Legal cannabis reduces opioid overdose deaths, study shows (Newsletter: December 24, 2024)

NY gov signs & vetoes marijuana bills; Federal PSA shows stoned Christmas tree; NV psychedelics report; NJ 2024 cannabis sales hit $1 billion

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched a new ad aimed at deterring marijuana-impaired driving that features a stoned Christmas tree urging people who “enjoy the holiday greenery” to find a sober ride.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed bills to resume marijuana farmers markets and to clarify that cannabis is an agricultural crop, but vetoed separate legislation that would have given marijuana companies more leeway in how they pay taxes.

The Nevada Psychedelic Medicines Working Group approved a report recommending that lawmakers create a program for regulated access to psychedelic-assisted therapy and consider reducing existing legal penalties for entheogenic plants and fungi.

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission reported that retailers in the state have sold more than $1 billion in legal marijuana products this year, a nearly 25 percent increase from 2023’s total.

A new study found that legalizing marijuana “leads to a consistent and statistically significant decrease in opioid overdose deaths”—with states that legalized early seeing “an immediate decline in opioid overdose death rates, which grew even stronger and persisted after five years.”

“Our findings suggest that broadening recreational marijuana access could help address the opioid epidemic.”

/ FEDERAL

A House Ethics Committee report says there is “substantial evidence” that former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) used illegal drugs, and that he “appears to have set up a pseudonymous e-mail account from his House office in the Capitol complex for the purpose of purchasing marijuana.”

Sen Ed Markey (D-MA) objected to Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto’s (D-NV) unanimous consent request to advance legislation scheduling xylazine, saying that “we need to break down old War on Drug structures that make it nearly impossible for Americans to get treatment they need without being criminalized, penalized, and stigmatized.”

Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) discussed his views on marijuana rescheduling and cannabis banking legislation.

/ STATES

Texas’s agriculture commissioner said there’s “no oversight” on hemp product sales.

A Maine representative is hosting a cannabis policy summit on January 3.

Oregon regulators approved changes to marijuana and hemp rules.

Delaware regulators announced the list of marijuana license lottery winners.

Ohio regulators sent a press release urging people to safely store cannabis this holiday season.

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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

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/ INTERNATIONAL

France’s health minister approved a six-month extension of the country’s medical cannabis pilot program.

The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Board of Police Commissioners received a report it commissioned on drug decriminalization policies.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study “revealed important protective effects of Lebanese cannabis oil extract against folic acid—induced renal fibrosis in rats.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative published a strategic plan to facilitate more than $130 million in funding over the next three years to support psychedelic-assisted care.

/ BUSINESS

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. said that PharmaCann Inc. defaulted on its obligations to pay rent for leases.

Canadian retailers sold C$456.3 million worth of legal marijuana products in October.

/ CULTURE

Wiz Khalifa listed his favorite marijuana-smoking athletes.

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