IA gov candidate: Legalize marijuana; Study: Cannabis as nicotine cessation aid; Hemp THC ban & marijuana biz op-ed
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Sen. Tim Sheehy’s (R-MT) push to keep hemp THC products legal is being called out in a new attack ad from a dark money group that says he “wants to keep THC drinks on our shelves—not in the dispensary—at the convenience store, next to soft drinks.”
Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand discussed his support for legalizing marijuana during a debate with his GOP opponent—saying that the reform would make law enforcement’s job easier while also raising revenue to help fund education.
A new study conducted by researchers at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs found that “among those attempting to quit cigarettes, the use of cannabis for cessation was nearly as popular as the use of prescription cessation aids.”
- “THC is a popular tobacco cessation aid, with use surpassing that of evidence-based interventions.”
Third Rail Advisory’s Aaron Smith argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that it is an “unwise political strategy” for the state-licensed cannabis industry to support the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products.
- “If the industry we created now argues that THC is safe in a dispensary but dangerous in a liquor store, voters and policymakers will reasonably conclude we were never serious,” Smith, who founded the National Cannabis Industry Association and previously worked for the Marijuana Policy Project, wrote. “It’s only natural for licensed businesses to try to eliminate competition from companies that found another way in. But it’s short-sighted, and it has put parts of the industry on the same side of this fight as the country’s leading prohibitionist groups. That alliance should trouble anyone who supports legal cannabis.”
The South Dakota legislature’s Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee is being accused by reform supporters of stacking its latest meeting with testimony from anti-cannabis speakers.
/ FEDERAL
The State Department noted that medical cannabis is one of Malta’s “emerging medical sectors” in a report on the country’s investment climate.
Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) said hemp farmers want “to be viewed as a responsible and mature industry that will have a future.”
/ STATES
Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand discussed his support for legalizing cannabis as a way to address a budget deficit.
Texas Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Vikki Goodwin discussed her support for legalizing cannabis.
Nebraska’s attorney general said that cannabis issues have “hardly come up at all” in conversations with voters.
Oklahoma representatives hosted an interim study meeting about the effects of THC and kratom product marketing on children.
The Arizona Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit that claimed state officials, including Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) and her chief of staff, illegally awarded a marijuana dispensary license outside of established deadlines.
Illinois regulators published guidance on changes to hemp product rules.
Colorado regulators published guidance about facilitators handing and dispensing psychedelics without a required license.
Idaho regulators will hold a hearing about hemp rules on Tuesday.
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/ LOCAL
Baltimore, Maryland’s mayor signed a bill to crack down on shops that repeatedly sell unlicensed cannabis or other illegal products.
The New Castle County, Delaware Council rejected a proposal to bring local marijuana zoning rules into accordance with a new state law.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Sint Maarten’s minister of public health, social development and labor said consideration of cannabis legislation needs to focus on mental health instead of economic opportunities.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “1% topical CBD oil may reduce pain intensity in individuals with myofascial pain and was well tolerated without observable skin sensitization.”
A study of rats found that “in situ delivery of cannabidiol-loaded GelMA sponge attenuates cerebral edema and neuroinflammation in traumatic brain injury.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Houston Chronicle editorial board is urging voters to approve a local measure on the November ballot to deprioritize marijuana arrests.
No Dangerous Intoxicating Products is a newly registered group conducting federal lobbying activities and held an event on Capitol Hill this week.
/ BUSINESS
Cronos Group Inc. completed its acquisition of CanAdelaar B.V.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. is reiterating its recommendation that shareholders reject an unsolicited acquisition bid from Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., saying it is “carefully evaluating strategic alternatives with the goal of delivering greater value.”
/ CULTURE
Michael Douglas said Danny DeVito once ate cannabis joints to hide the evidence when the two were pulled over by police.
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