MN Dem leaders talk legal marijuana plan for 2022; PA medical cannabis homegrow bill; Study: Legalization states see increased banking activity
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A Nebraska Republican senator filed a limited medical marijuana bill that’s backed by legalization opponents, but activists say it has poison pill provisions meant to undermine more far-reaching ballot measures to provide patients with access.
Minnesota Democratic legislative leaders discussed marijuana legalization plans for 2022—including reworking a bill that cleared the House last year and the uphill climb to advance it in the GOP-controlled Senate.
A bipartisan group of Pennsylvania senators filed a new bill to allow medical cannabis patients to grow their own medicine.
A study found that despite concerns about financial services access by the marijuana industry, banking activity actually increases in states that enact legalization.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit is being asked by the Hemp Industries Association to reconsider the Drug Enforcement Administration’s authority to act against processors that handle hemp in excess of the legal THC limit.
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is under a “fantasy” that he has enough votes for a comprehensive marijuana legalization bill.
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) tweeted, “Opportunities to enact effective #cannabis reform keep getting derailed. That’s why I introduced the #HOPEAct with @RepAOC. Conservative in approach but progressive in scope, our bipartisan bill can reestablish a path forward. Leadership needs to put it up for a vote.”
Louisiana Democratic Senate candidate Gary Chambers spoke out how his campaign ad showing him smoking marijuana is part of an effort to “cut through the noise” and get his message out. He also tweeted, “Recreational cannabis use is legal in 19 states. Our campaign took one of the boldest stances on cannabis. Proud to do so. So who wants to host a fundraiser in a legal state? Let’s roll up & kick these facts about change. Email the team at [email protected]”
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair drug war harms got two new cosponsors for a total of 105.
/ STATES
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) authorized lawmakers to include changes to the state’s marijuana legalization law to the legislative agenda.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said it’s more important to get marijuana legalization implemented right than to roll it out quickly. (About 20 minutes into the video.)
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) tweeted, “OTD 3 years ago, @FettermanLt launched a statewide listening tour on recreational marijuana. Here’s what you told him you wanted to see: ✅ Legalization 🚜 Cannabis grown on PA farms ⚖️ Decriminalization of nonviolent marijuana offenses. Legislators: Let’s make this a reality.”
Alabama Republican gubernatorial candidate Dave Thomas, currently mayor of Springville, spoke about his support for legalizing marijuana.
The South Carolina Senate put a medical cannabis bill on special order status for this week, but a spokesperson for the House speaker disputed the sponsor’s claim that he has pledged to allow it to move through his chamber’s committee process.
The South Dakota House State Affairs Committee voted to ban medical cannabis home cultivation. Meanwhile, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee advanced several other medical marijuana bills.
The Vermont House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a drug decriminalization bill.
A Virginia House Courts of Justice subcommittee tabled a bill to defelonize drug possession.
Idaho lawmakers filed legislation to allow access to the cannabis-derived medical spray nabiximols.
A Delaware representative spoke about changes he made to his marijuana legalization bill to build support.
The New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that people cannot be fired for off-the-job medical cannabis use.
Massachusetts marijuana regulators voted to approve a statement on pending impaired driving legislation that doesn’t endorse or oppose it, reflecting a divide on the issue among members. Separately, the state’s top cannabis regulator expressed concerns about “predatory financing deals” in the industry.
Florida regulators sent a bulletin about new medical cannabis purchase limits.
Oregon regulators sent a bulletin about new potency limits for marijuana edibles.
New York regulators plan to hold a series of community outreach events this month and next month.
Colorado Department of Revenue tweeted, “As part of Colorado’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, Social Equity Licenses are one of the many ways our Marijuana Enforcement Division is supporting diversity initiatives in the cannabis industry.”
Utah regulators sent an update on the medical cannabis program.
Arizona regulators posted a list of certified medical cannabis testing labs.
Nevada regulators will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to marijuana business rules on Tuesday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.
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/ LOCAL
The Marathon County, Wisconsin Criminal Justice Collaborating Council discussed a proposal to lower the fine for marijuana possession.
A DeKalb County, Georgia commissioner spoke about his proposal to scale back drug testing for marijuana for county employees.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado is preparing a counterproposal to a medical cannabis and hemp bill that lawmakers sent him.
Colombia’s Constitutional Court blocked President Iván Duque’s plan to resume aerial fumigations of drug crops.
Former Mexican President Vicente Fox spoke about plans for Paradise, a cannabis company he owns part of, to reach a total of 200 stores across 32 U.S. states by the end of this year.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Science & Technology tweeted about a Canadian company making a plane out of hemp.
The Alberta, Canada Association of Chiefs of Police said the province is “not ready” to decriminalize drugs.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of mice found that CBD “inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication” and highlights the substance as “potential preventative agent for early-stage SARS-CoV-2 infection.”
A study concluded that “despite state-based advertising restrictions, recreational cannabis business pages use messages with youth appeal” and that “required safety message adherence is not typical on social media business pages.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Indiana Democratic Party tweeted, “@INDems have called on the state to legalize cannabis because it’s a win-win for Indiana and Hoosiers. More than 80% of voters want some form of legal marijuana, and Democrats will hit the road to discuss this common-sense issue very soon.”
The Mississippi Municipal League opposes recent changes to a medical cannabis bill.
/ BUSINESS
Dama Financial is acquiring GrowFlow Corp.
Numinus Wellness Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $0.8 million and loss of $5.4 million.
MedMen asked a California judge to order the company’s former chief financial officer to repay more than $612,000 in legal fees.
Columbia Care Inc. received consent from noteholders to increase borrowing capacity to support growth initiatives.
Metro Bank is reportedly closing accounts for CBD businesses.
Snapchat is using automated systems to identify drug-related content.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
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