Category: News

South Dakota Lawmakers Reject Bill to Limit Access to Medical Marijuana

Lawmakers in South Dakota voted to reject legislation that would have made it harder to become a medical marijuana patient. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted 5 to 2 yesterday to defer any action on Senate Bill 82. The measure was filed last week by Senator Jim Mehlhaff along with 14 cosponsors. The …

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Study: Psilocybin Could Be “Revolutionary in Treating Depression” and Become Alternative to SSRIs

Psilocybin mushrooms “could prove to be revolutionary in treating depression and become an alternative medication to SSRI”, finds a new study. Titled Psilocybin, an Effective Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder in Adults – A Systematic Review, the study was published in the journal Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience. The study was conducted by researchers at Keele …

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DEA Set to Reschedule Marijuana By the End of Summer

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently confirmed that they’re in talks with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regarding the potential rescheduling of marijuana. The move may come sooner than many expect, according to a DEA official. In August the HHS sent a letter to the DEA officially requesting marijuana be reclassified …

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Survey Finds 63% in Canada Support Legalizing Medical Psilocybin, 79% Support Allowing it for End-of-Life Care

According to a new study, a strong majority of those in Canada support legislation legalizing the medical use of psilocybin, while an even higher percent support its use for end-of-life care. Titled Social acceptability of psilocybin-assisted therapy for existential distress at the end of life: A population-based survey, the study is published in the journal …

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Study: Treatment With Marijuana Spray Does Not Impair Driving Skills in Those With Tic Disorders

Treatment with a spray containing both CBD and THC “does not impair skills relevant to driving in those patients with tic disorders”, according to a new study. The study found that not only did the spray not impair skills, it “even improved fitness to drive in a subset of patients who were unfit to drive …

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Poll Finds 45% of South Dakota Voters Support Legalizing Recreational Marijuana, 42% Oppose

According to newly released polling, a plurality of South Dakota voters want recreational marijuana legalized. For the poll researchers surveyed 782 registered voters for their South Dakota Polling Project. The Fall 2023 Poll, conducted from November 18 to December 4, 2023, is a survey of the South Dakota electorate conducted by The South Dakota Polling …

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PayPal is Lobbying in Favor of a Federal Marijuana Banking Bill

Recent federal disclosure filings show that in Q4, 2023 online payment giant PayPal lobbied in favor of the SAFER Banking Act. The SAFER Banking Act (S.2860) would provide federal protections to banks and other financial institutions that decide to provide services to marijuana businesses that are legal under their state’s law. The measure is currently …

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New Hawaii Bill Would Legalize Medical Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms)

Legislation to legalize the medical use of psilocybin mushrooms has been filed in Hawaii’s Senate. Senate Bill 3019 was filed today by Senator Chris Lee. The measure would legalize the possession and use of psilocybin by those with a qualifying medical condition who receives a recommendation from a licensed physician. Qualifying conditions include:

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Amazon Reports Lobbying Lawmakers in Support of Two Federal Bills to Deschedule Marijuana

Amazon has reported lobbying lawmakers in support of two different bills that would deschedule marijuana. According to recent federal lobbying disclosures, Amazon has reported paying lobbyists to support issues related to “cannabis reform, including the States Reform Act (H.R. 5977) and the Cannabis Administration & Opportunity Act (S. 4591).” The disclosures cover Q4, 2023, which …

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Tennessee Bill to Legalize Medical Marijuana Passed on First Consideration by Senate

Legislation filed yesterday by Senator London Lamar (D) was “Passed on First Consideration” today in the Tennessee Senate. This procedural move allows the measure to advance to a second reading in the Senate. It must be passed through three readings before it can be sent to the state’s House of Representatives. The proposed law would …

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