{"id":467,"date":"2021-12-21T16:44:58","date_gmt":"2021-12-21T16:44:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/princetonillinois.com\/?p=467"},"modified":"2021-12-21T16:44:58","modified_gmt":"2021-12-21T16:44:58","slug":"fed-scientists-slam-fed-cannabis-restrictions-newsletter-december-15-2021-marijuana-moment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/princetonillinois.com\/?p=467","title":{"rendered":"Fed scientists slam fed cannabis restrictions (Newsletter: December 15, 2021) &#8211; Marijuana Moment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>GOP Lawmakers File Bills To Streamline Research Into Marijuana, Psychedelics And Other Schedule I Drugs<br \/>St. Louis Lawmaker Worries DEA Might Intervene If Local Psychedelics Reform Is Enacted<br \/>Ohio Marijuana Activists Submit Signatures To Force Legislature To Consider Legalization<br \/>Senator Calls For Federal Marijuana Standard To Measure Impaired Driving<br \/>AOC Calls On Biden To Use Executive Authority On Marijuana Policy As President&#8217;s Agenda Stalls In Congress<br \/>Smoking CBD-Rich Marijuana Has &#8216;No Significant Impact&#8217; On Driving Ability, Study Finds<br \/>Youth Marijuana Use &#8216;Decreased Significantly&#8217; In 2021 Despite State Reforms, Federally Funded Survey Finds<br \/>Allowing Legal Marijuana Dispensaries Boosts Employment Rates In Colorado Counties, Study Finds<br \/>Marijuana Helps Treat PTSD Symptoms But Federal Policy Impedes Science, VA Researcher Says<br \/>DEA Backs White House Plan To Streamline Research On Marijuana, Psychedelics And Other Schedule I Drugs<br \/>Berlin Public Transit Is Selling Edible, Hemp-Infused Tickets To Help Riders To Relax This Holiday<br \/>Seth Rogen And Sarah Silverman Partner With Marijuana Businesses To Press Senators For Legalization<br \/>Singer Melissa Etheridge And Activist Van Jones Promote Psychedelics Reform As Movement Grows<br \/>Sanjay Gupta Explains His Marijuana Reversal And Discusses &#8216;Very Biased&#8217; U.S. Research With Joe Rogan<br \/>Farmers Switch From Raising Chickens For Slaughter To Growing Hemp With Help Of Animal Advocacy Group<br \/>Arizona Recreational Marijuana Sales Hit Record Monthly High, State Reports<br \/>Visa Warns Against Misuse Of &#8216;Cashless ATMs&#8217; Used By Cannabis Retailers To Skirt Restrictions<br \/>IRS Official Gives Marijuana Businesses Advice On Tax Compliance<br \/>GW Pharma Scores Interim Victory In Cannabis Extraction Patent Infringement Fight With Canopy (Op-Ed)<br \/>Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Partners With Marijuana Industry On Internship Program For Future Cannabis Leaders<br \/>GOP Lawmakers File Bills To Streamline Research Into Marijuana, Psychedelics And Other Schedule I Drugs<br \/>Senator Calls For Federal Marijuana Standard To Measure Impaired Driving<br \/>Berlin Public Transit Is Selling Edible, Hemp-Infused Tickets To Help Riders To Relax This Holiday<br \/>Pro-Legalization Missouri GOP Lawmaker Addresses Marijuana Resistance In His Party<br \/>Ohio Senate Approves Bill To Allow Medical Marijuana For Any Patient Who Can \u2018Reasonably Be Expected\u2019 To Benefit<br \/>OH cannabis signatures filed to force legislative debate (Newsletter: December 21, 2021)<br \/>Next steps for cannabis banking (Newsletter: December 20, 2021)<br \/>GOP lawmakers press Biden for cannabis action (Newsletter: December 17, 2021)<br \/>State cannabis czar takes over legalization org (Newsletter: December 16, 2021)<br \/>Fed scientists slam fed cannabis restrictions (Newsletter: December 15, 2021)<br \/>Published<br \/>on<br \/>By<br \/><em>Malta votes to legalize marijuana; NY psilocybin bill; MT cannabis regs approved; MO Supreme Court hears licensing secrets case<\/em><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/newsletter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Subscribe<\/a>\u00a0to receive Marijuana Moment\u2019s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It\u2019s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.<br \/> <label>Email address: <\/label>  <\/p>\n<p><b>Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible\u2026<\/b><br \/><b>Hold on, just one second before you read today&#8217;s news. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Have you thought about giving some financial support to Marijuana Moment? If so, today would be a great day to contribute. We&#8217;re planning our reporting for the coming year and it would really help to know what kind of support we can count on.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check us out on Patreon and sign up to give $25\/month today:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><\/a><b>\/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/malta-lawmakers-approve-marijuana-legalization-bill-with-presidents-signature-expected-soon\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Malta\u2019s Parliament<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> voted to legalize marijuana. President George Vella is expected to sign the legislation into law by this weekend.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/federal-scientists-say-onerous-u-s-marijuana-regulations-hinder-urgent-research\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Federal scientists with the Food and Drug Administration, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institutes of Health<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> detailed in a new National Cancer Institute journal article how current restrictive marijuana policies\u2014including Schedule I status and a lack of access to dispensary cannabis\u2014&#8221;hinder research in several ways.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/new-york-lawmaker-files-bill-to-legalize-medical-psilocybin-treatments-with-focus-on-first-responders-and-veterans\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New York assemblyman<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> filed a new bill to legalize psilocybin therapy, with a focus on ensuring access to the psychedelic treatment for military veterans and first responders.