Harris would be better for cannabis industry than Trump, poll says (Newsletter: November 4, 2024)

Gallup: 68% of Americans support legalization; VA funds psychedelics research; Marijuana & gun rights case; NE medical cannabis votes will be counted

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

A new Gallup poll shows that Americans’ support for marijuana legalization has stabilized at 68 percent—with majorities of Republicans, Democrats and independents on board with the reform ahead of Election Day.

A new poll finds that Americans believe Vice President Kamala Harris would be better for the cannabis industry than former President Donald Trump would be, 45 percent to 16 percent, and that Republicans themselves are almost evenly divided on which candidate would be better for marijuana businesses.

Department of Veterans Affairs Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal announced that for the first time since the 1960s the agency is funding a psychedelic study—focusing on MDMA to treat veterans with PTSD and alcohol-use disorder.

A Pennsylvania district attorney who uses medical cannabis is asking a federal court to reject the Department of Justice’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit he filed seeking to overturn the ban on gun rights for marijuana consumers.

The Reason Foundation’s Geoffrey Lawrence argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that states should have a “single cannabis retailer license, allowing any retailer who can demonstrate competence in age-gating products to sell both hemp-derived and state-licensed marijuana products.”

“If the tax and regulatory structure for state-licensed marijuana weren’t so restrictive, a market for hemp-derived products might never have emerged.”

A Nebraska judge ruled that votes for two medical cannabis legalization ballot measures will be counted despite an ongoing legal challenge.

South Dakota campaign finance records show that the effort to pass the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot is mostly funded by the cannabis industry.

/ FEDERAL

A Department of Defense official said “marijuana is still prohibited for federal employees and we’ll have to continue to follow federal law.”

The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs posted about a study on a “method for identifying and quantitating 21 selected cannabinoids.”

/ STATES

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced dates for medical cannabis dispensary license lotteries.

New Hampshire Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joyce Craig tweeted, “Over 70% of Granite Staters support legalizing cannabis, and as governor, I’ll support this growing industry. It’ll benefit our small businesses and our communities.”

A Massachusetts representative said if voters reject the psychedelics legalization initiative on the ballot it would stall reform efforts in the state for a long time.

The Florida marijuana legalization campaign received another $1.5 million donation from Trulieve.

Colorado regulators issued a notification about mislabeled marijuana products.

California regulators are moving to adopt rules allowing cannabis cultivation businesses to make changes to their licenses.

Oregon regulators filed proposed changes to marijuana testing rules.

New Oklahoma medical cannabis business licensing rules took effect.

Michigan regulators are accepting applications for a cannabis social equity grant program.

—
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.

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

/ LOCAL

The Los Angeles County, California district attorney’s office is launching a youth cannabis prevention campaign.

Denver, Colorado officials posted a new form that marijuana businesses can use to change their designation from medical to retail.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “CBD-rich oil is an effective and safe therapy for treating [neuropsychiatric symptoms] in [Alzheimer’s disease] patients, while also reducing the caregivers’ distress.”

A study of mice found that cannabis extract “demonstrated antidepressant-like and anti-inflammatory effects in an [lipopolysaccharide]-induced neuroinflammation model, likely through the modulation of cytokine expression and mast cell activity.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Republican Party of Florida and a political committee run by Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) chief of staff reportedly accepted donations on at least eight occasions from hemp companies whose products tested above the 0.3% THC legal limit.

The U.S. Cannabis Council has reportedly rejected applications from hemp companies to join its board.

/ BUSINESS

Cookies Retail is suing Cookies Creative Consulting and Promotions over a claim that it did not follow through on a settlement agreement from prior litigation.

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