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Connecticut legal cannabis bill clears another committee (Newsletter: April 9, 2019)

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McConnell considers further hemp legislation; Blumenauer says marijuana opponents can’t win presidency; UK lawmakers press on medical cannabis access

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is floating the idea of passing additional legislation to address “glitches” in the rollout of federal hemp legalization.

The Connecticut legislature’s Judiciary Committee voted to approve a marijuana legalization bill.

In an interview with Marijuana Moment, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) said there will never be another anti-cannabis president—and that includes former Vice President Joe Biden, as long as he remains opposed to legalization. He also spoke briefly about a psilocybin measure that activists in his home state of Oregon are seeking to qualify for the 2020 ballot.

/ FEDERAL

The Department of Justice announced steps toward implementing criminal justice reform legislation enacted late last year.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said he is concerned about the public health implications of legalizing marijuana and other drugs.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) tweeted, “I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in support of bipartisan and bicameral legislation allowing states to set their own #marijuana laws and policies. By leaving cannabis laws to states, the federalist approach of the STATES Act resolves many legal problems facing #cannabis.”

/ STATES

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) tweeted about the growth of the state’s medical cannabis program.

Kentucky Democratic gubernatorial candidate Adam Edelen is calling for marijuana decriminalization. State Attorney General Andy Beshear, another Democratic gubernatorial candidate, reacted to his opponent’s move, saying that no one should go to jail for possessing marijuana.

The Louisiana agriculture commissioner’s reelection bid is being challenged by an opponent who is critical of his implementation of medical cannabis.

The New York Assembly speaker reiterated that he wants to pursue marijuana legalization now that the state budget is enacted.

Arkansas lawmakers sent Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) a bill to restrict medical cannabis advertising that could appeal to children.

The Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee approved a bill to allow the transportation of hemp through the state.

Missouri regulators released new draft medical cannabis rules concerning transportation and physicians.

Minnesota regulators touted the results of a study showing medical cannabis’s role in reducing symptoms of patients with cancer. Separately, senators filed a bill to create a marijuana policy task force.

Massachusetts’s top marijuana regulator spoke about ongoing efforts to implement legalization.


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 New York City Council Civil and Human Rights Committee advanced a bill to ban marijuana testing in hiring. And the Public Safety Committee approved a separate proposal to stop marijuana testing for people on probation.

The Fairbanks, Alaska City Council delayed consideration of a proposed ordinance to allow on-site consumption at marijuana stores.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The UK National Police Chiefs’ Council is moving to let chief constables decide whether people caught with marijuana should be arrested, warned or let go. Separately, a number of members of the House of Commons pressed the health secretary about medical cannabis access.

A Mexican Senate committee hosted a forum on marijuana legalization.

The Wales National Assembly released a brief on medical cannabis.

/ ADVOCACY

The Surety & Fidelity Association of America is lobbying Congress on marijuana issues, according to a disclosure form.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study concluded that “an oral cannabis extract with THC/CBD, in higher dosages than in other studies, was well tolerated and greatly improved behavior problems, rigidity, and daily care in severely demented patients.”

/ OPINION & ANALYSIS

The New York Post editorial board said that state lawmakers shouldn’t rush to legalize marijuana.

The Boston Herald editorial board is urging Massachusetts officials to increase the legal supply of marijuana.

/ BUSINESS

Marijuana investor Andy DeFrancesco reportedly sent a derogatory and sexually explicit text message to a journalist.

/ CULTURE

Skateboarder Tony Hawk is partnering with a CBD company.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

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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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