DOJ & cannabis biz agree on lawsuit extension (Newsletter: December 19, 2023)

2024 candidates on psychedelics; Italian legalization; CO marijuana & guns measure; DE medical cannabis expansion; Alcohol vs marijuana market report

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Department of Justice and marijuana businesses that filed a lawsuit challenging federal prohibition agreed in a joint motion to delay initial briefs in the case due to “obligations of counsel in other litigation matters and the holiday season.”

2024 presidential candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Vivek Ramaswamy and Marianne Williamson all touted their support for psychedelics reform in the past week—with one sharing how a member of their family used ayahuasca to process grief.

Within the span of a week, Italian marijuana activists have already collected nearly half the signatures they need to force Parliament to consider a legalization initiative.

Delaware lawmakers filed a bill that would expand medical cannabis access ahead of the adult-use sales launch by letting doctors recommend it for any condition they see fit and allowing people over 65 to self-certify without any help from healthcare professionals.

Nebraska activists say they have already collected enough valid signatures for two 2024 medical cannabis ballot initiatives in 16 out of a required 38 counties across the state.

Colorado Second Amendment activists filed a proposed 2024 ballot initiative that would allow marijuana consumers to receive permits to carry concealed guns. State Legislative Council Staff will hold a hearing on the measure on Tuesday.

Investment bank TD Cowen says in a new report that the cannabis industry will add 18 million monthly consumers in the next five years while alcohol loses 2 million—projecting yearly marijuana sales will reach $37 billion by 2027.

A review by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’s chief equity officer determined that nearly a quarter of marijuana microbusiness license winners are ineligible to proceed.

/ FEDERAL

The Drug Enforcement Administration sent a warning about a “widespread fraud in which scammers impersonate DEA agents.”

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said he would vote to federally legalize marijuana.

/ STATES

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) and the state attorney general touted an enforcement action against an unlicensed marijuana store in Brooklyn. Separately, regulators will consider cannabis business license applications and relocation requests on Wednesday.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court is being asked to put an end to the prosecution of women for using medical cannabis during pregnancy.

Rhode Island regulators filed revised marijuana testing rules.

Ohio regulators issued a notice clarifying that marijuana is not allowed in liquor permit premises.

Washington State regulators updated the list of pesticides that are allowed to be used in production of marijuana.

Vermont regulators published updated cannabis lab testing guidance.

Oregon regulators published a bulletin on changes to medical cannabis and hemp rules.

Alabama regulators are facing several legal challenges from companies that were denied medical cannabis business licenses.

Utah regulators will consider a proposal to add suppositories and eye/ear drops as approved forms of medical cannabis on Tuesday.

Massachusetts regulators will consider proposed marijuana tax rules on Tuesday.

Alaska’s Advisory Task Force on Recreational Marijuana will meet on Tuesday.

—
Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 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.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—

/ LOCAL

A Charlotte, North Carolina City Council member passed around a THC-A joint during a discussion of videos of a police officer repeatedly punching a woman during an arrest that occurred after she was seen smoking what she says was a legal THC-A product.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Alberta, Canada officials are moving to allow cannabis retailers to operate temporary sales locations at adults-only events.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study’s result “position activated biocarbon derived from cannabis residues as potential electrode materials in supercapacitors.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll found that Tennessee residents support legalizing marijuana, 62 percent to 30 percent, and back medical cannabis, 79 percent to 13 percent.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island and Black Lives Matter Rhode Island PAC are pressing state officials to clarify a policy that allows localities to ban public marijuana smoking or vaping.

/ BUSINESS

Canopy Growth Corporation completed the sale of its This Works skincare and wellness brand to Inspirit Capital.

Organigram Holdings Inc. has a new chief financial officer.

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