Bipartisan lawmakers want rescheduling

BIPARTISANSHIP 🤝 CANNABIS
Removing part of bill that would block DOJ from rescheduling has bipartisan support

What happened: A bipartisan group of Congressional lawmakers are pushing to remove a section of a spending bill that would block the Justice Department (DOJ) from rescheduling cannabis.

What they’re saying: “We want to make sure rescheduling happens,” Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) said in a video with lobbyist Don Murphy at the Republican National Convention. “We’re working on and filing amendments to help the cannabis community.” 

Back up: This move comes as the DOJ’s proposal to reschedule cannabis to a less restrictive category of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) nears the public comment deadline — setting up a fight between pro- and anti-cannabis legislators. 

A GOP-led House committee last month approved a large-scale spending bill to block the DOJ from rescheduling cannabis and to enhance penalties for cannabis sales near schools and parks. See June 26’s newsletter for more. 

Congressional Republicans, led by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), recently sent a letter opposing the Biden administration’s plan to reschedule cannabis, arguing that the move is politically motivated rather than based on scientific evidence. 

And back in September, GOP senators tried to block federal agencies from rescheduling cannabis without Congressional approval as part of a standalone bill — which has not received a hearing or vote. 

What’s next: Lawmakers will continue to debate and vote on these amendments. 

The House Rules Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee will play key roles in determining the final content of the spending bills and the fate of these cannabis provisions. 

-CB

“We must make sure that the communities that have been harmed most by the war on drugs are at the front of the line for reaping the benefits of legalization,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said at a cannabis equity-focused event hosted by the nonprofit Parabola Center. “And we need to make sure that legalization doesn’t just pave the way for big tobacco or big alcohol companies or retail giants to come in and dominate the cannabis market.”

Sen. Warren emphasized the importance of preventing big corporations from monopolizing the cannabis industry and the importance of addressing the historical racial injustices of prohibition. She also urged for policies that prioritize small businesses and communities harmed by the War on Drugs.

FROM THE OUTLAW REPORT*
D.C. eases cannabis licensing barriers, but few new growers or manufacturers

Driving the news: Over 120 businesses in both cannabis manufacturing and cultivation categories applied last year for licensing in Washington, D.C., but not a single new manufacturer or cultivator has opened in the District.

What’s happening: The Outlaw Report talked with multiple applicants that have run into dead ends finding real estate that is appropriately zoned and the right size to produce enough product to justify investors.

Dive deeper: Read and subscribe to our partners at The Outlaw Report.

*Each week, Cultivated will bring you the most important and timely stories from Maryland, D.C., and Virginia in partnership with The Outlaw Report.

Delaware wants earlier recreational sales 🌅

Delaware Governor John Carney signed multiple cannabis-related bills into law, including one allowing medical cannabis businesses to start recreational sales earlier. These bills aim to expedite recreational sales and provide financial support to social equity-owned cannabis businesses through license fees. Read more. 

NTSB warns against driving high 🚗

The US National Transportation Safety Board urged parents to warn their children about the dangers of driving high, after a crash that killed six teenagers in Oklahoma two years ago. Authorities believe the sixteen-year-old driver was impaired by marijuana use and distracted by driving with five friends in the car. Read more. 

Chips Ahoy or Trips Ahoy 🤨

Federal authorities issued cease-and-desist letters to six companies selling hemp-derived delta-8 THC products in packaging that resembles popular snack-food brands, citing concerns about appeal to children and potential consumer confusion. Read more. 

There’s still hope Pennsylvania🤞

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro committed to continuing the fight for marijuana legalization despite its exclusion from PA’s recent budget. It’s still possible for PA to pass adult-use legalization during the Fall 2024 legislative session, ending November 14, though advancing legislation in such a politically charged session ahead of the November election will be a challenge. Read more. 

Sununu says yes, and then no🤔

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed a bill expanding medical cannabis to include generalized anxiety disorder as a qualifying condition. However, Sununu vetoed a bill that would have permitted these centers to build greenhouses, citing insufficient details on safety and security measures. Read more. 

Ascend Wellness raised $235 million through a private placement  to refinance existing debt. The company says it’s the fifth largest debt for a US cannabis firm.

The Cannabist Company expanded its partnership with Old Pal, a pre-rolled joint brand, into New Jersey, launching new cannabis products such as blunts, pre-rolls, and the Ready to Roll kit. This expansion includes additional products in Maryland and Virginia.

A survey conducted by Ohio State University’s Drug Enforcement and Policy Center found that 77.55% of respondents agreed using cannabis reduced their use of prescription painkillers, while 26.78% agreed it reduced their use of other illicit drugs. 

While the study suggests that cannabis could be a viable alternative for pain management and reducing dependency on more harmful substances, further research is needed to validate the efficacy of marijuana versus other treatments.

Anti-legalization group Smart Approaches to Marijuana’s social media strategy would’ve been real cool in 2012:

Wisconsin tribe watching presidential race for cannabis law reform as state maintains prohibition | Source New Mexico

What to expect from Ohio's recreational marijuana rollout | Crain’s Cleveland Business 

3 more cannabis products recalled in California for pesticides | MJBizDaily