White House meets with hemp groups on CBD enforcement; McConnell says marijuana banking non-germane to COVID bill; Senators press USDA on hemp regs

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This issue of Marijuana Moment, and our original reporting that is featured in it, are made possible by the generous support of 479 Patreon sponsors. Cannabis industry professionals receive valuable rewards for pledges of $25 and up.Check out the perks of being a sponsor on our Patreon page.https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment/ TOP THINGS TO KNOWPresumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is proposing federal aid to help states expunge cannabis and other convictions.

The White House Office of Management and Budget is hosting several hemp industry groups for meetings about CBD enforcement policy this week and next week.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said that including marijuana banking provisions in coronavirus relief legislation, as the House did, would be non-germane.

Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) sent a letter calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to change several restrictive hemp regulations. They say that despite the temporary suspension of a rule allowing only labs certified by the Drug Enforcement Administration to do THC testing, USDAs site still lists only those facilities.

/ FEDERALThe Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing changes to rules for reporting theft or loss of controlled substances.Libertarian presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen tweeted, On Day One I will pardon all those who have been imprisoned for victimless crimes. Anyone convicted and incarcerated for possessing or using an illegal drug will be pardoned. End the War on Drugs now.Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) tweeted, Democrats released their socialist wish list (disguised as COVID19 relief) over two months ago, so we would forget that it included items like:Marijuana banking.Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) tweeted, Legalize marijuana nationwide and expunge records for cannabis-related offenses.Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) criticized Democrats for including three trillion dollars of marijuana banking in their coronavirus relief bill.Washington State Democratic congressional candidate Jason Call tweeted, It may seem an insignificant thing compared to healthcare, the environment, housing, and justice reform. But legalizing marijuana is an integral component of the general reforms that are needed. Rep Lee could not have gotten this more wrong.Tennessee Democratic congressional candidate Christopher Hale tweeted, Why is it that kids and veterans in Tennessee who smoke marijuana have criminal records but Wall Street executives who committed massive fraud and wrecked our economy do not? Ill be the most pro-weed Congressman God ever made.Florida Democratic congressional candidate Jen Perelman tweeted, Decriminalize & legalize marijuana./ STATESA former Maryland delegate who pleaded guilty to soliciting and accepting bribes from medical cannabis companies was sentenced to two years in federal prison.Nevada regulators are investigating three dispensaries for allegedly selling marijuana products that failed microbial testing.Maines top marijuana regulator said cultivation, manufacturing and processing facilities should be able to open by the end of September, with sales beginning by the end of the year.The Oregon Cannabis Commission Patient Equity Subcommittee will meet on Tuesday.Montana regulators will hold a hearing on proposed hemp rules on August 13.Alaska regulators will consider marijuana business license applications and rules on August 19 and 20.Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,500 cannabis 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 dont miss any developments.Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.

/ LOCALThe Plymouth, Ohio Village Council approved a marijuana decriminalization proposal./ INTERNATIONALSt. Lucias government is drafting legislation to legalize marijuana.Dominicas government is moving ahead with plans to decriminalize marijuana./ SCIENCE & HEALTHA study found that in the first randomised clinical trial of cannabidiol for cannabis use disorder, cannabidiol 400 mg and 800 mg were safe and more efficacious than placebo at reducing cannabis use.A review found that industrial hemp biomass is an excellent alternative candidate for biofuel production and has higher cellulose content compared with other agricultural residues./ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSISThe San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board is encouraging local officials to target landlords when seeking to close unlicensed marijuana shops./ BUSINESSAphria Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $152.2 million and a net loss of $98.8 million.The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company reported that $303 million in quarterly revenue for its cannabis-focused Hawthorne unit.The Securities and Exchange Commission charged a number of people with allegedly defrauding investors in several marijuana businesses.A Marijuana Business Daily analysis concludes that the number of people working in the U.S. cannabis industry will increase to 240,000-295,000 by the end of the year.

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House to vote on protecting state cannabis laws this week (Newsletter: July 29, 2020) - Marijuana Moment