Mar 24 2023

New Mexico Committee Approves Legalizing Safe Injection Sites

A bill that would establish an overdose prevention program to allow for safe injection sites has been passed by its initial House committee.

The New Mexico flag.

House Bill 263 has been passed by the House Judiciary Committee, moving it closer to a vote by the full House. According its official synopsis the bill would amend the Harm Reduction Act to create an overdose prevention program, which would allow for the operation of overdose prevention facilities, and provide liability protections for individuals operating or utilizing overdose prevention programs.

The amendments “would limit the data the Department of Health could collect in association with harm reduction programs, require the department to promulgate rules about the operation of overdose prevention programs, and require the department to provide program participants with a safe and hygienic space to consume previously obtained substances under the supervision of trained personnel.”
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Mar 23 2023

Group of Rhode Island Lawmakers File Bill to Legalize Psilocybin

Legislation that would legalize the possession and personal cultivation of psilocybin has been filed in Rhode Island.

Legalize Psilocybin

Rhode Island Senate Bill 806 would amend the state’s law on controlled substances “to permit a person to possess less than 1 ounce of psilocybin and would allow psilocybin to be cultivated at a person’s residence for personal use.”

The measure was filed by Senator Meghan Kallman, with cosponsors Senators Alana DiMario, Joshua Miller, Tiara Mack, Jonathon Acosts, Pamela Lauria and Bridget Valverde. The move would legalize psilocybin, which is the hallucinogenic ingredient found in magic mushrooms.
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Mar 23 2023

Study: CBD Can Mitigate Opioid Cravings

Administering marijuana-derived CBD significantly reduces opioid cravings in animals, according to a new study published in the journal Addiction Neuroscience.

For the study researchers from Washington State University and Legacy Research Institute in Portland examined the efficacy and safety profile of vaporized CBD in female rates. They found that rats provided with CBD were less likely to self-administer morphine.

“The ability of WPE [whole-plant marijuana extract] to reduce opioid reward and drug seeking behavior appears quite robust and of great clinical utility,” states the study.
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Mar 23 2023

Rhode Island Bill Would Allow Animals to Join Medical Marijuana Program

Legislation to add animals to Rhode Island’s medical marijuana program has been introduced in the state’s Senate.

Legislation to expand the definition of “qualifying patient” to include “any animal having a debilitating medical condition as determined by a veterinarian for purposes of a recommendation for medical marijuana”, has been filed in the Rhode Island Senate.

Filed by Senator Frank Lombardo, the measure is cosponsored by Senators Louis Dipalma, Frank Ciccone, Ryan Pearson and Joshua Miller. It has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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Mar 23 2023

Medical Marijuana Expansion Bill Becomes Law in Washington D.C.

In January Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed legislation to significantly expand the district’s medical marijuana program. After a required congressional review period, the proposal is now officially law.

The legislation (Bill 24-0113) was first introduced by Council Chair Phil Mendelson on behalf of Mayor Bowser back in February, 2021. In December, 2022 it passed the D.C. Council in a unanimous 13 to 0 vote, and it officially became law yesterday.

The new law removes the cap on the number of plants that a cultivation center can grow and removes the cap on the number of permitted dispensaries in the District. The law also creates new business categories within the industry including on-site consumption facilities and marijuana cooking classes, and it makes permanent the option for patients to self-certify that they’re qualified medical marijuana patients.
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Mar 22 2023

Missouri Bill to Study Medical Use of MDMA, Psilocybin and Ketamine Passes Second House Committee

Two legislative committees in Missouri have voted “Yes” on a measure that would require a study on the efficacy of using alternative medicines and therapies including, but not limited to MDMA psilocybin, and ketamine.

(Getty Images)

Missouri House Bill 1154 was passed on March 7 by the Veterans Committee in a unanimous vote (11 to 0), and on Monday it was given approval by the Administrative Oversight Committee. The vote Monday was also unanimous, 10 to 0.

Filed by Representative Dan Houx, this bill “requires the Department of Health and Senior Services, in
collaboration with a Missouri university hospital and medical center operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs in Missouri, to conduct a study on the efficacy of using alternative medicines and therapies, including, but not limited to, the use of MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine for the treatment of patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, treatment-resistant depression, substance abuse disorders, or who require end-of-life care.”
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Mar 22 2023

Michigan Bill Would Lower Age to Work at Marijuana Stores to 19

A legislative proposal that would lower the age to work or volunteer at a licensed marijuana retail outlet was filed today in the Michigan House of Representatives.

“A person who is 19 years of age or older may manufacture, purchase, distribute, and sell marihuana accessories if the person is an agent acting on behalf of a marihuana establishment”, states House Bill 4322. The current age is aligned with the age to possess and use marijuana, which is 21.

The measure was filed by State Representative Kevin Coleman along with cosponsors Representatives Jimmie Wilson, Emily Dievendorf, Dylan Wegela, Mike McFall, Graham Filler, Tullio Liberati and James DeSana.
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Mar 22 2023

Illinois Committee Votes to Ban Police From Using Marijuana Odor as Probable Cause for Vehicle Searches

A bill that would explicitly prohibit law enforcement from using the smell of marijuana as probable cause for a vehicle search has been passed by a key Senate committee in Illinois.

Probable CauseSenate Bill 125 was filed by Senator Rachel Ventura along with eight cosponsors, all Democrat. It was passed today by the Senate Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety in a 9 to 1 vote.

The proposed law states that the Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Section 11-502.15 as follows:

The odor of burnt or raw cannabis in a motor vehicle by itself shall not constitute probable cause for the search of a motor vehicle or person.
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Mar 22 2023

Oregon Grants First Ever License for Magic Mushroom Production

Almost two and a half years after Oregon voters approved the legalization of psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”), the state has issued the first license for its production.

Psilocybin mushrooms.

The Oregon Health Authority announced today that it has issues its first psilocybin manufacturing license, which was awarded to the Portland-based company Satori Farms PDX LLC The company is owned by Tori Armbrust.

“We congratulate Tori Armbrust of Satori Farms PDX LLC for being issued the first psilocybin license in Oregon’s history and for representing women leading the way for the emerging psilocybin ecosystem,” said Oregon Psilocybin Services Section Manager Angie Allbee following the announcement. “We are committed to fostering an inclusive partnership with our regulated community to ensure safe, effective and equitable psilocybin services throughout the state.”
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Mar 22 2023

Legislation to Prevent Marijuana Odor From Being Used as Probable Cause Passed by Maryland Senate Committee

A Maryland Senate committee has given approval to a bill that would prevent law enforcement from using marijuana odor as the sole evidence for probable cause or reasonable suspicion.

Filed by Senator Jill P. Carter, Senate Bill 51 has received approval from the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committees, sending it towards a vote by the full Senate.

“Providing that, with a certain exception, a finding or determination of reasonable suspicion or probable cause relating to possession of contraband or other criminal activity may not be based solely on evidence of the odor of certain cannabis, the possession of or suspicion of possession of cannabis, or the presence of money in proximity to cannabis”, states the bill’s official synopsis.
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