Newsletter
Cannabis banking approved in Congress—again (Newsletter: February 4, 2022)
V.A. marijuana education site; UT psychedelics measure approved; MD legalization bill; NY cannabis package recycling; WA drug war repair funds
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House of Representatives formally approved marijuana banking legislation as part of a package of several amendments. It’s the sixth time that the SAFE Banking Act has advanced through the chamber. Final passage of the large-scale bill the measure is now attached to is expected on Friday.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Oregon Health & Science University are teaming up on a new website that compiles marijuana research in an effort to “help normalize conversations” about cannabis between doctors and patients.
The chairman of Maryland’s House Judiciary Committee and a cannabis workgroup filed a new bill to implement marijuana legalization if approved by voters on the ballot this November.
The Utah House Health and Human Services Committee approved a bill to create a task force to study the benefits of psychedelics in treating mental health conditions.
A New York senator filed legislation to encourage recycling of marijuana packaging under a “Cannabis Container Bill of Rights.”
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D) is proposing to use $125 million in marijuana tax revenue to aid communities targeted by the war on drugs. Advocates want more, with one saying it’s just “a small down payment on what the government owes our community.”
/ FEDERAL
The Congressional Research Service highlighted a recent federal court decision on the scope of a rider preventing federal interference in state medical cannabis laws.
Former White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought slammed efforts to pass marijuana commerce legislation in Virginia, tweeting, “How about rolling back marijuana legalization instead, VA? I don’t want these ‘tobacco’ huts popping up all over the place selling weed @GovernorVA. It’s funny how you never hear about the supremacy of federal law when it comes to legalizing weed.”
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) tweeted that Wisconsin’s lack of a medical cannabis law “is a sad fact that goes beyond political party affiliation in many states. Too bad the GOP in Wisconsin is so backwards. Marijuana should be legal, period.”
Ohio Democratic congressional candidate Nina Turner tweeted, “Nearly two-thirds of Americans support legalization of marijuana on the federal level. So why doesn’t it happen? Because the prison industrial complex relies on these arrests to sustain their profits. It’s inhumane. It’s corruption.”
Indiana Democratic congressional candidate Liam Dorris tweeted, “Ending the prohibition of Cannabis would be absolutely amazing for farmers and by proxy those in rural areas. I am specifically thinking about those people in the rural parts of Southern Indiana. Think about it.”
The House bill to seal prior marijuana records got two new cosponsors for a total of 10.
/ STATES
Massachusetts Democratic gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen supports decriminalizing drugs.
South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Cunningham, a former congressman, tweeted,. “There’s nothing funny about opposing medical marijuana. But the arguments against it? Hilarious.”
The South Dakota Senate began debate on a bill to limit medical cannabis home cultivation.
The Georgia Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities held a hearing on legislation to legalize marijuana and expand the medical cannabis program.
The Pennsylvania Senate Law & Justice Committee will hold a hearing on a marijuana legalization bill on Monday.
A Colorado senator is being accused of using undue influence to get criminal charges placed over an unpaid purchase of hemp biomass from his company.
An Arkansas judge issued a temporary restraining order on regulators issuing additional medical cannabis dispensary licenses while a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in the process is considered.
Connecticut regulators began accepting recreational marijuana business license applications.
Washington State’s top marijuana regulator authored an op-ed accusing an industry lobbyist of being dishonest about an effort to overhaul the Liquor and Cannabis Board.
Maine regulators held a hearing on proposed medical cannabis rules changes.
Maryland regulators released a list of licensed medical cannabis growers.
Oregon regulators posted a presentation on marijuana retailers, sales limits and higher-THC edibles.
Idaho regulators are co-hosting a hemp producers meeting on Friday.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife will host a cannabis technical assistance workshop for cultivators on Wednesday.
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Marijuana Moment is already 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
Portland, Oregon officials are accepting applications for grants to provide economic relief for marijuana businesses.
The Austin, Texas City Council approved an ordinance making technical corrections to a ballot question to decriminalize marijuana.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Guernsey regulators issued the first CBD production license.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “consumers may be seeking lowest-cost, unregulated cannabis to avoid reducing consumption.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions sent a letter urging congressional leaders to support passing a marijuana banking amendment as part of an innovations bill.
/ BUSINESS
A HEXO Corp. investor is pushing to replace a majority of the company’s board members.
North Bay Credit Union is providing dividend payments to its cannabis clients.
Columbia Care Inc. completed a private placement worth $185 million.
/ CULTURE
Sublime launched a line of cannabis products in partnership with The Healing Plant.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
