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CO psychedelics legalization takes effect (Newsletter: December 29, 2022)

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SD 2024 legalization measure filed; GOP congressman’s last-minute marijuana research bill; Top WI lawmaker & gov differ on cannabis plans

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

With Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’s (D) declaration, the results of the voter-approved psychedelics ballot measure have been formally certified and it is now officially legal to possess and grow personal use amounts of psilocybin, ibogaine, mescaline and DMT under state law.

Wisconsin’s Republican Assembly speaker is warning Gov. Tony Evers (D) that following through with a pledge to put recreational marijuana legalization in his budget could jeopardize the chance to pass bipartisan medical cannabis legislation.

  • “If he really wants to generate consensus, he needs to get off his liberal bandwagon and start by saying where can we generate consensus, and that’s not by pitching the farthest extreme position.”

South Dakota activists filed the text of a 2024 marijuana legalization ballot initiative with the state Legislative Research Council for review ahead of a potential signature gathering effort. Unlike the last version that was rejected by voters this year, the new measure contains a provision allowing current medical cannabis dispensaries to sell recreational marijuana to adults.

With just days left in the current Congress, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) refiled a bill to expand marijuana research that he’s introduced for the past three sessions.

/ FEDERAL

Former White House Senior Advisory and Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove cheered that marijuana banking provisions were left out of the omnibus appropriations bill.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) tweeted a video of a committee hearing in which she advocated for President Joe Biden to issue marijuana expungements in addition to pardons, saying that “an expungement erases your record, but a pardon can still prevent you from accessing employment, housing, and other critical resources.”

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-A) tweeted, “Black & brown folks have been hardest hit by the War on Drugs and we must ensure they receive the financial rewards of our expanding cannabis industry.”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) tweeted, “President Trump was right. We should bomb the cartel’s because they are an international criminal organization murdering our people by lacing deadly fentanyl from China in drugs they illegally sell across our border to US citizens. Not Mexico or it’s great people, the cartels.”

/ STATES

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) vetoed bills that would have prevented regulators from denying a person a marijuana business license based on the job of their spouse, given licensees more leeway in purchasing or transferring cannabis and made changes to the definition of medical marijuana.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) spoke about his medical cannabis executive order and the need for lawmakers to enact more comprehensive reform.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) tweeted about the opening of the application period for the next round of cannabis dispensary social equity licenses.

California’s insurance commissioner noted a state law taking effect on January 1 that creates a safe harbor for insurance services provided to cannabis businesses.

A North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice report includes status updates on efforts to implement recommendations to decriminalize marijuana, deprioritize cannabis enforcement and study broader policy changes.

Massachusetts marijuana regulators temporarily extended policies on telehealth, curbside sales and virtual community outreach meetings.

New Mexico regulators filed rules on workers compensation reimbursements for medical cannabis.

Vermont regulators held a Q&A session on cannabis issues.

Montana regulators will hold a hearing on proposed changes to marijuana sampling rules on Thursday.

Alabama’s deadline to submit medical cannabis license applications is on Friday.


Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 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.

/ LOCAL

Kansas City, Missouri’s mayor tweeted, “Kansas City Hemp Festival.  Thoughts? I’ve appreciated meeting with folks from our cannabis industry in and around Kansas City to ensure our community is a national leader in building up a safe, diverse, and vibrant marijuana market. More ahead.”

/ INTERNATIONAL

Mexico’s Senate president said he and key committees will pay “special attention” to cannabis legalization and other issues in the new session.

Pernambuco, Brazil’s governor signed a medical cannabis cultivation bill.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study concluded that “topical CBD may be a valuable tool to treat pain related to digital ulcers in patients with [systemic sclerosis].”

A study indicated that “cannabinoids seem generally safe and well-tolerated” in people living with HIV.

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The New York Daily News editorial board said officials have much more work to do to ensure the success of the state’s legal marijuana market.

/ BUSINESS

Flora Growth Corp. closed its acquisition of Franchise Global Health Inc.

/ CULTURE

Cher said Willie Nelson’s tour bus smells “exactly like marijuana” and that there are “drugs everywhere.”

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Photo courtesy of Brian Shamblen.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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