Feds track cannabis revenue for states (Newsletter: September 17, 2024)

Biden on unfinished rescheduling; House speaker pressed for marijuana votes; Swing state legalization poll; Cannabis for fibromyalgia

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

President Joe Biden acknowledged that marijuana rescheduling is not yet a done deal, saying that his administration has “started the process of reclassifying” cannabis in a speech at a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation event.

A newly updated report from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that states have generated at least $8.7 billion in marijuana tax revenue since the federal government started tracking cannabis data in mid-2021.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) is urging House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to put marijuana legislation on the floor for a vote following former President Donald Trump’s legalization endorsement and the discovery of a tape in which former President Richard Nixon said cannabis is “not particularly dangerous.”

Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) told Marijuana Moment that it’s “timely and appropriate” that states like Colorado are taking the lead on legalizing psychedelics, saying there are “really compelling success stories” about the therapeutic benefits for people with PTSD.

Likely voters in the presidential battleground states of Arizona and Nevada strongly support legalizing marijuana, federal rescheduling and cannabis industry banking access, according to new polls commissioned by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company.

A new study of fibromyalgia patients found that use of medical cannabis led to “pain relief, and improvements in sleep quality, performance of daily life activities, and quality of life.”

• “Cannabinoids treatment showed promising results in the management of chronic pain and other FM-associated symptoms, improving the quality of life of these patients.”

Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission officials are expressing concern that the agency may need to eliminate some programs after the legislature declined to fully fund its budget.

/ FEDERAL

President Joe Biden issued an annual list of major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is promoting a study suggesting that long-term marijuana use is linked to sleep and memory issues.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) touted Maryland’s reformed marijuana laws as an example of how the government can sometimes do things right.

/ STATES

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) again suggested that the marijuana legalization on the November ballot would benefit a “big weed cartel.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is campaigning against an initiative on the November ballot that would reclassify certain drug misdemeanors as felonies.

A Pennsylvania senator posted a video promoting Black Cannabis Week next week.

Massachusetts regulators are accepting public comment on proposed changes to rules on marijuana microbusinesses, delivery license types, telehealth options for medical cannabis patients and recommendation allowances for providers.

Utah regulators filed changes to hemp product testing rules.

Washington State regulators announced a new streamlined process for converting approved marijuana edibles into Department of Health-compliant products.

Missouri regulators placed administrative holds on additional marijuana products.

A New York regulator discussed enforcement strategy against unlicensed marijuana businesses.

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections posted guidance about cannabis use disorder.

The California Cannabis Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday.

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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 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.
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/ LOCAL

New York City Council committees will hold a joint hearing about enforcement against unlicensed marijuana businesses  on Tuesday. Additionally, a new Council report shows that millions of dollars in fines for unlicensed cannabis sales remain unpaid.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Poland’s Ministry of Health supports decriminalizing marijuana, according to activists.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice reiterated that it opposes decriminalizing marijuana.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study highlighted “the variable neuroprotective activity of cannabis extracts containing major phytocannabinoids THC/THCA and cannabidiol (CBD)/cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) on Aβ-evoked neurotoxicity and inhibition of amyloid β aggregation,” which “may inform the future use of medicinal cannabis formulations in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.”

A study found that “CBD intervention can improve [neuropathic pain] and depressive-associated behavior in mice.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Florida Democratic Party endorsed the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.

/ BUSINESS

Green Thumb Industries Inc. announced a $50 million share repurchase program.

Dutchie launched a Metrc integration product.

Colorado retailers sold$122.6 million worth of legal marijuana products in July.

/ CULTURE

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy is urging Florida voters to approve the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.

Musician Darius Rucker pleaded no contest to charges of possessing marijuana and psilocybin.

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