Trump surgeon general pick on marijuana; Farm Bill passes with hemp provisions; Senate psychedelics hearing; Anti-rescheduling bill advances in Congress

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Hold on, just one second before you read today’s news. Have you thought about giving some financial support to Marijuana Moment? If so, today would be a great day to contribute. We’re planning our reporting for the coming months and it would really help to know what kind of support we can count on.Check us out on Patreon and sign up to give $25/month today:https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment/ TOP THINGS TO KNOWActing Attorney General Todd Blanche said “of course” the Department of Justice is reconsidering whether to continue pursuing prosecutions of marijuana consumers for possessing guns as the Trump administration rolls out new rules to reduce burdens on firearms owners and businesses.President Donald Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, Nicole Saphier, has repeatedly expressed concerns about marijuana—saying at one point that its use is “directly linked” to developing “man boobs”—but has also acknowledged that medical cannabis does have “potential benefits.”

• “There’s a common misconception that marijuana is safer than alcohol and other drugs.”

The House of Representatives passed a Farm Bill containing provisions aimed at reducing regulatory burdens for industrial hemp producers—but without any language to delay or revise the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products scheduled for later this year.The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies approved a spending bill containing a rider to block marijuana rescheduling action by the Department of Justice—defying the Trump administration as it moves ahead with the reform.The House Appropriations Committee approved a spending bill and an attached report that expresses concerns about health risks from cannabis-derived products, while separately encouraging research into the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics.The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a hearing on a psychedelics research and access bill, with the Department of Veterans Affairs testifying that while it backs the “intent” of the legislation, it does not support its provisions.

• Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) said that “this administration has actually been better about working with psychedelics and veterans than the last administration.”

/ FEDERALNational Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow authored a blog post about the role of artificial intelligence in “addressing substance use and public health challenges.”Former Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf authored an op-ed urging Congress not to reverse the scheduled recriminalization of hemp THC products that’s set to take effect in November.Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) published a blog post about marijuana rescheduling.The House bill to federally legalize marijuana got one new cosponsor for a total of 70./ STATESOklahoma’s attorney general tweeted, “Proud to work with our federal partners to keep our communities safe and apprehend criminals seeking to sow lawlessness in Oklahoma neighborhoods. We will continue to hold these individuals accountable to the rule of law.”Hawaii’s top medical cannabis regulator said federal marijuana rescheduling will ease barriers to research.Minnesota regulators are accepting applications for cannabis farmer training and loan grant programs.The Alaska Marijuana Control Board Laboratory Testing Working Group will meet on Wednesday.The New Hampshire Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board will hold a hearing on adding glaucoma and hepatitis C as qualifying conditions on May 20.—
Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of 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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/ SCIENCE & HEALTHA study concluded that “Cannabis sativa stems contains cannabinoids, and is a promising anti-cancer agent.”A study found that CBD “rescues age-associated cognitive decline in mouse model.”/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSISA poll of Harris,Montgomery and Fort Bend County, Texas residents showed majority support for legalizing marijuana./ BUSINESSVireo Growth Inc. is acquiring FLUENT Corp.Verano Holdings Corp. reported quarterly net revenue of $208.2 million and a net loss of $17.8 million.

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