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AG Barr prefers STATES Act over current cannabis policy (Newsletter: April 11, 2019)

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Bill protects veterans from losing benefits over marijuana; POTUS candidate Tim Ryan on cannabis; Smokable hemp flower approved by Indiana House

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Attorney General William Barr said during a Senate hearing that he would prefer Congress pass the STATES Act—a bill to let states legalize marijuana—than continue the current approach of states ending cannabis prohibition contrary to federal law. He also said he’s not sure if Cole Memo protections should apply to cannabis businesses that started operations after his predecessor Jeff Sessions rescinded it, though he won’t go after those who were operating under its protections before then. And, he pledged to act on pending applications for licenses to grow cannabis for research.

Marijuana Moment’s latest presidential candidate analysis takes a comprehensive look at the cannabis reform record of Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH).

A new bill filed by Reps. Greg Steube (R-FL) and Gil Cisneros (D-CA) would shield military veterans from being stripped of their Department of Veterans Affairs benefits over state-legal marijuana use, and would also also allows VA doctors to issue medical cannabis recommendations.

The Indiana House of Representatives amended a hemp bill to allow the crop’s flowers to be smoked.

/ FEDERAL

Members of the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit discussed marijuana-impaired driving during a hearing on road safety.

Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) said he’s “glad Attorney General Barr today reiterated his belief that the current situation is untenable and that the STATES Act is an approach he would be interested in pursuing, and I hope my colleagues will hear his loud and clear call for Congress to act.”

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), a presidential candidate, tweeted, “There’s a lot of talk about the legalization of marijuana. It’s about time. But there’s not nearly enough talk about restorative justice to lift minority communities gutted by the war on drugs.”

Reps. David Joyce (R-OH) and Stacey Plaskett (D-VI) participated in a forum on medical cannabis as a health and wellness alternative.

Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) tweeted about “importance of medical cannabis for our #veterans. 68,000 vets are addicted to opioids. We must research better ways to treat PTSD, TBI, and chronic pain. Our vets deserve it.”

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) tweeted, “Even [Attorney General William Barr] knows the prohibition of cannabis is senseless. We must build upon the momentum!”

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) tweeted, “I’m proud to cosponsor the #STATESAct to allow states to set their own #cannabis policies without fear of federal interference. 10 states plus D.C. have legalized recreational #marijuana & 33 other states allow medical use. #LegalizeIt”

Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D), a presidential candidate, said that his state’s legalization of marijuana has been an “unalloyed success.”

The House marijuana banking bill has been referred to a Judiciary subcommittee, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the panel will mark up the bill before it goes to the floor.

The House bill to deschedule marijuana got one new cosponsor, for a total of 25.

/ STATES

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed a hemp bill into law. Separately, the Senate Medical Affairs Committee will hold hearings on a medical cannabis bill on Thursday.

Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero (D) spoke about medical cannabis implementation and her decision to sign marijuana legalization into law during her State of the Island address.

Wisconsin Gov.  Tony Evers (D) tweeted about the medical cannabis provision in his budget proposal.

Kentucky Democratic gubernatorial candidates debated marijuana policy.

Connecticut Senate Democratic leaders spoke about plans to pass marijuana legalization legislation this session.

The Missouri House approved a syringe exchange bill.

The Oregon Senate defeated a bill to let the state to marijuana cultivation licenses based on supply and demand.

A Michigan House committee approved a bill to set a June 1 deadline for medical cannabis businesses to be licensed.

The Oklahoma House Rules Committee advanced legislation to let nurse practitioners recommend medical cannabis.

The Florida Senate Innovation, Industry and Technology Committee approved a bill allowing distribution and sales of hemp extract with less than 0.3 %THC.

North Dakota lawmakers approved legislation including a provision to make it easier for state officials to seize guns from medical cannabis patients, but they later sent the proposal back to committee to have that language removed.

Tennessee’s medical cannabis bills are dead for the year.

Maine’s top marijuana regulator said he expects the state’s adult-use market to launch by the end of the year.

Pennsylvania regulators are threatening to revoke a medical cannabis company’s permits over “blatant misrepresentation” in a statement.

Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday.

Alaska regulators will meet to discuss marijuana business licensing on May 1-3.


Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 cannabis 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.

/ LOCAL

The city of Salem, West Virginia is being sued in federal court for blocking a marijuana decriminalization measure from appearing on the ballot.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study concluded that “cities that allow retail dispensaries saw home values increase $22,888 more than cities where marijuana is illegal from 2014 to 2019 (controlling for population and initial home values).”

/ OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll of Wisconsin voters found that they they support legalizing marijuana, 59%-36%, and that they back medical cannabis, 83%-12%.

/ BUSINESS

Oklahoma medical cannabis sales exceeded $12 million in March.

Quest Diagnostics Inc. reported that positive employment tests for marijuana are increasing.

/ CULTURE

Jeopardy had a question about the relationship between marijuana and beer.

Actor Timothy Olyphant spoke about his marijuana consumption and about the time his dog ate cannabis edibles.

CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta said CBD is a “legitimate medicine.”

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

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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.

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