Marijuana NEWS
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NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DRUG ABUSE
NIH| Jan 14, 2025 A new roadmap for cannabis and cannabis policy research Cannabis availability has greatly increased over the past two decades, leading to higher use and lower perceived harm, but research on its public health effects is lacking. A recent study suggests policies like limiting THC content and regulating marketing could protect public health. However, varying state laws and inconsistent data make it hard to draw firm conclusions. More research is needed on cannabis's health impacts, especially for vulnerable groups and new high-potency products. Improved surveillance and better impairment tests are also essential for guiding policy and protecting public health. |
U.S. POLITICS NEWS
MJBizDaily| Sept. 23, 2024 Fourth California marijuana testing lab loses license as crackdown continues California regulators revoked Verity Analytics’ license, the fourth cannabis lab shut down since December 2023 due to THC-potency inflation and failure to detect banned pesticides. Stricter enforcement by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) has reduced the number of active labs, sparking concerns about testing reliability and consumer safety. Despite efforts to clean up the industry, tainted products may have reached the market. 
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Marijuana Moment | Sept. 12, 2024 Woody Harrelson Pushes California Governor To Sign Cannabis Cafe Bill So That Dispensaries Like The One He Owns Can Serve Food And Drinks Woody Harrelson is urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to sign a bill legalizing marijuana cafes, which would ease regulations on cannabis businesses. Harrelson, who co-owns a marijuana lounge, argues that allowing cafes to sell non-cannabis items like food would support struggling businesses. 
U.S. POLITICS NEWS
14 News| Sept. 12, 2024 Indiana’s Democratic Candidate for Governor Unveils Plan to Legalize Marijuana Jennifer McCormick, Democratic candidate for Indiana governor, unveiled a plan to legalize marijuana, starting with medical use and transitioning to full adult-use legalization. The plan includes creating an Indiana Cannabis Commission to regulate the market and address issues with unregulated hemp-derived THC. McCormick estimates legal cannabis could generate $172 million annually in tax revenue for the state. 
U.S. POLITICS NEWS
Associated Press | Sept. 11, 2024 Could America's Divide on Marijuana Be Coming to an End? The U.S. is moving toward greater acceptance of marijuana as both major presidential candidates support reclassifying it as a less dangerous drug. Marijuana is now legal in 24 states and D.C., while many other states have reduced penalties for its use. A decision to reclassify marijuana to a Schedule III drug is under review, and several states will vote on legalization this fall, reflecting growing public support for cannabis. 
U.S. POLITICS NEWS
Reuters | Sept. 11, 2024 Update on the DEA's Efforts to Reschedule Cannabis: What You Need to Know The DEA is working to reschedule cannabis and recently closed a public comment period on the proposed rule, with a hearing set for December 2024. While there is growing support for rescheduling cannabis, including bipartisan backing, challenges remain, such as opposition from conservative lawmakers and legal complexities at both state and federal levels. The process could take months or years to complete, with potential changes depending on the next Presidential administration. 
U.S. POLITICS NEWS
MJBizDaily | Sept. 6, 2024 California Issues Emergency Regulations to Ban Intoxicating Hemp Products California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued emergency regulations banning the sale of many intoxicating hemp-derived products, citing concerns about toxicity, particularly for youth. Industry leaders criticized the move, arguing it unfairly targets hemp products meant for adult use and could harm consumers who rely on them for medical purposes, while supporters believe regulations are necessary to control an unregulated market. 
U.S. POLITICS NEWS
Associated Press | Aug. 30, 2024 Measures to Legalize Medical Marijuana in Nebraska Can Appear On November Ballot, Official Says A group advocating for the legalization of medical marijuana in Nebraska has gathered enough signatures to potentially place the issue on the November ballot. The Nebraska Secretary of State has verified over 89,000 signatures for each of two petitions, with final certification pending. 
U.S. POLITICS NEWS
Political Tennessee | Aug. 19, 2024 Tennessee DCS Workers Can Be Held Liable For Role Intaking Kids From Parents After Traffic Stop A federal judge ruled that three employees of the Department of Children’s Services can be held liable for their actions after a traffic stop led to five young children being taken from their mother, Bianca Clayborne, in 2023. Clayborne, who was traveling through Tennessee with her family, filed a lawsuit claiming that the authorities illegally separated her from her children after a minor traffic violation and a small amount of marijuana was found. 
U.S. POLITICS NEWS
Microsoft Start | Jul. 17, 2024 Sen. Gary Peters Introduces Bill to Modernize Federal Hiring Practices Regarding Past Marijuana Use U.S. Senator Gary Peters introduced the DOOBIE Act to prevent federal job or security clearance applicants from being denied due to past recreational or medical marijuana use. The bill aims to align federal hiring practices with state laws, easing concerns for potential candidates and helping the government compete with the private sector for talent. 
GLOBAL NEWS
The New York Times | Jun. 26, 2024 Brazil Becomes the Largest Nation to Decriminalize Marijuana Brazil's Supreme Court decriminalized the possession of up to 40 grams of marijuana, making it the largest country to take such a step. This decision marks a significant shift in Brazil's drug policy, which has historically been strict, and it could impact thousands currently imprisoned for minor possession, particularly Black men who have been disproportionately affected by drug prosecutions. 
U.S. POLITICS NEWS
Marijuana Moment | Jun. 3, 2024 GOP Lawmakers Seek To Remove Marijuana Testing Ban For Military Recruits From Defense Bill Republican members of Congress want to remove a defense bill provision that stops military branches from testing recruits for marijuana. Meanwhile, other members are pushing for drug policy reforms, including preventing security clearance denials for past cannabis use, expanding expungement, and rescheduling certain psychedelics, as part of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 
U.S. POLITICS NEWS
American Bar Association | Feb. 15, 2024 SAFER Banking Act: Marijuana May Soon Become a Bigger Deal The SAFER Banking Act allows banks to serve state-legal marijuana businesses without being punished by federal regulators. The Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act was introduced by Senators on September 20, 2024, and passed the bill on September 27, 2024. A Senate floor vote is now pending. 
U.S. POLITICS NEWS
PRISM | Dec. 7, 2023 California Limits Cannabis Drug Testing (AB 2188 and SB 700) Starting January 1, 2024, California's AB 2188 and SB 700 will protect employees from discrimination for off-the-job cannabis use and limit employer inquiries about past cannabis use. These laws don't allow cannabis use at work and exclude safety-sensitive positions. Employers should update their drug testing and hiring practices to comply. 
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
ABC7 | Oct. 1, 2019 First Cannabis Cafe in US Lights Up West Hollywood with Grand Opening America's first cannabis cafe opens in West Hollywood--Lowell Farms: A Cannabis Cafe. Lowell Farms serves cannabis-infused foods, sourced from an outside source. The cafe also acts like a dispensary, selling cannabis products and charges a fee for folks bringing their own cannabis. |
