Top GOP congressman: Marijuana a “gateway drug”; States with high cannabis arrests; Hemp regulation op-ed
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
BREAKING: Journalism is often consumed for free, but costs money to produce! While this newsletter is proudly sent without cost to you, our ability to send it each day depends on the financial support of readers who can afford to give it. So if you’ve got a few dollars to spare each month and believe in the work we do, please consider joining us on Patreon today.
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A new federal marijuana banking report from the Government Accountability Office shows that “obtaining and maintaining financial services remain difficult” for many cannabis businesses—though there is “no indication” any bank has ever been penalized solely for working with the marijuana industry.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) told Marijuana Moment he thinks cannabis is a “gateway drug” that “causes other problems down the road”—largely sidestepping a question about his home state of Louisiana having among the highest number of marijuana arrests in the U.S.
A new NORML analysis of FBI data shows that more than half of all drug arrests were for marijuana in several states across the U.S. last year.
Upstate Elevator’s Dylan Raap—who operates separate companies in both the regulated marijuana and hemp industries—argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that Congress should take the chance to regulate THC products.
- “Eliminating a competing channel is not the same as regulating it… Responsible operators on both sides should want rules that protect consumers and make it harder for bad actors to compete.”
A Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division spokesperson defended the agency from criticism about delays in warning the public about cannabis products with reports of adverse effects, citing regulators’ limited powers to initiate recalls.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) tweeted, “A blanket hemp ban would wipe out American farm families, small businesses, and countless jobs. We need commonsense guardrails, not prohibition.”
/ STATES
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging Hawaii hemp product restrictions.
Illinois regulators published an interactive map of marijuana and hemp businesses.
The California Cannabis Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday.
Colorado regulators will hold a psychedelics rulemaking stakeholder meeting on September 30.
—
Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of 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.
—
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that hemp seed oil leads to improvements in “crackers‘ nutritional, oxidative, and bioactive properties without compromising sensory taste.”
A study of mice found that “psilocybin enhances sociability only in altered behavioural state and does not need an awake experience to be effective.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Houston Chronicle editorial board criticized local police for an increase in marijuana arrests.
/ BUSINESS
AtaiBeckley Inc. shareholders reportedly approved the company’s acquisition by Eli Lilly and Company.
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. is pushing back on what it called “inaccurate and misleading statements” from Aurora Cannabis Inc. about its offer to acquire that company.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.
