NAACP backs cannabis worker protections (Newsletter: August 14, 2023)

MN gov invites Iowans to try legal marijuana; AMA study: cannabis seen as safer than cigs; MI sales; Congressional bill targets Prince Harry drug use

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The NAACP adopted a resolution reaffirming its support for marijuana legalization with a new call to protect cannabis industry workers’ rights—including the ability to join a union.

• “The workers who grow, process, test, distribute, and sell cannabis deserve a fair and safe workplace and family-sustaining job like every other worker.”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) is inviting adults from neighboring Iowa to visit his state and enjoy its new marijuana legalization law while also taking in a baseball or football game.

Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) filed a bill to require the Department of Homeland Security to investigate claims that immigrants lied about drug use on their visa applications and then deport them if found to be true. The stunt is aimed at the UK’s Prince Harry, who has discussed using psychedelics and cannabis prior to moving to the U.S.

A new study published by the American Medical Association found that people see smoking marijuana as “safer than tobacco” and that there was a “significant shift from 2017 to 2021 toward a more favorable perception of cannabis.”

The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency reported that legal marijuana sales hit another record monthly high of nearly $277 million in July.

National Cannabis Industry Association CEO Aaron Smith authored a new Marijuana Moment op-ed calling on cannabis businesses to invest in advocacy and lobbying efforts if they want to remain sustainable.

• “Why invest in a business that violates federal law and not act to change that law?”

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission re-awarded business licenses for dispensaries, cultivators, processors and integrated facilities—a move that comes after regulators voided prior decisions amid concerns over the application scoring process.

/ FEDERAL

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) called Republicans “the party of…marijuana criminal drug enforcement authoritarianism.”

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) tweeted about performing at a music event to celebrate Minnesota’s legalization of marijuana.

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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.
—

/ STATES

A New York judge left in place a temporary injunction blocking regulators from awarding or processing additional marijuana dispensary licenses amid a lawsuit challenging their process. Separately, the state’s first cannabis farmers market event took place.

Connecticut’s marijuana legalization law is being challenged with a new lawsuit.

The chair of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission apologized for causing “angst” or “confusion” with the way she announced the agency’s executive director would be stepping down.

Washington State regulators raided an unlicensed cannabis business.

Missouri regulators received 1,601 applications for marijuana microbusiness licenses.

Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Board subcommittees have been meeting.

The U.S. Virgin Islands Cannabis Advisory Board will meet on Monday.

Minnesota regulators will host an event about the formation of the Office of Cannabis Management on Wednesday.

/ LOCAL

The Jackson County, Oregon Board of Commissioners passed a resolution calling on state lawmakers to repeal the voter-approved drug decriminalization law.

The Duluth, Minnesota City Council is expected to vote on a proposal to restrict public marijuana use on Monday.

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware’s Board of Commissioners is expected to consider a proposal to ban marijuana sales on Friday.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Colombian President Gustavo Petro authored a lengthy Twitter post analyzing the impact of changes to the cocaine market.

Uruguayan officials reported that 2023 legal marijuana sales so far have already outpaced those from all of last year.

The UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology published an overview of issues surrounding the use of psychedelics to treat depression.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study indicated that “adjunctive use of artisanal CBD may be beneficial for the behavioral and psychological symptoms of [treatment resistant epilepsy] and may improve medication tolerability.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The German Association of Judges is criticizing the government’s draft marijuana legalization law.

Activist Weldon Angelos is launching a new cannabis brand called “REEFORM” in partnership with Glass House Brands.

The Colorado Springs Gazette editorial board criticized what it called the state’s “lax oversight of marijuana sales.”

/ BUSINESS

Morgan Stanley and Bank of New York Mellon reportedly lifted a ban on providing custody services for TerrAscend’s Toronto Stock Exchange listing.

Jushi Holdings Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $66.4 million and a net loss of $14 million.

Leafly Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $10.7 million and a net loss of $1.4 million.

atai Life Sciences reported $172,000 in quarterly revenue and a $33.8 million net loss.

POSaBIT Systems Corporation has a new chief operations officer.

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