May 28 2024

White House Drug Czar Says Rescheduling Marijuana Will Have “Historic and Long-Lasting Impact”

The White House Drug Czar says the DEA’s proposal to reschedule marijuana will have “historic and long-lasting impact”.

“We’ve had a policy for over half a century where so many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana”, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Rahul Gupta said in a recent interview. “We’ve had so many people arrested, prosecuted and incarcerated. We know white, Black and brown people use marijuana at similar rates, but Black and brown incarceration rates are higher.”

Gupta says the move will make banks more willing to work with marijuana businesses via “legitimate interstate commerce.”
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May 27 2024

Missouri Marijuana Stores Sold $120 Million Worth of Product in April, Continuing Strong Sales Trend

In Missouri, legal marijuana sales remained robust in April, with a total of $120.1 million in sales, continuing the strong performance seen in previous months.

According to data released by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, there was $104.6 million in recreational marijuana sales and $15.5 million in medical marijuana sales in April. This adds to the cumulative sales total, which has now reached $2.41 billion since the market opened.

Of the total sales in April, recreational marijuana sales showed continued strength with a slight decrease from the record set in March. Medical marijuana patients also maintained steady purchasing patterns.
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May 27 2024

Federal Plan to Reschedule Marijuana Receives Over 6,100 Comments, Two-Thirds Support Full Descheduling

In the six days since the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) filed its proposal to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substances Act, there has been over 6,000 comments submitted.

On May 21, the DEA submitted their proposal in the Federal Register, officially launching the legally required 60-day public comment period.

Since then, over 6,100 comments have been posted on Regulations.gov. A notable 67% of these comments, more than 4,100, advocate for the DEA to take further steps and entirely deschedule marijuana. Only a small fraction, 3%, wish to maintain its Schedule I classification.
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May 27 2024

Federal Health Agency Acknowledges Psilocybin’s Potential Benefits for Mental Health and Addiction

A federal health agency has recently published a page highlighting the potential benefits of psilocybin, a psychedelic substance, for mental health and addiction treatment.

Dried psilocybin.

The page, titled “Psilocybin for Mental Health and Addiction: What You Need To Know,” was posted on the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) website, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

This new page provides information about psilocybin, including its origins, legal status, and research. The NCCIH notes ongoing federally funded research into psilocybin’s effects on conditions such as pain, migraines, and psychiatric disorders.
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May 26 2024

The Top 5 Most Popular Legal Marijuana Strains In the United States

In the United States, there are hundreds of marijuana strains sold in the legal marijuana market, including over 600 in Massachusetts alone. That said, some strains are far more popular and prominent than others.

Currently, 24 states have legalized recreational marijuana, and 38 states have legalized medical marijuana. Most of these states have thriving legal marijuana markets with numerous licensed stores and dispensaries. Among these states, a few marijuana strains have gained enduring popularity nationwide, reflecting significant long-term interest.

Using data compiled by Leafly and state regulatory agencies, here are the top 5 most popular marijuana strains across the US:

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May 26 2024

DEA’s Marijuana Proposal Now Has Over 5,000 Comments, Just 3% Want Marijuana to Remain Schedule I

Five days ago the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) submitted in the Federal Register their proposal to move marijuana to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, launching a 60-day public comment period.

In those five days, there has already been over 5,000 comments submitted under Regulations.gov. A strong majority of these comments —over 3,500— are calling on the DEA to go even further by rescheduling marijuana altogether. A shockingly low 3% want marijuana to remain a Schedule I drug (aka retain the status quo).

The DEA’s proposal calls for marijuana to be reclassified from its current status as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to a Schedule III. This would mark the biggest change in federal marijuana policy since the CSA was established in 1970.
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May 25 2024

The 5 Statewide Marijuana Initiatives Being Voted on This November

This November, voters across the United States will have the opportunity to shape the future of marijuana policy in their respective states.

With five key initiatives set to appear on the November ballot, the upcoming election could significantly impact the landscape of both medical and recreational marijuana. Currently 24 states have legalized recreational marijuana and 38 have legalized medical marijuana, but that number could increase this election.

With that said, below are the five states with marijuana initiatives being voted on this November:
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May 24 2024

Leading Law Enforcement Groups Endorse Bipartisan Federal Marijuana Legislation

Today, the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) and the Oregon Coalition of Police and Sheriffs (ORCOPs) announced their endorsement of the bipartisan Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act.

The legislation would align federal policy with state policy to ensure safer legal cannabis markets. It would also aid states that have legalized medicinal and recreational cannabis while protecting states that have chosen to keep cannabis prohibited.

“Thank you to the Oregon Coalition of Police and Sheriffs and Peace Officers Research Association of California for endorsing the STATES Act,” said United States Representative Dave Joyce (R-OH). “As a former prosecutor, I know firsthand that our law enforcement officers are already stretched thin – forcing these public servants to walk a discrepant line between state and federal policy not only defies state’s rights but is an inefficient use of precious law enforcement resources. Most importantly, it does nothing to enhance public safety and, in many cases, works against it.”
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May 24 2024

Federal Marijuana Banking Act Gains Two New Sponsors in US House, Now Has 122

Bipartisan legislation to allow marijuana banking nationwide gained two new sponsors yesterday, bringing the total to 122.

Yesterday Congressmembers Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Rick Larsen (D-WA) joined as official cosponsors to the SAFE Banking Act. The measure now has 122 total sponsors, well more than any previous marijuana-related bill.

The SAFE Banking Act and the Senate’s SAFER Banking Act, which has 36 sponsors, would offer federal protections for banks and credit unions that choose to provide financial services to marijuana businesses legal under their state’s law. Additionally, the legislation would allow state-legal marijuana businesses to take standard IRS tax deductions, which is currently forbidden.
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May 23 2024

New Hampshire Senate Passes Bill to Legalize Recreational Marijuana Through Final Reading, Awaits House Concurrence

New Hampshire’s Senate has passed legislation to legalize recreational marijuana through a third and final reading, marking the first time a Republican-led state senate has approved such a measure.

House Bill 1633 was passed through the Senate today with a vote of 14 to 10. The House of Representatives has already passed the measure with an overwhelming 239 to 136 vote. However, HB 1633 will need to go back to the House for a final vote of concurrence due to amendments made in the Senate. Governor Chris Sununu has indicated he will sign the bill into law if the House maintains the Senate’s changes.

If the House disagrees with the Senate’s amendments, a conference committee consisting of members from both chambers will be established to reach a consensus.
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