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CT gov says cannabis could go to ballot (Newsletter: April 9, 2021)
Mexico could get another marijuana delay; TX medical cannabis expansion advances; ME drug decrim bill; DE biz boycotted for opposing legalization
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said that if lawmakers fail to pass a marijuana legalization bill, he expects the issue will “probably end up in a referendum” for voters to decide on the ballot.
- “Marijuana is sort of interesting to me. When it goes to a vote of the people through some sort of a referendum, it passes overwhelmingly. When it goes through a legislature and a lot of telephone calls are made, it’s slim or doesn’t pass.”
The Mexican Senate majority leader indicated that lawmakers are likely to request yet another marijuana legalization deadline extension from the nation’s Supreme Court. The current deadline is the end of this month, but senators say the Chamber of Deputies inserted inconsistencies into the bill.
The Texas House Public Health Committee approved a bill to expand the state’s limited medical cannabis program by adding new qualifying conditions and increasing the allowable THC potency limit.
Maine lawmakers filed a bill to decriminalize possession of all drugs.
Delaware marijuana activists are staging a boycott of four medical cannabis companies that testified against an adult-use legalization bill that cleared a House committee last month.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Sentencing Commission released annual data on federal criminal cases, including those for drug offenses.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “The War on Drugs has been a war on people—particularly people of color. New York took an important step to address its harms. And I’m working in the Senate to end the federal prohibition on marijuana and to repair the damage done by the War on Drugs.”
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) said he expects his marijuana banking bill to be enacted this Congress.
Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) tweeted, “The Virginia General Assembly took historic action today to legalize marijuana beginning on July 1.”
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “Legalizing cannabis, expunging records for nonviolent crimes, and investing in Black and brown entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry is the right thing to do.”
/ STATES
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) announced that the Cannabis Regulatory Commission launched its social media accounts and will hold its first meeting on Monday.
Florida’s agriculture commissioner sent a press release about April being National Cannabis Awareness Month.
Georgia lawmakers sent Gov. Brian Kemp (R) a bill to allow 30 medical cannabis oil dispensaries to open.
Idaho lawmakers sent a hemp legalization bill to the desk of Gov. Brad Little (R).
The Oklahoma House Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances Committee approved a bill to increase penalties for diverting medical cannabis to the illegal market.
The North Carolina Senate Rules Committee chairman is sponsoring a medical cannabis bill.
The Maine Supreme Court held oral arguments in a case challenging regulators’ decision not to enforce residency requirements for marijuana business owners.
A North Dakota activist spoke about plans to draft a proposed marijuana legalization measure for the 2022 ballot.
The New Mexico Department of Public Safety said that more than 150,000 people will be eligible to have their prior marijuana records expunged under legislation that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) is expected to sign.
Illinois officials are accepting nominations for people to serve on the Cannabis Equity Commission.
Utah regulators want to hire a consultant to help decide how to award a new medical cannabis dispensary license.
Wisconsin regulators said the state will continue to operate under the federal 2014 hemp pilot program for the rest of the year and that they plan to publish an emergency rule by next month.
A former Massachusetts regulator coauthored an op-ed expressing concerns about big tobacco companies seeking to enter the marijuana industry.
Vermont regulators are hosting a hemp webinar on Monday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 900 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.
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/ LOCAL
Nassau County, New York’s district attorney moved to dismiss hundreds of marijuana cases.
The New York City Police Department sent a memo reminding officers that they still can’t use marijuana.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Japanese consulate in New York issued a warning to the nation’s citizens not to use marijuana even in places where it is legal under state law.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A federally funded study found that “THC levels in biofluids were not reliable indicators of marijuana intoxication.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Montana Democratic Party tweeted, “Republicans continue to demonstrate their distrust of MT voters. This week we discussed amendments to the recreational marijuana bill to reflect the will of the voters. But Republicans have overburdened the bill, going directly against election results.”
The South Dakota Democratic Party tweeted about a state Supreme Court case on the fate of the voter-approved marijuana legalization measure.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation is acquiring The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc.
PepsiCo launched a hemp-infused Rockstar Energy drink in Germany.
KushCo Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $32.9 million and a net loss of $5 million.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. is offering C$250 million worth of shares.
/ CULTURE
Jimmy Fallon made fun of Lake Superior State University’s cannabis chemistry scholarship program.
Golfer Patrick Reed signed a sponsorship deal with cbdMD.
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