GOP lawmakers press Biden for cannabis action (Newsletter: December 17, 2021) – Marijuana Moment
Malta Officially Legalizes Marijuana With President’s Signature, Becoming First In Europe To End Cannabis Prohibition
Activists File Colorado Ballot Initiatives To Legalize Psychedelics And Establish ‘Healing Center’ Program
Congressman Asks Colleagues To Demand DEA Allow Psilocybin Treatment For Terminal Patients
Lawmakers Talk Next Steps For Marijuana Banking And Legalization After Reform Blocked By Senate Leader
Virginia Legislative Joint Commission Recommends Speeding Up Marijuana Sales Launch By A Year
Smoking CBD-Rich Marijuana Has ‘No Significant Impact’ On Driving Ability, Study Finds
Youth Marijuana Use ‘Decreased Significantly’ In 2021 Despite State Reforms, Federally Funded Survey Finds
Allowing Legal Marijuana Dispensaries Boosts Employment Rates In Colorado Counties, Study Finds
Marijuana Helps Treat PTSD Symptoms But Federal Policy Impedes Science, VA Researcher Says
DEA Backs White House Plan To Streamline Research On Marijuana, Psychedelics And Other Schedule I Drugs
Berlin Public Transit Is Selling Edible, Hemp-Infused Tickets To Help Riders To Relax This Holiday
Seth Rogen And Sarah Silverman Partner With Marijuana Businesses To Press Senators For Legalization
Singer Melissa Etheridge And Activist Van Jones Promote Psychedelics Reform As Movement Grows
Sanjay Gupta Explains His Marijuana Reversal And Discusses ‘Very Biased’ U.S. Research With Joe Rogan
Farmers Switch From Raising Chickens For Slaughter To Growing Hemp With Help Of Animal Advocacy Group
Arizona Recreational Marijuana Sales Hit Record Monthly High, State Reports
Visa Warns Against Misuse Of ‘Cashless ATMs’ Used By Cannabis Retailers To Skirt Restrictions
IRS Official Gives Marijuana Businesses Advice On Tax Compliance
GW Pharma Scores Interim Victory In Cannabis Extraction Patent Infringement Fight With Canopy (Op-Ed)
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Partners With Marijuana Industry On Internship Program For Future Cannabis Leaders
Berlin Public Transit Is Selling Edible, Hemp-Infused Tickets To Help Riders To Relax This Holiday
Pro-Legalization Missouri GOP Lawmaker Addresses Marijuana Resistance In His Party
Ohio Senate Approves Bill To Allow Medical Marijuana For Any Patient Who Can ‘Reasonably Be Expected’ To Benefit
Illinois Announces $45 Million In Marijuana-Funded Grants To Support Community Reinvestment
St. Louis Mayor Signs Bill To Decriminalize Marijuana Possession And Cultivation
GOP lawmakers press Biden for cannabis action (Newsletter: December 17, 2021)
State cannabis czar takes over legalization org (Newsletter: December 16, 2021)
Fed scientists slam fed cannabis restrictions (Newsletter: December 15, 2021)
Malta set to legalize cannabis this week, a European first (Newsletter: December 14, 2021)
Visa’s crackdown on popular cannabis payments solution (Newsletter: December 13, 2021)
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VA panel votes to speed up sales; Congressional marijuana memo; CA AG: seal cannabis records; Edible hemp-infused German bus tickets
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Virginia legislature’s Joint Commission on Cannabis Oversight voted to recommend speeding up recreational marijuana sales. If approved by the full House and Senate, existing medical cannabis dispensaries could sell to adults on January 1, 2023.
Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Don Young (R-AK) sent a letter demanding that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris “begin to seriously engage” on marijuana reform and remove it from Schedule I.
Congressional Cannabis Caucus co-chairs Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued a new memo looking back at marijuana momentum in 2021 and ahead to priorities for 2022.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) issued a memo urging county prosecutors to stop delaying the required sealing and dismissal of past marijuana convictions under a law he authored as an assemblymember.
A Missouri Republican representative who is sponsoring a resolution to put marijuana legalization on the 2022 ballot says he’s not optimistic about overcoming resistance to reform from within his own party.
Berlin public transit agency BVG is selling hemp-infused tickets it says bus and subway riders can eat to stay calm during the holiday season. This comes as Germany’s new government has pledged to legalize marijuana nationwide.
