White House meets with hemp groups on CBD enforcement; McConnell says marijuana banking ‘non-germane’ to COVID bill; Senators press USDA on hemp regs
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is proposing federal aid to help states expunge cannabis and other convictions.
- “Getting caught for smoking marijuana when you’re young surely shouldn’t deny you, the rest your life, being able to have a good paying job or a career or a loan or an ability to rent an apartment.”
The White House Office of Management and Budget is hosting several hemp industry groups for meetings about CBD enforcement policy this week and next week.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said that including marijuana banking provisions in coronavirus relief legislation, as the House did, would be “non-germane.”
- “I would hope all of the non-COVID-related measures are out no matter what bills they were in at the start.”
Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) sent a letter calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to change several restrictive hemp regulations. They say that despite the temporary suspension of a rule allowing only labs certified by the Drug Enforcement Administration to do THC testing, USDA’s site still lists only those facilities.
- “This signals that there is no intent to remove this unnecessary requirement in the final rules.”
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing changes to rules for reporting theft or loss of controlled substances.
Libertarian presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen tweeted, “On Day One I will pardon all those who have been imprisoned for victimless crimes. Anyone convicted and incarcerated for possessing or using an illegal drug will be pardoned. End the War on Drugs now.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) tweeted, “Democrats released their socialist wish list (disguised as COVID19 relief) over two months ago, so we would forget that it included items like:…Marijuana banking.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) tweeted, “Legalize marijuana nationwide and expunge records for cannabis-related offenses.”
Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) criticized Democrats for including “three trillion dollars of marijuana banking” in their coronavirus relief bill.
Washington State Democratic congressional candidate Jason Call tweeted, “It may seem an insignificant thing compared to healthcare, the environment, housing, and justice reform. But legalizing marijuana is an integral component of the general reforms that are needed. Rep Lee could not have gotten this more wrong.”
Tennessee Democratic congressional candidate Christopher Hale tweeted, “Why is it that kids and veterans in Tennessee who smoke marijuana have criminal records but Wall Street executives who committed massive fraud and wrecked our economy do not? I’ll be the most pro-weed Congressman God ever made.”
Florida Democratic congressional candidate Jen Perelman tweeted, “Decriminalize & legalize marijuana.”
/ STATES
A former Maryland delegate who pleaded guilty to soliciting and accepting bribes from medical cannabis companies was sentenced to two years in federal prison.
Nevada regulators are investigating three dispensaries for allegedly selling marijuana products that failed microbial testing.
Maine’s top marijuana regulator said cultivation, manufacturing and processing facilities should be able to open by the end of September, with sales beginning by the end of the year.
The Oregon Cannabis Commission Patient Equity Subcommittee will meet on Tuesday.
Montana regulators will hold a hearing on proposed hemp rules on August 13.
Alaska regulators will consider marijuana business license applications and rules on August 19 and 20.
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/ LOCAL
The Plymouth, Ohio Village Council approved a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
/ INTERNATIONAL
St. Lucia’s government is drafting legislation to legalize marijuana.
Dominica’s government is moving ahead with plans to decriminalize marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “in the first randomised clinical trial of cannabidiol for cannabis use disorder, cannabidiol 400 mg and 800 mg were safe and more efficacious than placebo at reducing cannabis use.”
A review found that “industrial hemp biomass is an excellent alternative candidate for biofuel production” and “has higher cellulose content compared with other agricultural residues.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board is encouraging local officials to target landlords when seeking to close unlicensed marijuana shops.
/ BUSINESS
Aphria Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $152.2 million and a net loss of $98.8 million.
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company reported that $303 million in quarterly revenue for its cannabis-focused Hawthorne unit.
The Securities and Exchange Commission charged a number of people with allegedly defrauding investors in several marijuana businesses.
A Marijuana Business Daily analysis concludes that the number of people working in the U.S. cannabis industry will increase to 240,000-295,000 by the end of the year.
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