted, “It’s time to completely reform cannabis in this country.”

Former Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) said, “I’m not pro-marijuana, I’m pro-freedom.”

/ STATES

Pennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro, currently Attorney General, tweeted: “What is the difference between Colorado, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania? Three are states and one is a Commonwealth – and all three states have legalized recreational marijuana and have minimum wages in the single digits. Pennsylvania, let’s go. He also has tweeted“Step 1. Legalize recreational marijuana. Step 2. Erase the records of those who have committed non-violent marijuana offenses. Step 3. Grow our economy. Pennsylvanians support these measures. We must do this.

the Georgia The Senate and House passed different medical cannabis licensing bills ahead of the crossover deadline.

the New Hampshire The House of Representatives voted to reject or table several proposed constitutional amendments to the legalization of marijuana.

the Connecticut The Legislature’s General Laws Committee has approved a bill aimed at closing a perceived loophole related to the “gifting” of marijuana.

A washington d.c. A council member says congressional Democrats “betrayed” the city by suing a runner who was blocking it from legalizing marijuana sales.

A Texas The rep tweeted, “Very happy to see Oklahoma following TX’s lead and expanding research into the use of psychedelics to address our mental health epidemic. Congratulations Oklahoma for going further and to include a variety of conditions. Hopefully other states continue to follow TX’s lead.

Vermont Regulators have approved the marijuana rules and will begin accepting applications for pre-qualifying status for cannabis businesses on Wednesday.

California Regulators have launched a new resource called CannaConnect that aims to help marijuana companies navigate the regulated market and maintain compliance.

new York regulators began accepting applications from hemp growers for conditional licenses to grow marijuana. Separately, the state dorm authority is taking steps to help cannabis social equity businesses secure dispensary leases.

New Jersey regulators have begun accepting applications for recreational marijuana dispensary licenses. Separately, regulators will hold a hearing to get feedback on how to spend the cannabis tax revenue on Wednesday.

A Arkansas The judge extended a temporary restraining order preventing regulators from issuing additional medical cannabis dispensary licenses.

Illinois Regulators are working to simplify the marijuana dispensary license application process.

from Alabama the main regulator of medical cannabis spoke about the efforts made to implement the program.

Oklahoma Regulators announced a partnership with NCS Analytics to establish a data analytics platform to monitor and regulate medical cannabis business operations.

the washington state The Cannabis Social Equity Task Force Licensing Working Group will meet on Thursday.

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/ LOCAL

Ann Arbor, MI activists are calling on city council to pass a measure to decriminalize drugs.

A lawsuit filed against Cartersville, Georgia and local police departments over the mass arrest of more than 60 party attendees for possession of marijuana have been settled, with the defendants agreeing to pay $900,000.

the Detroit, Michigan The city council has delayed a vote on a proposed ordinance licensing recreational marijuana businesses.

the Boston, MA The Cannabis Council will meet on Wednesday.

The New York Times examined Oakland, California the struggles of marijuana business owners.

/ INTERNATIONAL

the Israeli The Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee held a hearing on the marijuana decriminalization regulations.

Milan, italy The city council is calling on the nation to legalize marijuana.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

One study found that “concurrent cannabis use at 30-year follow-up is strongly related to success in life.”

A study found that “high-CBD cannabis extracts attenuated the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 and the induction of inflammatory mediators COX2, IL-6 and IL-8 via the AKT pathway, highlighting their potential anti-COVID-19 features.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A survey revealed that Minnesota adults oppose legalizing marijuana, 53% to 42%.

Better Organizing to Win Legalization, Our Revolution, Drug Policy Alliance, National Employment Law Project and other organizations sent a letter urging House leaders to hold a floor vote on a federal marijuana legalization bill.

the Veterans Action Council sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland arguing that he should initiate rescheduling of marijuana due to changes to its status under international conventions.

/ BUSINESS

Canopy Growth Society was fined C$434,611 by Canadian authorities for allegedly growing plants on an open-air farm before receiving a license to do so.

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. has a new interim CFO.

TerrAscend Corp. says it’s the first major U.S. cannabis operator to launch a mobile retail app, Apple’s iOS App Store.

MUDWTR allow its employees to microdose psychedelics in the workplace.

/ CULTURE

by Mike Tyson The cannabis brand has launched a line of edibles shaped like an ear, a reference to when he bit off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear during a fight.

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