cannabis news
Cannabis News – August 2021
August 13, 2021

There’s always something happening in the world of cannabis. This week we’re taking a look at the latest cannabis news.

NATIONAL NEWS

cannabis news - the US capitol building on a partly cloudy dayOn July 14, 2021, Senators Cory Booker, Ron Wyden, and Chuck Schumer introduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act. It would legalize marijuana at the federal level. The bill would do several things, such as:

  • Expunge federal non-violent marijuana crimes.
  • Invest federal taxes into restorative justice, and public health and safety research.
  • End discrimination in federal public benefits for patients and adult-use consumers.
  • Preserve state’s rights to set state cannabis laws. That includes prohibition.
  • Allow for further research and safety standard setting nationwide.

This isn’t the first bill aimed at federal legalization, but it covers more issues than the others. This is a discussion draft of the bill, too. That means it will go through changes. It’s unclear what the future of this bill may be. It faces an uphill battle with the need to gain 60 votes in the senate, pass the House, and be signed into law by the president before it could go into effect.

MISSOURI NEWS

cannabis news - a pair of people exchange a clipboardAdult-use legalization may be part of the 2022 Missouri midterm election. Activists are pushing to get adult-use and reforms to the medical marijuana program on the ballot. There are a couple proposals moving through the ballot initiative process at this time.

Fair Access Missouri is proposing reforms that would:

  • Regulate cannabis like alcohol
  • Lower barriers to the market to promote entrepreneurship
  • Tax marijuana at 7.5 percent.

New Approach Missouri has not yet put out a petition proposal, but have teased that they intend to push for full legalization on the 2022 ballot.

And activists aren’t alone in these efforts. Some state lawmakers pushed legalization efforts during the 2021 legislative session. Missourians can expect to hear more about all these efforts throughout 2021 and into the 2022 election.

MORE CANNABIS NEWS

cannabis news - scientist fills sample containers using a pipetteA federal agency issued a report from its program to help laboratories that test cannabis improve their test capabilities. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) promotes “U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.” In this role, NIST rolled out CannaQAP to help laboratories improve their testing methods and standards. The program has three planned exercises.

In the first exercise, 116 labs measured the concentration of cannabinoids, including THC and CBD percentages in two hemp oil samples. The report covers the findings of this exercise. The goal of the program is not to pass judgment, but to encourage improvements in testing. Everyone, but above all, consumers and patients benefit from this kind of cooperation and study.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

All the stories we covered today tell part of the story of cannabis in our country and are just the beginning. Make sure to sign up for our newsletter to stay in-the-know on all things Flora Farms, medical marijuana, and more.