:::::::USA Set to Reschedule Cannabis::::::: HHS Releases Recommendation Documents:::::::

[pipeline]

Federal Agency Notes Widespread Medical Marijuana Use By Cancer Patients, Saying Rescheduling Can ‘Open The Doors’ To More Research

A federal health agency is acknowledging that a sizable portion—between about 20 percent and 40 percent—of people being treated for cancer are using cannabis products to manage side effects from the condition and associated treatment. Such widespread uptake by patients raises concerns that use...

www.marijuanamoment.net

 

[Captain Red Eye]

its a natural right to be able to use cannabis since its a medicine and its use can't harm other people.

Its not that simple. most dont use marijuana so the are not going to vote someone out over an issue that does not effect them.

without a direct vote , people lose their freedoms

^^^ Good points!

To me, a "direct vote" is any person behaving as a peaceful and free individual, making a rightful choice. I voted a long time ago that I could grow and use cannabis. It was unanimous!

DeSantis Stirs Pot Again With More Anti-Marijuana Ads Funded By Taxpayers, Including One Linking Cannabis To Domestic Violence

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is facing new allegations of weaponizing state agencies with taxpayer-funded ads to support his campaign to defeat a marijuana legalization initiative that voters will decide on at the ballot next month. In an ad from the Department of Transportation (DOT), three...

www.marijuanamoment.net

Desantis has every right not to consume cannabis himself. He has zero right to dictate to others what their relationship with cannabis is. If he disagrees, he's a tyrant control freak. Fuck him and his silly lift boots then!

 

[pipeline]

With cannabis use being more prevalent in society with a majority of states with legal medical or adult use, a state which focuses on tourism such as Florida really has to loosen their laws to avoid conflicts with tourists from legal states who choose to use cannabis.

A puff on the beach is a memorable experience, it would make Florida feel like home.

Don't believe the lie, DeSantis, trust in God.

 

[pipeline]

Maternal Marijuana Use Not Tied To Child Autism Or Developmental Delays, Federally Funded Studies Published By American Medical Association Show

Two new federally funded reports published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) may help allay at least some concerns around prenatal exposure to marijuana. One study found that cannabis use during early pregnancy was not associated with child autism, while the other found...

www.marijuanamoment.net

 

[pipeline]

Legalizing Marijuana Does Not Jeopardize Mental Health, Studies Show, Contrary To Opponents’ Alarmist Claims (Op-Ed)

“Sensationalizing claims that cannabis use poses significant mental health risks to those not predisposed to such conditions does little to promote either public health or responsible cannabis consumption.” By Paul Armentano, NORML Opponents of marijuana legalization often allege that...

www.marijuanamoment.net

 

[pipeline]

Marijuana Policy Project Releases Voter Guide to 2024 Governors’ and U.S. Senate Races

Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday, the Marijuana Policy Project released their cannabis policy reform voter guides for the 2024 governors’ races and the U.S. Senate races.

www.mpp.org

 

[pipeline]

Cannabis Is A ‘Promising Plant’ As An Insecticide To Combat Bugs That Spread Deadly Diseases, Study Says

A new scientific review on the insecticidal potential of cannabis concludes that it’s “proved to be a promising plant in terms of mortality and evidenced effects on insect fertility, birth rates, and adult emergence”—findings that could one day offer the possibility of new products to help...

www.marijuanamoment.net

 

[Nannymouse]

Med folks would like to be able to travel the country (world!) with their meds, without fear of being hindered, harassed, or jailed.

 

[pipeline]

Med folks would like to be able to travel the country (world!) with their meds, without fear of being hindered, harassed, or jailed.

Precisely, what a wreckless dangeous policy to maintain. This state is the racing capital of the world which holds a number of races attended by large numbers of people. This state holds the crossroads of America and is traveled by families traveling from all over the nation.

Neglect of the lawmakers has no resolution since its the same lawmakers on the ballot next month. God's judgement will throw down this stronghold of oppression, and joy and praise will again take root in this nation.

 

[armedoldhippy]

Candidate for governor in Indiana claims he will take his cues from law enforcement to determine what to support for adult-use and medical cannabis reform.

taking "cues" from those with zero direct knowledge & an obviously biased pre-established opinion and financial stake in "saying NO" is hardly an open-minded way to educate oneself. now, if he also took time to talk with/listen to LEAP members, i would be much more inclined to agree. but i'll bet he's not looking for their input...

 

[pipeline]

Marijuana Rescheduling Is A Critical Step For Reform, But It’s Not A Magic Bullet To Solve All The Cannabis Industry’s Problems (Op-Ed)

“Even if cannabis moves to a lower schedule, the industry will continue to face stringent federal oversight, complex financial regulations and significant compliance demands.” By Sundie Seefried, Safe Harbor Financial The cannabis industry is standing at the edge of what could be a major turning...

www.marijuanamoment.net

 

[moose eater]

KAMALA HARRIS SAYS SHE WILL FEDERALLY LEGALIZE MARIJUANA, NJ HEMP CONUNDRUM, MORE... (10/14/24)​

https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/kamala-harris-says-she-will-federally-legalize-marijuana-nj-hemp-conundrum-more-101424


The Mexican federal government has sent hundreds of troops into the country's lime-producing heartland to help growers fend off drug cartels, and more.