/ FEDERAL
A federal judge granted compassionate release to a 90-year-old, seriously ill man serving life in prison for a nonviolent marijuana trafficking offense.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted. “I’m working with @SenBooker and @RonWyden to pass our Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act. Because we must end the federal prohibition and make criminal justice reforms. And that’s exactly what our bill does.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) spoke in a Senate floor speech about his work on legislation to remove barriers to marijuana research, which he argued is necessary before it is legalized or decriminalized.
/ STATES
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) tweeted, “This year my administration legalized cannabis, fulfilling a promise to the people of New Mexico, who overwhelmingly supported the effort. Legalized cannabis will create thousands of NM jobs and bring in millions in revenue.”
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, tweeted about getting 420 donors to her campaign, saying, “And yes, it’s past time to legalize marijuana!! We have to win first!”
The Louisiana House Criminal Justice Impacts of Legalizing Cannabis Subcommittee held its first hearing.
A Tennessee representative tweeted, “Democrats have been working on this for years, a handful of GOP play like they are on board, yet never run the bills. It’s time for this to happen and time to listen to 81% of Tennesseans who want to see cannabis reform!”
A Massachusetts senator tweeted, “Let’s be honest: we need legal, public locations for adults to consume cannabis in communities that want them. I filed S.65 to address nuisance issues & promote public health by giving adults a space to consume cannabis after purchase from a dispensary.”
Texas regulators appealed a ruling overturning their ban on smokable hemp to the state Supreme Court, a move that reinstates the policy for now.
Michigan regulators asked a judge to reconsider a ruling that they say could allow the sale of moldy and contaminated marijuana.
New York regulators approved changes to cannabinoid hemp rules. Separately, the chair of the Cannabis Control Board said she hopes to have draft marijuana rules available for public comment sometime in the first quarter or next year.
Colorado regulators adopted new marijuana and hemp rules.
Arizona regulators received more than 1,500 applications for 26 marijuana social equity dispensary licenses.
Maine regulators submitted a report on the hemp program to lawmakers.
New Jersey regulators posted a FAQ about marijuana business license applications.
Washington State regulators sent an update about transitioning to a new marijuana tracking system.
Oregon regulators will hold a hearing on marijuana and hemp rules on Monday.
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State cannabis czar takes over legalization org (Newsletter: December 16, 2021)
Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy. (Organization citations are for identification only and do not constitute an endorsement or partnership.)
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Fed study: Youth use down as more states legalize; OH medical cannabis expansion; IL marijuana money for drug war repairs; NH 2022 legalization push
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Marijuana Policy Project has a new leader. Toi Hutchinson most recently served as the top cannabis advisor to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D), and before that as a state senator she sponsored the legalization bill he signed into law.
A new federally funded survey found that youth marijuana use declined dramatically in 2021 even as more states enacted and implemented legalization. While COVID social distancing likely contributed to the drop, the new data provides more evidence that prohibitionists’ fears about skyrocketing teen consumption are unfounded.
The Ohio Senate approved a bill to let doctors recommend medical cannabis for any condition they “reasonably” believe could benefit from it, and to otherwise expand the program with more dispensaries and bigger cultivation operations.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (D) announced a new $45 million round of marijuana revenue-funded grants aimed at helping communities that have been harmed by the war on drugs.
New Hampshire lawmakers are looking to nearby Maine and Vermont for marijuana lessons as they plan a 2022 legalization push—but they face resistance from the governor and legislative leaders.
/ FEDERAL
President Joe Biden signed executive orders imposing sanctions on foreign persons involved with the illegal drug trade and establishing a new U.S. Council on Transnational Organized Crime.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said licensed hemp businesses are eligible for its Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program.
The Senate passed a bill designating methamphetamine as an emerging threat and directing the Office of National Drug Control Policy to implement a plan to address its use.
Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) tweeted about St. Louis, Missouri’s mayor signing a marijuana decriminalization bill, saying, “Deep gratitude to you, Madam Mayor, and to the sponsors on the Board of Aldermen for your amazing leadership in delivering this legislation to repeal outdated marijuana laws in St. Louis. This will save lives and livelihoods.”
/ STATES
Pennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro, currently the attorney general, tweeted, “The majority of Pennsylvanians want to see marijuana legalized. Me too — it’s time to get it done.”
Texas Democratic attorney general candidate Lee Merritt tweeted, “We can’t simply legalize cannabis in Texas without taking steps to undo 50 years of damage disproportionately directed at black and brown communities. As we move toward legalization in Texas we must rebuild communities devastated by the so-called ‘war on drugs.’”
Minnesota’s House majority leader tweeted, “Expunging convictions must be a non-negotiable part of any cannabis legalization bill. Without it, legalization is barely even a criminal justice reform.”
The Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Judiciary Committee held a hearing on marijuana expungement bills.
A Florida representative tweeted about a bill she recently filed “to decriminalize the personal possession and use (not sale/production) of marijuana and other drugs to prioritize ‘treatment and safety in an effort to preserve lives rather than discard them through criminalization and incarceration.’”
An Oklahoma Supreme Court official held an initial hearing in a case in which one legalization activist is challenging other activists’ proposed marijuana ballot measures.
New Mexico regulators issued the state’s first recreational marijuana business licenses.
Colorado regulators issued an updated health and safety advisory about potentially unsafe marijuana products produced by Innovative Fusion LLC.
New Jersey regulators began accepting applications for recreational marijuana cultivation, manufacturing and testing business licenses.
New York marijuana regulators partnered with other state agencies on a new campaign urging people not to drive under the influence.
The Alaska Department of Law is pursuing felony charges against a marijuana cultivation business for failure to pay taxes.
Oregon regulators released a podcast about 2021 marijuana developments.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,300 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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
Oakland, California’s mayor said in a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) that she would like a California Highway Patrol task force to direct more attention to recent robberies of marijuana dispensaries and other businesses.
Some Green Bay, Wisconsin Common Council members are pushing to lower marijuana penalties.
The San Diego, California City Council is considering a proposal to increase the number of marijuana dispensaries and loosen zoning restrictions.
The Bernalillo County, New Mexico Commission approved a marijuana ordinance that bans outdoor consumption areas.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government is open to working with provinces that want to decriminalize drugs.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Science and Technology shared more details about its hemp plan.
The UK Food Standards Agency said it will soon publish details on which CBD products will be allowed to remain on the market.
A South Korean judge spared two U.S. service members convicted of bringing cannabis products into the country from serving time in prison.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “among nurses and physicians, having an oncology specialty predicted more positive attitudes toward” medical cannabis and that “physicians had a less positive attitude toward MC compared to nurses.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Texas Medical Association published a white paper about medical cannabis.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation is divesting subsidiary business C³ Cannabinoid Compound Company GmbH.
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. closed on the acquisition of 27 properties leased for use as cannabis facilities in Colorado, Pennsylvania and North Dakota.
Puffco is temporarily shutting down its website to deal with a backlog of orders caused by the U.S. Postal Service’s ban on mailing vaping products.
Village Farms International, Inc. is delisting from the Toronto Stock Exchange and will remain on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
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Malta votes to legalize marijuana; NY psilocybin bill; MT cannabis regs approved; MO Supreme Court hears licensing secrets case
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Malta’s Parliament voted to legalize marijuana. President George Vella is expected to sign the legislation into law by this weekend.
Federal scientists with the Food and Drug Administration, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institutes of Health detailed in a new National Cancer Institute journal article how current restrictive marijuana policies—including Schedule I status and a lack of access to dispensary cannabis—”hinder research in several ways.”
A New York assemblyman filed a new bill to legalize psilocybin therapy, with a focus on ensuring access to the psychedelic treatment for military veterans and first responders.
The Montana legislature’s Economic Affairs Interim Committee voted to move ahead with marijuana regulations as the January 1 sales launch approaches—just days after initially rejecting proposed rules.
The Missouri Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case challenging regulators’ decision to keep medical cannabis licensing information secret.
/ FEDERAL
The Department of Justice and Attorney General Merrick Garland asked a federal court to dismiss them from a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by a black-owned Washington State marijuana business.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is funding a project on hemp as a cover crop.
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) tweeted, “Nevada’s cannabis industry has created new businesses and jobs, bringing millions in new tax revenue for our state. Today, I met with the Chamber of Cannabis and local leaders in the industry to learn more about their work and what I can do to ensure these businesses thrive.”
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) tweeted, “By ending nonviolent cannabis prison sentences, the #StatesReformAct will save taxpayers $571 MILLION in federal prison costs according to new impact analysis by @recidiviz.”
The House bill to require clinical trials on the medical benefits of cannabis for military veterans got one new cosponsor for a total of three.
/ STATES
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed legislation to provide funds to combat illegal marijuana cultivation.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) reiterated his concern that federal law needs to change before the state considers legalizing marijuana. Meanwhile, a representative discussed a bill she is planning to introduce to create a commission that would issue recommendations on how the state could structure a legal cannabis system in the future.
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, reacted to criticism about what she said was a joke about people sending her medical cannabis for her birthday.