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/montana-lawmakers-approve-marijuana-rules-ahead-of-january-1-launch-of-legal-sales\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Montana legislature\u2019s Economic Affairs Interim Committee<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> voted to move ahead with marijuana regulations as the January 1 sales launch approaches\u2014just days after initially rejecting proposed rules.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/missouri-supreme-court-hears-case-on-medical-marijuana-licensing-secrets\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Missouri Supreme Court<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> heard oral arguments in a case challenging regulators\u2019 decision to keep medical cannabis licensing information secret.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><b>\/ FEDERAL<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.law360.com\/cannabis\/articles\/1448253\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Department of Justice and Attorney General Merrick Garland<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> asked a federal court to dismiss them from a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by a black-owned Washington State marijuana business.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrcs.usda.gov\/wps\/portal\/nrcs\/detail\/national\/newsroom\/releases\/?cid=NRCSEPRD1855307\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">U.S. Department of Agriculture<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is funding a project on hemp as a cover crop.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SenJackyRosen\/status\/1470876273685798919\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> tweeted, &#8220;Nevada&#8217;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.&#8221;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RepNancyMace\/status\/1470801840233234446\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> tweeted, &#8220;By ending nonviolent cannabis prison sentences, the #StatesReformAct will save taxpayers $571 MILLION in federal prison costs according to new impact analysis by @recidiviz.&#8221;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The House bill to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/2916\/cosponsors?loclr=cga-bill&amp;pageSort=lastToFirst\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">require clinical trials on the medical benefits of cannabis for military veterans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> got one new cosponsor for a total of three.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><b>\/ STATES<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/OregonGovBrown\/status\/1470921012002770944\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oregon<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed legislation to provide funds to combat illegal marijuana cultivation.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wlfi.com\/content\/news\/Governor-Eric-Holcomb-discusses-why-he-isnt-in-favor-of-Marijuana-legalization-as-well-as-economic-development-in-Greater-Lafayette-575914371.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Indiana<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) reiterated his concern that federal law needs to change before the state considers legalizing marijuana. Meanwhile, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wthr.com\/article\/news\/local\/indiana\/marijuana-pot-weed-advocates-cautiously-optimistic-about-cannabis-infrastructure-bill\/531-a80a2004-c16d-4d86-b80c-7b8439e084c4\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">representative<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 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.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NikkiFried\/status\/1470836968900775938\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Florida<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, reacted to criticism about what she said was a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NikkiFried\/status\/1470550156495962123\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">joke<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> about people sending her medical cannabis for her birthday.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nmag.gov\/uploads\/PressRelease\/48737699ae174b30ac51a7eb286e661f\/New_Mexico_Credit_Union_Receives_the_Nation%E2%80%99s_First_Financial_Institution_Certification_for_Cannabis_and_Hemp_Banking_Protocols.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New Mexico&#8217;s<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> attorney general announced that a local credit union became the first to be certified for cannabis banking protocols by an independent organization.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fox5atlanta.com\/news\/georgia-medical-marijuana-commissioner-removed-following-i-team-report-of-a-gbi-investigation\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Georgia&#8217;s<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> House speaker removed a member of the Medical Marijuana Commission, a police chief who is under investigation for his department&#8217;s K-9 unit expenses.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.waaytv.com\/video\/state-leaders-expect-medical-marijuana-in-alabama-to-come-up-during-legislative-session\/video_4f901880-8a71-5210-99a4-3c655056faf5.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Alabama&#8217;s<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> House speaker said he&#8217;s open to considering any new medical cannabis legislation that regulators say they need.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nystateofpolitics.com\/state-of-politics\/new-york\/politics\/2021\/12\/13\/ny-assembly-majority-leader-on-cannabis-regulations--next-session-priorities\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New York&#8217;s<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Assembly majority leader said she&#8217;s not surprised by the number of municipalities opting out of allowing recreational marijuana dispensaries and on-site consumption facilities.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdacs.virginia.gov\/press-releases-211214-hemp.shtml\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Virginia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators received federal approval for the state&#8217;s hemp plan.