Voters in red states support legalizing cannabis, polls show (Newsletter: October 23, 2024)

Harris jokes about marijuana gummies; Vance on fentanyl-laced cannabis; DEA psychedelics ban; Ireland drug decrim report

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Vice President Kamala Harris said taking cannabis gummies is not part of her stress management routine, and that instead she exercises in the morning, eats healthy and prioritizes family time.

Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) regularly talks about being shown fentanyl-laced marijuana products by police, but a new federally funded study says there’s “no evidence of widespread fentanyl co-occurrence with cannabis.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s request to block witnesses from testifying at a hearing on the agency’s proposed ban of two psychedelics was rejected by an administrative law judge.

The Irish Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use issued a report recommending that the country legalize marijuana and decriminalize possession of “all illicit drugs.”

New polls show that Kansas and Utah voters support marijuana legalization, demonstrating that cannabis reform is popular even in deeply conservative red states.

The Heroic Hearts Project published a new guidebook that aims to help veterans use psychedelics like psilocybin, MDMA and ayahuasca to heal from PTSD and other mental health conditions.

The New Jersey Senate Law and Public Safety Committee approved a bill aimed at addressing an expungements backlog that officials say is driven by marijuana legalization and expanded opportunities to clear past offenses.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota is representing a woman who is facing a potential 30-year prison sentence for possessing eight ounces of bong water used to smoke meth, which state law considers the same as eight ounces of pure methamphetamine.

A new study shows how Canada’s medical cannabis system experienced big changes after recreational marijuana legalization—including differences between provinces.

/ FEDERAL

An Occupational Safety and Health Administration official spoke about efforts to ensure worker safety in the cannabis industry.

/ STATES

California’s attorney general announced the eradication of 774,829 illegally cultivated marijuana plants and 106,141 pounds of processed cannabis.

The New Jersey Assembly Oversight Reform and Federal Relations Committee approved a bill to allow marijuana dispensaries to sell non-intoxicating snacks and drinks.

An Alabama judge appointed a mediator to oversee a dispute on medical cannabis business licensing.

Washington, D.C. regulators are being sued for allegedly unlawfully targeting businesses for selling federally legal hemp products.

Vermont regulators sent a reminder for cannabis cultivators to keep inventory tracking records up to date.

The Louisiana Industrial Hemp Promotion and Research Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday.

Massachusetts regulators will host a listening session about independent cannabis testing laboratories on November 7.

—
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.
—

/ INTERNATIONAL

French lawmakers are pushing to extend a medical cannabis pilot program through a budget amendment.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “extracts rich in cannabidiol or Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol inhibited the growth of two canine prostate carcinoma cell lines.”

A study concluded that “in addition to its psychoactive properties, psilocybin could be utilized to develop antimicrobial drugs in future studies with in vivo efficacy and toxicity assays.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy launched parody PSAs on safer youth cannabis use in conjunction with the sixth anniversary of the country enacting legalization.

/ BUSINESS

WM Technology Inc. is facing class action litigation over allegedly misleading and false statements.

/ CULTURE

Wiz Khalifa is being brought to trial in Romania over allegedly smoking marijuana on stage.

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