Whiskey company cites marijuana in scaling back biz; OH psychedelics grant; Study: Cannabis tied to reduced alcohol liver disease

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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 KNOWTrump administration Solicitor General D. John Sauer submitted a request for a delayed timeline to file briefs in a marijuana and gun rights case that the Supreme Court is taking up—with the respondent’s lawyers agreeing to the extension.The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health is supporting a program to educate first responders, police and healthcare professionals about how to deal with adverse psychedelic experiences with a $400,000 grant.Whiskey company Heritage Distilling is scaling back its operations, citing “consumer shifts toward reduced alcohol consumption and alternative products, including marijuana.”A new study found that marijuana use is “associated with a reduced risk of [alcohol-associated liver disease], with the greatest risk reduction seen in patients with” so-called “cannabis use disorder.”

• “Cannabis use was linked to lower risks of ALD, liver-related complications and death compared to non-cannabis users.”

NORML activist Chris Goldstein argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that New Jersey gubernatorial candidates in next month’s election “barely seem to be paying attention” to issues of concern for cannabis consumers.West Virginia officials are refusing to allocate $34 million in medical cannabis revenue that is supposed to support drug treatment, research and law enforcement programs over concerns about federal prohibition.

• “The money in the fund will remain unallocated until federal law changes.”

/ FEDERALRep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) inserted remarks into the Congressional Record congratulating an attorney for being named “lawyer of the year” and noting that he “helped create regulations for recreational marijuana.”/ STATESMinnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed another cannabis compact with a tribe.The Kentucky legislature’s Interim Joint Committee on Health Services held a hearing on the rollout of the state’s medical cannabis program.A Wisconsin senator said he’s optimistic a medical cannabis legalization bill will pass the Senate.Rhode Island’s former top marijuana regulator announced she is running for attorney general.Washington, D.C. regulators adopted changes to medical cannabis rules.The New Mexico Medical Cannabis Advisory Board will meet on Monday.
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/ LOCALNew York City mayoral candidates weighed in on safe consumption sites for illegal drugs during a debate./ INTERNATIONALZurich, Switzerland officials are moving to extend a legal cannabis sales pilot project./ SCIENCE & HEALTHA study highlighted the “potential of [unsaponifiable matter from hemp seed] as a natural anti-obesity therapeutic, offering new avenues for the treatment and prevention of obesity and related metabolic disorders.”A study found that “MDMA increases feelings of trust in the social world.”/ BUSINESSEmerald Intel acquired Cannabiz Media.IM Cannabis Corp. signed a non-binding indicative term sheet to acquire a 60 percent equity interest in a quantum computing bio data company.Circle K plans to begin selling hemp-derived THC drinks nationwide in 2026.Village Farms International, Inc. launched a one-way aroma valve built directly into its cannabis flower packaging.
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