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Missouri News
Kansas City Royals Forms Partnership with Pure Spectrum CBD
The Kansas City Royals have announced a partnership with Pure Spectrum CBD, marking a significant step into the cannabis industry. This partnership, the second of its kind in Major League Baseball, aims to educate fans about the potential benefits of CBD for overall wellness. The collaboration has led to the launch of the Pure Spectrum Lodge at Kauffman Stadium, a space designed to provide fans with a relaxing environment to watch the game and learn about the positive effects of CBD.
https://hightimes.com/news/kansas-city-royals-partners-with-pure-spectrum-cbd/
Missouri Courts Expunge Over 40,000 Cannabis-Related Convictions Ahead of Legal Deadline
More than 44,000 marijuana cases, including over 10,000 marijuana-related felony convictions, have been expunged in recent months under the provisions of Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution. These provisions, included in the state’s citizens-initiated adult-use marijuana law, require courts to expunge all eligible misdemeanor marijuana convictions by June 8th. However, compliance varies across counties, with some counties expunging thousands of cases, while others have made little or no effort to comply with Article XIV. Advocates, including Missouri NORML Coordinator Dan Viets, have suggested that litigation may be necessary to compel greater compliance with the law.
US National News
Federal Bill Introduced to Allow Cannabis Research at Universities
A federal bill has been introduced to allow universities to conduct cannabis research without fear of losing federal funding. The bill, known as the "Cannabis Research Act of 2023," was introduced by U.S. Representative Katherine Clark (D-MA). It aims to amend the Controlled Substances Act to create an exception for universities and other institutions to carry out cannabis research. The bill also seeks to establish a new registration process for researchers and to require the Attorney General to ensure an adequate supply of research-grade cannabis.
https://www.ganjapreneur.com/federal-bill-introduced-to-allow-cannabis-research-at-universities/
San Francisco Set to Impose 3-Year Moratorium on New Cannabis Licenses
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has unanimously voted to impose a three-year moratorium on new cannabis business licenses. The moratorium, which does not affect current applicants or operators, was proposed due to concerns of oversaturation and competition from the illicit market. The city currently has about 30 licensed medical cannabis dispensaries, 31 adult-use retailers, and over 100 additional applications in the pipeline. The moratorium is expected to receive final approval next week and will take effect 30 days after that.
https://www.ganjapreneur.com/san-francisco-set-to-impose-3-year-moratorium-on-new-cannabis-licenses/
ATF to Minnesotans: Cannabis Use Prohibits You From Firearm Ownership
Following the legalization of cannabis in Minnesota, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has clarified that cannabis consumers are still considered "unlawful users" of a controlled substance under federal law, and are therefore prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. The ATF's statement comes despite recent federal court rulings in Oklahoma and Texas that found the federal law barring people who use cannabis from owning firearms to be unconstitutional.
https://www.ganjapreneur.com/atf-to-minnesotans-cannabis-use-prohibits-you-from-firearm-ownership/
New York Regulators Approve Settlement of Lawsuit Blocking Cannabis Licenses
The New York Cannabis Control Board (CCB) has voted to settle a lawsuit brought by a Michigan company, Variscite NY One, that has prevented the awarding of cannabis licenses in five regions for seven months. The lawsuit had affected 63 of the 150 licenses set to be awarded to social equity applicants. The settlement is yet to be finalized, but once approved, it will allow the licensing process to proceed.
New York Cultivators Grapple with Cannabis Oversupply
New York's cannabis cultivators are facing a significant challenge: an oversupply of cannabis. Despite the state's recent legalization of recreational marijuana, growers are struggling to find outlets for their product. The oversupply has been attributed to a slow rollout of the state's adult-use market, leaving cultivators with excess product and limited avenues for sale. This situation underscores the need for a well-planned and timely implementation of cannabis regulations to ensure a balanced market.
https://hightimes.com/news/new-york-cultivators-have-too-much-weed-on-their-hands/
Denton, Texas Officials Reject Cannabis Decriminalization
In a move that goes against the will of voters, officials in Denton, Texas, have rejected a proposal to decriminalize cannabis. Despite a majority of Denton residents voting in favor of decriminalization in a recent poll, city officials have decided not to move forward with the policy change. This decision highlights the ongoing tension between public sentiment and political action in the realm of cannabis reform.
