Jan 24 2024

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 covers October 1 to December 31.

Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the Cannabis Administration & Opportunity Act in 2022. In a press release announcing the measure Senator Booker said this “comprehensive legislation would end federal cannabis prohibition by removing cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act; empower states to create their own cannabis laws; ensure federal regulation protects public health and safety; and prioritize restorative and economic justice”.
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Jan 24 2024

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 legalize medical marijuana for those with a qualifying condition who receive a recommendation from a licensed physician. Currently Tennessee is one of just 10 states that have not legalized any form of medical marijuana. 24 states have legalized marijuana for recreational use, while 40 have done so for medical purposes.
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Jan 23 2024

WA Senate Committee Advances Bill to Redirect Marijuana Tax Revenue

Legislation dedicating a 32% share of Washington’s cannabis excise tax revenue to counties and cities for hiring police and other “criminal justice purposes” has been advanced out of its initial Senate committee.

The Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce voted yesterday to move Senate Bill 6272 to the Ways and Means Committee “without a recommendation”. The measure was filed last week by Senators Mark Mullet (D) and Keith Wagoner (R).

Under current law 32% of the tax revenue garnered from the legal distribution of marijuana goes to the state’s general fund. The general fund can be used for essentially anything state lawmakers deem appropriate.
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Jan 23 2024

US Department of Justice Files Motion to Dismiss Pro-Marijuana Lawsuit, Makes Note of Rescheduling Effort

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the government’s prohibition on marijuana.

Yesterday we reported that the DOJ filed documents with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts declaring that it will be seeking to dismiss the lawsuit prior to the court-appointed deadline of January 23. Today, the day of the deadline, the DOJ officially filed the motion to dismiss. The motion was filed by Brian M. Boynton, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Brigham J. Bowen, Assistant Director, Federal Programs Branch, and Jeremy S.B. Newman, a DOJ Trial Attorney, on behalf of Attorney General Merrick Garland.

“Defendant Merrick Garland, in his official capacity as Attorney General of the United States, hereby files this Motion to Dismiss Complaint”, states the filing. :As set forth in the accompanying Memorandum, the Complaint, ECF No. 1, filed by Plaintiffs Canna Provisions, Inc., Gyasi Sellers, Wiseacre Farm, Inc., and Verano Holdings Corp. (collectively, “Plaintiffs”), should be dismissed because Plaintiffs lack standing and because Plaintiffs fail to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Accordingly, the Court should grant this Motion and dismiss the Complaint.”
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Jan 23 2024

Cannabidiol (CBD) Demonstrates Antimicrobial Activity Against Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Finds Study

The marijuana compound cannabidiol (CBD) showed strong antimicrobial effects in a newly published study.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The study will be published in the upcoming issue of the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, with the abstract published online ahead of print by the US National Library of Medicine. The study is titled Antimicrobial Effect of Cannabidiol on Intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and it was conducted by researchers at the Universidad de Buenos Aires, Universidad Nacional de Hurlingham and CONICET, all in Argentina.

“Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiologic agent of tuberculosis (TB), has killed nearly one billion people during the last two centuries”, notes the study. “Nowadays, TB remains a major global health problem ranked among the top 10 causes of death worldwide.”
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Jan 23 2024

Bipartisan US House Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana and Protect States’ Rights Gets New Committee Assignment

The States Reform Act has received a new committee assignment, roughly three months after being filed.

The States Reform Act (House Bill 6028) was filed by Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) in October, cosponsored by Representatives Tom McClintock (R-CA), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), David Trone (D-MD) and Dean Phillips (D-MN). The latter is currently running against President Biden in the Democratic primary.

The measure, according to its official legislative brief, “Federally decriminalizes cannabis and fully defers to state powers over prohibition and commercial regulation.” It “performs confirming amendments to relevant statutes to ensure that cannabis products are treated like alcohol by amended statutes in line with Title II of the Act.”
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Jan 23 2024

Report: Cannabis Testing Market Worth $1.7 Billion, to Over Double by 2030

The global market for cannabis testing services is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14.23% between 2023 and 2030, according to a new report.

(Photo credit: MoCann Testing).

The report, conducted by Persistence Market Research, found the market to be worth $1.7 billion as of the end of 2023. The report anticipates the market will grow to be worth $4.4 billion by 2030.

“Ensuring compliance, quality, and safety of cannabis products for medical and recreational use is paramount, and cannabis testing services market play a crucial role in this regard”, states the report. “These services encompass various analytical testing methods, including heavy metal, microbiological, pesticide, residual solvent, potency, and contamination testing.”
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Jan 23 2024

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Calls on Congress to Triple THC Limit for Hemp

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) is urging members of Congress to significantly increase the amount of THC allowed in legal hemp.

In 2018 federal lawmakers legalized the cultivation of hemp throughout the United States via a provision in a federal farm bill. The provision states that hemp cannot contain more than 0.3% THC. If it does, it’s considered marijuana and is illegal to grow.

Now, NASDA, founded in 1915, is calling on Congress to triple the THC limit to an even 1%.
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Jan 22 2024

Study Finds CBD May Be Useful in Mitigating Stress in Canines, Particularly During Car Travel

According to a new study the use of cannabidiol (CBD) may be effective in mitigating stress in dogs who have to routinely travel via motor vehicle.

The study, titled Daily dosing of cannabidiol (CBD) demonstrates a positive effect on measures of stress in dogs during repeated exposure to car travel, was published in the Journal of Animal Science. It was conducted by researchers at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute.

“Dogs are routinely exposed to events that may elicit stress and result in negative emotional states which can impact pet dog welfare”, states the study’s abstract. “One event many dogs living with people are routinely exposed to is car travel, with many dogs displaying behaviors, along with corresponding physiological responses, that are indicative of stress and anxiety.”
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Jan 22 2024

US Justice Department Seeks to Dismiss Lawsuit Calling Marijuana Prohibition Unconstitutional

According to a motion filed by the United States Department of Justice, they are seeking to have a lawsuit dismissed that would protect businesses following state marijuana laws.

In a motion filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts in the case CANNA PROVISIONS, Gyasi Sellers, Wiseacre Farm, Verano Holdings, v. Merrick Garland (in his official Capacity as Attorney General of the United States), the Justice Department says it will be seeking a motion to dismiss the lawsuit prior to the court-appointed deadline of January 23.

The lawsuit in question claims that continuing marijuana prohibition, in particular enforcing federal marijuana policy on states that have legalized the plant, is unconstitutional and harms public safety.
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