CA interstate cannabis plan poses legal risk, AG says (Newsletter: December 20, 2023)

Schumer: banking a 2024 priority; PA medical marijuana DUI bills; CO guns & cannabis measure; NH psychedelics; CBD tampons study

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.

Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…

Hold on, just one second before you read today’s news. Have you thought about giving some financial support to Marijuana Moment? If so, today would be a great day to contribute. We’re planning our reporting for the coming months and it would really help to know what kind of support we can count on.

Check us out on Patreon and sign up to give $25/month today:
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in a floor speech that “SAFE Banking and cannabis reform” are among top priorities as senators “hit the ground running” in 2024—though he says it “won’t be easy” and will need bipartisan support to pass.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) issued an opinion concluding that moving forward with interstate cannabis commerce could put the state at “significant legal risk” under ongoing federal prohibition.

• “The law is also unsettled as to whether state officials could be federally prosecuted for implementing state law in this area.”

The Pennsylvania House and Senate Transportation Committees both approved bills to protect medical cannabis patients from facing DUI charges unless there’s proof of actual intoxication behind the wheel.

Officials from Colorado Legislative Council Staff and the Office of Legislative Legal Services held a hearing to go over potential language changes to a proposed 2024 ballot initiative that would allow marijuana consumers to receive concealed carry permits for guns.

A New Hampshire Republican representative filed a bill to legalize psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD and mescaline for therapeutic use by people with anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance use disorder, chronic pain and other conditions.

A new study found that CBD-infused tampons are a “promising option for managing menstrual pain.”

• “The CBD-infused tampon achieved statistically significant pain reduction during the first and third months of the study.”

A Missouri company whose license was revoked and had its products recalled by the Division of Cannabis Regulation is threatening to file a lawsuit that could potentially upend the state’s marijuana rules across the board.

/ FEDERAL

The House Armed Services Committee noted psychedelic research provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act in a summary of the bill.

/ STATES

A Minnesota representative tweeted, “39% of MN retailers are carrying illegal high dose products & more than 70% of retailers ‘had deficiencies of one kind or another…’ This was predicted & ignored -putting MN at risk.”

New York regulators are facing another lawsuit challenging their plans to expand the recreational marijuana industry. Separately, they postponed a scheduled Wednesday meeting.

Missouri regulators filed revised rules on CBD oil.

Florida regulators are developing revised rules on medical cannabis industry background checks, compliance testing and remediation.

Puerto Rico regulators extended the temporary suspension of medical cannabis dispensary license applications through June 30, with some exceptions.

New Oklahoma medical cannabis industry employee credentialing rules take effect on January 1.

—
Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 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.
—

/ LOCAL

A judge ruled that Humboldt County, California voters will get to decide on a measure to overhaul cannabis regulations in March.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Bern, Switzerland officials are considering a proposed pilot program for legal cocaine sales.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study suggested that “cannabis and cannabinoids may be effective in reducing neuropathic pain among those with [spinal cord injury] and may help to limit the need for certain pain medications.”

A review of psychedelics research “demonstrated encouraging efficacy in reducing anxiety symptoms, increasing self-perception, and increasing social function in patients with generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, or anxiety attributable to another medical condition while establishing feasibility and evidence of safety” and found that “for many patients, the therapeutic effects of the psychedelic treatment lasted weeks, and no severe adverse events were reported.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation published a paper on marijuana industry standardization.

/ BUSINESS

MedMen Enterprises Inc entered into agreements to exit the Arizona and Nevada markets.

Washington, D.C. businesses sold $4.6 million worth of medical cannabis products in November.

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

Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

No Byline Policy

Editorial Guidelines

Corrections Policy

Source