Cannabis legalization qualifies for North Dakota ballot (Newsletter: August 13, 2024)

Trump ally opposes FL marijuana measure; FDA withdraws psychedelic study req; CA hemp bill; Poll: Consumers buy legal cannabis; CBD & running study

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

North Dakota’s secretary of state certified that marijuana activists collected enough valid signatures to put a legalization initiative on the November ballot.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), one of the strongest GOP cannabis reform supporters in Congress and a close ally of former President Donald Trump, opposes the marijuana legalization initiative on Florida’s November ballot—saying it’s inappropriate to address the issue through a constitutional amendment.

The Food and Drug Administration withdrew a request for White House permission to conduct a new study on psychedelics and kratom following criticism from advocates.

The California Senate Appropriations Committee heard testimony from industry stakeholders who say Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) amendment to fold hemp products into the marijuana supply chain would close businesses and shrink state revenue.

A new poll conducted by NuggMD found that 77 percent of people in legal marijuana states buy all or most of their cannabis from regulated stores, indicating that legalization makes a significant dent in the illicit market.

A new study found that “an acute dose of CBD (300 mg) taken 2 hours before a 2-mile run may benefit runners in competition by improving anxiety symptoms and decreasing the rate of perceived exertion without hindering performance time.” People who took CBD also ran 3.1 percent faster.

Missouri hemp companies are pushing back against Gov. Mike Parson’s (R) executive order banning intoxicating cannabinoid products, with some observers saying litigation is likely.

/ FEDERAL

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the Food and Drug Administration’s rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy was a “scandalous decision.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration is recommending conversations about the potential harms of drug use be included in back-to-school routines.

The U.S. Supreme Court will hold oral arguments in the case of a truck driver who was fired over a positive THC test that he says was caused by consuming a hemp-derived CBD product on October 15.

/ STATES

A spokesperson for New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) said she “supports responsible research into psilocybin for therapeutic use, but has not called for decriminalization.”

A Pennsylvania senator spoke about the benefits of legalizing marijuana in a meeting with the PennLive editorial board.

A New Hampshire senator discussed his opposition to legalizing marijuana.

Wisconsin Assembly candidates discussed their views on legalizing marijuana.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s director wants to meet with lawmakers to discuss the legality of THC-A amid concerns that some marijuana convictions could be overturned due to the precision of police testing methods.

Alaska regulators filed proposed changes to rules concerning removal of a requirement for edibles only onsite consumption areas to be physically separated from retail marijuana stores.

Maine regulators published guidance on recently enacted marijuana legislation.

Missouri regulators posted a form that people can use to report retailers for selling unregulated psychoactive cannabis products.

The Oregon 2024 Cannabis Bill & Technical Rules Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday.

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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.

/ LOCAL

Syracuse, New York’s mayor touted a court ruling that the city’s local cannabis law is not preempted by state policy.

A former Sarasota, Florida mayor discussed his support for the marijuana legalization initiative on the state’s November ballot.

Oakland, California officials will hold a cannabis equity stakeholder meeting on Tuesday.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Italian lawmakers approved a crackdown on so-called “light cannabis.”

Canadian regulators issued a notice about a recall of hemp products.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “long-term add-on CBD use was associated with reduced seizure frequency through 144 weeks.”

The journal Psychopharmacology retracted three papers about MDMA-assisted therapy over “protocol violations amounting to unethical conduct.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana criticized ParkMobile for offering customers a free gift of $50 in credit toward CBD and THC products.

/ BUSINESS

Curaleaf Holdings Inc. appears to have moved its headquarters to Connecticut.

Curio Wellness and Ascend Wellness Holdings entered a strategic manufacturing and distribution partnership.

Trulieve settled a lawsuit from a former employee who claimed he was fired after complaining about a manager’s racist comments.

Bright Green Corporation engaged an investment bank to explore a $15 million debt financing and separately secured a $3.5 million capital commitment under an existing line of credit.

/ CULTURE

Andy Richter said his marijuana use can “get out of control” and that his “life is better” without using it for the last several months.

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