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Alcohol group backs federal cannabis legalization (Newsletter: March 23, 2023)

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Top senator: “need” to pass marijuana banking “this year”; NY unlicensed sales crackdown; 1st OR psilocybin license; NH homegrow passes

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said “we need” to pass marijuana banking legislation “this year”—also disclosing that the White House supports the legislation.

  • Meanwhile, Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Tim Scott (R-SC) said he’s “not one of those Republicans” who backs the bill, but agrees it should move through regular order. House Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry (R-NC) said the issue is “not a priority for me” while adding that he is “not closed off” to it altogether.

The Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America sent a letter calling on Congress to federally legalize marijuana— saying that the “current federal system for the regulation of alcohol serves as a strong model” and that cannabis reform should not be done in a “piecemeal manner.”

Oregon regulators awarded the nation’s first state-issued license to produce psilocybin under a novel regulatory framework for broad access to the psychedelic that voters approved in 2020.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) is proposing legislation to give regulators increased enforcement authority to crack down on illicit marijuana retailers as the state struggles to stand up the regulated adult-use market.

North Dakota lawmakers sent Gov. Doug Burgum (R) a bill to let people receiving hospice care self-certify as medical cannabis patients to expedite access.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed a bill to allow medical cannabis patients to grow their own medicine at home.

The Arizona House House Health and Human Services Committee approved a Senate-passed bill to add autism and PTSD as medical cannabis qualifying conditions.

The Colorado Senate Finance Committee approved nominations for members to serve on the Natural Medicine Advisory Board that will oversee implementation of a voter-approved psychedelics legalization ballot measure.

/ FEDERAL

Rep. David Trone (D-MD) tweeted, “Every five years, Congress works on the Farm Bill to support our agriculture sector. Among other priorities, I’m working to ensure my Free to Grow Act is included in the bill this year. Returning citizens deserve a #SecondChance and should be able to participate in hemp farming.”

/ STATES

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) allowed legislation providing funding for regulators to run their own cannabis testing lab to become law.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) office tweeted, “California’s Department of Cannabis Control increased illegal cannabis plant eradication by 1,274% in 2022. We’re cracking down on the illicit cannabis market and ensuring our state maintains a safe, well-regulated, and legal marketplace that benefits Californians.”

Oklahoma’s attorney general cheered lawmakers’ approval of legislation to address illicit marijuana cultivation operations. Separately, the Senate passed a bill to give localities greater control over medical cannabis business regulation. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Narcotics is being sued for allegedly violating open meetings laws in connection with rules to give it more oversight of the medical cannabis industry.

Florida’s agriculture commissioner and lawmakers held a press conference in support of legislation to regulate intoxicating hemp products.

Maryland’s House speaker spoke about her chamber’s passage of a bill to regulate cannabis sales.

The Illinois Senate Executive Committee approved a bill to make it so using cannabis will generally not be a violation of probation.

The Georgia Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee held a hearing on legislation to amend hemp rules and provide that the Access to Medical Cannabis Commission is subject to the Administrative Procedure Act.

Here’s a look at where South Dakota cannabis legislation stands this session.

A Wisconsin representative tweeted, “Polls throughout the state show a majority of Wisconsinites support legalizing marijuana, especially for medicinal purposes. The only thing standing in the way?? Republican obstructionism. That’s it.”

New Mexico’s top cannabis regulator is stepping down.

Massachusetts regulators asked reporters to delete a story about public records on allegations concerning Curaleaf’s funding after personally identifying information was inadvertently released, sparking “safety concerns.”

Arizona regulators announced a recall on marijuana products due to possible contamination with Aspergillus.


Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 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 Leon County, Florida Commission rejected a marijuana decriminalization proposal.

The Los Angeles County, California Board of Supervisors is considering how to allocate marijuana tax revenue.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health approved Zurich’s marijuana legalization pilot program.

Spain’s Congress of Deputies approved legislation on regulating non-psychoactive cannabis.

Ontario, Canada’s premier said he opposes allowing cannabis social use lounges.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study of rats found that “although high-CBD vapor has modest analgesic effects, it has a robust safety profile, no abuse potential, and it significantly reduces opioid reward in females.”

/ BUSINESS

Field Trip Health & Wellness Ltd. obtained an order for creditor protection from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. It also laid off staff and its chairman and CEO resigned.

A former MedMen Enterprises Inc. CEO won a $3.1 million arbitration settlement.

Metrc extended its cannabis tracking contract with Maryland regulators.

Workers at Valley Wellness in Raritan, New Jersey voted to unionize with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 360

New Frontier Data projected that U.S. legal cannabis sales will reach $71 billion by 2030 in the absence of federal reform.

/ CULTURE

Afroman is being sued by police who are upset he used footage of them conducting a marijuana raid on his home in a music video.

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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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