Feds say medical cannabis no excuse for positive THC test (Newsletter: October 12, 2023)

Marijuana protections in climate workforce bill; Ukraine medical cannabis vote; Study: Marijuana consumers get better COVID outcomes

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration adopted changes to federal workplace drug testing guidelines to clarify that using medical marijuana under a doctor’s recommendation in a legal state is not a valid excuse for a positive THC test.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and 41 cosponsors filed a climate workforce bill that would protect workers in legal marijuana states from being fired or losing access to jobs training over cannabis drug tests.

The Ukraine parliament’s National Health, Medical Care and Health Insurance Committee approved a medical cannabis bill—putting it one legislative step away from being sent to President Volodymyr Zelensky to be signed into law.

Lubbock, Texas activists announced they believe they’ve collected enough signatures to put a marijuana decriminalization initiative on the local ballot—but they’re still continuing to petition leading up to the October 17 deadline to make sure the measure qualifies.

A new study found that cannabis consumers who caught COVID-19 had significantly lower rates of intubation, respiratory failure and death than people who do not use marijuana.

“Marijuana smokers had better outcomes and mortality compared to non-users.”

Alaska Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom (R) signed new regulations that will remove intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoid products from vape shops and other unregulated stores and instead put them under the purview of the Marijuana Control Board.

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission is asking a judge to dismiss Verano Holdings’s lawsuit challenging regulators’ move not to grant the company a license in a do-over round of awards after initially deciding to give it one.

/ FEDERAL

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California denied a motion to dismiss a Chapter 11 case of a marijuana-industry debtor.

Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) tweeted, “Forcing cannabis businesses to be cash-only operations creates more opportunity for crime. Our SAFER Banking Act brings us one step closer to the entire nation following Colorado’s lead. Next step: full Senate vote!”

Former Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH), currently president and CEO of the Ohio Business Roundtable, authored an op-ed urging Ohio voters to reject the marijuana legalization initiative on the state’s ballot.

Nebraska independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn spoke about his support for legalizing marijuana and admitted to using cannabis moments after first saying that he never has.

/ STATES

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) tweeted, “More and more Kansans are recognizing that expanding Medicaid and legalizing medical marijuana are commonsense ways to support our neighbors battling chronic pain, PTSD, and other medical conditions. Let’s get both done this next legislative session.”

A Florida marijuana legalization campaign received another $500,000 contribution from Trulieve.

Missouri regulators and St. Louis county officials are facing a lawsuit that alleges the stacking of municipal and county-level marijuana taxes is unconstitutional.

Alaska regulators filed proposed changes to rules on overlapping marijuana business premises.

Michigan regulators published bulletins on the state’s marijuana tracking system.

Hawaii regulators approved an additional medical cannabis dispensary license.

Virginia regulators rescinded a request for applications for a medical cannabis processor license.

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission met.

The Colorado Retail Marijuana Public Health Advisory Committee will meet on Monday.

Vermont regulators will host cannabis cultivator education seminars next month.

—
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—

/ LOCAL

The Anchorage, Alaska Assembly approved a measure to allow city employees to use marijuana while off the job.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The German Bundestag is expected to give the government’s marijuana legalization bill a first reading next week.

Tasmania, Australia lawmakers are considering legislation that would require destruction of hemp plants with more than 1.0 percent THC.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study concluded that “Canada has sufficient farmland and perfect geographic location and weather to implement large-scale hemp cultivation” and that “[hemp insulation materials] substitution can be accomplished for 81% of Canadian residential buildings.”

/ BUSINESS

McCormick & Company reportedly sent a cease-and-desist letter to Crabcakes & Cannabis about a sticker it was selling that incorporates the brand makers of Old Bay seasoning.

Two men pleaded guilty to charges related to an alleged scheme to defraud CanaFarma investors.

Michigan retailers sold $274.7 million worth of legal marijuana products in September.

/ CULTURE

Former football players Marshawn Lynch and Shannon Sharpe discussed changing attitudes about cannabis.

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