GOP senator: Regulate marijuana like alcohol; Bill to increase hemp THC limit; Survey: Cannabis industry workers happy; OH legalization change delay

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The U.S. House of Representatives approved amendments to let Department of Veterans Affairs doctors recommend medical cannabis and to support research on the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) said marijuana legalization opponents “have lost” the debate and that “it’s time” to create a regulatory framework treating cannabis “the same way that we do with alcohol and tobacco” so states can set their own policies without federal intervention.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) filed a bill to triple the amount of THC that can legally be in hemp and to make other changes to federal rules for the crop to address industry concerns.

The Department of Homeland Security is denying claims a Norwegian tourist was denied U.S. entry over a meme about Vice President J.D. Vance on his phone, instead pointing to “admitted drug use”—which the man says was two instances of cannabis consumption in places where it is legal.

Hourly workers in the marijuana industry rank at the top of the list of “happiest” employees across multiple sectors, according to a new survey from Deputy—with more than 9 in 10 reporting a “positive sentiment” in their job.

The Ohio House Judiciary Committee canceled another hearing on a bill to revise the voter-approved marijuana legalization law amid Republican disagreements, with a key lawmaker saying no changes will be made until at least the fall.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit upheld an Arkansas hemp product restriction law, appearing to contradict arguments that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) made days earlier to justify his veto of hemp ban legislation in his state.

The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission is expected to consider a proposed memorandum of agreement with other agencies that advocates say is an “intentional step” to “absolutely destroy patient access” on Thursday.

/ FEDERAL

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is proposing to continue including marijuana related businesses in its Bank Secrecy Act/Money Laundering Risk Assessment data collection program amid other changes.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission published a fact sheet on prison contraband, including marijuana and other drugs.

/ STATES

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) used his line-item veto to cancel certain funding for the Cannabis Control Division.

Florida’s agriculture commissioner said officials seized nearly 11,000 hemp products for alleged violations of child-protection standards for packaging, labeling and marketing.

The chairman of the North Carolina House Rules Committee, which is playing a key role in legislation to restrict hemp products, is also the president of a hemp manufacturing and distribution company.

An Alabama senator filed a bill to ban all hemp-derived THC products.

The Nebraska campaign behind medical cannabis ballot initiatives approved by voters last year is asking the state Supreme Court not to revive a lawsuit seeking to overturn the measures.

Virginia regulators published the results of a medical cannabis practitioner survey.

The California Legislative Analyst’s Office published a report on tax exemptions for donations of medical cannabis.

Massachusetts’s acting top marijuana regulator toured a dispensary.

Rhode Island regulators are proceeding with the application process for a medical cannabis dispensary license with previously qualified applicants from an earlier selection round.

The California Cannabis Authority Board of Directors will meet on Friday.

—
Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of 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.
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/ INTERNATIONAL

Thailand’s public health minister signed an order requiring people to have doctors’ prescriptions and medical certificates mandatory in order to buy cannabis.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “since 2012, there has been considerable growth in patents and publications related to cannabis drug delivery systems, driven by the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids.”

A review concluded that psilocybin “may have therapeutic properties in depression and alcohol-use disorder.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll found that Australians support legalizing marijuana, 48 percent to 41 percent.

/ BUSINESS

Verano Holdings Corp. is opening a bodega-style dispensary in Phoenix, Arizona.

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FL Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tilray Brands Inc., has become the first company in Italy to receive government approval to distribute medical cannabis flower. The products are set to be available this month in pharmacies throughout the country.  

In a statement, Denise Faltischek, chief strategy officer and head of International at Tilray Brands, said the “milestone underscores the vital role of medical cannabis as a therapeutic medicine for patients in need, supporting their health and well-being.” 

“We are proud to expand our medical cannabis portfolio in Italy with the introduction of our Tilray Medical high-quality, EU-GMP certified medical cannabis products that uphold the highest standards in patient care,” Faltischek said. “We extend our gratitude to the Ministero della Salute (Italian Ministry of Health) for their trust in Tilray Medical and for providing the necessary regulatory framework to ensure access to safe, consistent and reliable cannabinoid-based therapies. Together, we are advancing health care and patient wellness through innovation and collaboration.” — Faltischek in a press release 

The three approved products include Tilray Medical’s Tilray THC 25%, Tilray THC 18%, and Tilray THC 9%/CBD 9%. 

Italy legalized medical cannabis in 2013 and initially relied on imported medical cannabis products; however, the Italian Army was later tasked with local cultivation at the Military Pharmaceutical Plant in Florence, which was criticized for producing low quality flower.  

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Adult-use cannabis sales totals in Michigan declined for a fourth consecutive month in May, according to state Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) data outlined by the Detroit Metro Times. Between January and May, adult-use dispensaries in the state sold $1.31 billion worth of products, down from $1.34 billion from the same period last year. 

It marks the Michigan cannabis industry’s first year-over-year decline since adult-use sales began in the state in December 2019. 

The downturn is likely caused by oversupply – state data shows that dispensaries held more than 160,000 pounds of flower in April, up from 143,300 pounds the prior year – which is leading to lower prices for consumers. In May, the average price of an ounce of flower was $63, compared to $88 a year prior. When adult-use sales began in 2019, the average price for an ounce of flower was more than $500.  

In turn, consumers are buying more product at dispensaries. In May, retailers sold about 20% more flower, concentrates, vape cartridges, kief, edibles, and shake, despite reporting lower sales totals. 

In April, state lawmakers held a hearing about whether to impose a moratorium on new cannabis cultivators, during which Brian Hanna, director of the CRA, told the panel that without changes, the industry is “going to see consolidation.”    

“You’re going to see small businesses going out of business. You’re going to see bigger buying out smaller,” she said, according to a Metro Times report. “You’re going to see lesser variety. You’re going to see social equity businesses suffer along with those businesses.”  

However, under current state law, the CRA is required to issue licenses to applicants that meet the criteria, and lawmakers have not passed any moratorium.    

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