Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) and other House lawmakers slammed Senate leadership after marijuana banking provisions were not included in a bicamerally negotiated version of the National Defense Authorization Act. The congressman filed a new amendment to add his legislation back in but did not insist on a vote so as not to jeopardize the broader defense bill—though he said he spoke with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) about pursuing separate options to force the other chamber to consider the reform.
Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) sent President Joe Biden a letter to “urgently request” an update on calls to issue mass marijuana pardons so incarcerated people can reunite with their families as the holidays approach.
The United Nations World Health Organization’s Executive Committee on Drug Dependency decided against recommending an international ban on kratom.
The Department of Veterans Affairs published a podcast interview with a researcher discussing his study showing the benefits of medical marijuana in treating PTSD symptoms and talking about how federal prohibition impedes the scientific process.
The U.S. Sentencing Commission reported that federal fentanyl criminal cases are rising and now outnumber those for marijuana.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture published a short podcast on changes to hemp crop insurance rules.
Alabama Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim James criticized the new medical cannabis law, saying it is about “creating a cartel to peddle marijuana across this state.”
The Illinois State Police published a FAQ about expunging marijuana records.
Malta’s parliament is expected to take a final vote on a marijuana legalization bill next week.
Israel’s Health Ministry formed a committee to examine the possible removal of CBD from the list of dangerous drugs.
A review concluded that “cannabidiol is associated with clinical improvement in Dravet syndrome.”
A study of mice concluded that “CBD and CBD+THC might be useful in the treatment of epilepsy and possibly psychosis, but not in the treatment of depression.”
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