Newsletter
CT legal cannabis bill approved in committee (Newsletter: March 26, 2021)
WH clarifies marijuana firings as lawmakers press Biden; ND Senate kills legal marijuana; KS medical amendments; IL bill removes possession limit
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…
BREAKING: Journalism is often consumed for free, but costs money to produce! While this newsletter is proudly sent without cost to you, our ability to send it each day depends on the financial support of readers who can afford to give it. So if you’ve got a few dollars to spare each month and believe in the work we do, please consider joining us on Patreon today.
- Sarah Gersten of The Last Prisoner Project: “As a small team working across the country, having the ability to track bills as they are introduced on everything from decrim to expungement allows us to more effectively support state-level policy initiatives that advance cannabis justice.”
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
30 members of Congress, led by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), sent a letter urging President Joe Biden to stop firing White House staff for marijuana—especially since Vice President Kamala Harris and Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg have consumed cannabis “without consequences.”
- “Those in the upper ranks of your administration won’t face consequences for their cannabis use, and nor should they, but the same standard should be applied across the administration. Repercussions for cannabis use have always been unequal and those with the most power have always faced the fewest consequences. We ask that you don’t allow that pattern to continue within your administration.”
Facing bipartisan criticism, the White House issued a new statement attempting to clarify the scope of marijuana-related firings, saying no one has been let go due to “usage from years ago” or “casual or infrequent use during the prior 12 months.”
The Connecticut legislature’s Labor and Public Employees Committee approved an equity-focused marijuana legalization bill that’s competing with a separate cannabis plan Gov. Ned Lamont (D) put into his budget.
The North Dakota Senate rejected a House-passed marijuana legalization bill—meaning that activists who were willing to accept it as a compromise will now pursue a more far-reaching cannabis ballot measure for 2022.
The Illinois House Judiciary – Criminal Committee approved a bill to remove all possession limits for legal marijuana and expunge prior cannabis convictions.
The Kansas House Federal and State Affairs Committee began approving changes to a medical marijuana bill, with the aim of taking the proposal back up next week to potentially vote to send it to the next step of the legislative process.
/ FEDERAL
President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden answered “no” to a gun purchase application about being a consumer of illegal drugs.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) tweeted, “Imagine having to pay your workers in cash because you can’t access banking for your business. Well, that’s what happens to cannabis businesses because of an outdated federal rule. I’m working to change this. Let them bank!”
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) predicted that Democrats would nominate a presidential candidate who backs legalizing marijuana in 2024 and said Republicans would do the same in 2028.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) noted legislative action on medical cannabis in Kansas, tweeting, “Kansas proving to be more progressive on Marijuana Reform than the @JoeBiden administration. Kansas.”
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) tweeted, “People who use cannabis should not be discriminated against in the workforce! This completely unwarranted and outrageous stigma is a relic of the failed war on drugs that needs to go.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) tweeted, “Legalize marijuana nationwide.”
Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT) tweeted that she met with Connecticut’s banking commissioner to discuss marijuana banking and other issues.
The Senate marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor, for a total of 30.
/ STATES
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed a bill making changes to hemp rules.
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) spoke about efforts to implement the voter-approved legalization of marijuana.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) tweeted, “Last month New Jersey legalized marijuana and now New York is well on their way. Pennsylvania will soon be surrounded by legal marijuana. It’s time to legalize it and get revenue, jobs, and restorative justice for our commonwealth.”
Florida’s agriculture commissioner is helping to launch a new women-led marijuana reform organization.
New Jersey lawmakers sent Gov. Phil Murphy (D) a bill requiring police officers to notify the parents of minors who are found in possession of marijuana or alcohol.
The Vermont Senate approved a bill that seeks to improve equity in the marijuana industry and avoid market delays.
The Illinois Senate passed a bill on county marijuana revenue.
South Dakota government lawyers filed their latest briefs in a state Supreme Court case on the fate of the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law.
A New York senator hosted a forum about research on the use of psychedelics for treating end-of–life existential distress.
California regulators are proposing changes to hemp rules.
Missouri regulators appealed a ruling that determined they must award medical cannabis cultivation licenses to two companies that were originally rejected.
Ohio regulators reported active medical cannabis patient registration numbers for the first time.
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission will meet on Monday.
—
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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—
/ LOCAL
The Milwaukee County, Wisconsin voted to reduce the penalty for marijuana possession to $1.
New York City mayoral candidate Ran McGuire released a marijuana plan.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Thailand’s government conducted a tour of a cannabis growing facility for foreign press.
A former Israeli foreign minister is joining the medical cannabis company Cantek as a strategic consultant.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “response to treatment with a highly purified, plant-derived CBD oil-based solution can be seen in patients across a broad range of epilepsy disorders and etiologies.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Dallas Morning News editorial board endorsed a congressional bill to let judges expunge more drug conviction records.
The New York Post editorial board isn’t happy with how lawmakers are handling marijuana-impared driving in a legalization bill.
The U.S. Cannabis Council appointed a 48-member board of directors.
The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police are pressing lawmakers to repeal the criminal liability for officers who illegally search underage people caught with marijuana in pending legalization clean up legislation.
The U.S. Hemp Authority said it will not certify products that are marketed for intoxication.
/ BUSINESS
Cresco Labs Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $162.3 million and a net loss of $23.4 million.
Vireo Health International, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $12.4 million.
Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $26.9 million and a net loss of $14.7 million.
Aleafia Health Inc. reported C$15.2 million in quarterly net revenue and a net loss of C$217.3 million.
The owner of Relief Choices LLC was charged with tax evasion by a federal grand jury.
Los Angeles Magazine partially retracted a story about possible corruption in Santa Barbara, California’s marijuana business permitting process.
/ CULTURE
Neil deGrasse Tyson said people shouldn’t use psychedelics with the aim of better understanding the universe.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
