PA marijuana banking advances; IL expungements bill to gov; OH senator: legalization up to voters; Poll: NC voters back medical cannabis; CO sales lag
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Committee approved a marijuana banking bill—clearing its way to floor action, which is expected in the coming days.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) reiterated that he wants lawmakers to pass a medical cannabis legalization bill in the final days of the legislative session this week, but that he’s exploring potential executive actions if they fail to get it done.
Illinois lawmakers sent Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) a bill to make it so people can’t be denied expungements or record sealing based on a positive marijuana test. But separate House-passed workplace protections legislation for cannabis consumers stalled in the Senate before the legislature adjourned.
An Ohio Republican senator who is sponsoring a marijuana legalization bill said it’s going to be up to voters to enact the reform at the ballot box, because legislative leaders in his party won’t even give the issue a hearing.
A poll found that 68 percent of North Carolina voters support legalizing medical cannabis, with a plurality of 48 percent also backing broader recreational marijuana legalization.
The Colorado Department of Revenue reported that marijuana sales totals for February were down for the third month in a row—and are 13 percent less than cannabis sales from a year ago.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration is being sued for allegedly delaying action on applications for bulk manufacturing and importing of specific strains of marijuana.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) said he’s “open to figuring out” how the Food and Drug Administration can approve medical cannabis products but thinks it’s “crazy” for lawmakers to support marijuana legalization.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) said he’s never used cannabis and that it “can be” harmful.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) said he does not use cannabis.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) tweeted, “The House passed the MORE Act to decriminalize cannabis and expunge records for many cannabis-related offenses. Now the Senate must pass this bill and send it to President Biden’s desk.”
Former Rep. Kwanza Hall (D-GA) authored an op-ed about the need to decriminalize cannabis.
Ohio Democratic congressional candidate Nina Turner tweeted, “Not only should cannabis be legal, communities torn apart by its criminalization need to be given equitable economic opportunities in the industry—especially the Black community.”
/ STATES
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) proposed amendments to a cannabis bill so that it would create new misdemeanor penalties for possessing more than two ounces of marijuana, ban delta-8 THC products and set an age limit of 21 for buying CBD products.
The Pennsylvania Senate Aging & Youth Committee held a hearing on the “potential impact on children and youth of legalizing adult-use marijuana.”
Puerto Rican regulators temporarily suspended the issuing of medical cannabis business licenses.
Illinois regulators are urging a federal judge not to issue an injunction against their marijuana business licensing awarding process.
Colorado regulators published updated demographic data about marijuana business licensees.
Oklahoma regulators released updated medical cannabis licensing and revenue data.
The Washington State Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force’s Community Reinvestment/Workforce Training Workgroup will meet on Thursday.
Iowa regulators will discuss the medical cannabidiol program at a rescheduled May 13 meeting.
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/ LOCAL
Portland, Oregon officials held a press event about cannabis policy.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob met with lawmakers’ Medical Cannabis Caucus.
An Edmonton, Alberta, Canada City Council committee approved a measure to begin exploring drug decriminalization.
The mayor of Amsterdam, Netherlands is pursuing a ban on coffeeshops selling marijuana to tourists.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that people with Parkinson’s disease “reported using more CBD products, via oral administration, with mild subjective benefits primarily for sleep, pain, and mood” and that “higher THC products may be higher risk/higher reward for PD-related symptoms.”
A study concluded that LSD “promotes social behavior.“
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Virginia Democratic Party tweeted, “Governor Youngkin is trying to roll back Virginia’s legalization of cannabis by reinstating criminal penalties.”
Cannabis Claims is a new website that tracks health claims made by cannabis companies.
/ BUSINESS
Fyllo acquired Semasio.
Numinus Wellness Inc. is acquiring Novamind Inc.
Organigram Holdings Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$31.8 million and a net loss of C$4 million.
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. signed a distribution agreement to bring CBD and hemp products to the Caribbean market.
Tilray Brands Inc. is acquiring $193 million of debt from HEXO Corp.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is hiring an editor for a new cannabis-focused digital magazine—but they “must pass a post-offer drug screen.”
The Botanist workers in Atlantic City and Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey agreed to join the United Food and Commercial Workers union.
Michigan retailers sold $153.2 million worth of legal marijuana products in March.
/ CULTURE
George Harrison’s estate is collaborating on a line of pre-rolled CBD and CBG joints.
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