Newsletter
AL House filibusters medical cannabis (Newsletter: May 5, 2021)
AG Garland talks marijuana; KS medical cannabis bill advances to floor; IA asks DEA for federal marijuana guarantees
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Attorney General Merrick Garland reiterated during a House hearing that he does not think going after people who use marijuana in compliance with state laws is a good use of Justice Department resources.
A Senate-passed medical cannabis bill got filibustered on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives. A small number of opponents ran out the clock on the legislative day so that a vote could not be held, but supporters hope it will be brought back up on Thursday.
The Kansas House Federal and State Affairs Committee amended and approved a medical cannabis bill. Advocates are hopeful it can pass the legislature within the next few days as part of the veto session.
The Iowa Department of Public Health formally requested that the Drug Enforcement Administration and other federal agencies guarantee protections for the state’s medical cannabis program participants after Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) was sued by an activist over her administration’s inaction.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case on the impact of sentencing reform legislation on certain people with drug convictions.
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging Drug Enforcement Administration hemp regulations.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse posted updated information about its marijuana cultivation contract with the University of Mississippi.
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) filed a bill that includes provisions to clean up land and water damaged by illegal marijuana cultivation.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) wrote about his support for marijuana banking legislation in a constituent letter.
Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI) tweeted, “Veterans across the country continue to suffer from chronic pain & PTSD as a result of their service, and too many are being lost to opioid overdose & suicide here at home. We owe it to them to pursue alternative treatment that could be safer & more effective. There remains a need for increased research & trials on cannabis as an alternative treatment. Our bill will help ensure that the VA moves forward with these studies expeditiously. Proud to join colleagues in this bipartisan, bicameral effort.”
/ STATES
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed a bill to provide grant funding to marijuana social equity business license applicants.
Florida’s agriculture commissioner said she is concerned that the scandal involving Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) could leave a “bad taint” on the marijuana industry.
Colorado lawmakers sent Gov. Jared Polis (D) a bill to double the legal marijuana possession limit to two ounces.
The Tennessee Senate approved a limited medical cannabis bill, with a House vote expected on Wednesday.
Illinois lawmakers are filing legislation to add new marijuana retail licenses with a focus on increasing minority ownership in the industry.
The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission is considering a complaint filed by activists who allege that a sheriff committed a felony by failing to disclose who paid for his successful lawsuit to remove a medical cannabis measure from last year’s ballot.
A New Mexico judge ruled that regulators must restore reciprocity to out-of-state medical cannabis patients. Separately, the top medical marijuana regulator said patients should not expect purchase limits to be expanded.
New Wisconsin hemp rules went into effect.
Vermont’s Cannabis Control Board is hiring an executive director.
New Jersey regulators met to accept public comment on social equity issues.
Subcommittees of the Oregon Cannabis Commission will meet on Wednesday.
Michigan regulators will host a marijuana social equity business resource workshop on Thursday.
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/ LOCAL
San Francisco, California’s mayor filed legislation to change regulations for marijuana social equity businesses.
Ardmore, Oklahoma police are investigating a shooting during a robbery at a medical cannabis dispensary that left the suspect dead.
Oakland, California’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission will meet on Thursday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Swiss National Council’s Health Committee advanced a parliamentary initiative to engage the Federal Council in drafting legislation allowing legal marijuana markets.
The European Union’s Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction published an overview of newly enacted U.S. marijuana laws.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “due to its wide range of pharmacological activities (e.g., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties), CBD is considered a multimodal drug for the treatment of a range of neurodegenerative disorders, and various cancer types, including neoplasms of the neural system.”
Scientists developed a method that “predicts hallucinogenic potential” of compounds using a fluorescent sensor.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The National Consumers League launched a public service announcement raising concerns about CBD products.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. completed its acquisition of Maryland Compassionate Care and Wellness, LLC.
Jushi Holdings Inc. closed on its acquisition of two California marijuana dispensaries.
TerrAscend Corp. completed its acquisition of HMS Health, LLC and HMS Processing, LLC from Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. sued Terphogz LLC for allegedly violating the Skittles trademark with its Zkittlez product and marketing.
BDSA and Apex Trading launched a cannabis wholesale pricing data product.
/ CULTURE
The Florida State Boxing Commission removed marijuana from its prohibited substances list.
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