MS medical marijuana to gov; MN gov’s budget has legalization funds; SC begins medical cannabis debate; CO psychedelics measures; WI GOP medical bill
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Mississippi lawmakers sent a medical cannabis bill to the desk of Gov. Tate Reeves (R). While the governor had threatened a veto over previous versions, he said his team will carefully review the legislation before he makes a decision and is “very pleased that we got to see so much progress made in improving” it with amendments.
The Delaware House Health and Human Development Committee approved a marijuana legalization bill.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) included funding for the legalization of marijuana in his budget request. The House of Representatives passed a bill to legalize cannabis last year but it has stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate.
The South Carolina Senate finally began a floor debate on a medical cannabis bill that’s been eight years in the making. The discussion is expected to last for several legislative days before a vote is held.
Colorado activists filed revised ballot initiatives to legalize psilocybin—this time without possession limits. Separately, state lawmakers introduced a bill to study the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics.
Wisconsin Republican lawmakers introduced a limited medical cannabis legalization bill. It comes one day after Senate GOP members unanimously blocked a broader Democratic-led marijuana legalization amendment.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said she’s “deeply skeptical that Amazon’s lobbying [on marijuana] is anything more than a self-interested move to monopolize yet another market, potentially blocking Black and Latino entrepreneurs from an emerging industry.”
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) tweeted, “The overwhelming majority of South Carolinians are in favor of cannabis reform in some way, shape or form. It’s time our laws in South Carolina reflect the will of its people. That’s why I support SC Sen. Tom Davis’ Compassionate Care Act.” She also appeared at the South Carolina Statehouse to rally support for the bill.
Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) included an option on illegal marijuana grows in a survey about which issues are important to constituents.
Vermont Democratic congressional candidate Kesha Ram Hinsdale, currently a state senator, tweeted, “Last year, I introduced a bill to repair harm from the so-called War on Drugs by directing revenue from cannabis control to impacted communities. Grateful the Cannabis Advisory Board is advancing that recommendation this session. We must reinvest in true community safety.”
/ STATES
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) avoided a question about whether he supports marijuana legalization but complained about the smell of people smoking it—though he did express support for not incarcerating people for cannabis.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) tweeted, “I’m pleased to see the @NevadaCCB and the Cannabis Advisory Commission highlighting the need for more diversity and inclusion within Nevada’s legal cannabis industry.”
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Cranley, currently Cincinnati’s mayor, tweeted, “It’s not enough for marijuana to be decriminalized in Ohio. Every day it’s illegal is another day we’re leaving tax revenue and jobs on the table that could be going back right into our communities. It’s time to #LegalizeIt.”
Washington, D.C.’s attorney general tweeted, “Safe injection sites are saving lives in New York–since opening on Nov. 30th, they’ve reversed at least 85 overdoses. I support these sites, and will continue standing up for them in court, because we need to do all we can to fight this epidemic.”
Colorado’s treasurer tweeted, “More than $12 billion in marijuana has been sold since legalization in 2014, with the state collecting over $2 billion in taxes.”
Virginia’s Senate president pro tempore tweeted, “Let’s talk about pot. Yes, we legalized it and I even opened the Cannabis Outlet after we did! But the job isn’t done. People are still in jail for something that is legal today. My SB518 would give them all a chance to be re-sentenced and get home with their families.”
The South Dakota House State Affairs Committee approved a bill to limit the types of medical cannabis products that will be allowed.
A Nebraska senator posted, “Just thought I’d drop a quick note that I am not settling for anything that does not create a safe, effective, and accessible medical cannabis system in our state. We are full steam ahead on the ballot initiative.”
California regulators ordered a recall of marijuana flower over mold contamination.
Louisiana regulators amended medical cannabis rules.
Arkansas regulators are circulating proposed medical cannabis rules changes for public comment.
Pennsylvania regulators posted a fee schedule for replacement medical cannabis cards and qualifications for financial hardship in the program.
New York regulators published an updated list of doctors who are certified to recommend medical cannabis and who have consented to having their names shared.
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/ LOCAL
Sanctioned harm reduction centers in New York City say they have averted 114 drug overdoses in their first six weeks of operation.
Denver, Colorado officials are accepting proposals for potential partners to design, implement and administer a small business program to support marijuana social equity applicants.
/ INTERNATIONAL
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson answered a question about medical cannabis access from a lawmaker.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that medical and recreational marijuana laws “do not generate negative outcomes in the labor market, lead to greater criminal activity, or reduce traffic and road safety.”
A study found that medical cannabis use “reduces opioid prescription for patients with chronic back pain and improves pain and disability scores.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The South Dakota Democratic Party tweeted, “In 2020, SD voters proved they wanted recreational use of marijuana. Gov. Noem has thought otherwise. It is high time we pass legislation that speaks the will of the voters. ALL marijuana belongs in South Dakota.”
The American Nurses Association issued a statement reiterating its support for federally rescheduling marijuana.
The Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns is asking lawmakers to include a local 3 percent tax on marijuana sales in legalization legislation.
/ BUSINESS
Amazon’s vice president of public policy said the company has “no plans to sell cannabis and that is not why we’re doing this or being involved in this debate” about legalization.
Jushi Holdings Inc. closed a non-brokered private placement offering worth just over $10 million.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. completed a rebranding of its retail locations in Pennsylvania.
Awakn Life Sciences Corp. filed a patent application for a new chemical series of entactogen-like molecules.
Arizona retailers sold more than $1.2 billion worth of recreational marijuana products in the first year of sales.
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