/ FEDERAL
The House Small Business Committee took testimony from the father of a terminally ill child, who said marijuana rescheduling could "unlock research and healing, especially for rare diseases." The CDC and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy issued a health advisory on increasing medetomidine detection in the illegal drug supply.
/ STATES
A Massachusetts conference committee approved a bicameral deal to double the legal marijuana possession limit and overhaul the Cannabis Control Commission. The Maine House voted down a bill that would have allowed marijuana consumption lounges subject to local approval. The pro-legalization Drug Policy Alliance published a report on managing high-THC marijuana risks without returning to criminalization.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) vetoed a bill to distribute unspent medical cannabis revenue over federal law concerns, but the state treasurer is now releasing those funds for substance misuse treatment and law enforcement. Morrisey also vetoed ibogaine research legislation. The Missouri House passed a bill supporting psilocybin and ibogaine research for military veterans and first responders.
A former Indiana attorney general wrote an op-ed against Gov. Mike Braun's (R) openness to medical cannabis. A Virginia senator raised objections to recreational marijuana sales. An Ohio judge temporarily blocked new hemp product restrictions. Maine lawmakers considered a medical cannabis testing and tracking bill. The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska is seeking a development partner for its medical cannabis operation. Minnesota's top cannabis regulator reviewed the first six months of recreational sales. New York and Washington, D.C. moved against unlicensed cannabis businesses. Colorado issued guidance on businesses that missed second annual license payments. Oklahoma regulators sent compliance inspection guidance. California published its list of authorized industrial hemp firms. The Alaska Marijuana Control Board Laboratory Testing Working Group meets Wednesday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Japanese police recorded a record number of marijuana arrests last year.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
One study found no statistically significant overall association between state nonmedical cannabis legalization and adolescent cannabis use disorder-coded inpatient discharges. A second study found CBD at non-bactericidal levels suppresses multiple virulence mechanisms in Listeria monocytogenes, pointing to its potential as a novel anti-virulence agent for food safety and therapeutic applications.
/ BUSINESS
The National Labor Relations Board ruled that Curaleaf violated federal law by refusing to bargain with a union. Missouri cannabis retailers sold $119.8 million in products in February.