Newsletter
AG discusses federal cannabis plans (Newsletter: March 2, 2023)
NC Senate sends medical marijuana to House; WA cannabis homegrow bill blocked; MI city decriminalizes psychedelics; MN legalization advances
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Before you dig into today’s cannabis news, I wanted you to know you can keep this resource free and published daily by subscribing to Marijuana Moment on Patreon. We’re a small independent publication diving deep into the cannabis world and rely on readers like you to keep going.
Join us at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a Senate hearing that the Department of Justice is “still working on a marijuana policy” but that it will be similar to the Obama-era Cole Memo that was rescinded under Trump. The broader cannabis scheduling review directed by President Joe Biden is currently being led by the Department of Health and Human Services, he said.
- He also spoke about Biden’s mass marijuana pardon, saying that the process is “still working its way through the system to get the final certificates” to people so they can demonstrate they’ve been granted clemency.
The North Carolina Senate passed a medical cannabis legalization bill on third reading—sending it to the House, where the speaker says his chamber is positioned to enact the reform this session despite blocking similar legislation last year.
Washington State lawmakers once again blocked a bill that would allow people to grow their own marijuana at home—more than a decade after voters enacted legalization.
The Minnesota Senate Human Services Committee approved a marijuana legalization bill—the seventh panel in the chamber to do so this session. Additional House and Senate hearings are scheduled for Thursday.
The Ferndale, Michigan City Council approved a resolution to decriminalize psychedelics—making it the fourth city in the state to adopt such a policy.
The Kansas Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee took testimony from police officials who oppose legalizing medical cannabis, with the chairman of the panel saying he found the information they presented “frightening.”
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service tweeted, “One week left to complete your #Hemp Production and Disposition Inquiry. Survey data can help inform your decisions about growing & selling hemp, the type of hemp you decide to produce, and may impact policy decisions about the industry.”
Members of Missouri’s congressional delegation discussed their views on marijuana banking legislation.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) spoke about the therapeutic promise of psychedelics.
/ STATES
Kansas House Democrats posted a Twitter thread of issues they are working on, including “✅ Pushing for cannabis amnesty. It’s simple: Kansans shouldn’t be in prison for something that’s legal in most other states, and unwell Kansans should have legal access to non-pharmaceutical treatments.”
The West Virginia Senate approved a hemp bill.
The Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee rejected a medical cannabis bill.
The Connecticut legislature’s Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a bill concerning resentencing of prior marijuana convictions.
The Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee held a hearing on the regulation of hemp-derived products, with regulators admitting that they approved at least 230 products that should be illegal under state law.
A Kentucky senator said he is “optimistic” his medical cannabis bill can be approved this session but that it will need “significant” changes. The measure received a committee assignment that he believes to be favorable, and the Senate majority floor leader said he is now “open-minded” on the issue.
Utah regulators sent a warning about a scam claiming that people can open their own cannabis dispensaries.
Ohio regulators posted updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.
New York regulators will consider revised marijuana packaging, labeling, marketing, advertising, laboratory and research rules on Thursday.
The California Cannabis Advisory Committee Equity Subcommittee will meet on Thursday.
The Washington State Cannabis Quality Control Standards Work Group will meet on Thursday.
Vermont regulators will host a networking event on marijuana business positive impact criteria on Thursday.
—
Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of 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.
—
/ LOCAL
The Las Vegas, Nevada City Council approved rules for cannabis consumption lounges.
The Chattanooga, Tennessee City Council voted to send a letter asking Gov. Bill Lee (R) to support decriminalizing marijuana.
The Sonoma County, California Board of Supervisors approved a plan to revise how cannabis cultivation taxes are applied.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS said that “decriminalization of drug use and possession for personal use is associated with significant decreases in HIV incidence among people who inject drugs, including through greater access to harm reduction services, reductions in violence and arrest or harassment by law enforcement agencies.”
Bermuda’s government is budgeting $50,000 to support work to form a marijuana legalization plan.
Bavaria, Germany’s health minister issued an opinion he commissioned that concludes the federal government’s marijuana legalization plan violates international and European law.
New South Wales, Australia lawmakers unveiled a marijuana legalization plan.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “hemp-based topical treatment of [anal fissure] is feasible and significantly improves AF-correlated symptoms.”
A review of psilocybin studies concluded that “statistical significance was achieved in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms compared to controls in multiple subgroups.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Iowa residents support legalizing marijuana, 58 percent to 37 percent.
The Arkansas affiliate of prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana launched an ad campaign in the state.
/ BUSINESS
COMPASS Pathways plc reported a quarterly net loss of $30.9 million.
Field Trip Health & Wellness Ltd. reported a quarterly net loss of $6.9 million.
MariMed, Inc. has a new CEO and chairman.
Organigram Holdings Inc. shareholders elected directors.
/ CULTURE
Woody Harrelson said the marijuana dispensary he co-owns is “the most beautiful dispensary in the world.”
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
