10.7.22 Cannabis Biden Announces Mass Marijuana Pardons And Calls For Cannabis Scheduling Review (Marijuana Moment) Amsterdam considers banning ‘cannabis tourists’ from its coffee shops (The Guardian) Costa Rica’s President Sends Marijuana Legalization Bill To Lawmakers (Marijuana Moment) 'It's like the new Amsterdam': The rush to cash in on Thailand's hazy cannabis laws (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) FBI: Nearly Half of All Drug Seizures in 2021 Involved Marijuana (NORML) Morocco issues first permits for cannabis production (Reuters) Committee in Colombia Approved Adult-U ..read more

Policy San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution to decriminalize psychedelics. In addition to decriminalizing possession of psychedelics, the resolution also allows for planting, cultivating, purchasing, transporting, distributing, and engaging in practices with them as well. Research A study from the University of Cambridge found that cannabis users do not fit the “lazy stoner” stereotype and actually do not lack motivation compared with non-users. In fact, the research showed that there was no difference in motivation for rewards, pleasure derived from rewards ..read more

Policy Following last month’s attempt to ban five novel psychoactive substances, which was later withdrawn, the DEA announced a plan to criminalize two additional psychedelic drugs—DOI and DOC. However, shortly after the announcement the DEA backed down and communicated that it no longer intends to place these two substances in Schedule I. While this may end up being a temporary victory, it is still a big win for now. Industry The psychedelic industry experienced a lot of movement this month. MindMed put an end to its 18-MC for opioid addiction program and slashed a lot of their early research ..read more

8.5.22 Cannabis Brittney Griner sentenced to 9 years in Russian prison for drug possession and smuggling (Leafly) Another American Caught With Weed in Russia Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison (High Times) Cannabis no more of a risk than tobacco and alcohol – study (Cannabis Health News) Federal Marijuana Records Would Be Expunged Under New Bipartisan Congressional Bill (Marijuana Moment) New Study Says Legalization Hasn’t Caused More Teens To Try Cannabis (Marijuana Moment) Cannabis Cafes Emerge in Post-Legalization Thailand (High Times) Study Shows Cannabis Users 55% Less Likely t ..read more

Policy Following an attempt to ban five novel psychedelic substances, the DEA has withdrawn its proposal so that scientists will have more time to research therapeutic benefits. This decision came on the heels of a public hearing a few weeks ago where advocates, researchers, and policy experts spoke out against the ban. Looking to the future, legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate to end federal cannabis prohibition, President Joe Biden’s administration is planning for the possibility of legal psychedelic therapy within the next two years, and Colorado voters will be voting this Novembe ..read more

7.1.22 Cannabis Fentanyl-laced marijuana is a myth. It’s time to end the hype (Leafly) Medical Weed Cards No Longer Required in Virginia Starting July 1 (High Times) Hemp, CBD get permanent legal status in NC after 11th-hour rescue (MSN.com) Scientists find THC in over 60% of CBD products they tested — and that may be a huge problem (ZME Science) UN Report Dramatizes Uptick in Global Cannabis Use (High Times) Louisiana Governor Signs Bill Providing Medical Marijuana Workplace Protections For State Employees (Marijuana Moment) Maryland Court: Cops Can Stop, Question Someone Who Sm ..read more

Policy Thailand legalized the cultivation and sale of cannabis after removing the plant from its banned narcotics list. As such, it has become the first nation to do so in Southeast Asia, which is well-known for having extremely strict drug laws. However, this move does not mean that Thailand has entirely legalized cannabis, as the government is still heavily discouraging personal use for non-medical reasons and officials have warned against smoking or vaping it in public. Colorado’s governor signed a bill that will allow the state to legalize MDMA prescriptions if and when the federal governm ..read more

6.3.22 Cannabis Virginia: Approved Budget Recriminalizes Public Marijuana Possession Over Four Ounces of Marijuana (NORML) Connecticut Gov. signs bill to crack down on weed gifting (Leafly) North Carolina Senate Approves Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill (Marijuana Moment) Study Finds THC Detected in Blood or Breath Does Not Indicate Impairment (High Times) Medicinal cannabis reduces pain and the need for opiate painkillers among cancer patients (PsyPost) North Carolina Lawmakers Advance Bill To Make Hemp Permanently Legal (High Times) With veto, path to marijuana legalization ..read more

Policy Rhode Island became the 19th state in the U.S. to legalize the possession, use, cultivation, and purchase of cannabis by adults 21 and older. Several additional states will decide whether to legalize cannabis in November. Voters in Austin, Texas approved a ballot measure that will decriminalize misdemeanor cannabis possession in the city. The measure will also prohibit police from issuing citations for residue or paraphernalia in place of a possession charge. The governor of Connecticut signed a budget bill that included a part that will allow the state to provide selected patients acce ..read more

5.6.22 Cannabis Would You Smoke ‘Nuclear Weed’? You Might Already: Why Irradiated Cannabis Is Common (And Safe) (Forbes) How marijuana laws have progressed across the South so far this year (Clarion Ledger) Stanford study links marijuana use to increased heart attack risk (New Atlas) A look at the legal and illegal sides of California’s cannabis industry (The Press-Enterprise) States that legalized marijuana now researching mental health risks of high-potency cannabis (NBC) ‘There’s a real risk there’: Cannabis use exacerbates depression (Healio) Missouri House Committee Approves ..read more