CT marijuana sales begin; WA interstate commerce & worker protection hearings; MO cannabiz tax break; Study: Cannabis as opioid alternative
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A new U.S. Sentencing Commission report shows that hundreds of people are serving longer sentences in federal prison because of prior state-level marijuana possession convictions—and that most of those are from states that have since reformed their cannabis laws.
Connecticut’s adult-use marijuana sales officially began.
Washington State Senate and House committees held hearings on bills dealing with marijuana consumer employment protections, interstate cannabis commerce and social equity.
The Missouri Department of Revenue said marijuana companies can now deduct business expenses from their state taxes, just like those in any other industry, thanks to voters approving legalization.
San Antonio, Texas activists submitted more than 37,000 signatures to qualify a local initiative to decriminalize marijuana, ban no-knock warrants and block the enforcement of abortion restriction laws for the city’s May ballot.
A new study published by the American Medical Association found that nearly one in three pain patients uses medical marijuana as a treatment and that more than half of those say cannabis has led to reduced use of other medications such as opioids.
/ FEDERAL
President Joe Biden is asking Mexican officials for help combatting fentanyl.
A Congressional Research Service report on Federal Reserve issues includes a section on cannabis business banking.
Rep.s Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Nancy Mace (R-SC) met to discuss marijuana reform.
/ STATES
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) tweeted, “Nearly two-thirds of Wisconsinites support legalizing marijuana. It’s time for us to join red and blue states across the country in legalizing marijuana and regulating it, much like we do alcohol.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said in her State of the State book that her administration will work to make drug checking technology available.
Oklahoma’s attorney general said cracking down on illegal marijuana cultivation is one of his top priorities.
Indiana Senate Democrats included marijuana reform in their legislative agenda for the new session.
California Assembly Democrats cheered a new law on employment protections for cannabis consumers.
Virginia’s House speaker said lawmakers need to be “thoughtful” about crafting legislation to allow recreational marijuana sales to begin.
New Hampshire’s House majority leader discussed his support for legalizing marijuana.
A Tennessee senator spoke about her bill to legalize marijuana.
A Minnesota representative tweeted, “There’s a growing list of states preparing for responsible use of Psychedelic Medicine. Let’s make sure MN stays on this list from @MarijuanaMoment.”
The Missouri State Public Defender’s Office posted a form that marijuana prisoners can use to apply to have their sentence vacated, records expunged and be released from custody.
Illinois regulators filed rules on drivers license suspensions for people who are under 21 and are convicted of possessing cannabis in a motor vehicle or using fraudulent identification to purchase marijuana.
Michigan regulators posted guidance about environmental rules for cannabis businesses.
Washington, D.C. regulators began accepting applications for medical cannabis testing laboratory licenses.
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records granted in part and denied in part a request for information on medical cannabis recommendations issued by a specific doctor.
Maryland regulators published an updated medical cannabis patient count.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of 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.
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/ LOCAL
Kansas City, Missouri’s mayor is proposing a local marijuana sales tax.
Hartford, Connecticut’s mayor tweeted about the importance of clearing marijuana records, saying, “It’s about fairness and opportunity *and* about building stronger, safer communities.”
Oakland, California officials hosted a cannabis equity stakeholder meeting.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Brazil’s Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine posted a video about medical cannabis treatments for animals.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabidiol-rich non-psychotropic Cannabis sativa L. oils attenuate peripheral neuropathy symptoms by regulation of CB2-mediated microglial neuroinflammation.”
A review concluded that “in cancer and palliative related pain, the analgesic potential of psychedelics was established decades ago, and the current literature shows promising results on efficacy and safety in patients with cancer-related psychological distress,” that “psychedelics have a generally favorable safety profile especially when compared to other analgesics like opioids” and that “psychedelics do not have the addictive potential of opioids.”
/ BUSINESS
Safe Harbor Financial appointed a former Washington, D.C. attorney general to its board of directors.
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