Newsletter
Cannabis banking vote will happen over orgs’ objections, key lawmaker says (Newsletter: September 19, 2019)
O’Rourke proposes marijuana reparations grants; Senate report slams Schedule I cannabis research block; Colombian legalization bill gains support
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…
By starting a $10 per month pledge on Patreon—or about 45 cents per issue of this newsletter—you can help us rely less on ads to cover our expenses, hire more journalists and bring you even more marijuana news.
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
House Financial Services Committee Chair Maxine Waters (D-CA) told Marijuana Moment in an interview that the House will move ahead with a floor vote on cannabis banking legislation over objections from groups who want more far-reaching reforms first. A number of other lawmakers we spoke to said that while they agree with the need to push for broader reform, it would be a mistake to set aside the financial services legislation that can pass sooner.
Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX), a presidential candidate, released a plan that includes using federal cannabis tax revenue to fund a “Drug War Justice Grant” program to give direct monthly payments to people formerly incarcerated on marijuana charges.
- It would also incentivize states to ensure equity in the cannabis industry by tying federal funds to requirements that licensing fees be waived for low-income people who have been convicted of cannabis offenses, small marijuana businesses be protected from predatory investors and a majority of licenses are awarded to companies owned by minorities and people disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.
The Senate Appropriations Committee released a draft report slamming Schedule I’s marijuana research roadblocks and calling for more studies on CBD and lesser-known cannabis compound CBG.
Assistant House Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) filed a bill to shield immigrants from being deported or denied entry as a result of marijuana.
A bill to legalize marijuana in Colombia is gaining support across multiple political parties.
/ FEDERAL
The Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area released the latest in a series of critical reports about Colorado’s marijuana legalization law.
Presidential candidate Andrew Yang spoke about his support for decriminalizing opioids. He also released another batch of marijuana-themed campaign hats.
A State Department funding bill set to be considered by the Senate Appropriations Committee restricts use of anti-narcotics monies to aid the Philippines in enforcing its bloody “war on drugs.”
Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) said he is hopeful that hemp-specific provisions will be added to marijuana banking legislation before an expected floor vote next week.
Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) appeared on a marijuana podcast and tweeted, “When cannabis is legalized, we’ll have one chance to ensure that the communities disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs have a chance to participate in this industry. We have to get it right.”
Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) tweeted, “Luxembourg just fully legalized cannabis joining Uruguay and Canada in ushering in this vibrant industry. Every day the United States waits to reform our laws, we fall further behind. We must act to ensure that American cannabis remains the best cannabis.”
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair the damage of the drug war got two new cosponsors for a total of 41.
The House bill to exempt state-legal marijuana activity from the Controlled Substances Act got two new cosponsors for a total of 62.
The House bill to remove roadblocks to marijuana research got six new cosponsors for a total of 14.
The House bill to end the 280E tax penalty on marijuana businesses got one new cosponsor for a total of eight.
The House bill to set a federal tax on marijuana got one new cosponsor for a total of three.
The House bill to bridge the gap between state and federal marijuana laws got one new cosponsor for a total of one.
/ STATES
Florida’s agriculture commissioner released draft hemp rules. Meanwhile, a former lieutenant governor is joining the Hemp Industries Association of Florida as president.
The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to override Gov. Chris Sununu’s (R) veto of a bill letting patients and caregivers grow medical cannabis at home. The Senate is expected to vote on Thursday.
New Mexico’s marijuana legalization working group is raising money to pay for polling on cannabis issues.
Minnesota’s House Democratic–Farmer–Labor Caucus launched an online survey to collect public input about marijuana legalization.
Indiana Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Owens spoke in support of decriminalizing marijuana.
—
Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 cannabis 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 Chamblee, Georgia City Council unanimously approved a marijuana decriminalization ordinance.
The Cincinnati, Ohio City Council passed a proposal to seal past cannabis convictions.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found “preclinical evidence supporting CBD treatment of seizures and alleviation of EEG abnormalities.”
A study found that “in the five years after legalization, fatal crash rates increased more in Colorado and Washington than would be expected had they continued to parallel crash rates in the control states, but not significantly so.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A global survey of Goldman Sachs interns found that 85% support medical cannabis and 48% back marijuana legalization (59% in the U.S.).
Americans for Safe Access is urging federal agencies to take steps to protect people who use cannabis vapes.
The American Bar Association is hosting a marijuana conference in Chicago on Thursday and Friday.
D.C. Marijuana Justice, Drug Policy Alliance and NORML endorsed a push for Washington, D.C. statehood.
/ BUSINESS
JPMorgan Chase’s CEO said his bank will consider serving marijuana businesses once there is a federal safe harbor.
WeWork’s CEO was reportedly kicked off a private jet after the flight crew found a significant quantity of marijuana stuffed inside of a cereal box.
/ CULTURE
Film director and screenwriter Evan Goldberg is among the jury members for the first Clio Cannabis advertising awards.
Variety reviewed celebrity-endorsed marijuana brands.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
