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Cannabis banking amendment details (Newsletter: October 2, 2023)
German legalization advances; MI marijuana testing change; Nurses group recognizes cannabis; SD ballot dispute; NJ grants; Small biz op-ed
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The text of the marijuana banking bill amendment approved by the Senate Banking Committee, which wasn’t made publicly available until days after the vote, shows changes to provisions related to federal guidance for banks that serve marijuana industry clients, rephrased protections for financial institutions and revisions to regulators’ enforcement discretion, among other topics.
Germany’s Bundesrat, a legislative body that represents states, recommended some changes to the government’s marijuana legalization bill—but opponents’ efforts to block the legislation from advancing failed.
A rules change approved by the Michigan Civil Service Commission took effect to end pre-employment marijuana screenings for most would-be state workers.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) and Attorney General Matthew Platkin (D) announced that $5.5 million in marijuana revenue will be used to support a hospital-based violence intervention grants program.
South Dakota marijuana legalization activists are calling on the secretary of state to invalidate a petition to repeal the state’s voter-approved medical cannabis law, arguing that it contains crucial formatting errors.
The American Nurses Association is officially recognizing cannabis as a nursing specialty practice area.
- “This recognition highlights the essential role and special contribution of cannabis nurses to the health care system.”
The Parabola Center’s Shaleen Title and author Bruce Barcott argue in the new Marijuana Moment op-ed that Congress and the Biden administration must take steps to give small businesses a shot in the cannabis industry before Amazon and Philip Morris take over.
Montana’s top marijuana regulator is pushing back on criticism of the state’s cannabis testing protocols.
/ FEDERAL
The National Institute of Justice is funding research on “whether cannabis policy changes are associated with changes in cannabis-related school discipline.”
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted, “The war on drugs has failed. If we want to solve the fentanyl crisis, we need to treat it as the public health issue it is.”
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) said he thinks a marijuana banking bill has “momentum” to pass the Senate.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) tweeted, “It’s ridiculous that legal cannabis businesses are forced to operate entirely in cash—and it puts the safety of their employees & our neighborhoods at risk. I’m glad the SAFER Banking Act passed through committee today & I’ll keep pushing to get it across the finish line.”
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) tweeted, “Chinese criminals are partnering with Mexican cartels to buy OK land to grow and illegally sell marijuana. This is dangerous and has to stop, and I have a plan to do just that.”
The Senate marijuana banking bill got three new cosponsors for a total of 25.
The House marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor for a total of 78.
The House bill to federally legalize marijuana got five new cosponsors for a total of 65.
/ STATES
Arizona’s, Illinois’s and Michigan’s attorneys general sent press releases about a letter they and other state attorneys general wrote calling on Congress to pass a marijuana banking bill.
Washington State’s treasurer sent a press release calling on Congress to pass a marijuana banking bill.
Oregon’s Senate president and House speaker created a new Joint Interim Committee on Addiction and Community Safety Response.
A California senator tweeted that the advancement of marijuana banking legislation in Congress “is a very big deal. Cannabis businesses that are legal, regulated & paying taxes can’t bank. They’re forced to be cash businesses, which is risky for many reasons. It’s good to see bipartisan support for this important move.”
A Texas appeals court upheld an injunction on regulators’ ban on delta-8 THC products.
Massachusetts’s top marijuana regulator is suing the state treasurer for suspending her.
Minnesota’s traffic safety director said the state’s marijuana legalization law “hasn’t really changed anything, because quite honestly we’ve been arresting and dealing with cannabis-impaired drivers for decades.”
South Dakota regulators held a hearing on proposed changes to medical cannabis rules.
Washington, D.C. regulators will begin accepting applications for new medical cannabis business licenses on November 1.
Colorado officials announced the first recipients of the Cannabis Business Loan Program.
Rhode Island regulators published guidance on approved marijuana products types.
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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.
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/ LOCAL
The Dover, Delaware City Council is considering how to regulate legal marijuana.
Sponsors of a proposed Sausalito, California ballot initiative to tax marijuana paused signature collection.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Japanese officials are considering ways to better regulate quasi-legal drugs.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “restoring prefrontal cortical excitation-inhibition balance with cannabidiol ameliorates neurobehavioral abnormalities in a mouse model of neurodevelopmental disorders.”
A study found that “both MDMA and methamphetamine increase feelings of connectedness during controlled dyadic conversations.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Boston Globe editorial board is calling on Massachusetts regulators to handle internal chaos so they can more effectively oversee the marijuana market.
The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce published tips on workplace marijuana policies.
/ BUSINESS
Hightimes Holding Corp. settled allegations of illegal stock promotion with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a fine of $558,071.
Jones Soda Co. announced that his cannabis brand Mary Jones is now available at dispensaries in Washington State.
SNDL Inc. and Nova Cannabis Inc. are extending the outside date for the closing of a previously-announced strategic partnership.
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