Newsletter
Cannabis is now legal in NY (Newsletter: April 1, 2021)
NM legalization bill to gov’s desk; VA gov’s marijuana amendments; Schumer: federal legalization plan “shortly”; SC medical cannabis vote
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed a marijuana legalization bill into law, just hours after lawmakers sent it to his desk. Some provisions, including the legalization of possession, took effect immediately.
New Mexico lawmakers sent bills to legalize marijuana and expunge cannabis convictions to the desk of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D), who has pledged to sign them into law.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) officially proposed that legalization of marijuana possession and home cultivation become legal on July 1 instead of in 2024, among other amendments to a cannabis bill that’s on his desk. Lawmakers will consider these and other changes in a short session next week.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said the federal marijuana legalization bill he is working on with Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) will be introduced “shortly.”
The South Carolina Senate Medical Affairs Committee approved a bill to legalize medical marijuana. The sponsor described it as “the most conservative medical cannabis bill in the country.”
/ FEDERAL
A number of would-be federal employees have been denied jobs over past marijuana use, in addition to those White House staffers who have been fired, suspended or otherwise punished for it.
President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden writes in his new memoir that he tried ketamine and 5-MeO-DMT therapy in an attempt to stop using crack cocaine.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) tweeted about New York’s vote to legalize marijuana, saying, “Good. Marijuana should be legal nationwide. All marijuana convictions must be expunged. It is absurd and idiotic that the federal government considers marijuana to be as dangerous as heroin.”
Sen. Kirsten GIllibrand (D) tweeted, “Marijuana has finally been legalized in New York State. Now it’s time to legalize marijuana across the country and undo decades of injustice caused by our failed drug policies.”
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) tweeted about New York’s passage of legal marijuana legislation, saying, “This is what progress looks like. Now, let’s pass the MORE Act and decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. It’s long past time.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) tweeted about New York legalizing marijuana, saying. “A long overdue domino falls in our fight to end the failed war on drugs! Next step: Legalizing cannabis at the federal level.””
Former Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA) criticized a worker-related provision in Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s (D) proposed marijuana legalization bill amendments, saying, “Why should their [sic] be limits on contractors? Easier to unionize? This is a right to work state. This does nothing to protect workers. It simply enacts barriers to entry for small marijuana operations. This is a bill for unions and facilitates large companies dominating the market.”
Ohio Democratic congressional candidate Nina Turner tweeted, “No one should be in jail for smoking marijuana. No one should lose their job (or have a criminal record) for having smoked it. Legalize it.”
/ STATES
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) tweeted, “Great to see other states joining CA in legalizing cannabis — throwing out archaic policies and recognizing what an abject failure the war on drugs has really been. Who is next?”
Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner made several appointments to the Industrial Hemp Advisory Board.
The Texas House of Representatives advanced a bill to make it so parents couldn’t lose custody of their children simply because they test positive for marijuana.
The West Virginia Senate passed a bill to change several aspects of the medical cannabis program.
The Alabama House Judiciary Committee delayed consideration of a Senate-passed medical cannabis bill for a week.
Colorado regulators issued a health and safety warning about potentially unsafe levels of cadmium in marijuana from TZ Financial, LLC.
Pennsylvania regulators are making $157,735 in state funds available for three projects aimed at increasing consumer awareness of hemp growing market opportunities for growers and processors.
Oregon regulators published a report on marijuana production licenses.
Washington State regulators are considering rules on vitamin E acetate in cannabis products.
Mississippi’s Department of Health is hiring a top medical cannabis regulator.
Florida’s Industrial Hemp Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 900 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
New York City’s mayor applauded the state’s legalization of marijuana. Meanwhile, the police commissioner said he has concerns about the specifics of the new law.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The UK Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities recommended launching a pilot program to divert people caught possessing certain drugs into health services instead of giving them criminal records.
A former Honduran congressman was sentenced to life in U.S. prison for cocaine importation, weapons offenses and making false statements.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “self-report data suggest that high doses of cannabis can create subjective effects comparable to those identified in trials of psilocybin that precede relief from cancer-related distress, treatment-resistant depression, alcohol problems, and cigarette dependence.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Iowa residents support legalizing marijuana, 51%-43%.
The Louisiana Democratic Party tweeted about a marijuana decriminalization bill, saying. “Over 65% of Louisianans support this move & for good reason. It would eliminate harsh criminal penalties with lifelong consequences, ease burden on justice system & save taxpayers money.”
/ BUSINESS
Green Thumb Industries Inc. is demanding that The Chicago Tribune retract an article that claimed the company is under federal investigation for activities surrounding its efforts to obtain marijuana licenses.
Greenlane Holdings, Inc. and KushCo Holdings, Inc. are merging.
Trans-High Corp. is suing a law firm for allegedly failing to properly advise the company on how to terminate its former CEO.
Greenlane Holdings, Inc. reported $36.3 million in quarterly revenue and a net loss of $10.9 million.
Canopy Growth Corporation hired a new vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