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westword.com\/marijuana\/colorado-marijuana-tax-revenue-breaks-annual-record-12984281\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Colorado<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> has generated $392.8 million in marijuana tax revenue so far in 2021\u2014a new annual record with one month left to go. They also published updated average market <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/krdo.com\/news\/2021\/12\/14\/bud-decreases-in-the-retail-marijuana-market-by-948-according-to-colorado-department-of-revenue\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">rates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for cannabis.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/grownin.com\/2021\/12\/14\/vermont-cannabis-authority-issues-enforcement-guidelines-and-penalties\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vermont<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators issued recommendations for marijuana business code compliance and penalties.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fox17online.com\/news\/local-news\/michigan\/mmmp-to-print-pictures-on-registry-cards\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Michigan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators will begin printing patient and caregiver photos on their registration cards.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpr.org\/hemp-industry-shifts-federal-regulation-wisconsin-needs-more-certified-hemp-samplers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wisconsin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators are urging people to become certified as hemp inspectors to address a shortage.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/content.govdelivery.com\/accounts\/WALCB\/bulletins\/300e531\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Washington State<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators sent an update about transitioning to a new marijuana tracking system.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NewJerseyCRC\/status\/1470857375993122816\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New Jersey<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators will begin accepting recreational marijuana cultivation, distribution and testing business license applications on Wednesday.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legis.la.gov\/legis\/Agenda.aspx?m=4866\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Louisiana<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> House House Criminal Justice Impacts of Legalizing Cannabis Subcommittee will meet on Thursday.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/health\/calendar\/2021\/12\/17\/tn-medical-cannabis-commission-meeting.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tennessee<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on Friday.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <strong>&#8212;<br \/> <strong>Marijuana Moment is already <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tracking more than 1,300 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills<\/a> in state legislatures and Congress this year. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Patreon supporters<\/a> pledging at least $25\/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don&#8217;t miss any developments.<\/strong><br \/> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9128 size-medium jetpack-lazy-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt width=\"300\" height=\"300\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9128 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><br \/> <strong>Learn more about our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marijuana bill tracker<\/a> and become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">supporter on Patreon<\/a> to get access.<br \/> &#8212;<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Make sure to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/newsletter\/\">subscribe<\/a> to get Marijuana Moment&#8217;s daily dispatch in your inbox.<\/strong><br \/> <label>Email address: <\/label>  <\/p>\n<p>State cannabis czar takes over legalization org (Newsletter: December 16, 2021)<br \/>Malta set to legalize cannabis this week, a European first (Newsletter: December 14, 2021)<br \/>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.)<br \/>Published<br \/>on<br \/>By<br \/><em>AOC pushes Biden for marijuana action; Senator wants federal cannabis impairment standard; NY bill would add gay people to equity program<\/em><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/newsletter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Subscribe<\/a>\u00a0to receive Marijuana Moment\u2019s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It\u2019s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.<br \/> <label>Email address: <\/label>  <\/p>\n<p><b>Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible\u2026<\/b><br \/><b>Free to read (but not free to produce)!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> We&#8217;re proud of our newsletter and the reporting we publish at Marijuana Moment, and we&#8217;re happy to provide it for free. But it takes a lot of work and resources to make this happen.<\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you value Marijuana Moment, invest in our success on Patreon so we can expand our coverage and more readers can benefit: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><b>\/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/ohio-marijuana-activists-submit-signatures-to-force-legislature-to-consider-legalization\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ohio activists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> filed what they say are more than enough signatures to force the legislature to consider legalizing marijuana early in 2022. If lawmakers don\u2019t act, more petitions will put the initiative directly before voters on the November ballot.