FL cannabis ballot measure has support in poll (Newsletter: June 10, 2024)

DeSantis vetoes hemp bill; ND & NE marijuana ballot sigs; OH recreational license apps; German cannabis law changes; NH medical expansion

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) vetoed a bill to restrict intoxicating hemp products. Sources close to the governor have reportedly said he’s hoping the hemp industry will help fund a campaign to defeat the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.

A new poll found that Florida voters support the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot, 66 percent to 32 percent—with majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents on board. The measure has more support in the survey than Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who is campaigning against it.

North Dakota marijuana activists announced that they have now collected more than half the valid signatures they need to put a legalization initiative on the November ballot.

Nebraska activists say they need to collect another 30,000 signatures over the next month to qualify a pair of medical cannabis legalization initiatives for the November ballot.

New Hampshire bills to expand the state’s medical cannabis program by allowing doctors to recommend it for any condition they see fit and to broaden the types of healthcare professionals who can recommend marijuana are nearing final passage. Lawmakers are also on the verge of passing a recreational legalization bill.

The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control is now accepting applications from medical cannabis dispensaries that want to transition to dual licensees in order to serve the recreational marijuana market. Sales could launch as soon as this month.

The German Bundestag approved amendments to the country’s marijuana legalization law concerning impaired driving and states’ authority to set restrictions on cannabis cultivation at cooperatives.

The Connecticut Medical Marijuana Program Board of Physicians voted to recommend adding female orgasmic disorder and autism spectrum disorder as medical cannabis qualifying conditions.

Dallas, Texas City Council members announced a plan to place a local marijuana decriminalization proposal on the November ballot, which would save the city resources from having to verify signatures that activists are collecting to put the reform before voters.

/ FEDERAL

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) said he will vote against the marijuana legalization initiative on Florida’s November ballot due to his brother’s struggles with drugs.

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI) inserted a statement in the Congressional Record clarifying that he accidentally voted against an amendment to allow Department of Veterans Affairs doctors to recommend medical cannabis.

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) tweeted, “It’s past time marijuana was made legal at the federal level. Let’s get it done.”

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “The hands of @DeptVetAffairs physicians should not be tied when it comes to advising around medical treatments scientifically proven to be less harmful & addictive, like state-legal medical marijuana.”

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) noted the cannabis legalization and expungements advocacy of a former Minnesota Senate majority leader in comments in the Congressional Record.

/ STATES

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed a bill to adjust psychedelics rules. Separately, regulators issued a health and safety advisory about potentially contaminated marijuana products.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) directed a review of the cannabis Social Equity Council.

The Rhode Island Senate confirmed Gov. Dan McKee’s (D) nominee to serve as administrator of the Cannabis Office.

North Carolina’s House speaker said “there are not the votes in this caucus right now” to pass a medical cannabis legalization bill.

A Kansas representative said marijuana legalization could advance if Republicans lost their supermajority in the legislature.

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, located within Minnesota, opened a marijuana dispensary.

Missouri regulators are forming a new Cannabis Regulation Collaborative.

A new Iowa law restricting intoxicating hemp products takes effect on July 1.

Georgia regulators will consider issuing medical cannabis business licenses on Wednesday.

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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

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/ LOCAL

A former Grafton, Massachusetts Select Board chair was arrested on federal charges of allegedly defrauding investors in his cannabis company and for conducting an unlawful monetary transaction.

Frederick County, Maryland no longer tests most new city employees for cannabis.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Canadian regulators are proposing various changes to cannabis rules.

The UK Home Office said it will grant additional licenses to support drug checking services at music festivals.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study’s results “rule out that medical cannabis availability had negative effects on mental health for the adult population overall” and that “medical cannabis availability reduced past-month self-reported poor mental health days by nearly 10%—3.37 percentage points—among adults 65 and above,” suggesting that “medical cannabis access has positive health impacts for older populations, likely through pain relief.”

A study indicated that “oral THC: CBD is cost-effective for the treatment of refractory, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting from a health system perspective.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Cannabis Media Council published updated advertising guidelines.

/ BUSINESS

Stiiizy is being sued for allegedly “marketing dangerous, high potency marijuana vaporizers” to youth.

CBD Kratom employees in Missouri voted to unionize.

A Glass House Brands Inc. board of directors member resigned.

/ CULTURE

Wiz Khalifa is urging people to support the marijuana legalization initiative on Florida’s November ballot.