GOP congressman trashes DC marijuana rider; NM county OKs off-duty cannabis use; Marijuana provision left out of NDAA. RI safe drug consumption site
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Free to read (but not free to produce)! We’re proud of our newsletter and the reporting we publish at Marijuana Moment, and we’re happy to provide it for free. But it takes a lot of work and resources to make this happen. If you value Marijuana Moment, invest in our success on Patreon so we can expand our coverage and more readers can benefit: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOWHarmeet Dhillon, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to serve as assistant attorney general for civil rights, said marijuana is a “gateway drug and ambition-killer” that makes consumers “silly, boring, and smelly.”The House of Representatives passed a National Defense Authorization Act that excludes a previously approved provision to prevent drug testing for marijuana as a condition of enlistment in the military or for commission as an officer.Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and local Washington, D.C. officials criticized the ongoing federal ban blocking the District from legalizing marijuana sales in the nation’s capital at a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing.The Bernalillo County, New Mexico Board of Commissioners approved a proposal to stop punishing most government workers for off-duty marijuana use, treating cannabis more like alcohol in the state’s most populous county.The U.S.’s first state-sanctioned safe consumption site for illegal drugs is preparing to open in Providence, Rhode Island, with the mayor and other officials attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week.A Nebraska judge denied a former senator’s request to block Gov. Jim Pillen (R) from signing a proclamation confirming that voters approved two medical cannabis legalization ballot initiatives during last month’s elections.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) granted a commutation to a man sentenced to serve more than seven years in prison for a first-time marijuana offense, freeing him from incarceration.The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management is canceling a special lottery for social equity marijuana business licenses applicants amid ongoing litigation challenging its process and will instead plan a lottery next year for both equity and general applicants.A Florida judge ruled that a paramedic who was suspended for medical cannabis use is entitled to back pay, compensatory damages and attorney fees and costs associated with his lawsuit against the Hillsborough County Fire and Rescue Department./ FEDERALThe National Institute on Drug Abuse included several cannabis- and psychedelic-focused research projects in its 2025 summer internship program.Sen. Patty Murry (D-WA) tweeted, “Forcing legal cannabis businesses to operate entirely in cash puts the safety of their employees and our neighborhoods at risk. Our #SAFERBANKING legislation passed out of committee with bipartisan support & there’s no reason for Republicans to hold it up. Let’s get it done NOW!”Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) discussed her opposition to legalizing marijuana and cannabis banking legislation.Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) touted his support for legalizing marijuana in a press release about his being reelected to serve as vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus./ STATESThe chair of the South Dakota legislature’s Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee discussed ongoing challenges to ensure safe access for patients.Vermont regulators are being sued by marijuana businesses over alleged free speech violations.New York regulators are researching how to support houses of worship interested in cannabis, a spokesperson said.Colorado regulators published average market rates for retail marijuana.Virginia regulators released a survey about marijuana-impaired driving.South Carolina officials will begin accepting hemp farming permit applications for the 2025 season on January 1.The Minnesota Cannabis Advisory Council will meet on Thursday.Maine regulators will host an event on cannabis sample collection on Thursday.—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.—
/ LOCALThe Dover, Delaware City Council approved medical cannabis business ordinances.The Richmond, Kentucky City Commission delayed a vote on a proposal to bar government workers from using medical cannabis./ INTERNATIONALThe Canadian government missed a deadline to seal marijuana possession records.The UK Food Standards Agency announced a prospective timeline for approving CBD products./ SCIENCE & HEALTHA study of rats suggested that “CBD usage in pregnancy with inflammation conditions may be an effective therapeutic option for preventing conditions that may cause neuroinflammation in the fetal brain and adversely affect neurogenesis.”A study “identified the presence of various functional, bioactive, psychotropic, and medicinal substances, shedding light on the diverse components of a liquid concoction used for ritual practices in Ptolemaic Egypt.”/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSISThe Cannabis Regulators Association added new international members./ BUSINESSKey Risk is offering new workers compensation solutions for the cannabis industry.Missouri retailers sold $128.1 million worth of legal marijuana products in November./ CULTUREElton John said that “legalizing marijuana in America and Canada is one of the greatest mistakes of all time” and that cannabis is “addictive” and “leads to other drugs.”
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