Newsletter
Cannabis banking senator wants dispensary welfare ban (Newsletter: August 2, 2021)
RI speaker: “no consensus” on legal marijuana; OH legalization bill filed; CA lawmaker pushes feds on cannabis in hospitals; Hemp lawsuit damages
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT)—who is the lead GOP cosponsor of cannabis banking legislation—filed a new bill that has a provision that would prevent people from accessing federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits at marijuana dispensaries. The relevant section of the legislation is titled, “Welfare For Needs Not Weed.”
Rhode Island’s House speaker said there’s still “no consensus” on the details for marijuana legalization between the two legislative chambers and the governor, but it’s “workable” to reach a deal on the “priority” issue by a potential fall special session.
Ohio lawmakers formally introduced a new bill to legalize and regulate marijuana sales—the first-ever filed in the state legislature. Meanwhile, activists are also pursuing statewide and local cannabis ballot measures.
A California senator is asking to meet with the federal secretary of health and human services and Medicare and Medicaid officials to get clarity on whether hospitals that let terminally ill patients use medical marijuana risk losing their funding.
A Montana jury awarded $65 million in damages—the second-highest amount ever in the state—to 25 hemp farmers who say they were victims of negligence, fraud and deceit perpetrated by American and Canadian businessmen who failed to fulfill contracts.
/ FEDERAL
Federal prisoners who were released to home confinement due to the coronavirus pandemic—including some with marijuana convictions—will have to go back behind bars under a decision made by Biden administration lawyers.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit rejected a medical cannabis business owner’s appeal of federal drug convictions, ruling that he did not comply with Michigan law.
Sens. Chris Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Thom Tillis (R-NC.) filed a bill to expand eligibility for expungement for first-time, low-level federal drug possession offenses.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted, “Marijuana reform is backed by Americans of all backgrounds, in red states and blue states. We can come together to get this done.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) spoke about the growth in support of her psychedelics research amendment from the last vote on it two years ago.
Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-NY) tweeted about the Westchester, New York district attorney dismissing marijuana cases, saying, “Grateful for @WestchesterDA’s bold leadership in taking this long-overdue step to end the racist war on drugs in Westchester. Congress needs to follow her lead and legalize cannabis nationwide.”
/ STATES
A spokesperson for Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) said he still opposes legalizing marijuana.
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the state’s agriculture commissioner, responded to an op-ed from two lawmakers, saying, “It’s long past time to right the wrongs when it comes to historic discrimination against farmers of color, including the state’s medical marijuana licensing.”
South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Cunningham tweeted about an editorial cartoon that joked about his support for cannabis reform, saying, “Love it! But in all seriousness, ending the prohibition of marijuana is no joke. It’ll provide a safer alternative to opioids, end the racial disparities in our drug laws, bring in hundreds of millions in new revenue each year & allow law enforcement to focus on violent crime!”
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed a city’s right to not enter into a host community agreement with a marijuana retail operation, but urged lawmakers to consider how the local approval process may be preventing the state from meeting its equity goals.
Missouri activists said they need to fix a clerical issue with their recently filed marijuana legalization ballot measures.
Washington, D.C.’s police chief reiterated his views about marijuana sales being tied to violence.
Oklahoma medical cannabis regulators are being sued for allegedly violating open meeting laws.
Colorado regulators are holding work group meetings this month to inform implementation of new marijuana rules.
Arkansas regulators issued guidelines for homemade hemp food production.
New Mexico regulators will hold a public hearing on revised proposed marijuana rules on Friday.
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/ LOCAL
The Arcata, California City Council’s Public Safety Committee advanced a measure to decriminalize psychedelics.
The Santa Fe County, New Mexico Commission approved marijuana rules.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Cayman Islands’s deputy premier said the government is committed to decriminalizing marijuana possession, but not full legalization.
Belize’s minister of home affairs said establishing a legal marijuana industry is a practical move that would bring benefits in several areas.
An Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly committee held a hearing on a drug decriminalization proposal.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “most respondents report cannabis is very or somewhat helpful for their” multiple sclerosis.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Mississippi voters oppose the state Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the voter-approved medical cannabis measure, 68 percent to 28 percent.
The Chicago Tribune editorial board said city officials should not allow marijuana businesses in the central business district.
/ BUSINESS
Ben & Jerry’s asked the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to reject MJ Munchies Inc.’s request to register “Half-Baked” as a trademark.
4Front Ventures Corp’.s co-founder and Mission Dispensaries President Kris Krane is stepping down from his full-time job with the company.
Jushi Holdings Inc. received a $14.4 million arbitration award in a dispute against San Felasco Nurseries, Inc.
A securities violations case against former CannTrust Holdings Inc. executives has been remanded until September 20.
The Parent Company announced that certain insiders voluntarily entered into lock-up agreements with respect to their shares.
Emjay launched a marijuana delivery app on iOs.
Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. and Colorado State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences completed the first of three collaborative studies to research the chemical profile of full spectrum hemp extracts.
/ CULTURE
Soulja Boy launched his own cannabis brand.
The National Basketball Social Justice Coalition is endorsing congressional legislation to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
