Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) to federally legalize and tax cannabis that will soon be introduced as an alternative to Democratic leaders’ marijuana legizlation.
-Cannabis would be federally descheduled and treated in a manner similar to alcohol.
-A 3.75 percent excise tax would be imposed on cannabis sales. Revenue would support grant programs for community reentry, law enforcement and Small Business Administration (SBA) aid for newly licensed businesses.
-The Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) would be the chief regulator for marijuana with respect to interstate commerce.
-The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would be limited in its regulatory authority, with the intent being that it would have no more control over cannabis than it does for alcohol except when it comes to medical cannabis. The agency could prescribe serving sizes, certify designated state medical cannabis products and approve and regulate pharmaceuticals derived from marijuana, but could not ban the use of cannabis or its derivates in non-drug applications, like in designated state medical cannabis products, dietary supplements, foods, beverages, non-drug topicals or cosmetics.
-Raw cannabis would be considered an agricultural commodity regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
-The legislation would grandfather existing state-licensed cannabis operators into the federal scheme to ensure continued patient access and incentivize participation in the legal market.
-As federal agencies work to promulgate rules, there would be safe harbor provisions to protect patients and marijuana businesses acting in compliance with existing state laws.
-People with certain federal cannabis convictions that were non-violent would be eligible for expungements.
-To prevent youth use, there would be a mandatory 21 age limit for recreational cannabis, and the bill also prescribes certain restrictions on things like advertising.
-SBA would need to treat marijuana businesses the same as other regulated markets, like it does for alcohol companies, for example.
-The measure also stipulates that veterans can’t face discrimination in federal hiring due to cannabis use, and doctors with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would be specifically authorized to issue recommendations for medical cannabis for veterans.
-Federal agencies could continue to drug test for marijuana.
-The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) would be required to issue a report to Congress on the marijuana industry.
The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee approved a bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct clinical trials on the medical benefits of marijuana for military veterans with PTSD and chronic pain—despite opposition testimony from the Biden administration.
The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee approved a bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct clinical trials on the medical benefits of marijuana for military veterans with PTSD and chronic pain—despite opposition testimony from the Biden administration.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency tweeted, “Hemp offers new economic opportunities for America’s farmers, and we are pleased to offer coverage to hemp producers.”
Massachusetts’s Senate president said lawmakers will be considering marijuana-related issues such as local host community agreements, social equity, and automatic expungements.
California regulators ordered the destruction of a hemp field after the farmer allegedly applied pesticide that is not approved for use on the crop.
A Michigan appeals court upheld a two-year suspension for a doctor who approved nearly 22,000 medical cannabis recommendations within a one-year period.
Florida regulators will hold several meetings about medical cannabis and hemp this month.
The East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana coroner claimed “it’s only a matter of time” before officials start seeing fentanyl-laced marijuana.
Georgian lawmakers filed a marijuana legalization bill.
A study found that “most active individuals believe that cannabis and CBD can improve the psychological aspects of exercise and assist with recovery from exercise.“
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