Feds call out racist cannabis enforcement in one city (Newsletter: December 9, 2024)

IN gov: Time to legalize medical marijuana; UN official: drug war failed; Canadian gov’t: Legalization is working; Psilocybin for sleep and depression

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Indiana Gov.-elect Mike Braun (R) said it’s “probably time” to legalize medical cannabis in the state as a new poll shows that 62 percent of Hoosiers support legalizing both recreational and medical marijuana and that an additional 25 percent back medical-only legalization.

A new Department of Justice report about civil rights violations perpetrated by the Memphis, Tennessee Police Department highlights racial disparities in local marijuana enforcement—even as cannabis remains criminalized under federal law.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said the “so-called War on Drugs has failed, completely and utterly,” adding that criminalization and prohibition have “destroyed countless lives and damaged entire communities.”

The Canadian government released a new study showing that the illegal market for marijuana has shrunk considerably since cannabis was legalized nationwide, with only 3 percent of consumers saying they buy from illicit sources. Meanwhile, youth use has not increased and impaired driving is declining.

A new study found that “depressive symptoms and sleep disturbances decreased significantly following psilocybin use” and that sleep itself plays a “highly complex yet prominent role” in the psychedelic’s therapeutic effects.

• “These observations provide convergent evidence of a potentially prominent link between sleep and psilocybin’s therapeutic action.”

The chairman of the Pennsylvania House Health Committee says his forthcoming marijuana legalization bill would put legal cannabis sales in state-run stores while letting private businesses have a chance to win cultivation or social consumption licenses.

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that police can use the smell of raw marijuana as justification to search vehicles, even though the court said in a separate recent case that the odor of burnt cannabis does not provide probable cause.

The Nebraska Court of Appeals is being asked to reconsider the dismissal of a lawsuit seeking to overturn medical cannabis legalization initiatives that voters approved last month.

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission released a new framework for marijuana social consumption business licenses, with formal regulations set to be posted later this month.

/ FEDERAL

The Drug Enforcement Administration sent a warning about drug-impaired driving.

The House of Representatives passed a bill to reauthorize the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) said he “will keep trying until the last day to find a miracle” to get cannabis banking legislation passed by the end of the year,, “but the size of the required miracle is growing.”

Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) dodged questions about marijuana banking legislation.

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) said it should be a “high priority” for President Joe Biden to pardon people for marijuana and other nonviolent offenses.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) said President Joe Biden should not pardon administration officials out of fear they will be targeted by President-elect Donald Trump, saying, “Black and brown individuals incarcerated because of marijuana possession have faced and continue to face far more injustice than some of the most privileged individuals who have served in the Congress or Senate.”

/ STATES

A spokesperson for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) pushed back against advocates who say her administration is abandoning the goal of an equity-focused cannabis market.

Texas’s agriculture commissioner criticized the lieutenant governor’s plan to ban all forms of THC, tweeting, “Not everyone is on the same page on this. The GOP needs to find some consensus instead of constantly running in opposite directions  We know what the polls say. It’s time to support the will of Texans.”

California regulators announced recalls of marijuana products due to potential pesticide contamination.

Tennessee regulators are being sued over new hemp product restriction rules.

Ohio regulators filed changes to marijuana rules.

Oklahoma regulators are accepting public comments on proposed changes to medical cannabis rules.

Kentucky regulators deemed medical cannabis dispensary license applicant names to be exempt from open records requests.

Hawaii regulators approved a new medical cannabis dispensary.

Georgia regulators will consider issuing medical cannabis dispensing licenses on Wednesday.

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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.
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/ LOCAL

Former Commerce and Baldwin Park, California city officials pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme involving bribes in exchange for support in the cannabis business permitting process.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review concluded that “CBD may reduce anxiety with minimal adverse effects when compared to a placebo.”

A review concluded that in alcohol use disorder, “a growing evidence base for psilocybin treatment shows a promising beneficial and sustained effect on measures of drinking frequency” and that in major depressive disorder, “psilocybin therapy provides a large and consistent reduction in depressive symptoms compared to no treatment.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The National Hemp Association is pushing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who President-elect Donald Trump has picked to be health and human services secretary, to support various reforms.

/ BUSINESS

Organigram Holdings Inc. acquired Motif Labs Ltd.

iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc.  entered into a settlement agreement with Ninth Square and other parties to litigation that alleged oppressive conduct.

/ CULTURE

The latest Call of Duty video game will reportedly have an update that allows players to use a gun that converts into a bong.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.