SD legalization qualifies for ballot; GA voters approve marijuana measure; Another TX decrim initiative; MI psychedelics effort fails; NJ sales
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee (D) signed a marijuana legalization bill that lawmakers sent to his desk just one day earlier.
Georgia voters overwhelmingly approved a marijuana legalization ballot measure by a margin of 80 percent to 20 percent. The results of the nonbinding question on the Democratic ballot don’t immediately change state law, but they send a strong message to legislators.
South Dakota’s secretary of state confirmed that activists submitted enough signatures to place a marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot. Voters already approved legalization in 2020 but it was overturned in court.
Killeen, Texas activists turned in what they say are more than enough signatures to put a marijuana decriminalization measure on the local ballot. This comes weeks after Austin voters approved a similar cannabis measure.
The East Lansing, Michigan City Council narrowly defeated a psychedelics decriminalization proposal—with most members saying they see the therapeutic promise of entheogens but some worrying about potential legal implications of the local reform.
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission reported that retailers sold more than $24 million worth of recreational marijuana products in the first month of legal sales.
/ FEDERAL
The Food and Drug Administration’s Science Board will “consider challenges in evaluating the safety of dietary supplement and food ingredients with predicted pharmacological activity, utilizing cannabinoids as a case study” at a meeting on June 14.
The Congressional Research Service took note of a recent federal court ruling on delta-8 THC.
/ STATES
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) signed a bill to ban cannabis “gifting events” involving financial transactions.
Colorado’s treasurer tweeted, “We need to give state-legal marijuana businesses access to traditional financial services as a public safety imperative that could also bolster the economy.”
The Louisiana House of Representatives approved a bill to provide employment protections for state workers who use medical cannabis
North Carolina’s House majority leader acknowledged the popularity of medical cannabis with voters but said he thinks reform legislation would run into opposition in his chamber.
A California senator spoke about his bill to allow safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.
North Dakota regulators proposed changes to medical cannabis rules.
The Connecticut Legislative Regulation Review Committee issued technical corrections to rules on medical cannabis laboratory testing.
Michigan regulators published a bulletin about the immature marijuana plant sales approval process.
Mississippi regulators issued a checklist for potential medical cannabis dispensary applicants.
Tennessee regulators sent a reminder about upcoming deadlines for hemp producers.
Utah regulators sent an update on the medical cannabis program.
Ohio regulators published updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.
Washington State regulators are hosting a public discussion on THC compounds on Tuesday.
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/ LOCAL
New York City’s mayor will speak at a cannabis conference next Friday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Italy’s Ministry of Defense is seeking to identify companies that can grow medical cannabis.
The UK House of Commons Home Affairs Committee held its third hearing on the nation’s drug strategy.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study provided “further evidence that single measurements of ∆9-THC in blood, and now in exhaled breath, do not correlate with impairment following inhalation, and that other cannabinoids may be key indicators of recent cannabis inhalation.”
A study concluded that “medical cannabis treatment with the Syqe Inhaler demonstrated overall long-term pain reduction, [quality of life] improvement, and a superior [adverse events] profile compared with administration of [medical cannabis] by conventional routes.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
An American Academy of Pediatrics official authored an op-ed claiming that the cannabis industry “likely sees children as potential lifelong customers.”
/ BUSINESS
Verano Holdings Corp. reported quarterly revenue of $202.2 million and a net loss of $7 million.
Jushi Holdings Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $61.9 million and a net loss of $14.3 million.
Columbia Care Inc. is being sued by another shareholder seeking to block its sale to Cresco Labs.
Workers at Wonderland Smoke Shop submitted a petition to the National Labor Relations Board to conduct an election to unionize.
Bally’s Twin River casino in Rhode Island is considering potentially allowing marijuana use on site in light of the state’s new legalization law.
/ CULTURE
Jeopardy had a clue reading, “marijuana issue sent to this ‘committee’ generally composed of members of both houses of a legislature,” with the correct response being “joint committee.”
Mike Tyson’s Tyson 2.0 has a new chief marketing officer.
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