Following important cannabis news articles every day can be a real burn-out, we know. That’s why the Emerald rolls up a chronicle of the headiest news hits, and passes them to you at the end of each week. We Bring You: The Dime.
Thailand Removes Cannabis From Drug List
This week, Thai officials with the country’s narcotics board announced that they would remove cannabis from Thailand’s drug list. Additionally, residents may grow cannabis for medical purposes at home, reports Reuters. This comes a few years after Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to legalize medical cannabis, the publication adds. However, laws surrounding recreational cannabis remain uncertain, according to TIME.
Colorado Legislators Introduce Bill to Study Psychedelics’ Effect on Mental Health
On January 21st, Rep. Alex Valdez and Rep. Edie Hooton, and Senator Joann Ginal — all democrats — introduced HB 1116 to the state’s House of Representative. The bill aims to create “the plant-based medicine policy review panel […] to study the use of plant-based medicines to support mental health,” according to HB 1116. Such naturally-occurring, plant-based medicines include” psilocybin, psilocyn, dimethyltryptamine, and ibogaine. The panel would have 17 members, which the governor and other leaders would appoint, according to Westworld. “Physicians, veterans, natural healers, plant-based medicine advocates, Indigenous communities, criminal defense lawyers and law enforcement, among other categories” will be on the panel. The legislation comes as activists filed a ballot initiative to legalize psilocybin for therapeutic purposes in Colorado, Marijuana Moment reports.
Amazon Announced Support for Republican-led Decriminalization Bill
On Tuesday, January 25th, Amazon announced via Twitter its support for the States Reform Act — a republican-led decriminalization bill. “Like so many in this country, we believe it’s time to reform the nation’s cannabis policy and Amazon is committed to helping lead the effort,” the tweet read. Republican Rep. Nancy Mace first introduced the legislation last November. The act “aims to reschedule [and tax] the plant, and leave regulations up to individual states,” Emerald reported. Amazon has previously supported pro-cannabis policy, Marijuana Moment notes. For example, last year, Amazon announced it would no longer drug test employees for cannabis. Additionally, they announced support for the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act. They also support the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), Marijuana Moment adds.
New York Allows Doctors to Recommend Cannabis for any Condition
On January 24th, New York officials announced a new patient certification and registration system for medical cannabis, according to WRGB Albany. The Office of Cannabis Management’s (OCM) new program now will allow “[…] a practitioner [to prescribe cannabis] for any condition that the practitioner believes can be treated with medical cannabis,” WRGB adds. In an OCM press release, the office’s executive director, Chris Alexander, said that “launching the new […] system and expanding eligibility for the Medical Cannabis Program are significant steps forward for our program.” The office also announced it would permanently waive registration fees, and streamline approvals for facilities in addition to “allowing the sale of whole flower cannabis products, and increasing the the amount of medical marijuana supply from 30 days to 60 days,” ABC News 10 explains.
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