The Senate Intelligence Committee has advanced a bill that would allow intelligence agencies to hire employees who have used cannabis in the past.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the committee’s annual authorization bill for intelligence agencies included language that would block officials from denying intelligence-related jobs to applicants solely because they used cannabis in the past. New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich reportedly helped support the amendment.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the measure’s author, said, “It’s a common-sense change to ensure the [intelligence community] can recruit the most capable people possible.”
The Biden administration received criticism soon after the president took office for firing staffers who admitted to having used cannabis in the past. This action was taken despite promises that the administration would be dropping its policy of automatically blocking cannabis users from working in federal jobs.
When asked to comment on the Intelligence Committee’s legislation National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told a reporter that he had nothing on that and moved to the next question without further comment.
New Mexico AG Signs Letter to Halt Copycat Edibles
A group of attorneys general from across the U.S.—including New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas—signed a letter demanding that Congress stop cannabis manufacturers from making edible products that mimic popular food brands.
Cannabis retailers from across the nation have been selling edibles that mimic popular brands like Trix or Cap’n Crunch cereals in their marketing. A number of children have reportedly come into contact with the products and accidentally ingested them, believing them to be THC-free foods. The letter notes that Poison Control Centers received over 2,622 calls related to children accidentally ingesting THC in the first half of 2021.
“Congress should immediately enact legislation authorizing trademark holders of well-known and trusted consumer packaged goods to hold accountable those malicious actors who are using those marks to market illicit copycat THC edibles to children,” wrote the attorneys general.
Sunland Park Eases Cannabis Zoning Rules
Sunland Park’s city cannabis ordinance has been changed to reduce the required space between cannabis businesses and schools and daycare centers as well as allowing drive-thru service at dispensaries.
Las Cruces Sun reports that city councilors unanimously approved an ordinance change that will allow cannabis businesses to operate within 200 feet of schools and daycare centers. State law allows local governments to set limits up to 300 feet from schools.
Sunland Park is poised to become a big player in New Mexico’s cannabis market as it borders Texas near El Paso and serves customers from across the border, where cannabis is still illegal. In May the city reportedly sold $1.3 million worth of adult-use cannabis.