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/aoc-calls-on-biden-to-use-executive-authority-on-marijuana-policy-as-presidents-agenda-stalls-in-congress\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> called on President Joe Biden to use his executive authority to advance marijuana reform and other issues while his agenda gets stalled in Congress.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/senator-calls-for-federal-marijuana-standard-to-measure-impaired-driving\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> pressed President Joe Biden\u2019s nominee for director of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a commitment to work on developing a national standard to measure marijuana-impaired driving.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/new-york-senator-files-bill-to-extend-marijuana-equity-benefits-to-gay-lesbian-and-bisexual-people\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New York senator<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> filed a bill to make it so gay, lesbian and bisexual people would qualify as social equity applicants under the state&#8217;s marijuana legalization law.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><b>\/ FEDERAL<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blm.gov\/press-release\/blm-law-enforcement-protects-public-land-resources\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bureau of Land Management<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> announced it eradicated more than one million cannabis plants and 180,300 pounds of processed marijuana from illegal grow sites on federal lands in California this year.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.huffpost.com\/entry\/joe-manchin-build-back-better-child-tax-credit-drugs_n_61bf8f6be4b061afe394006d\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> reportedly told colleagues that part of the reason he won&#8217;t support Build Back Better legislation is that he&#8217;s concerned parents would spend child tax credit payments on drugs instead of on their children.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BLeeForCongress\/status\/1472962763173642242\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> tweeted, &#8220;Ending the war on drugs is an issue of racial equity. It\u2019s time for the federal government to catch up to the rest of the country and start leading on cannabis reform.&#8221;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RepDaveJoyce\/status\/1472951120028966918\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> tweeted, &#8220;With bipartisan bills like my #HOPEAct, we have the chance to #passprogress and take a concrete step towards reform that will impact the lives of millions of Americans.&#8221;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><b>\/ STATES<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wibc.com\/news\/local-indiana\/pressure-already-being-applied-to-legalize-pot-in-indiana-this-session\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Indiana<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Republican representative said it&#8217;s&#8221;mindboggling&#8221; that more members of his party don&#8217;t embrace marijuana reform. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.srca.nm.gov\/nmac\/nmregister\/pdf\/xxxii23.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New Mexico<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators issued rules on marijuana products.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The chairman of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/outlawreport.com\/maryland-cannabis-commission-chair-to-step-down-as-dispensary-sales-poised-to-surpass-600m\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Maryland&#8217;s<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Medical Cannabis Commission is resigning.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A lawsuit challenging <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/grownin.com\/2021\/12\/20\/illinois-dispensary-license-supercase-delayed-again-until-at-least-january-2022\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Illinois<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators&#8217; marijuana business licensing decisions is being delayed until the new year.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.governor.ny.gov\/news\/governor-hochul-announces-minority-and-women-owned-business-enterprise-utilization-rate-leads\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New York<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises Program hosted a forum that included <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NYSMWBE\/status\/1471210729520963584\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">sessions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> on cannabis.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oregon.gov\/olcc\/Docs\/news\/news_releases\/2021\/nr121721-Commission-Meeting-MJ.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oregon<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators approved stipulated settlement agreements for violations by marijuana businesses.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/agriculture.sc.gov\/hemp-farming-permit-applications-to-open-jan-1\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">South Carolina<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators will begin accepting hemp cultivation permit applications on January 1.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/medicalcannabis.utah.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/CMC-Update-Dec-2021.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Utah<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators sent an update about the medical cannabis program.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/oklahoma.gov\/content\/dam\/ok\/en\/omma\/docs\/business-lists\/omma_dispensaries_list.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oklahoma<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators posted updated lists of licensed medical cannabis dispensaries and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/oklahoma.gov\/content\/dam\/ok\/en\/omma\/docs\/business-lists\/omma_growers_list.