Newsletter
Congressional hearing on three cannabis bills this week (Newsletter: April 29, 2019)
GOP senator says fix marijuana banking issues; Tenn. House speaker polls medical cannabis; Conn. House speaker weighs special session on legalization
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…
This issue of Marijuana Moment, and our original reporting that is featured in it, are made possible by the generous support of 426 Patreon sponsors. Cannabis industry professionals receive valuable rewards for pledges of $25 and up.
Check out the perks of being a sponsor on our Patreon page.
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health scheduled a hearing on three bills concerning medical cannabis and military veterans for Tuesday.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) voiced support for letting states set their own marijuana laws and increasing cannabis businesses’ access to banks—even though he hasn’t joined his colleagues in cosponsoring pending legislation to accomplish those goals.
The Republican speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives released the results of a survey he conducted showing that more than 7 out of 10 of his constituents support legalizing medical cannabis without federal Food and Drug Administration action.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s top agent in Omaha, Nebraska said that “marijuana is still the No. 1 gateway drug. Heroin, meth and cocaine addicts, they all have one thing in common. They started with marijuana.”
A journal federally funded through the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences examined issue of pesticides in marijuana cultivation.
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), a presidential candidate, tweeted, “If we’re going to legalize marijuana, we need to do it right. That means not having two systems where some are benefiting from a growing industry while others face legal consequences. We must legalize marijuana at the federal level.”
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), a presidential candidate, spoke about her support for ending the war on drugs.
Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX), a presidential candidate, appeared to suggest that a voter having trouble accessing opioids should try medical cannabis.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) said his state’s legalization of medical cannabis is “good” and called hemp a “tremendous opportunity.”
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) published an op-ed on her support for marijuana banking access.
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) tweeted, “Individuals living in housing that receives federal assistance should never fear eviction for treating their medical conditions or for using a substance legal in their state. America’s views on marijuana have changed. It’s time Congress caught up.”
The House marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor, for a total of 167.
The House bill to require the federal government to study the impact of state marijuana laws got one new cosponsor, for a total of 27.
/ STATES
Kentucky Democratic gubernatorial candidate Adam Edelen tweeted, “Medical marijuana is a no-brainer, but we also have to move to decriminalization. Locking people up for small amounts of marijuana is dumb, wasteful and unfair.”
Nevada’s treasurer thanked U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) for her work on marijuana banking legislation and said, “Until we get the needed Federal solution, we’re working on state-level solutions like #AB466 which creates a closed-loop solution for Nevadans.”
North Dakota lawmakers sent a bill to lower marijuana penalties to the desk of Gov. Doug Burgum (R).
Iowa lawmakers sent Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) a bill to raise the THC cap in the state’s limited medical cannabis law.
Connecticut’s House speaker said that lawmakers should consider marijuana legalization during a special session if they don’t get it done by the end of the regular session.
Language for an Illinois marijuana legalization bill is expected to be filed this week. Here’ a look at where a number of state lawmakers stand on the issue.
New Jersey lawmakers are considering abandoning a plan to tie bills expanding medical cannabis and legalizing marijuana together and instead consider them separately.
Massachusetts regulators reached an agreement to allow marijuana delivery services under which economic empowerment and social equity businesses would have exclusive access to licenses for a period of two years.
Missouri regulators released draft rules for medical cannabis dispensaries, infused-product manufacturers, patients and primary caregivers.
California regulators carried out enforcement actions against two unlicensed marijuana businesses.
Guam’s marijuana regulatory board held its first meeting.
An Arkansas medical cannabis cultivation business completed its first harvest.
Here’s a look at efforts to expand Colorado marijuana laws.
—
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 Las Vegas, Nevada City Council is set to vote on allowing marijuana consumption lounges on Wednesday.
Madison, Wisconsin officials are trying to stop stop two men from distributing marijuana from a storefront Rastafarian church.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Some UK members of Parliament are concerned that police departments are effectively unilaterally decriminalizing marijuana by making fewer arrests.
Thailand’s government extended an amnesty period for people to report medical cannabis use by two days.
The lawyer for an American man arrested for growing 20 acres of cannabis plants in Myanmar said he had approval to do so for scientific purposes.
/ ADVOCACY
Americans for Safe Access Executive Director Steph Sherer is stepping down from the role to become president of the International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “CBD restores disruption of the salience network by THC, which may explain its potential to treat disorders of salience such as psychosis and addiction.”
A study found that “brand imagery on cannabis packaging can promote lifestyle associations and influence the appeal of cannabis products among young people.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The New Hampshire Union Leader editorial board says the state should not “rush” to legalize marijuana.
/ BUSINESS
Charlotte’s Web hired a former Kellogg Company executive as CEO.
The Green Solution, Colorado’s second-largest marijuana dispensary chain, is opposing legislation that would have the state license cannabis social use areas.
Seizures of CBD oil at DFW Airport have “skyrocketed” this year.
/ CULTURE
Rapper Chief Keef will be spared jail time following an arrest for possessing marijuana edibles if he stays out of legal trouble for a year.
Kim Kardashian held a CBD-themed baby shower.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
