May 13 2024
In the United States Congress there are currently two active bills that address psychedelics. Despite the increasing acceptance of psychedelic substances, as evidenced by numerous states and localities voting to legalize or decriminalize them in recent years (especially psilocybin), there has been minimal federal legislation introduced. However, there are two active psychedelics-related bills in the …
May 13 2024
The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA) has received a committee assignment in the US Senate. The CAOA was filed on May 1 by a coalition of Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. It has now received its first committee assignment, the Senate Finance Committee. which is chaired by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), who is …
May 11 2024
Alaska’s full House of Representatives has advanced a measure that would alter the state’s tax rate for licensed recreational marijuana sales. On Friday, the Alaska House of Representatives voted to change the state’s $50 per ounce marijuana tax to a 7% sales tax via the passage of House Bill 119. The measure —approved overwhelmingly 36 …
May 11 2024
A Republican lawmaker from North Carolina plans to refile federal legislation next year designed to withhold funds from states and tribes that have legalized marijuana. The Stop Pot Act was filed in September by Representative Chuck Edwards (R-NC). Initially filed without any cosponsors, the measure currently has four, all Republican. The proposed law would withhold 10% of the …
May 10 2024
Vermont’s full legislature has approved legislation to establish the “Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working Group”. Senate Bill 114 received final approval today from the state legislature, sending the bill to Governor Phil Scott’s desk. Although Governor Scott may veto the measure—as he recently did with a bill permitting marijuana sales—the legislature could override the veto with …
May 09 2024
Despite the confirmation nearly two weeks ago that the DEA is rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III, both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have remained notably silent on the matter. The DEA’s decision to reschedule marijuana followed a recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which concluded a nearly year-long …
May 09 2024
Today, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram announced the release of the 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA). In it the agency warns about the shift away from plant-based drugs to synthetic drugs. The NDTA is the DEA’s “comprehensive strategic assessment of illicit drug threats and trafficking trends endangering the United States.” In a press release announcing …
May 09 2024
Vermont’s Legislature has given final approval to House Bill 72, which “proposes several provisions relating to harm-reduction and criminal justice responses to drug use.” The proposal was given approval by the Senate on May 2 by a vote of 21 to 8, with the House of Representatives voting on Tuesday to give the measure final …
May 09 2024
The Colorado Legislature has overwhelmingly approved a bill designed to “address efficiency in the regulation of existing marijuana licensees.” Senate Bill 76 was approved by the Senate on April 29 with a 33 to 1 vote. On May 7, the House of Representatives passed the bill 52 to 9, incorporating minor amendments. Following this, the …
May 09 2024
Last week, a coalition of US Senators introduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), which aims to deschedule marijuana. A similar bill is also currently active in the House of Representatives. Below is a complete list of sponsors for these measures, and the states they represent. The CAOA would mandate that the US Attorney …
