GOP Official In NY Wants Permission To Ban Public Weed Use & More Cannabis Updates

A bipartisan trio of lawmakers — Republicans Dan Crenshaw and Mariannette Miller-Meeks with Democrat Ro Khanna — applauded the FDA’s decision to issue its first guidance on psychedelics research.
"I’m glad the FDA is taking this first step of issuing guidance for psychedelic clinical trials — and listening to my bipartisan legislation with Reps. Miller-Meeks and Khanna," Crenshaw said in a press release. "It’s critical we get this right for the researchers doing this important scientific work. We need this guidance to expand clinical trial access so that we can push towards life-saving psychedelic therapies for our veterans, service members, and people living with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse disorder."
The FDA’s move comes on the heels of Crenshaw filing a measure that sought the issuance of such a document.
“Many Veterans find guided use of psychedelics with assisted therapy as a way to successfully treat the excruciating, post-traumatic pain they face, with better outcomes and less medication side effects in pilot studies,” Miller-Meeks added. “As a physician, I know the importance of medical research, and I am encouraged by the FDA’s support and guidance regarding psychedelic clinical trials. This important step gives our Veterans another option and hope when they feel they’ve run out of methods to cope.”

Around 90% of cannabis convictions have been sealed, re-sentenced, or dismissed in California, according to a new report from the office of state Attorney General Rob Bonta (D).
The Golden State legalized marijuana in 2016 via a Cotter-approved initiative.
Some two years later the governor signed a bill, the Cannabis Convictions: Resentencing Act, requiring the Department of Justice to identify past convictions that are potentially eligible for dismissal of sentence, sealing, or redesignation pursuant to the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA).
As of April 6, California has processed relief for 206,052 (out of roughly 227,650 marijuana cases) which compares to 196,205 reported processed in the March report. So far this year, the state sealed 8,847 convictions and some 52,043 are waiting to be finalized.
Progress on sealing varies from county to county, writes California NORML. Under state law, all counties must comply fully by July 1.
The next AG report on compliance is due in September.

Cannabis dispensaries in the Town of Normal, McLean County, Illinois might soon have to abide by new rules as the town council will be asked to schedule a public hearing on a new proposal.
The motion aims to increase the minimum distance between adult-use cannabis shops and schools, daycares and churches to 200 feet, from the current 100 feet.
Furthermore, marijuana facilities would be required to keep a distance of 1,500 feet from other marijuana operations.
The final action by the council could happen in August.
Currently, there’s only one active dispensary in Normal — Jushi’s JUSHF Beyond Hello on Northtwon Road.

Republican assemblyman Michael Novakhov is reportedly trying to provide local governments with the right to ban marijuana use in public places.
In May, Novakhov presented legislation that would apply similar rules to cannabis usage as those of tobacco. Currently, the bill has no co-sponsors and no companion bill in the state Senate.
“New York state has long-established prohibitions against smoking tobacco in public places, given both the nuisance created by the smoke and the potential health hazards of second-hand smoke,” Novakhov wrote in his legislative justification. “In addition, smoking is restricted to adults, as it is generally accepted that while tobacco smoking may be legal it is also in the eyes of many an undesirable habit for young people to adopt. The precise same logic should dictate that cannabis smoking be treated in the same fashion.”
Photo: Courtesy of Elsa Olofsson on Unsplash

The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference is coming to Florida