OH legalization delayed; NY marijuana community gardens; Poll: Voters back cannabis reform; NJ oversight hearing; Banking op-ed
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Ohio activists and state officials have agreed that a marijuana legalization initiative will not be on the state’s ballot this year—but they’ve reached a lawsuit settlement that puts the campaign on a path to potentially qualify for 2023.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) issued an updated budget proposal that would eliminate the state’s marijuana cultivation tax in an attempt to help legal, licensed businesses better compete with the illicit market.
A new poll found that 70 percent of American adults want to either legalize marijuana nationwide or at least end federal prohibition so that states can enact reform. Across every demographic, only a minority wants to maintain criminalization across the board.
A New York senator filed a new bill to legalize what would essentially be marijuana community gardens for people who are unable to grow personal-use cannabis in their own homes.
The New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee held an oversight hearing on regulators’ efforts to implement marijuana legalization.
Frederika McClary Easley of The People’s Ecosystem argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that blocking cannabis banking “is to be against social equity and thousands of state-legal businesses…that desperately need help.”
/ FEDERAL
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki reacted to another report about funding for safe “crack pipes” in harm reduction kits, calling it a “conspiracy theory.”
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) delivered a Senate floor speech recognizing the 10th anniversary of U.S. drug officials massacring people during a counternarcotics operation in Honduras.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) spoke about the prospects for enacting cannabis banking legislation.
Louisiana Democratic Senate candidate Gary Chambers tweeted, “The cannabis conversation is about justice and jobs. It’s simple really. 1. No one should be in jail for a plant. 2. We can create good paying jobs through this industry.”
North Carolina Republican Senate candidate Pat McCrory, a former governor, said he opposes legalizing marijuana.
The House bill to legalize medical cannabis for military veterans got one new cosponsor for a total of 18.
/ STATES
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) and other officials issued a warning about fentanyl allegedly being mixed with marijuana and other drugs.
Oregon Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tobias Reed, currently the state treasurer, tweeted, “I’ve been a vocal advocate for the SAFE Banking Act for a long time and have led the fight with my fellow state treasurers. This is something that hinders too many small cannabis businesses here in Oregon and I promise to keep up the fight!”
Hawaii lawmakers sent Gov. David Ige (D) a bill to allow inter-island transport of medical cannabis and extend the sunset on caregiver cultivation for an unlimited number of patients through 2024.
Missouri lawmakers sent Gov. Mike Parson (R) a kratom regulation bill.
The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee and House Finance Committee are both expected to vote on revised marijuana legalization bills on Wednesday.
A New York assemblymember tweeted, “When it comes to treating serious mental health ailments such as PTSD, depression, and various substance abuse disorders, all options should be on the table. We must pass medical #psilocybin now.” Separately, another assemblymember authored an op-ed saying that lawmakers should pass legislation on cannabis-impaired driving.
A Michigan representative spoke about her bill to ban marijuana billboards.
Vermont regulators will review recommendations to issue the first full marijuana business license on Monday.
California regulators reportedly issued the first cannabis consumption permit for a street fair.
Washington State regulators contracted with a security management firm to provide marijuana businesses with voluntary, free of charge, on-site security assessments.
Several Illinois marijuana regulators are leaving their jobs.
Oklahoma’s top medical cannabis regulator gave an update on the state’s tracking system.
South Dakota medical cannabis patient registrations are increasing.
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/ LOCAL
Fayette County, Kentucky shared their views on marijuana enforcement.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Bermuda’s governor said she will reserve assent on a marijuana legalization bill due to international drug treaties.
UK Labour shadow cabinet members are criticizing marijuana reform moves by London’s mayor.
Mexico’s Senate president reacted to a Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of criminalizing marijuana possession, saying that lawmakers are continuing to work on legalization legislation. The Senate majority leader also addressed the ruling.
The Trinidad and Tobago Court of Appeal is being asked to clarify a possible loophole in a law on expunging marijuana convictions.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “active marijuana users hospitalized with COVID-19 had better clinical outcomes compared with non-users, including decreased need for ICU admission or mechanical ventilation.”
A review concluded that “CBD might offer promising therapeutic potential for the treatment of [substance use disorders], especially for nicotine, cannabis, and opioid use disorders, based on available human studies” but that “the available research evidence is, however, sparse and more research on humans is needed.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Alabama Democratic Party tweeted, “Cannabis’s effect on reducing opioid abuse is well documented. Legalizing it could save thousands of lives.”
The Canadian Drug Policy Coalition issued a statement criticizing the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies for how it handled an allegation of sexual and physical abuse during a clinical trial for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.
/ BUSINESS
Aurora Cannabis Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$50.4 million and an adjusted EBITDA loss of C$12.3 million.
iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $42.8 million and a net loss of $10.1 million.
Glass House Brands Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $14 million and a net loss of $19.8 million.
Leafly Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $11.4 million and a net loss of $19.4 million.
WM Technology, Inc. launched an integrated digital payment process for cannabis businesses in Ontario, Canada.
/ CULTURE
The pretrial detention of American basketball player Brittney Griner has been extended for one month as she faces charges in Russia over allegedly possessing cannabis vape cartridges at an airport.
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