New Mexico’s attorney general announced that a local credit union became the first to be certified for cannabis banking protocols by an independent organization.
Georgia’s House speaker removed a member of the Medical Marijuana Commission, a police chief who is under investigation for his department’s K-9 unit expenses.
Alabama’s House speaker said he’s open to considering any new medical cannabis legislation that regulators say they need.
New York’s Assembly majority leader said she’s not surprised by the number of municipalities opting out of allowing recreational marijuana dispensaries and on-site consumption facilities.
Virginia regulators received federal approval for the state’s hemp plan.
Colorado has generated $392.8 million in marijuana tax revenue so far in 2021—a new annual record with one month left to go. They also published updated average market rates for cannabis.
Vermont regulators issued recommendations for marijuana business code compliance and penalties.
Michigan regulators will begin printing patient and caregiver photos on their registration cards.
Wisconsin regulators are urging people to become certified as hemp inspectors to address a shortage.
Washington State regulators sent an update about transitioning to a new marijuana tracking system.
New Jersey regulators will begin accepting recreational marijuana cultivation, distribution and testing business license applications on Wednesday.
The Louisiana House House Criminal Justice Impacts of Legalizing Cannabis Subcommittee will meet on Thursday.
The Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on Friday.
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St. Louis decrim signed into law; SCOTUS asked to settle marijuana insurance dispute; Clemency bill in Congress; Equity recs from former MA regulator
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Malta is set to become the first country in Europe to legalize marijuana this week. Parliament is scheduled to vote on the bill on Tuesday and the president is expected to quickly sign it into law by this weekend.
The mayor of St. Louis, Missouri signed a new ordinance decriminalizing marijuana possession and cultivation of up to six plants under local law.
The U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to resolve a dispute between several state courts on whether employers can be compelled to reimburse workers for the cost of medical cannabis used to treat job-related injuries.
Reps. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Cori Bush (D-MO) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) led a coalition of lawmakers in filing a new bill to streamline the presidential clemency process, a step they say is needed to address mass incarceration that’s been driven by the war on drugs.
Former Massachusetts marijuana regulator Shaleen Title published a new report on how states can do a better job of ensuring social equity in the cannabis industry for communities impacted by the war on drugs.
/ FEDERAL
The National Institute on Drug Abuse and other federal health agencies are hosting a two-day workshop on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics next month.
The chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s hemp program will participate in a Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation webinar on Thursday.
The Government Accountability Office said the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy should better document its process for identifying duplication, overlap and fragmentation in its grants programs.
Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) voiced support for safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) tweeted about Visa cracking down on a popular marijuana business payments solution, saying, “This wouldn’t be a problem if the Senate would pass #SAFEBanking. By preventing state-legal cannabis retailers from accepting credit/debit cards as direct payment, federal prohibition not only endangers public safety but also stifles economic equity.”
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) tweeted about a company announcing it baked the world’s largest cannabis-infused brownie, saying, “Meanwhile we have people in jail and in debt for marijuana charges. Free them all.”
Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) raised concerns about fentanyl being laced into marijuana and other drugs.
/ STATES
Oregon lawmakers sent Gov. Kate Brown a bill to provide funding to combat illegal marijuana cultivation.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) expressed openness to decriminalizing marijuana possession but said he cannot support legalization until federal law changes.
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, currently a congressman, tweeted, “As Governor of Florida I will legalize marijuana. Like and retweet to pass it on.”
Texas cannabis lawyer Susan Hays is running as a Democratic candidate for agriculture commissioner.
Kansas House Democrats tweeted, “Tell your #ksleg-islators that you support: ✅Passing medical cannabis…”
A longtime New York assemblyman who championed marijuana reform is retiring.
A Minnesota senator criticized regulators’ decision to allow medical cannabis edibles.
The Arizona Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures Services Division is investigating complaints about allegedly underweight packages of marijuana products being sold in dispensaries.
An Illinois judge will hear arguments in consolidated cases challenging regulators’ marijuana business licensing decisions on Tuesday.
Montana regulators proposed rules to require assisted living facilities to have marijuana policies.
California regulators are seeking applications to serve on the Cannabis Advisory Committee.
Missouri regulators posted updated data on the number of medical cannabis businesses approved to operate.
West Virginia regulators published a list of issued hemp licenses.
Nevada regulators will hold a board meeting on marijuana business issues and a public workshop on marijuana consumption lounges on Tuesday.
Alaska regulators will discuss an administrative hold on marijuana products from Alaskan Blooms on Wednesday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,300 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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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