Why it matters: This article covers various updates and news related to marijuana and psychedelics, including testimony from lawmakers, a DEA anti-drug campaign targeting teenagers, the death of a medical cannabis bill in North Carolina, and a resolution passed by the Berkeley City Council regarding psychedelics.
What they are saying: Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown and lead GOP marijuana banking bill sponsor Sen. Steve Daines seem to disagree about the next steps for the SAFE Banking Act. Several members of Congress testified before the House Rules Committee about their marijuana and psychedelics amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act, but decisions on floor votes are delayed. Former White House drug official Regina LaBelle praises Portugal’s drug decriminalization law. North Carolina’s House speaker indicates that a medical cannabis bill is unlikely to move forward. The DEA published a blog post suggesting that teens should spend time on social media and playing video games instead of doing drugs. The Berkeley City Council passed a resolution to de-emphasize the enforcement of laws criminalizing psychedelics for personal use.
The big picture: The updates in this article highlight the ongoing discussions and developments surrounding marijuana and psychedelics at the federal, state, and local levels. It showcases the differing opinions among lawmakers, the impact of drug policy on various states, and the changing attitudes towards drug decriminalization and legalization.
What to watch: The next steps for the SAFE Banking Act and whether any amendments related to marijuana or psychedelics will be included in the National Defense Authorization Act. The progress of medical cannabis legislation in North Carolina. Further actions or campaigns by the DEA targeting drug use among teenagers. Any developments in other cities or states regarding the decriminalization or legalization of psychedelics.
My take: It is interesting to see the contrasting views and debates surrounding marijuana and psychedelics at different levels of government. The
