Newsletter
Banking chair wants cannabis vote in 2-3 weeks (Newsletter: June 8, 2023)
USDA renames committee to include hemp; CT marijuana 280E fix; Senator says big cannabis biz “exploits” law; Another baseball CBD partnership
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
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said he wants his panel to vote on sending a marijuana banking bill to the floor “in the next two or three weeks,” though he also said he couldn’t commit to a specific timeline and added that it depends on working out an agreement with Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), the committee’s ranking member.
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) said a “patchwork” of marijuana laws around the country as federal prohibition persists “creates confusion and barriers that big business exploits to make big bucks at the expense of communities already decimated by the war on drugs.”
- Markey’s comments are from a video message he taped for The Parabola Center’s event focused on stopping cannabis industry monopolies on Saturday. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) also sent remarks that will be played at the event.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is moving to change the name of a key trade advisory committee to include “hemp” in the title—the latest sign of the crop’s mainstreaming.
Connecticut lawmakers sent Gov. Ned Lamont (D) budget legislation that has provisions to decouple state tax policy from the federal 280E provision, thereby allowing marijuana companies to deduct business expenses in their state filings.
The Kansas City Royals launched a new partnership with Pure Spectrum CBD—becoming the second Major League Baseball team to officially work with a cannabis company.
Fox Rothschild LLP’s Jayashree Mitra wrote a new Marijuana Moment op-ed detailing what cannabis businesses need to know about enforcing their patent rights.
/ FEDERAL
National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow said it’s too soon to tell how the Drug Enforcement Administration will implement provisions of a new marijuana research law.
The House bill to create a Department of Defense psychedelic research grant program got one new cosponsor for a total of 12.
/ STATES
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed a bill to restrict intoxicating hemp-derived products. Separately, a former attorney general authored an op-ed calling on Congress to pass marijuana banking legislation.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) said he will sign legislation to legalize fentanyl testing strips.
A South Dakota representative who opposes marijuana reform got a medical cannabis patient card as part of a fact-finding investigation he is conducting.
New York regulators announced additional steps to help marijuana retailers open for business.
Oregon regulators are seeking applications from people to serve on Psilocybin Advisory Board subcommittees.
New Jersey regulators posted tips on safe cannabis use.
Alabama regulators are expected to award medical cannabis business licenses on Monday.
—
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 Denton, Texas City Council rejected a measure to implement a voter-approved marijuana decriminalization law.
The Seattle, Washington City Council rejected a measure to allow the city attorney to prosecute people for drug possession and public use.
The San Francisco, California Board of Supervisors approved a three-year moratorium on new marijuana retailers.
The Athens, Alabama City Council rejected a proposal to repeal an ordinance allowing medical cannabis dispensaries to operate.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Costa Rican lawmakers expressed differing views on marijuana legalization.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “acute cannabidiol treatment enhances social interaction in adult male mice.”
A study found that Oregon police officers believe the state’s voter-approved drug decriminalization law “in its current form is not effective and is creating detrimental consequences for public safety, drug availability, and drug-related deaths.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The chair of the Kansas Democratic Party spoke about medical cannabis legislation stalling in the Republican-controlled legislature.
/ BUSINESS
Jones Soda Co. launched two new flavors of its Mary Jones cannabis-infused beverage brand.
Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. is facing a shareholder lawsuit over allegations it neglected to properly vet two of its largest tenants.
/ CULTURE
Football players Aaron Rodgers and Sauce Gardner performed a handshake involving motions that mimic smoking marijuana.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
