Daily Cannabis Use Now Surpasses Alcohol and Cigarette Consumption
A new federal report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows that more Americans now use marijuana on a near-daily basis than drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes every day or almost every day.
Idaho Medical Cannabis Campaign Accepts Ballot Denial Without Pursuing Litigation
An Idaho medical cannabis campaign that failed to qualify its legalization measure for the November ballot is pushing back against the secretary of state’s claims about its petitions—but says it won’t file a legal challenge.
Poll Indicates Hemp Product Bans Drive Consumers to Licensed Cannabis Shops
A new poll of marijuana consumers shows that most say state-level hemp product bans are causing them to shift purchases toward licensed cannabis businesses—but that nearly one in ten now have trouble accessing cannabinoid products.
Study Warns That Excessive Marijuana Taxes May Strengthen Illicit Market
A new federally funded study found that setting marijuana taxes too high leads to reduced sales, and that “given the sizable illegal market, a large portion of the consumption reduction due to taxes may be offset by switching to illegal products.”
Federal Developments
Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft cited presidents’ suspended enforcement of marijuana policies as a threat to the rule of law.
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) sent a press release about his cosponsorship of a bill to federally legalize marijuana.
State-Level Actions
Texas’s lieutenant governor and House speaker sent a letter supporting further steps to advance ibogaine research.
A spokesperson for North Carolina’s House speaker said the fate of a hemp product restriction bill on product restriction bill rests with the chamber’s Republican caucus.
A Wisconsin representative discussed his support for medical cannabis but said he’s reluctant to support recreational marijuana legalization.
Virginia’s cannabis violation tip line received more than four dozen complaints in its first few weeks.
Michigan regulators published a monthly report on disciplinary actions against marijuana businesses.
California regulators sent updates on various cannabis issues.
International Updates
Canadian officials revised guidance on cannabis imports, odor mitigation and hemp policies.
A Jersey lawmaker said cannabis prohibition “doesn’t necessarily work.”
Science & Health
A study found that “marijuana can be helpful for symptom control and reducing the reliance on pharmaceuticals and may improve quality of life in patients with” inflammatory bowel disease.
Case studies demonstrated “improvements in psychological and somatic symptoms following participation in” a psilocybin treatment protocol.
Advocacy, Opinion & Analysis
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. hosted a panel on psychedelics at its conference.
Business
SNDL Inc. completed its acquisition of certain assets of Surterra Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates.
Trulieve gave $250,000 to the Republican Jewish Coalition Victory Fund.
A federal judge denied Flower Shop’s motion to freeze National Labor Relations Board proceedings concerning allegedly unfair labor practices.
Culture
ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith said marijuana is a “performance-enhancing drug” and should be banned again by the National Basketball Association.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
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