KY gov pushes medical marijuana in SOTC speech; MD hearing on market demands; CO seeks psychedelic board members; CBD pharma lawsuit
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Minnesota House and Senate lawmakers unveiled a new marijuana legalization bill they expect to pass this session and announced the first committee hearing for next week.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) called on lawmakers to send a medical cannabis legalization bill to his desk during his annual State of the Commonwealth speech.
The Maryland House Cannabis Referendum and Legalization Workgroup held a hearing on market demand considerations, with consultants testifying that the state can expect to hit $1 billion in adult-use marijuana sales within 20 months.
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies is promoting an opportunity for people to apply to serve on the Natural Medicine Advisory Board, which will help to implement the state’s voter-approved psychedelics legalization law.
GW Research Limited, maker of the Food and Drug Administration-approved CBD drug Epidiolex, is suing 12 competitors that want to produce generic versions of the cannabinoid medicine over alleged patent infringement.
/ FEDERAL
Former President Donald Trump, who is running again, announced a “plan to destroy the drug cartels.”
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released a survey that found that 18.7 percent of Americans used marijuana within the past year, including 35.4 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 25.
/ STATES
Ohio’s Senate president said he thinks a marijuana legalization initiative would fail if it qualifies for the ballot.
New Hampshire’s Senate president and president pro tem spoke about their opposition to legalizing marijuana.
Virginia’s House majority leader said lawmakers plan to pass legislation to allow regulated marijuana sales to begin.
The North Dakota Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a bill to increase the limit of THC that medical cannabis patients can purchase in a 30-day period.
Georgia’s House Study Committee on Cannabis Waste Disposal and Recycling met.
A Nebraska senator filed a marijuana decriminalization bill.
The North Carolina Supreme Court is being asked to reconsider a lower court’s decision that a man says improperly criminalizes non-flower forms of hemp.
New York regulators filed emergency cannabis laboratory rules.
Colorado regulators issued health and safety advisories about potentially unsafe levels of microbial contamination on marijuana products produced by SISSCO LLC and about potentially unsafe levels of yeast and mold contamination in products from Jolet Ventures LLC.
Washington State regulators sent guidance about the state’s new marijuana tracking system.
Oregon regulators have started to receive applications for psilocybin services business licenses and worker permits.
New Jersey regulators will hold hearings on Tuesday and January 18 to gather public input on how marijuana social equity fee revenue should be spent, and they will hold a board meeting on Thursday.
Oklahoma regulators will host town hall meetings for medical cannabis businesses and patients this month.
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/ LOCAL
Detroit, Michigan recreational marijuana sales began.
An employee at a New York City unlicensed marijuana store was shot during a botched robbery.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska Assembly passed a resolution asking state lawmakers to enact standards on driving under the influence of marijuana.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Colombia’s Ministry of Health reaffirmed the inclusion of medical cannabis in insurance coverage.
UK’s Prince Harry wrote about his experiences with cannabis, psychedelics and cocaine in his new book.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabidiol decreases intestinal inflammation in the ovariectomized murine model of postmenopause.”
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies reported “a successful confirmatory Phase 3 trial of MDMA-assisted therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Kentucky Democratic Party tweeted, “By issuing an executive order to protect qualified use of medical cannabis, @GovAndyBeshear made a huge difference for Kentuckians who need relief. Now it’s time for the Republican supermajority in Frankfort to go all the way and pass a bill to legalize it.”
The Irish Labour Party tweeted, “The war on drugs is lost! We need a real step change in how drug users are treated in Ireland. Decriminalisation of the drug user must be top of the agenda at the Citizens Assembly on Drugs in 2023.”
The American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine issued guidelines recommending that all patients undergoing procedures requiring anesthesia should be asked about cannabis use.
The Seattle Times editorial board is calling on Congress to pass marijuana banking legislation.
/ BUSINESS
Glass House Brands Inc. said it anticipates quarterly revenue of approximately $31 million to $32 million.
Cann Group is selling its cannabis cultivation and manufacturing facility in Southern Australia.
Montana retailers sold $303.6 million worth of legal marijuana products in 2022.
New Mexico retailers sold more than$43 million worth of legal marijuana products in December.
/ CULTURE
Actor Harry Hamlin said he decided to get into acting after taking psychedelics.
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