WH press secretary: Marijuana reform “overwhelmingly popular”; TN gov signs bill blocking medical cannabis review; IN gov directs marijuana meetings
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Trump administration is moving forward with marijuana rescheduling because it is “overwhelmingly popular with the vast majority of Americans” and will help people “who need it for medical treatment.”
- “The president was willing to take this step to do that at the behest of the American public, who largely support it, and many of his health advisors on his team who he spoke with about it.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration announced it will begin accepting applications this week for medical marijuana businesses to apply for federal protections being granted under the Trump administration’s cannabis rescheduling process.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) signed a bill to block an automatic review that could have legalized medical cannabis under state law following federal marijuana rescheduling.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) has directed state agencies to meet with medical cannabis advocates as federal marijuana rescheduling takes effect.
Steph Sherer of Americans for Safe Access argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that federal cannabis rescheduling will upend policies discriminating against patients in housing, employment and healthcare.
- “The recognition of cannabis as a legitimate medicine means that patients and their caregivers are no longer considered criminals under federal law. They have federal rights. Those rights now protect patients in housing, employment, healthcare and in their military careers.”
The Nebraska Supreme Court held a hearing in a lawsuit that seeks to overturn voter-approved medical cannabis legalization because, as the former state senator who filed it argues, the policy is preempted by federal law.
/ FEDERAL
The Food and Drug Administration’s annual congressional budget justification touts the agency’s work on “exploring efforts to accelerate treatment development for post-traumatic stress disorder, including psychedelic drug development.”
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) asked Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about psychedelics during a hearing.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) tweeted, “Good work by @POTUS protecting continued research and access to alternative treatments with hemp-derived CBD. My bipartisan solution, the Hemp Safety Enforcement Act, would keep hemp products accessible to Americans who rely on their medical benefits while keeping consumer safety in mind.”
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) tweeted, “Deregulate Hemp completely.”
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) hosted Trulieve’s CEO on his show for a segment about marijuana rescheduling.
Former Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) appeared on the podcast of prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana.
/ STATES
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) is proposing changes to cannabis tax laws.
Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins (R), who is running for governor, tweeted, “I’ve been clear from day one. I am completely against legalizing marijuana. We’ve seen the impact in other states, and that’s not where Florida is headed. I stand with Governor DeSantis on this. No compromises, and no money from the marijuana industry. That can’t be said for all of my opponents.”
New Mexico Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland, a former U.S. interior secretary, tweeted, “The cannabis industry is an essential part of New Mexico’s economy. As your next governor, I will bring stability to the cannabis industry and improve quality testing so that this industry can thrive.”
Washington State regulators are moving to amend rules on cannabis business licensing fees.
Michigan regulators are refusing to release an unredacted version of a memo about the implications of a new wholesale marijuana tax.
The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics director is celebrating federal marijuana rescheduling.
The Vermont Cannabis Control Board’s general counsel said federal marijuana rescheduling could “turbocharge” the state’s medical marijuana industry.
The Maryland Task Force on the Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances is accepting applications for special advisors.
Oregon regulators sent a newsletter about the psilocybin services program.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
Canadian officials released data about medical cannabis registrations.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “patients with chronic health conditions prescribed [medicinal cannabis] had significant and clinically meaningful improvements in [health-related quality of life] and reduced their dependence on conventional medicines.”
A study found that “CBD inhibits infection of all HIV-1 cellular targets, and commercial CBD products might be repositioned as novel HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis, namely ‘CBD PrEP’.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of Pennsylvania adults found that they support legalizing marijuana, 47 percent to 25 percent.
The Wall Street Journal editorial board said “too many Americans still think pot is harmless, and the Trump Administration is contributing to that delusion.”
/ BUSINESS
TerrAscend Corp. announced preliminary expected quarterly net revenue of $65.5 million,
Canadian retailers sold C$440.5 million worth of legal cannabis products in February.
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Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.
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