Schumer on SAFE Banking; Marijuana bill to protect fed workers filed; CBD hearing; Lawmaker presses VA/DOD on medical cannabis

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Anne Milgram committed to asking the Department of Health and Human Services for a timeline on the ongoing review into marijuana’s federal scheduling status.

The comment came at a House hearing in response to a question from Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), with Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) chimining in that he thinks cannabis should be moved to Schedule “420.”

A lobbyist says Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer(D-NY) told him he’s still “working on” passing a marijuana banking bill—but a key committee chairman and the legislation’s top GOP cosponsor are still pointing fingers about who is to blame for the delay.

Meanwhile, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) says he’s “optimistic” that issues holding up the SAFE Banking Act can be resolved when lawmakers return to Capitol Hill in the fall—and he’s urging supporters to pressure the Senate Banking Committee in the meantime.

Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Nancy Mace (R-SC) filed a new bill to protect people from being denied federal employment or security clearances due to marijuana use—and to provide relief for people who lost opportunities due to cannabis in the past.

The House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services held a hearing on the Food and Drug Administration’s failure to regulate hemp-derived CBD products.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) sent a letter blasting the heads of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense over recently issued guidance that recommends against the use of medical marijuana by veterans and servicemembers with PTSD.

Bipartisan lawmakers in the House and Senate filed new resolutions condemning Russia for jailing U.S. citizen Marc Fogel over possession of medical cannabis that he used as an opioid alternative—and calling on the White House to do more to free him.

/ FEDERAL

Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) said that President Joe Biden has “turned our beloved White House into a trap house” in light of marijuana and cocaine being found in the building.

The Senate marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor for a total of 42.

The House marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor for a total of 65.

The House bill to legalize medical cannabis for military veterans got one new cosponsor for a total of 14.

/ STATES

Alabama medical cannabis regulators are being accused of improperly erasing the recordings of their meetings.

A New York regulator spoke about the launch of a marijuana farmers market program.

Rhode Island regulators are investigating the finances of a marijuana company.

California cannabis regulators tweeted, “Over the past year the Laboratory Services Division has successfully tested 5,171 samples, issued 20 licenses, conducted 16 compliance-based inspections, and increased the issuance of revocations, citations, and notices to comply.”

Colorado officials will begin accepting applications for a third round of cannabis business grants on Monday.

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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 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.

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/ INTERNATIONAL

A Canadian judge approved the bulk sale of more than 1,200 kilograms of a company’s cannabis after regulators threatened to destroy it.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review concluded that “data obtained from the literature regarding CBD and hair loss provide a scientific basis for CBD use in alopecia.”

The American Journal of Endocannabinoid Medicine is a new peer-reviewed journal focused on cannabinoid-based medicine.

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Dream.org, Justice Action Network,NAACP’s New York State Conference, Legal Aid Society and other groups sent a letter urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to do more to pass legislation eliminating the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.

/ BUSINESS

Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. and Imperial Brands PLC extended the maturity date of a previously issued $123 million debenture by 24 months.

GrowerIQ was selected by the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority to manage tracking and reporting of cannabis production.