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">growers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <strong>&#8212;<br \/> <strong>Marijuana Moment is already <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tracking more than 1,300 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills<\/a> in state legislatures and Congress this year. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Patreon supporters<\/a> pledging at least $25\/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don&#8217;t miss any developments.<\/strong><br \/> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9128 size-medium jetpack-lazy-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt width=\"300\" height=\"300\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9128 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><br \/> <strong>Learn more about our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marijuana bill tracker<\/a> and become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">supporter on Patreon<\/a> to get access.<br \/> &#8212;<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Make sure to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/newsletter\/\">subscribe<\/a> to get Marijuana Moment&#8217;s daily dispatch in your inbox.<\/strong><br \/> <label>Email address: <\/label>  <\/p>\n<p>Published<br \/>on<br \/>By<br \/><em>Malta legal marijuana signed into law; CO psychedelics decrim ballot measures; Congressional psilocybin push; Study: CBD doesn&#8217;t impair driving<\/em><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/newsletter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Subscribe<\/a>\u00a0to receive Marijuana Moment\u2019s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It\u2019s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.<br \/> <label>Email address: <\/label>  <\/p>\n<p><b>Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible\u2026<\/b><br \/><b>BREAKING<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Journalism is often consumed for free, but costs money to produce! While this newsletter is proudly sent without cost to you, our ability to send it each day depends on the financial support of readers who can afford to give it. So if you&#8217;ve got a few dollars to spare each month and believe in the work we do, please consider joining us on Patreon today.<\/span><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><\/a><b>\/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/malta-officially-legalizes-marijuana-with-presidents-signature-becoming-first-in-europe-to-end-cannabis-prohibition\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Malta President George Vella<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> signed the marijuana legalization bill into law that Parliament approved just days earlier. The country is now the first in Europe to legalize cannabis.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/lawmakers-talk-next-steps-for-marijuana-banking-and-legalization-after-reform-blocked-by-senate-leader\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reps. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Dave Joyce (R-OH)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> spoke to Marijuana Moment about the next steps for passing cannabis banking legislation after it got stripped from the National Defense Authorization Act.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/activists-file-colorado-ballot-initiatives-to-legalize-psychedelics-and-establish-healing-center-program\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Colorado activists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> filed proposed ballot measures to legalize possession and personal cultivation of psychedelics, and to create a system of licensed businesses to produce psilocybin, DMT, ibogaine and mescaline for supervised use at \u201chealing centers.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/congressman-asks-colleagues-to-demand-dea-allow-psilocybin-treatment-for-terminal-patients\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is leading a congressional effort to pressure the Drug Enforcement Administration to drop its opposition to letting terminally ill cancer patients receive psilocybin therapy. The agency is currently facing a lawsuit from a doctor who wants to provide the psychedelic.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A new study found that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/smoking-cbd-rich-marijuana-has-no-significant-impact-on-driving-ability-study-finds\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">smoking CBD-rich marijuana has \u201cno significant impact on driving ability.\u201d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Even though THC blood levels were above the legal limit, &#8220;no signs of impairment were found\u201d\u2014suggesting that CBD can negate THC\u2019s intoxicating effects.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><b>\/ FEDERAL<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/ondcp\/briefing-room\/2021\/12\/16\/readout-white-house-hhs-host-national-harm-reduction-summit\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> hosted a two-day harm reduction summit.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RepPerlmutter\/status\/1471866022214856708\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rep .Ed Perlmutter (D-CO)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> tweeted about the death of a marijuana dispensary security guard during a robbery, saying, &#8220;This is heartbreaking for the family of Dominique Ware. These businesses are forced to operate in cash which presents a huge public safety issue for the businesses &amp; their employees.\u00a0 We need #SAFEBanking NOW to help prevent future tragedies &amp; violence.&#8221;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><b>\/ STATES<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dpb.virginia.gov\/budget\/buddoc22\/BudgetDocument.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Virginia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Gov. Ralph Northam&#8217;s (D) proposed budget included funding for the implementation of marijuana legalization.