Newsletter
Congress has little to say about psychedelics decriminalization (Newsletter: May 15, 2019)
McConnell pushes hemp crop insurance; POTUS candidate Steve Bullock on marijuana; Study: Legal ‘light cannabis’ sales lowers prescription drug buying
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…
There are now 1,084 cannabis-related bills moving through state legislatures and Congress for 2019 sessions.
Never let a marijuana bill catch you by surprise with exclusive access to Marijuana Moment’s custom-built cannabis legislation tracker for just $25/month.
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
When approached by Marijuana Moment over the last week, lawmakers in Congress who have championed cannabis reform or who represent states where psilocybin decriminalization could be on the 2020 ballot had little to say about psychedelics reform. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), for example, practically ran away from our reporter and Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) said, “I don’t know what a mushroom looks like—if it’s big, tall or what.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is pushing to include provisions clarifying that hemp is eligible for federal crop insurance in a disaster relief funding bill.
Marijuana Moment’s latest presidential candidate overview takes a comprehensive look at the cannabis record of Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D).
A study found that Italy’s legalization of sales of low-THC “light cannabis” led to “a reduction in dispensed packets of opioids, anxiolytics, sedatives, anti-migraines, antiepileptics, anti-depressives and anti-psychotics.” The researchers cited the “relaxant properties of CBD” as one reason.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), a presidential candidate, said he supports the right to vote for people incarcerated on marijuana offenses, but not for those serving time for certain violent or sex crimes.
/ STATES
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signed a bill allowing the sale of hemp-derived CBD products.
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) is urging lawmakers to reject a medical cannabis bill up for a floor debate this week.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) cheered the introduction of a bill to steer marijuana tax revenue toward education. Another new piece of legislation introduced by the Assembly Judiciary Committee would create a Cannabis Advisory Commission.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), asked about using marijuana tax revenue to fix roads, said, “Every man, woman, and child would have to buy $2,500 worth of weed a year. If we were consuming that much, would any of us really care about the damn roads anymore?” Meanwhile, lawmakers filed resolutions calling on Congress to pass cannabis banking legislation. And regulators issued a bulletin about changes to marijuana tracking processes.
Colorado’s attorney general spoke about his support for legalizing marijuana and passing cannabis banking legislation.
Connecticut’s Senate president and House speaker said it is likely that marijuana legalization legislation will get pushed to a special session. Meanwhile, a pending legalization bill has been revised to amend the definition of equity applicants.
The Louisiana House of Representatives approved a bill to allow the inhalation of medical cannabis.
The New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee voted to hold a House-passed marijuana legalization bill for further study until next year.
The California Senate Appropriations Committee advanced bills on marijuana banking, licensing transparency and tracking, as well as on medical cannabis for animals.
New York lawmakers are filing a revised marijuana legalization bill.
Massachusetts representatives filed legislation to prohibit most employers from testing for marijuana.
A new report shows continuing racial disparities in Washington, D.C. arrests for marijuana and other low-level offenses.
—
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
Denver, Colorado mayoral candidates debated how the city’s leadership on drug policy reform can affect its reputation.
A New York City policy disallowing the Department of Probation from conducting drug tests for marijuana went into effect without the signature of Mayor Bill de Blasio (D).
The Cincinnati, Ohio City Council is expected to vote on a proposed marijuana decriminalization ordinance on Wednesday.
Macon-Bibb County, Georgia commissioners hosted a public forum on a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
Harris County, Texas’s district attorney is being asked by a reelection challenger to do more to end marijuana prosecutions.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A Nigerian governor is touring cannabis operations in Thailand to inform plans for his state to grow marijuana.
The British Virgin Islands’s agriculture minister wants the government to consider medical cannabis.
/ ADVOCACY
The National Association of State Budget Officers published an overview of issues that states face when implementing marijuana legalization.
The Nebraska Democratic Party tweeted that advocates are right to suggest that Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) is opposing medical cannabis because he is “bought and paid for” by pharmaceutical, tobacco and alcohol companies.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study comparing the harms of various substances found that “alcohol was the most harmful drug when harm to users and harm to others was combined.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Pennsylvania adults support legalizing marijuana, 51%-28%.
A poll found that Kentucky Republican primary voters support medical cannabis, 56%-37%.
/ BUSINESS
Aphria Inc. announced that its president is resigning effective June 7.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. reported that its third quarter sales and losses grew faster than expected.
Tilray’s quarterly revenue and losses both grew.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
