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Biden says cannabis rules could change after Richardson ban

Marijuana Moment’s Newsletter
July 5, 2021
By Tom Angell

President Joe Biden suggested that anti-marijuana rules for athletes could change following the runner Sha’Carri Richardson’s suspension from Olympic competition due to a positive cannabis test. The comments came one day after White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki declined to condemn the sanction against Richardson and as a bipartisan group of lawmakers called on sports officials to reconsider their approach to the issue.

Ahead of the 4th of July, the Food and Drug Administration warned people about using CBD to calm dogs that are scared of fireworks because it “has NOT evaluated these products.” But in doing so for the third year in a row, the agency inadvertently revealed that it’s not doing its job.

Rhode Island lawmakers sent a bill to Gov. Dan McKee (D) that would make the state the first to legalize safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.

A witness at a House hearing testified that members of Congress can get to know one another and reduce partisan bickering by visiting marijuana businesses together.

“It’s a little cheesy. But actually, because it’s one-on-one, it’s harder to be really demeaning.”
Sens. Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) are calling on the Department of Homeland Security to reopen the case of a Navy veteran who was deported over a marijuana conviction.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) criticized both major parties for not embracing marijuana legalization.

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) tweeted, “The War on Drugs has gone on long enough. It has destroyed communities, devastated families and hasn’t put a dent in drug use. It’s time to end the punitive War on Drugs and take a health-based approach.”

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) tweeted, “Today, after decades of excessive incarceration that disproportionately targeted communities of color, marijuana is legalized in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I have called for this step for years, and will continue to support and vote for legalization at the federal level.”

Rep. Ed Permutter (D-CO) tweeted, “States’ rights and the will of the majority of voters in this country need to be respected as we look to reform federal cannabis laws. I continue to push for passage of the #SAFEBankingAct to align state and federal law and reduce the public safety risk in our communities.”

Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) tweeted, “Those who have power to make laws and rules about marijuana have damaged/destroyed countless lives due to their ignorance and lack of aloha. OC: Drop rule and end Sha’Carri’s suspension. Live aloha.”

The House bill to decriminalize all drugs got four new cosponsors for a total of 16.

The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair the harms of the drug war got 47 new cosponsors for a total of 52.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) allowed a bill to require regulators to consult the public on changes to medical cannabis rules to become law without her signature.

Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the state’s agriculture commissioner, tweeted, “Suspended from the @Olympics for a medicine legal in her state that doesn’t affect her performance and eased the grief of losing her mother? Enough of this. Let Sha’Carri run.”

California lawmakers sent Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) a bill to consolidate marijuana regulatory bodies and make other changes to rules.

Puerto Rico’s Senate approved a bill on workplace protections for medical cannabis patients.

Rhode Island House leaders said they “intend to continue working on legislation concerning cannabis regulation.”

Virginia’s Senate president pro tempore is a co-owner of a CBD store.

The New Jersey Supreme Court issued an order to facilitate the dismissal, vacating and expungement of marijuana cases.

A Florida appeals court ruled that an employer doesn’t have to pay for a worker’s visit to a physician to be evaluated for a medical cannabis recommendation.

A Tennessee representative said the state is “nowhere close” to legalizing marijuana.

Oregon regulators published guidance about the end of coronavirus-related restrictions for marijuana businesses.

Connecticut officials are accepting applications to serve on the new cannabis Social Equity Council.

South Dakota regulators plan to select a vendor to run the state’s medical cannabis system by the end of next month.