This week, the Senate is set to discuss a potential amendment allowing for cannabis banking, which has sparked concerns among opponents. The organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action has raised alarms about the possibility of this amendment being included in a cryptocurrency bill currently advancing in the Senate.
Rahul Gupta, former director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, indicated that efforts to reschedule marijuana may have faced internal resistance from officials at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Despite previous endorsements of reform from influential figures, including former President Donald Trump, skepticism remains about the willingness to embrace policy changes that could lead to increased drug use.
In other significant developments, the DEA has granted a religious exemption for a church to use ayahuasca in its ceremonies, marking the first instance where the agency has permitted a religious use of psychedelics without a legal challenge. This decision highlights a growing acceptance of psychedelic substances in certain contexts.
Additionally, a federal judge recently invalidated an Oregon law that required licensed cannabis businesses to establish labor peace agreements with their employees, a ruling that may affect labor relations within the state’s cannabis industry.
In Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz has signed a groundbreaking agreement with the White Earth Band of Chippewa, allowing the tribe to operate cannabis businesses outside its reservation. This agreement serves as a precedent, as it is the first of its kind in the United States, and reflects the increasing involvement of Native American tribes in the cannabis sector. Currently, over 25% of Native American tribes in the continental U.S. are engaged in cannabis or hemp initiatives, according to a report from the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association.
Jonathan Miller from the U.S. Hemp Roundtable has called for cannabis and alcohol businesses to collaborate in regulating hemp products, criticizing large cannabis companies for attempts to monopolize distribution and impose bans on certain hemp products.
In legislative updates, the Nebraska legislature has rejected a proposal to amend the state’s medical marijuana legalization, leaving the matter to the Medical Cannabis Commission, which is led by appointees who oppose reform.
At the federal level, the U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to examine a case regarding Humboldt County, California’s cannabis abatement program.
State-by-state actions include Maryland’s Governor Wes Moore signing a bill that clarifies cannabis tax regulations and modifies background check requirements for cannabis security personnel. Washington’s Governor Bob Ferguson has enacted a law imposing advertising restrictions for cannabis businesses. In Ohio, a senator has introduced legislation to limit intoxicating hemp products, while Florida regulators have issued new rules concerning the renewal of medical cannabis business licenses. Colorado regulators have also addressed a recent court ruling that dismissed a lawsuit challenging cannabis testing regulations.
In local news, Denton, Texas, City Council voted to repeal a voter-approved decriminalization law for marijuana, and New York City’s mayor has initiated efforts to close unlicensed marijuana businesses.
A recent study has suggested that cannabinoids may play a role in cancer treatment, while another highlighted psilocybin’s potential for treating treatment-resistant depression through new biological pathways.
On the advocacy front, Fox News host Jesse Watters criticized cannabis use, claiming it contributes to societal decline and impacts family dynamics negatively.
The cannabis industry continues to evolve rapidly, with various states and federal bodies pursuing legislation that could reshape the landscape. As these discussions unfold, stakeholders are keenly observing the implications for the future of cannabis banking and regulation in the United States.
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