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Congressional cannabis expungements bill (Newsletter: April 19, 2023)

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Congress investigating FDA CBD decision; NY gov: “buy legal” marijuana; Alcohol industry op-ed; Snoop Dogg cheers NBA cannabis policy change

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) filed a bipartisan bill to facilitate state and local marijuana expungements—backed by federal funding.

House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) is launching an investigation into the Food and Drug Administration’s refusal to regulate CBD products—demanding that the agency turn over documents related to the decision to Congress by May 1.

Ahead of 4/20, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) is rolling out a “Why Buy Legal” public education campaign to encourage people to purchase marijuana from licensed stores to ensure products are safe and revenue is used to advance equity and reinvestment goals.

The president and CEO of Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America authored a new op-ed for Marijuana Moment calling on Congress to federally legalize cannabis using lessons learned from nearly a century of regulating alcohol.

Snoop Dogg cheered the National Basketball Association’s reported decision to remove marijuana from its banned substances list.

  • “You should be able to treat yourself and to heal yourself.”

The Florida House Infrastructure Strategies Committee amended a hemp product regulation bill to remove THC caps that were initially in the legislation.

The Missouri House General Laws Committee held a hearing on a bill to regulate hemp-derived delta-8 THC products.

/ FEDERAL

A Drug Enforcement Administration website posted an article titled, “15 Things the Cannabis Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know.”

The House bill to create a commission to prepare for federal marijuana legalization got two new cosponsors for a total of three.

The House bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to study medical cannabis got one new cosponsor for a total of six.

The House bill to allow CBD as a dietary supplement got one new cosponsor for a total of 18.

/ STATES

Oklahoma’s attorney general said that if officials don’t go after illegal marijuana grow sites, “we will have no compelling reason for our children and grandchildren to stay in the state.”

The Oregon Senate passed a bill to require psilocybin services providers to submit demographic data about clients to state officials. Separately, the Senate and House minority leaders are pushing Gov. Tina Kotek (D) to include issues related to a marijuana dispensary chain within the scope of an investigation into the Liquor and Cannabis Commission.

The Indiana Senate rejected an amendment to create a cannabis commission to prepare for federal legalization.

The Louisiana Senate Agriculture Committee approved a bill to reduce the allowable THC limit in consumable hemp products.

Montana lawmakers are considering two bills with differing provisions for how marijuana tax revenue should be allocated.

An Arizona representative spoke about the importance of a psilocybin research bill.

Michigan regulators circulated a bulletin about tracking marijuana giveaways ahead of 4/20.

Massachusetts regulators are rolling out a social media campaign in advance of 4/20 to remind people of “ways we all contribute to an effective, equitable, and safe regulated cannabis industry.”

Subcommittees of the Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Board will meet this and next week. Separately, regulators published a flyer with “friendly reminders” for 4/20.

Alabama regulators said medical cannabis should be available to patients by mid-fall or early next year.

New York garnered $1.18 million in recreational marijuana sales tax revenue in March.

Rhode Island marijuana revenues aren’t meeting initial expectations.


Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 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

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania mayoral candidates discussed their views on allowing safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.

The Springfield, Missouri City Council passed a measure to ban public consumption of marijuana.

Denver, Colorado officials sent a reminder about marijuana consumption laws ahead of 4/20.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Frankfurt and Offenbach, Germany officials want to apply to launch marijuana sales pilot programs under the federal government’s legalization plan.

Jamaica’s industry, investment and commerce minister said the government is taking steps to make it easier to business in the cannabis industry.

Mexican government agencies will host a marijuana event on Thursday.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “medicinal cannabis was observed to improve pain intensity scores and [health-related quality of life] outcomes in patients with chronic, refractory pain.”

A review concluded that “hemp’s rapidly increasing popularity in the U.S. since 2018 can be attributed, in part, to its sustainability potential.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll of Finnish adults found that 53 percent decriminalizing marijuana and 29 percent want to decriminalize all drugs.

NORML is hiring a new executive director.

The Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association sent an alert about impaired driving ahead of 4/20.

An American Civil Liberties Union staffer authored an op-ed calling on President Joe Biden to commute sentences of people still in federal prison because of the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union officials will host a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” about organizing in the cannabis industry on Thursday.

/ BUSINESS

Schwazze is acquiring Standing Akimbo LLC.

A Twitter official defended the social media site’s marijuana advertising program from criticism by a cannabis drink company executive who didn’t have a good experience with the platform.

Jimmy John’s is launching a “Munchie Crusher” sandwich for 4/20.

/ CULTURE

The Daily Show made fun of former President Donald Trump blaming gun violence on “genetically engineered cannabis.”

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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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