Feds forming cannabis banking focus groups (Newsletter: December 26, 2024)
From toxifillers.com with love
Study: Legalization doesn’t increase marijuana-impaired driving; Hemp building biz gets fed award; 35,000 cannabis studies in past decade
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Government Accountability Office is asking marijuana businesses to fill out a survey as the federal agency prepares to convene focus groups about the cannabis industry’s banking access issues in early 2025.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service is recognizing a company that utilizes hemp for building material with a HIRE Vets Medallion Award “for excellence in recruiting, employing, and retaining America’s veterans.”
A new analysis from NORML shows that researchers published more than 35,000 scientific papers on marijuana over the past 10 years—including over 4,000 in 2024 alone—undermining claims from opponents who say cannabis is insufficiently studied to be legalized.
A new study found “no support” for the common fear that cannabis legalization will increase “tolerant behaviors and attitudes toward driving after marijuana use.”
- “We found practically no evidence for this hypothesis.”
The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation is proposing changes to rules for marijuana microbusiness licensing to address “predatory arrangements” where ineligible entities have been seeking to acquire licenses “by taking advantage of eligible individuals.”
A Tennessee judge issued a temporary injunction pausing rules to ban intoxicating hemp products while she weighs a legal challenge to the policy.
/ FEDERAL
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is increasing drug testing rates for 2025, making it so that operators need to ensure that at least half of their covered employees are selected for random screenings throughout the year.
The Environmental Protection Agency said a public comment about air emissions from cannabis plants is outside the scope of a rule on Idaho’s air quality plan.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) blamed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for blocking cannabis banking legislation.
Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) is urging President Joe Biden to “use his last few days in office to commute the sentences of the thousands of Americans impacted by the War on Drugs and decades of harmful, disparate convictions and sentencing.”
/ STATES
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission hired the Holliston town administrator as its new executive director.
The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals ruled that regulators were within their authority to revoke previously awarded medical cannabis licenses.
Oregon regulators issued a recall of marijuana products containing traces of the pesticide imidacloprid.
Maine regulators published guidance on verifying marijuana product label potency information.
A new California law legalizing cannabis cafes takes effect on January 1.
Missouri regulators posted the latest episode of their cannabis-focused podcast.
Nevada regulators will consider marijuana business issues on Friday.
—
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.
—
/ LOCAL
The Los Angeles County, California Sheriff’s Department published a PSA on marijuana-impaired driving.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A Western Australia lawmaker is criticizing the federal government for refusing to legalize cannabis.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study “demonstrates the safety and efficacy of [phytocannabinoid]-based formulations for cosmeceutical applications.”
A study found that “psychedelics may hold potential as a safe and effective treatment” for bipolar disorder.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Teamsters’s general president discussed efforts to unionize the cannabis industry.
/ BUSINESS
Meta is reportedly further clamping down on cannabis-related accounts.
Flower & Flame employees in Blackwood, New Jersey voted to unionize.
Arkansas dispensaries sold $24 million worth of medical cannabis products in November.
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