Newsletter
MN legal cannabis bill clears 6th committee (Newsletter: April 15, 2021)
Boehner open to using marijuana; WA gov commutes drug sentences; AL medical cannabis amendments; Fmr. TX gov pushes psychedelics bill
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D) is issuing commutations for people now unlawfully incarcerated on drug possession charges after the state Supreme Court struck down criminalization. Meanwhile, a decriminalization bill is advancing in the legislature as the session’s end nears.
The Minnesota House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee approved a marijuana legalization bill—the sixth such panel to do so. The majority leader says a floor vote is coming in May.
The California Senate Health Committee approved a bill to legalize possession of psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin and MDMA—the second committee to advance the legislation.
The Alabama House Health Committee adopted amendments to a Senate-passed medical cannabis bill. The panel is expected to approve the legislation, sending it to the House floor, on Thursday.
The Mississippi Supreme Court held oral arguments in a case challenging the state’s voter-approved medical cannabis law.
Former House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) said in his new book and in a TV interview that while he hasn’t consumed marijuana since joining the industry, he’s not ruling out doing so.
- “If somebody wants to smoke a joint or eat a gummy, that’s really none of my business.”
Former Texas governor, U.S. energy secretary and Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry is urging lawmakers in his home state to pass a bill to require a study of how psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA can treat mental health conditions.
/ FEDERAL
Customs and Border Protection issued a reminder that bringing marijuana into the U.S. is illegal.
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on substance use issues.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “The War on Drugs has been a war on people—particularly people of color. I stood with organizers and advocates to ensure NY legalized Marijuana in a way that would help undo the damage of the War on Drugs. I’ll keep working to end the federal prohibition.”
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and four other senators sent a letter to President Joe Biden opposing the temporary extension of a Trump-era policy expanding mandatory minimum sentencing for a range of fentanyl-related substances.
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) spoke about his marijuana banking bill at a community bankers conference.
The Senate bill to increase marijuana businesses’ access to insurance coverage got one new cosponsor for a total of three.
/ STATES
A top aide for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said people who want to use marijuana legally before dispensaries open should buy it at stores in other states.
Florida’s agriculture commissioner showed her own medical cannabis card in a video she posted to criticize Republican efforts to enact restrictions on patients.
The South Dakota Supreme Court posted information about viewing April 28 oral arguments in a case challenging the voter-approved marijuana legalization measure.
The Illinois House of Representatives approved a bill to regulate CBD products.
The Hawaii Senate passed a bill to let medical cannabis companies open additional production and dispensary locations.
The Oregon Senate Committee on Judiciary and Ballot Measure 110 Implementation advanced a bill to make changes to the state’s voter-approved drug decriminalization law.
A Pennsylvania representative hosted a forum on how the black community can benefit from marijuana legalization.
Colorado regulators are accepting public feedback on hemp rules.
Michigan regulators sent a bulletin about the transfer of marijuana products between equivalent licensed businesses.
Rhode Island regulators did not receive any bids to run an upcoming lottery to award new medical cannabis business licenses.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 900 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 St. Louis County, Missouri Council approved a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
The Maplewood, Missouri City Council passed a marijuana decriminalization ordinance.
The Little Rock, Arkansas Board of Directors is considering a proposal to make misdemeanor marijuana offenses the lowest law enforcement priority.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador spoke about business interests that are lobbying to shape marijuana legalization legislation.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that hemp peptides “are of potential therapeutic interest for liver cancer treatment.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The New England Cannabis Convention reportedly banned remaining members of the Commonwealth Dispensary Association from attending its events over the group’s decision to sue Massachusetts regulators over an equity-focused marijuana delivery policy.
/ BUSINESS
Cresco Labs closed its acquisition of Bluma Wellness Inc.
Connected Cannabis Co. raised $30 million in debt and equity financing.
Jushi Holdings Inc. is acquiring a Virginia medical cannabis cultivation facility from Dalitso LLC.
Zenefits published a guide to state laws on marijuana-related workplace issues.
Arkansas medical cannabis dispensaries are selling an average of nearly $900,000 worth of product every day.
/ CULTURE
Rapper Ralo plans to plead guilty in a pending marijuana trafficking case.
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