USDA Recognizes Hemp as a Key Specialty Crop
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has renamed one of its six Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees (ATACs) to include hemp, reflecting the agency's recognition of cannabis as a uniquely valuable commodity. The committee will now be known as the ATAC for Trade in Tobacco, Cotton, Peanuts, and Hemp. This move is seen as a significant step towards mainstreaming hemp as an agricultural and trade commodity.
Senate Committee to Vote on Marijuana Banking Bill Soon
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has announced plans to hold a vote on the bipartisan Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act in the coming weeks. The bill aims to protect banks and credit unions from federal penalties for working with state-licensed cannabis businesses. However, the exact scheduling of the vote is contingent on ongoing negotiations with the committee's Republican ranking member.
Senator Highlights Exploitation of Cannabis Industry by Big Business
Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), in remarks regarding an upcoming anti-monopoly event, expressed concern over the patchwork of marijuana laws across the United States. Stating that this situation allows big businesses to exploit the industry, leading to a lack of competition and diversity. The Senator emphasized the need for federal marijuana reform to ensure a level playing field for all businesses, including small and minority-owned enterprises.
First-of-Its-Kind Study Reveals How Psilocybin Therapy Helps Treat Alcohol Addiction
A first-of-its-kind analysis has provided novel insights into how psychedelic-assisted therapy works for people addicted to alcohol. Researchers at NYU, UC San Francisco, and the mental health practitioner training provider Fluence investigated the therapeutic mechanisms that led a cohort of people with alcohol use disorders to significantly reduce negative drinking behavior after participating in an earlier landmark psilocybin clinical trial. Participants reported that the psilocybin treatment helped them process emotions related to painful past events and promoted states of self-compassion, self-awareness, and feelings of interconnectedness.
NORML State Policy Weekly Update
Marijuana reform legislation continues to advance in several states, including California, Louisiana, Nevada, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Developments include the expansion of the Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act in California, the allowance of dual licensure for dispensaries in Nevada, and the introduction of a bill in Ohio to increase the total number of authorized, state-licensed medical cannabis dispensaries. Furthermore, Pennsylvania introduced a bill to prevent employers from discriminating against employees based on their medical marijuana use.
https://norml.org/blog/2023/06/07/state-policy-weekly-update-6-7-2023/
International News
Colombian Senators Approve Cannabis Legalization Bill
A bill to legalize cannabis in Colombia has passed in the Senate, marking a significant step towards ending the war on cannabis in the country. The bill, led by Senator MarÃa José Pizarro, aims to halt organized crime and address overpopulated prisons associated with cannabis-related arrests. The legislation has passed through seven of the eight required votes before it reaches President Gustavo Petro's desk. If passed, the amendment will support citizens' right to decide on cannabis consumption within a regulated legal framework, aiming to reduce discriminatory treatment towards consumers.
https://hightimes.com/news/colombia-senators-approve-cannabis-legalization-bill/
Antigua and Barbuda Grant Rastafari Sacramental Rights To Grow Cannabis
Antigua and Barbuda have become one of the first countries in the Caribbean to authorize Rastafari to grow and smoke cannabis, an herb considered a sacrament by followers of the religion. This move aims to rectify decades of racial and religious profiling by law enforcement due to marijuana use by Rastafari. The new law also decriminalizes the use of marijuana for the general public, allowing people outside the faith to grow up to four cannabis plants each and possess up to 15 grams.
https://hightimes.com/news/antigua-and-barbuda-grant-rastafari-sacramental-rights-to-grow-cannabis/
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Thanks for always bringing us the Canna news! This is great!
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