Jan 25 2024

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 as a Schedule III drug under the Federal Controlled Substances Act, effectively legalizing it for prescription use across the country. The letter came in response to a 2022 request by President Biden for the government to research and consider rescheduling marijuana.

Earlier this month the DEA sent a letter to congressional lawmakers informing them that their review of marijuana as a schedule I drug is currently underway, while noting that the agency has “the final authority” when it comes to any rescheduling effort.
Continue reading

Jan 25 2024

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.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms. (Photo credit: Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite).

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 Palliative Medicine as well as the US National Library of Medicine.

“Internationally, there is a growing interest in the potential benefits of psilocybin-assisted therapy to treat existential distress at the end of life. However, the social acceptability of this therapy is not yet well known”, states the study’s abstract. “This study assesses the social acceptability of the medical use of psilocybin to treat existential distress at the end of life.”
Continue reading

Jan 25 2024

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.

Nabiximols, also known as Sativex, contains equal parts THC and CBD, both derived from marijuana.

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 before start of treatment.”

The study is being published in the upcoming issue of the peer-reviewed journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, with it published online ahead of print by the National Library of Medicine. The study was conducted by researchers in Germany.
Continue reading

Jan 24 2024

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 Project — a non-partisan research group housed in the School of American and Global Studies at South Dakota State University.

“Another likely initiated measure on the 2024 ballot is a policy aimed at legalizing recreational marijuana — a seemingly perpetual conflict in the state”, states a press release about the poll. “After a legalization scheme narrowly passed in 2020 (subsequently overturned by the courts) and another one narrowly failed in 2022, reformers are petitioning to get it back on the ballot in this year’s presidential election.”
Continue reading

Jan 24 2024

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 sponsored by 35% of the entire US Senate. In September the proposal was passed through the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs with bipartisan support.

In federal filings, legally required under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, PayPal announced that they have been conducting lobbying efforts in support of “S. 2860, Secure And Fair Enforcement Regulation Banking Act, all provisions”, as well as “Issues related to banking services for cannabis-related businesses.”
Continue reading

Jan 24 2024

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.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms.

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:
Continue reading

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”.
Continue reading

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.
Continue reading

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.
Continue reading

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.”
Continue reading