[[{“value”:”
Trump’s CDC director: Medical marijuana is “lunacy”; Lawmakers push Biden for cannabis action; Court hears case on marijuana consumer gun ban
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Your good deed for the day: donate to an independent publisher like Marijuana Moment and ensure that as many voters as possible have access to the most in-depth cannabis reporting out there.Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment/ TOP THINGS TO KNOWThe Drug Enforcement Administration said in a legal filing that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services “rejected” an invitation to send witnesses to testify at its upcoming marijuana rescheduling hearing, with the drug agency also providing a preview of its own officials’ forthcoming testimony.The Drug Enforcement Administration posted information about next week’s marijuana rescheduling hearing, including a live stream link and a portal for key documents filed in the docket.Former Rep. Dave Weldon (R-FL), who President-elect Donald Trump has selected to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said it is “lunacy” to believe in the medical benefits of marijuana, which he called a “gateway drug.”
He also voted against several amendments to protect state medical cannabis laws from federal interference and claimed that supporters “use cancer victims and AIDS victims as their prop to enable them to get it through.”
Fourteen Democratic senators and House members sent a letter urging President Joe Biden to take further cannabis actions before leaving office by “issuing another round of clemency and an updated memorandum on prosecutorial discretion for marijuana offenses.”Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), along with Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), are pressing President Joe Biden to issue a marijuana executive order drafted by the Drug Policy Alliance before President-elect Donald Trump takes over.The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit heard oral arguments in a case challenging the federal ban on gun possession by cannabis consumers, with one judge asking, “If a recovering drunk can carry a gun, why can’t a non-intoxicated marijuana user carry a gun?”
A Nebraska judge dismissed legal challenges against two voter-approved medical cannabis initiatives—though the case will likely be appealed to the state Supreme Court./ FEDERALPresident-elect Donald Trump said he will seek to impose large tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico in response to what he said is “massive amounts of drugs, in particular Fentanyl, being sent into the United States.”A Drug Enforcement Administration agent was granted legal immunity by a federal judge following an incident last year in which he allegedly ran through a stop sign and killed a bicyclist while on a surveillance mission in Oregon.Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) discussed his support for marijuana rescheduling and cannabis banking legislation.Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) coauthored an op-ed with the president of prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana saying that “voters in red and blue states alike delivered historic election results and rightfully rejected marijuana and psychedelic legalization ballot measures.”/ STATESColorado’s attorney general filed a lawsuit against a company that allegedly marketed marijuana products as federally legal industrial hemp.The Nebraska attorney general’s office said prosecutors intend to appeal the dismissal of charges against a notary for medical cannabis legalization initiative petitions who was accused of official misconduct.A New Hampshire representative said it’s “going to be pretty tough” to pass a marijuana legalization bill in the next two years.Michigan regulators filed draft marijuana rules changes.Oregon regulators posted final psilocybin services rules that will take effect on January 1.Connecticut regulators are accepting public comments on proposed changes to marijuana rules.California regulators sent a reminder that they will no longer renew provisional marijuana business licenses as of January 1.Delaware’s top marijuana regulator gave a presentation about the state’s cannabis laws to the Milford City Council.—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.Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.—/ INTERNATIONALSouth Africa’s minister of trade, industry and competition is expected to file legislation to legalize marijuana sales early next year./ SCIENCE & HEALTHA review concluded that “CBD is a promising therapeutic agent for endometriosis because it has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-angiogenic, antiproliferative, and neuroprotective effects.”A study of cannabis content on Instagram found that “personal experience stories receive a significant number of ‘likes’ indicating a strong emotional connection between audience and content.”/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSISThe Dallas Morning News editorial board said the city “jumped the gun” in approving a local marijuana decriminalization law./ BUSINESSLeafLink acquired Leaf Trade.Canopy Growth Corporation has a new CEO./ CULTUREWilliam Shatner said he has “had some bad trips” on marijuana, though he said he is “glad it’s legal” in more places.
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“}]] Trump’s CDC director: Medical marijuana is “lunacy”; Lawmakers push Biden for cannabis action; Court hears case on marijuana consumer gun ban Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day. Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible… Your Read More