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KSHouseDems\/status\/1471850799311507459\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kansas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> House Democrats tweeted, &#8220;#ksleg-islators will be back in Topeka in less than a month. \ud83d\udcc5 Let your legislators know you support:\u00a0 \u2705Medical cannabis\u2026&#8221;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mykxlg.com\/news\/state\/senator-art-rusch-of-vermillion-talks-marijuana-and-2022-session\/article_526bc020-5f4b-11ec-81f2-6316a50de1ab.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">South Dakota<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> senator spoke about the possibility of passing a marijuana legalization bill in 2022.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hometownsource.com\/sun_thisweek\/community\/burnsville\/rep-hanson-still-trying-to-get-marijuana-legalization-to-the-finish-line\/article_f549b02a-5edf-11ec-ab59-3f14e2b65180.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Minnesota<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> representative spoke about plans to continue pursuing marijuana legalization in 2022.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, located within <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.informnny.com\/abc50-now\/first-tribal-regulated-cannabis-industry-opens-in-akwesasne\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New York<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, issued its first conditional marijuana cultivation licenses.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/txcannaco.com\/tx-supreme-court-to-take-up-smokable-hemp-ban-case\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Texas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Supreme Court agreed to hear regulators&#8217; appeal of a lower court ruling that overturned their ban on smokable hemp.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nmpoliticalreport.com\/2021\/12\/17\/nm-judge-rules-patient-cannabis-purchase-limits-consistent-with-state-law\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New Mexico<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> judge upheld medical cannabis purchase limits.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/170.94.37.152\/REGS\/006.02.21-019P-21829.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Arkansas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators proposed medical cannabis dispensary licensing rules changes.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilsos.gov\/departments\/index\/register\/volume45\/register_volume45_issue_51.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Illinois<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators proposed rules changes exempting cannabis vaping products from electronic cigarette taxes and exempting cultivators and retailers from having to obtain additional licenses.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fox13now.com\/news\/local-news\/utah-department-of-health-to-speed-up-medical-cannabis-expansion\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Utah<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators are expediting the implementation of rules to expand medical cannabis access.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/grownin.com\/2021\/12\/17\/maine-medical-marijuana-workgroup-says-no-to-mandatory-testing-and-tracking\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Maine&#8217;s<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Medical Marijuana Workgroup rejected a proposal on using METRC to track products.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ag.colorado.gov\/plants\/hemp\/hemp-background-checks\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Colorado<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators published information about background check requirements for hemp license applicants.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/osha.oregon.gov\/essentials\/cannabis\/pages\/default.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oregon<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators published a safety and health guide for cannabis growers, processors and retailers.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ccb.vermont.gov\/event\/tuesday-board-meeting-0\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vermont<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators will discuss marijuana issues on Tuesday.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <strong>&#8212;<br \/> <strong>Marijuana Moment is already <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tracking more than 1,300 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills<\/a> in state legislatures and Congress this year. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Patreon supporters<\/a> pledging at least $25\/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don&#8217;t miss any developments.<\/strong><br \/> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9128 size-medium jetpack-lazy-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt width=\"300\" height=\"300\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9128 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><br \/> <strong>Learn more about our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marijuana bill tracker<\/a> and become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">supporter on Patreon<\/a> to get access.<br \/> &#8212;<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> <label>Email address: <\/label>  <\/p>\n<p>Published<br \/>on<br \/>By<br \/><em>VA panel votes to speed up sales; Congressional marijuana memo; CA AG: seal cannabis records; Edible hemp-infused German bus tickets<\/em><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/newsletter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Subscribe<\/a>\u00a0to receive Marijuana Moment\u2019s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It\u2019s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.<br \/> <label>Email address: <\/label>  <\/p>\n<p><b>Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible\u2026<\/b><br \/><b>Before you dig into today&#8217;s cannabis news,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> I wanted you to know you can keep this resource free and published daily by subscribing to Marijuana Moment on Patreon. We&#8217;re a small independent publication diving deep into the cannabis world and rely on readers like you to keep going. