DEA: marijuana rescheduling appeal still “pending”; GOP congressman: let states legalize; MO gov on hemp THC ban; ID medical cannabis resolution
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Drug Enforcement Administration said in a new filing that the marijuana rescheduling appeal process is still on hold and “remains pending” despite President Donald Trump directing the attorney general to complete the reform “in the most expeditious manner” more than three months ago.
- “No briefing schedule has been set.”
A former Drug Enforcement Administration senior advisor coauthored a new analysis concluding that federal marijuana laws are “neither coherent nor evidence based” and do “immense damage”—arguing that a different approach needs to be developed with a new “managed market access schedule” for drugs like cannabis and psilocybin that can apply “capitalism controls” rather than criminalization.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) said states should be able to legalize cannabis without federal interference—even though he personally prefers “medical margaritas” to recreational marijuana.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) is stepping up pressure on lawmakers to legalize marijuana, saying that the reform can generate revenue to “make bigger investments in our kids, public safety, and our economy.”
- “Stop with the excuses. Let’s get this done.”
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) said restricting the sale of intoxicating hemp-derived THC products is “definitely something we need to get done” in line with a bill that lawmakers recently passed and sent to his desk.
The Idaho House of Representatives joined the Senate in passing a resolution urging voters not to sign petitions to put a medical cannabis initiative on the November ballot—claiming that legalization causes crime, health and safety problems.
An Ohio judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of new hemp product restrictions, saying the policy immunizes the “in-state marijuana industry…from out-of-state competition with respect to federally legal hemp products otherwise sold in interstate commerce.”
/ FEDERAL
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy hosted an awards ceremony recognizing “law enforcement’s role in fighting against drug trafficking.”
The House bill to designate psychedelic therapy centers of excellence got one new cosponsor for a total of 25.
/ STATES
Oklahoma Republican gubernatorial candidates discussed their concerns with medical cannabis during a debate.
Florida’s agriculture commissioner tweeted, “We remain undefeated in court against the hemp industry’s challenges to Florida’s laws protecting children from high-potency THC hemp products.”
The Massachusetts Senate Ways and Means Committee released budget legislation proposing to spend $1 million on a public education campaign about the risks of marijuana.
The Illinois Medical Cannabis Advisory Board voted to recommend adding sickle cell disease as a medical marijuana qualifying condition.
Vermont regulators sent guidance about cannabis rules ahead of 4/20.
California regulators posted an update about transitioning provisional cannabis licenses to annual licensure.
Montana regulators sent a newsletter with various cannabis updates.
/ LOCAL
The Minneapolis, Minnesota City Council is considering a proposal to decriminalize drug paraphernalia.
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/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study in Germany “did not indicate increased cannabis consumption after the legalization.”
A study found that cannabis seed “inclusion altered lipid metabolism and improved the fatty acid profile of broiler meat without marked adverse effects on growth performance, confirming its potential as a functional feed ingredient in poultry production.”
/ BUSINESS
Vireo Growth Inc. is partnering with Ace Venture of NY, LLC to establish what it says is expected to become New York’s first scaled social equity operator emerging from the state’s first minority-owned vertically integrated medical cannabis license.
/ CULTURE
Jimmy Kimmel is executive producing a new Hulu cannabis-focused docuseries.
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