Mexican lime producers are being targeted by drug cartels that want to expand their extortionate operations. (Creative Commons)


Marijuana Policy

Kamala Harris Pledges to Federally Legalize Marijuana. Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris pledged on Monday to legalize marijuana at the federal level, ensuring that "safe cultivation, distribution and possession of recreational marijuana is the law of the land."

Harris said in a statement that legalizing recreational pot will "break down unjust legal barriers that hold Black men and other Americans back."

Her pledge came as part of a broader package of initiatives targeting Black male voters, who some polling suggests may be amendable to attention from the Trump campaign. She also said she would invest in more Black male teachers, create a health equity initiative for Black men, and offer a million forgivable loans to Black entrepreneurs. She also sought to position herself in juxtaposition to the Trump administration’s response to state-level legalization efforts. "It's a stark contrast with Donald Trump, whose Department of Justice threatened federal prosecutions for marijuana in states where marijuana use is legal, threatening the unjust and disproportionate use of marijuana possession laws to put Black Americans behind bars," the Harris campaign said.

While the Trump Justice Department struck down Obama administration guidelines instructing federal prosecutors not to interfere in legal marijuana states, Trump has recently said he would support the marijuana legalization initiative on this year's ballot in Florida.

New Jersey Bans Sale of Intoxicating Hemp Products -- Or Does It? As of this past weekend, the sale of intoxicating hemp products is forbidden in the state. Except that it isn't.

An amended hemp bill signed into law last month by Gov. Phil Murphy (D) attempted to regulate intoxicating hemp products, including delta-8 and THC-infused seltzers. It required manufacturers and retailers to obtain a license from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission and included a ban on those products until regulations were created.

But a federal judge ruled last Thursday that parts of the new hemp law were invalid because they gave an unfair advantage to in-state hemp businesses. That same day, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission announced that it would only enforce the age-restriction provisions of the hemp law and not enforce other provisions, including the temporary ban on intoxicating hemp products, while the court decision is under appeal.

All the maneuvering is leaving the hemp industry -- sellers and producers of both intoxicating and non-intoxicating hemp products alike -- uncertain of its future in the state.

"I don't think this did any favors for the hemp industry," said Joshua Bauchner, an attorney representing cannabis and hemp clients across New Jersey. "What we have now is that the whole hemp industry is going to be subject to the CRC."

"When you rush a bill through, when you don't allow the discourse to happen, you end up passing a bill that falls short," said Philip Petracca, owner of the hemp company Bella Ray Beverage. "As quickly as they rushed this bill through, there should be that same sense of urgency to fix this."

And there is talk of a legislative fix. Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex, said she was "committed to working with the administration and the assembly to clarify any necessary technical details. While I am pleased that the court order upheld the ban on selling intoxicating hemp products to minors, we must recognize that, without comprehensive regulation, these substances will continue to present a significant threat to the health and well-being of our communities," she said. "Other states have been successful in this pursuit, and New Jersey should be no different."

 

[moose eater]

DOJ ASKS APPEALS COURT TO UPHOLD MARIJUANA PROHIBITION, CA JUDGE WON'T LIFT INTOXICATING HEMP BEVERAGE BAN, MORE... (10/15/24)​

https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/doj-tells-appeals-court-uphold-pot-prohibition-ca-judge-refuses-lift-ban-intoxicating


The Supreme Court today heard oral arguments in the case of a trucker fired for testing positive for marijuana who is suing the company that sold him a supposed CBD product, and more.

The Supreme Court is hearing a case about whether a trucker fired for testing positive for THC can sue a medical marijuana company under the RICO Act. (Creative Commons)


Marijuana Policy

Justice Department Tells Appeals Court It Should Uphold Federal Marijuana Prohibition. The Justice Department last Thursday filed a brief with the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals arguing that Congress maintains broad authority to regulate marijuana and urging the court to uphold the federal ban on marijuana. The move comes in a case where several marijuana companies are seeking to overturn the Controlled Substances Act.

"Congress was acting well within its authority to 'make all laws which shall be necessary and proper' to 'regulate Commerce… among the several States,'" the Justice Department argued, citing Supreme Court precedent.

The marijuana companies, led by Canna Provisions, are trying to revive a lawsuit that was dismissed earlier this year in federal district court. That lawsuit was thrown out after the judge ruled that only the Supreme Court could overturn the 2005 Gonzalez v. Raich decision upholding federal marijuana prohibition.

The companies argued that because so many states have already legalized marijuana, federal prohibition is no longer justified.