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Join us at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><\/a><b>\/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/virginia-legislative-joint-commission-recommends-speeding-up-marijuana-sales-launch-by-a-year\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Virginia legislature\u2019s Joint Commission on Cannabis Oversight<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 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.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/gop-lawmakers-blast-biden-and-harris-over-continued-silence-on-marijuana-and-urge-rescheduling\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Don Young (R-AK)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> sent a letter demanding that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris \u201cbegin to seriously engage\u201d on marijuana reform and remove it from Schedule I.<\/span><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/congressional-memo-touts-marijuana-momentum-in-2021-and-lays-out-2022-reform-priorities\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Congressional Cannabis Caucus co-chairs Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Barbara Lee (D-CA)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> issued a new memo looking back at marijuana momentum in 2021 and ahead to priorities for 2022.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/california-ag-pushes-county-prosecutors-to-stop-delaying-relief-for-past-cannabis-convictions\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 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.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/pro-legalization-missouri-gop-lawmaker-addresses-marijuana-resistance-in-his-party\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Missouri Republican representative<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> who is sponsoring a resolution to put marijuana legalization on the 2022 ballot says he\u2019s not optimistic about overcoming resistance to reform from within his own party.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/berlin-public-transit-is-selling-edible-hemp-infused-tickets-to-help-riders-to-relax-this-holiday\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Berlin public transit agency BVG<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is selling hemp-infused tickets it says bus and subway riders can eat to stay calm during the holiday season. This comes as Germany\u2019s new government has pledged to legalize marijuana nationwide.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><b>\/ FEDERAL<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2021\/12\/16\/us\/covid-prison-inmates-compassionate-release-invs\/index.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">federal judge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> granted compassionate release to a 90-year-old, seriously ill man serving life in prison for a nonviolent marijuana trafficking offense.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SenSchumer\/status\/1471514979224326146\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> tweeted. &#8220;I\u2019m 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\u2019s exactly what our bill does.&#8221;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.c-span.org\/video\/?516762-1\/senate-approves-national-defense-authorization-bill-88-11&amp;vod&amp;start=12190\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> spoke in a Senate floor <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.grassley.senate.gov\/news\/remarks\/grassley-congress-needs-to-continue-taking-action-on-the-opioid-crisis\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">speech<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> about his work on legislation to remove barriers to marijuana research, which he argued is necessary before it is legalized or decriminalized.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><b>\/ STATES<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Michelle4NM\/status\/1471208453917929474\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New Mexico<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) tweeted, &#8220;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.&#8221;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NikkiFried\/status\/1471331184064045057\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Florida<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, tweeted about getting 420 donors to her campaign, saying, &#8220;And yes, it\u2019s past time to legalize marijuana!! We have to win first!&#8221;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legis.la.gov\/legis\/Agenda.aspx?m=4866\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Louisiana<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> House Criminal Justice Impacts of Legalizing Cannabis Subcommittee held its first hearing.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/VoteGloriaJ\/status\/1471269943144591362\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tennessee<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> representative tweeted, &#8220;Democrats have been working on this for years, a handful of GOP play like they are on board, yet never run the bills. It\u2019s time for this to happen and time to listen to 81% of Tennesseans who want to see cannabis reform!&#8221;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JulianCyr\/status\/1471232154487169033\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Massachusetts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> senator tweeted, &#8220;Let\u2019s 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 &amp; promote public health by giving adults a space to consume cannabis after purchase from a dispensary.&#8221;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasobserver.com\/news\/in-latest-crackdown-on-anything-vaguely-adjacent-to-marijuana-texas-again-bans-smokable-hemp-12947810\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Texas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators appealed a ruling overturning their ban on smokable hemp to the state Supreme Court, a move that reinstates the policy for now.