Newsletter
Congressional leaders’ changes to cannabis bill (Newsletter: December 1, 2020)
Marijuana on 2022 ballots; UN cannabis rescheduling vote this week; VA officials file legalization report; USDA expands hemp insurance
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…
They say a journalist is a machine that converts coffee into copy. But where do you think the coffee comes from? Readers like you!
Signing up for a $25/month subscription will help keep us digging, interviewing and reporting on all the cannabis news that’s fit to print. And in return, you’ll gain access to our Bill Tracker tool, too, so you can have the most up-to-date information on the drug policy reform efforts around the U.S.
Join Marijuana Moment for $25/month to support our work: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Congressional leaders are proposing a lengthy amendment to a marijuana legalization bill scheduled for a House floor vote this week—including changes to tax structures. The legislation will go before the Rules Committee on Wednesday, and there may be other amendments considered there.
- Other leadership changes to the MORE Act would clarify that the Food and Drug Administration can continue to have oversight over cannabis products and that marijuana can still be included in drug testing programs for federal workers.
The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs will vote on World Health Organization marijuana rescheduling recommendations this week—and the U.S. is supporting removing cannabis from the most restrictive global category, but is against a CBD measure.
A workgroup comprised of four Virginia cabinet secretaries and other top officials released a report with recommendations for how the state can legalize marijuana.
Marijuana Moment’s latest analysis takes a look ahead at states that are most likely to vote on legal cannabis during the 2022 midterms.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it is expanding and improving a crop insurance program for hemp farmers.
/ FEDERAL
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) tweeted, “This week, your House Democrat majority is tackling the tough issues by holding a vote on legalizing pot and banning tiger ownership. Nothing for small businesses. Nothing for re-opening schools. Nothing on battling the pandemic. Just cannabis and cats.”
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “It’s past time to correct the injustices against Black & brown communities by decriminalizing cannabis, expunging records, & investing the profits into communities impacted most by the racist War on Drugs. Let’s pass the MORE Act this week.”
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) tweeted, “As states across the country decriminalize and legalize marijuana, it is important that Congress take the necessary steps to end the federal ban on marijuana — a policy that has so disproportionately affected communities of color.”
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) tweeted, “Let me get this straight: Nancy Pelosi is blocking a bill to deliver unused Paycheck Protection Program funds to workers and small businesses. But she managed to find time for a vote on pot legislation this week.”
Rep. Mark Green (R-TN) tweeted, “This week, @HouseDemocrats decided the most pressing issue facing our country is decriminalizing marijuana…”
Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) tweeted, “As workers struggle, Nancy Pelosi is wasting our time with marijuana legislation. The clearest example yet of her warped priorities.”
Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) tweeted, “There is still over $130+ billion available in the Paycheck Protection Program for businesses to use, but Speaker Pelosi is prioritizing passing marijuana legislation this week. We should be focused on supporting our workers & businesses right now – it is time to reopen the #PPP.”
Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) tweeted, “Speaker Pelosi continues to block releasing unused #PaycheckProtectionProgram funds, which would help small businesses and workers. Appropriations work is far from finished. The critical NDAA awaits completion. Yet, House Dems are prioritizing a cannabis bill this week…”
/ STATES
Arizona’s marijuana legalization law formally took effect with the certification of the election results.
Florida’s Senate president is opposed to taking up a marijuana legalization bill, but activists are working on plans for a 2022 ballot measure on the issue.
New Jersey’s Senate president participated in a forum on marijuana legalization and social justice. Separately, the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman said he thinks he will try cannabis once it becomes legal.
Members of Maryland’s Legislative Black Caucus are drafting marijuana legalization legislation for the 2021 session.
Massachusetts regulators approved marijuana delivery rules.
California has a new acting top marijuana regulator.
The Washington State House Commerce & Gaming Committee heard an update from the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force.
A Tennessee senator said that “COVID has increased the need for medical cannabis” and is planning to file a bill for 2021.
An incoming South Dakota representative wants to enact restrictions on marijuana use under the state’s voter-approved legalization law.
Pennsylvania regulators sent guidance about medical cannabis gross receipts tax due dates.
The Colorado Marijuana Science & Policy Work Group will meet on Friday.
—
Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,500 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 West Point, Georgia City Council is considering a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
The Washington County, New York sheriff is being sued for allegedly illegally destroying hemp plants.
/ INTERNATIONAL
New Zealand activists filed a proposed marijuana decriminalization initiative.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “most participants did not believe that cannabis legalization had affected their use behavior” but that “participants, especially cannabis users, perceived that recreational cannabis legalization created a context where cannabis use was legally, socially, and behaviorally “safer” than in an illegal context, even for those below the legal age of sale.”
A study concluded that “hemp oil has abundant potential to be used as an inedible source for the manufacture of bio-diesel.“
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Wisconsin State Journal editorial board said the state should legalize marijuana.
Sun+Earth Certification reached its $25,000 crowdfunding goal to support a regenerative organic cannabis certification program and has set a new goal of raising an additional $15,000.
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights tweeted, “This week, the House will vote on #HR3884 – the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act. It’s time for Congress to pass this legislation and address the decades of harm faced by communities of color & low-income communities due to failed marijuana policies.”
/ BUSINESS
Organigram Holdings Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $20.4 million and a net loss of $38.6 million.
4Front Ventures Corp. reported $12.4 million in quarterly revenue and a net loss of $3.9 million.
Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $13.4 million and a net loss of $17.8 million.
Bluma Wellness Inc reported quarterly net revenue of $3.1 million.
Field Trip Health Ltd. reported quarterly revenue of $94,532 and a net loss of $3.9 million.
Curio Wellness started a $30 million fund to invest in women- and minority-owned marijuana businesses.
/ CULTURE
Celebrities such as Kevin Garnett and Al Harrington sent a letter urging members of Congress to support a marijuana legalization bill being voted on this week.
Former mixed martial arts fighters Ian McCall and Dean Lister spoke about their therapeutic use of psychedelics.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
