Newsletter
Cannabis banking in “next six weeks,” chair says (Newsletter: September 7, 2023)
CA & MA psychedelics; Tribal marijuana vote; FL legalization poll; Prohibs narc on Wells Fargo over cannabis banking; DEA rescheduling anniversary
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said a marijuana banking bill is among his “priorities” that he wants to advance “in the next six weeks.”
The California Assembly approved a Senate-passed psychedelics legalization bill. It now heads back to the originating chamber for consideration of recent amendments before potentially going to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) desk.
The Massachusetts attorney general’s office certified two psychedelics legalization proposals for signature collection toward qualification for the 2024 ballot, and prepared official summaries of the measures.
The principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians—which is voting on a cannabis legalization referendum on Thursday—told Marijuana Moment that a GOP congressman’s attempt to threaten the tribe over the issue may backfire and help the reform pass.
A new poll found that 60 percent of Florida voters support legalizing recreational marijuana. That’s the exact percentage a pending cannabis legalization initiative will need to exceed in order to be enacted if the state Supreme Court allows it to appear on the 2024 ballot.
Prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana is narcing on Wells Fargo and the state of Maryland to federal officials for what it says is an effort to “circumvent federal laws and regulations” by banking cannabis tax revenue.
The Maryland Cannabis Administration reported that retailers sold a record $91.7 million worth of legal marijuana products in August.
Wednesday was the 35th anniversary of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s own administrative law judge recommending marijuana rescheduling—which the agency ignored. But the date is taking on a new meaning amid the Biden administration’s ongoing cannabis review.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) tweeted, “We don’t have the votes to legalize marijuana (yet!) – the SAFE Banking Act is a logical next step. New shops in legalized states like Minnesota should be treated like any other business. Forcing them to operate cash-only is dangerous for the businesses and a pain for consumers.”
Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) tweeted, “@HHS’s recommendation to reclassify marijuana is a step in the right direction. We must fully transform drug policy in our country. That’s why we’re pushing to legalize marijuana, expunge criminal records & end the War on Drugs.”
Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) tweeted, “Floridians understand that medical cannabis offers many people, especially veterans, the help they need. As co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Cannabis Caucus, I’ll keep pushing for common sense cannabis bills, like the Veterans Equal Access Act.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) participated in a conversation about cannabis with the Hennepin County, Minnesota attorney.
The House marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor for a total of 69.
/ STATES
The Colorado legislature’s Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee voted in support of drafting legislation to legalize safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.
The Delaware Senate Executive Committee will hold a hearing on Gov. John Carney’s (D) appointments to the Marijuana Appeals Commission on Friday.
An Ohio representative said lawmakers may seek to repeal home cultivation provisions of a marijuana legalization ballot initiative if voters approve it.
A Pennsylvania senator is pushing legislation to protect medical cannabis patients from being unduly charged with driving under the influence.
A Minnesota senator authored an op-ed laying out his concerns about the state’s marijuana legalization law.
A New York senator wrote about his bill that is intended to reduce consumption of marijuana-infused foods by children.
A Texas judge held a hearing in a lawsuit challenging regulators’ restrictions on delta-8 THC products.
Maryland regulators sent a notice that certain marijuana products may not have been handled or stored in compliance with rules.
Maine regulators are moving to revise medical cannabis rules.
Washington State regulators sent an update on the marijuana social equity business license application process.
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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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
Keego Harbor, Michigan officials improperly kept a marijuana regulation proposal off the ballot, a state court ruled.
The Olmsted County, Minnesota sheriff raised concerns about gun rights conflicts under the state’s marijuana legalization law.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Cayman Islands’s chief medical officer expressed concerns about cannabis gummies.
A Glasgow, Scotland City Council member is calling for drug decriminalization.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found a “significant decrease in drug activities since legalization” of medical cannabis in Ohio.
A series of case studies noted “improvement in olfactory impairment after psychedelic use.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Cannabis Impact Prevention Coalition filed a federal lawsuit challenging the legality of New York’s Cannabis Social Equity Fund.
The Coalition for Access to Regulated & Safe Cannabis took out a full-page ad in The New York Times calling out New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) for what the group says is the state’s “total failure” of a marijuana program.
/ BUSINESS
Rise workers in Illinois ratified their first collective bargaining agreements.
Canopy Growth Germany GmbH renamed its medical cannabis brand in the country from Spectrum Therapeutics to Canopy Medical.
Illinois dispensaries sold $26.5 million worth of medical cannabis products in August.
/ CULTURE
Former football player Ricky Williams said he hopes the NFL will allow teams to treat players with medical cannabis after games.
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