Medical cannabis for veterans approved in Senate vote (Newsletter: July 12, 2024)

Hemp product ban vote in Congress; GOP lawmakers: Keep marijuana Schedule I; Rescheduling process report; Psychedelics on MA ballot; Cannabis & sex

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to let Department of Veterans Affairs doctors recommend medical cannabis to military veterans in states where it is legal.

The House Appropriations Committee approved a spending bill with a provision that would effectively ban most consumable hemp-derived cannabinoid products—though the panel added new report language pushing federal officials to create a framework to “adequately regulate”—rather than prohibit—certain hemp derivatives.

Twenty-five Republican lawmakers, led by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), sent a letter urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to reverse course on cannabis rescheduling, claiming that the move was “not properly researched, circumvented DEA, and is merely responding to the popularity of marijuana and not the actual science.”

The Congressional Research Service says in a new report that rescheduling or descheduling substances like marijuana via an act of lawmakers—as opposed to by the administrative process cannabis is currently undergoing—would “greater speed and flexibility,” and would have less risk of a judicial challenge.

Massachusetts voters will decide on a psychedelics legalization initiative on the November ballot after Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin certified the campaign collected enough valid signatures.

A new scientific review concludes that marijuana can “enhance sexual pleasure, reduce inhibitions, alleviate anxiety and shame, and promote intimacy and connection with sexual partners”—though dosage is a key factor.

People “who use cannabis more frequently tend to report higher levels of sexual activity.”

/ FEDERAL

The Drug Enforcement Administration posted an article about a woman who died “from cannabis-induced vomiting that triggered fatal heart disorder before doctors declared her brain dead.”

/ STATES

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) touted regulators’ moves to award additional marijuana business licenses and adopt updates to rules.

The commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement voiced concerns about cannabis and other drugs being laced with fentanyl.

A Minnesota representative said a law allowing sales of cannabis-infused beverages is keeping breweries from going out of business.

Arizona regulators announced a recall of marijuana products due to possible piperonyl butoxide contamination.

Iowa regulators adopted changes to medical cannabidiol rules.

Wyoming regulators are urging a federal court not to block enforcement of a law restricting intoxicating hemp products.

California State Parks touted its efforts to clean up illegal marijuana grow sites.

A Kentucky medical cannabis regulator provided an update on steps toward launching the program.

The Virginia Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council will meet on Monday.

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/ LOCAL

Portland, Oregon’s Cannabis Policy Oversight Team met.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Germany’s health minister tweeted, “Cannabis was legalized in the Netherlands, but cultivation remained on the black market. It couldn’t be worse. Only legal cultivation can dry up the black market. This has been shown in Canada. Good youth protection, fewer gangs.”

The first data on a Swiss legal marijuana sales pilot program have been published.

An Irish lawmaker held a press conference to press the government to expand access to medical cannabis.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study of military veterans who use CBD found that “average pain scores pre-usage of 6.37 were reduced to 4.05 post-usage indicating a statistically significant reduction in pain.”

A study found that “naturalistic psychedelic experiences may be followed by a decrease in cannabis use.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Reason Foundation published a report on the impact of Colorado’s psychedelics legalization law.

/ BUSINESS

Numinus Wellness Inc. reported quarterly revenue of C$4.3 million and a loss and comprehensive loss of C$5.1 million.

CTrust announced the beta launch of its cannabis credit scoring platform.

Tilray Brands, Inc. published a report on medical cannabis use by people over the age of 50.

Missouri retailers sold $119.6 million worth of legal marijuana products in June.

Connecticut retailers sold $23.9 million worth of legal marijuana products in June.

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