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🌿 DNC & RNC release party platforms, DOOBIE Act introduced, and FTC & FDA warn on kid-friendly packaging

Welcome to another edition of The Pre Roll, the cannabis newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the industry happenings you need to know. Here’s what we’re rolling up this week: DNC & RNC release party platforms, DOOBIE Act introduced, FTC & FDA warn on kid-friendly packaging, and more. Let’s get to it.

Author

Alex Lipnik
July 19, 2024

together with

Happy Friday Pre Rollers! Welcome to another edition of The Pre Roll, the cannabis newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the industry happenings you need to know.

Here’s what we’re rolling up this week:

  • DNC & RNC release party platforms

  • DOOBIE Act introduced

  • FTC & FDA warn on kid-friendly packaging

…and more. Let’s get to it.

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🚨ROLL CALL
Policy

Source: USA Today

DNC vs. RNC. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) promoted President Joe Biden’s pardons and rescheduling efforts in a recently released draft of the 2024 Democratic Party Platform.

“No one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana. Sending people to prison for possession has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit. Those criminal records impose needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities, disproportionately affecting Black and brown people. President Biden took historic action to end this failed approach by pardoning people convicted federally for using or possessing marijuana. He has called on governors to use their pardon power to do the same for state-level offenses. And his Administration is taking a major step to reschedule marijuana so it's no longer classified as more dangerous than fentanyl or methamphetamine.”

2024 Democratic Party Platform Draft

The platform also emphasizes that Democrats will “take action to expunge federal marijuana-only convictions.”

Notably, the Republican National Committee (RNC) makes no mention of cannabis in the 2024 Republican Platform for the GOP.

Policy

Source: The Hill

A real DOOBIE. Legislation was filed last week aimed at limiting the consideration of cannabis use when making decisions for federal employment suitability or security clearance. The Dismantling Outdated Obstacles and Barriers to Individual Employment — or DOOBIE — Act was introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

The bill will be discussed next week by the committee.

Policy

Source: FDA

FTC won’t let me be. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), issued a warning to companies selling copycat products containing Delta-8 THC that comes in packaging resembling regular snack foods. The biggest concern is the potential for confusion with kids.

“Companies that market and sell edible THC products that are easily mistaken for snacks and candy are not only acting illegally, but they are also putting the health of young children at risk. Those that prioritize profits in front of children's safety are at serious risk of legal action.”

Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection

Specifically, cease-and-desist letters were sent to the following companies:

  • Hippy Mood (PA)

  • Life Leaf Medical CBD Center (SC)

  • Shamrockshrooms.com (online only)

  • Mary Janes Bakery Co. LLC (FL)

  • Earthly Hemps (FL)

This is the second time in as many years such action has been taken.

🇺🇸STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

Delaware: A bill expected to be signed soon by Governor John Carney will allow current medical cannabis providers to apply to service the recreational market.

Iowa: New regulations have been put in place around the sale and potency of consumable hemp-derived products.

Maine: Public health advocates are pushing for testing requirements in the medical cannabis program, which at the moment has none.

New Hampshire: Governor Chris Sununu signed a bill to add generalized anxiety disorder to the list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis.

Pennsylvania: Lawmakers passed an annual budget that did not include adult-use cannabis legalization.

💻TECH

Flourish unveils integration with Rank Really High

The supply chain and seed-to-sale management software company integrated their retail POS with the website development and digital marketing agency’s newly launched eCommerce platform.

Metrc extends exclusive contract with California

The regulatory technology firm renewed its role as the state’s track-and-trace software provider, worth more than $113 million over four years.

Treez expands into New York

The cannabis retail technology company expanded into the Empire State, marking its thirteenth state in addition to Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada and New Jersey.

💨 QUICK HITTERS
📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

  • Congress Accidentally Legalized Weed Six Years Ago (The Atlantic)

  • European cannabis firms banking on higher IPOs in US upon rescheduling (MJBizDaily)

  • J.D. Vance doesn't like weed legalization, but thinks the issue should be left to voters (POLITICO)

  • How Much Does Your Town Make From Marijuana Tax? (Illinois Policy)

  • Three Years In, Two UWS Legal Cannabis Shops Gain a Tentative Footing (West Side Rag)

🎙️ POTCASTS

  • With DEA rescheduling, Sen. JD Vance worries about marijuana "polluting our public spaces" (Ask a Pol)

📽️ VIDEO OF THE WEEK
🗓 UPCOMING EVENTS

July 31: Green Check is hosting a 90-minute “Lending in Cannabis” webinar at 1pm ET.

🔎JOB BOARD

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📨PUFF, PUFF, PASS REEFERAL PROGRAM

Stay tuned for more cannabis industry news next week!

💚,

The Pre Roll Team

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