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlive.com\/public-interest\/2021\/12\/licensing-agency-asks-judge-to-allow-removal-of-moldy-weed-from-michigan-marijuana-market.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Michigan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators asked a judge to reconsider a ruling that they say could allow the sale of moldy and contaminated marijuana.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cannabis.ny.gov\/system\/files\/documents\/2021\/12\/ccb-meeting-agenda-12.16.21.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New York<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators approved <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cannabis.ny.gov\/system\/files\/documents\/2021\/12\/ccb-proposed-cannabinoid-hemp-regulations-12.16.21.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">changes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to cannabinoid hemp rules. Separately, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CrainsNewYork\/status\/1471232527356551178\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">chair of the Cannabis Control Board<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> said she hopes to have draft marijuana rules available for public comment sometime in the first quarter or next year.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.state.co.us\/CCR\/RegisterPdfContents.do?publicationDay=12\/10\/2021\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Colorado<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators adopted new marijuana and hemp rules.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/arizona-marijuana-recreational-marijuana-tucson-a8fe1ed40be280084e0b1130322ecc69\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Arizona<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators received more than 1,500 applications for 26 marijuana social equity dispensary licenses.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/doc\/7679\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Maine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators submitted a report on the hemp program to lawmakers.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nj.gov\/cannabis\/documents\/businesses\/personal-use\/Cannabis%20Business%20Application%20FAQ.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New Jersey<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators posted a FAQ about marijuana business license applications.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/content.govdelivery.com\/accounts\/WALCB\/bulletins\/3014625\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Washington State<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators sent an update about transitioning to a new marijuana tracking system.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oregon.gov\/olcc\/marijuana\/Documents\/Rules\/Public-Hearing-Notice-2021-MJ-Bill-and-Technical-Package-122021.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oregon<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> regulators will hold a hearing on marijuana and hemp rules on Monday.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/> <strong>&#8212;<br \/> <strong>Marijuana Moment is already <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tracking more than 1,300 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills<\/a> in state legislatures and Congress this year. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Patreon supporters<\/a> pledging at least $25\/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don&#8217;t miss any developments.<\/strong><br \/> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9128 size-medium jetpack-lazy-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt width=\"300\" height=\"300\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9128 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><br \/> <strong>Learn more about our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marijuana bill tracker<\/a> and become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">supporter on Patreon<\/a> to get access.<br \/> &#8212;<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> <label>Email address: <\/label>  <\/p>\n<p> <label>Email address: <\/label>  <\/p>\n<p>All the cannabis news you need, all in one place. Copyright \u00a9 2017-2021 Marijuana Moment LLC \u00ae and Tom Angell<br \/> <label>Email address: <\/label>  <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/fed-scientists-slam-fed-cannabis-restrictions-newsletter-december-15-2021\/\">source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GOP Lawmakers File Bills To Streamline Research Into Marijuana, Psychedelics And Other Schedule I DrugsSt. Louis Lawmaker Worries DEA Might Intervene If Local Psychedelics Reform Is EnactedOhio Marijuana Activists Submit Signatures To Force Legislature To Consider LegalizationSenator Calls For Federal Marijuana Standard To Measure Impaired DrivingAOC Calls On Biden To Use Executive Authority On Marijuana Policy As President&#8217;s Agenda Stalls<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-467","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/princetonillinois.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/467","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/princetonillinois.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/princetonillinois.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/princetonillinois.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/princetonillinois.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=467"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/princetonillinois.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/467\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/princetonillinois.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=467"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/princetonillinois.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=467"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/princetonillinois.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=467"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}