"The ground-shaking shifts in marijuana regulation… together with the nation's long history of marijuana cultivation and use prior to the CSA, demonstrate the widely held understanding that Plaintiffs' marijuana activities implicate a liberty interest that requires protection," the companies argued in a court filing.

However the Justice Department argues that changing state laws do not weaken federal powers.

"Plaintiffs repeatedly note that many states have legalized medical and recreational marijuana, but Raich squarely held that state legalization of a controlled substance 'cannot retroactively divest Congress of its authority under the Commerce Clause,'" the department argued.

The 1st Circuit could hear oral arguments in the case later this year.

California Judge Denies TRO Request That Attempted to Halt State's Ban on Hemp-Derived THC Products. A state Superior Court judge has ruled that the state's ban on the sale of intoxicating hemp products can stand because hemp companies that challenged it did not show they suffered "irreparable harm" in requesting a temporary restraining order to block the ban.

The US Hemp Roundtable and several state hemp farmers and businesses had sought earlier this month to block emergency regulations banning hemp-derived THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids from store shelves. But Superior Court Judge Stephen Goorvitch demurred.

"Petitioners do not demonstrate that these regulations will cause widespread and catastrophic destruction of the hemp industry," Goorvitch wrote in a 12-page order denying the TRO. "As an initial matter, the court notes that at least half of [the USHR's] members operate outside California."

Goorvich did not mention it, but that's because the 2018 Farm Bill legalizing hemp allowed for interstate sales.

Under the emergency regulations, which went into effect September 23, industrial hemp food, beverages, and dietary supplements intended for human consumption can no longer contain detectable amounts of THC or any "comparable cannabinoid" per serving.

The hemp companies argued that the emergency regulations are "horrendous to industry participants such as farmers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers, who will suffer significant financial injury."

"Manufacturers can sell THC through the legal cannabis system in California, i.e., with a license,""Goorvitch retorted. "Putting aside that petitioners' declarations are speculative, at heart, they complain of lost revenue, which is not persuasive in establishing irreparable harm. The mere fact that these losses may be unrecoverable is not a basis to issue a temporary restraining order."

 

[moose eater]

Marijuana Policy

Delaware Governor Signs Bill to Protect Banks That Work With Marijuana Businesses as Adult-Use Market Prepares for Launch. Gov. John Carney has signed into law legislation that will create state-level protection for banks that provide services to legal marijuana businesses, House Bill 355. Carney's signature comes nearly four months after the bill passed the legislature and as the state prepares for the inauguration of its legal adult-use marijuana market.

Sponsored by Rep. Ed Osienski (D), who has championed marijuana reform in Dover for years, the bill clarifies that financial and related service providers will not be subject to state-level prosecution for working with pot businesses.

Lawmakers "want Delaware’s safe and regulated industry to out-compete the illegal market," Osienski said. "By providing dispensaries with a secure avenue to banking and compliance services, we empower them to contribute positively to our economy, keep costs down for the industry and customers, employ local talent, and fulfill their tax obligations," he said.

The bill's synopsis says it "aims to facilitate the operation of cannabis-related businesses by helping to ensure that such businesses have access to necessary financial and accounting services."

In the meantime, the state now says the legal market should be up and running by March.

Hemp

US Army Bans Delta-8 THC. In an update of its drug policy, the US Army has banned delta-8 THC, a synthetic form of THC made from hemp-derived CBD. Although derived from low-THC hemp, delta-8 THC can alter consciousness.

The Army said it was banning delta-8 THC because it is widely accessible after passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized low-THC hemp and CBD but did not address intoxicating products derived from hemp. The Army already forbids the use of marijuana or other drugs.

The Army has moved to restrict marijuana and hemp derivatives before. In 2021, it banned the use of all hemp products, including CBD even though it is legal and unregulated at the federal level.

The new Army drug policy also includes measures to strengthen substance abuse programs and "deglamorize" illegal drug use. It also tightens rules around prescription drugs, requiring soldiers to renew their prescriptions every six months. Any positive drug tests for drugs prescribed more than 12 months previously could be treated as illegitimate. The Army says it maintains a zero-tolerance approach to drug and alcohol misuse.

 

[pipeline]

Early Voting Kicks Off In Texas, Where Marijuana Decriminalization Is On The Ballot In Dallas And Other Cities

As of Monday, early voting has officially commenced in Texas, where voters in Dallas and two other cities will get to decide on ballot measures to locally decriminalize marijuana. Ground Game Texas, which spearheaded the measures, is urging supporters to take advantage of the early voting option...

www.marijuanamoment.net

 

[pipeline]

How are you going to eradicate cannabis when we have all the seed?

Whos going to vote for someone who won't do their job? Congress is failing at their duty to regulate cannabis appropriately, its been almost 30 years since CA legalized medical cannabis in 1996 and nothing has been changed to allow medical use in the Controlled Substances Act. Cannabis remains in Schedule 1 and is yet to have a hearing on the issue anywhere! Tell me how they have done their duty of due dilligence to make laws to appropriately regulate cannabis.