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CT legal cannabis details emerge (Newsletter: June 4, 2021)

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New ID legalization initiative for 2022; Biden DEA nominee spoke against marijuana decrim; Record IL cannabis sales

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) is endorsing President Joe Biden’s nominee for administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration as champion of ending the war on drugs—but she argued against decriminalizing even marijuana in a 2007 interview. The senator did not press her for an updated stance in a Senate confirmation hearing last week.

Connecticut’s House majority leader is finally discussing the details of an emerging marijuana legalization deal—but equity advocates are pushing back on other specifics that leaked in a news report. Meanwhile, bill text has still not yet been released and the session ends on Wednesday.

Idaho activists filed a proposed 2022 ballot initiative to legalize possession of three ounces of marijuana. People would have to travel to neighboring states to purchase it, however. A separate medical cannabis measure is also circulating.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation reported that retailers saw yet another record-breaking month of marijuana sales in May. The state is on pace for more than $1 billion in cannabis sales this year.

/ FEDERAL

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is preparing a response to a letter from Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) that requests the government stop evicting people from public housing for state-legal marijuana use.

Customs and Border Protection sent a reminder to travelers that marijuana is illegal.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted, “In 2017, we had more marijuana possession arrests in the U.S. than all violent crimes combined. Enough. It’s time to turn the page on this sad chapter in our history and focus on undoing the discriminatory policies that have ruined lives and communities.”

Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) tweeted, “Common sense employment practices and inclusive hiring are good for families and communities. Eliminating penalties that punish current and former marijuana users is a good first step.”

Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA) tweeted, “The PA GOP stands in the way of the commonwealth moving forward with #marijuana legalization.”

/ STATES

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) signed a bill to rescind per se driving thresholds for THC.

The top cannabis advisor to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) said regulators are “close” to being able to start awarding new marijuana business licenses. Separately, a House-passed bill to defelonize drug possession died without a Senate vote.

Questions are being raised about when New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and lawmakers will appoint officials to the state’s new marijuana regulatory body.

Michigan’s attorney general hosted an event to help people expunge marijuana convictions.

The Colorado Senate approved an amended version of a House-passed bill to enact limits on marijuana concentrates, place restrictions on medical cannabis recommendations and require the state to study the impacts of marijuana on certain health outcomes, among other changes.

A South Dakota Department of Revenue lawyer said medical cannabis will be subject to sales taxes.

California regulators released modifications to proposed rules for the appellations of origin for cannabis.

Oklahoma regulators are pushing back against a medical cannabis dispensary’s lawsuit challenging the state’s deal with Metrc for tracking software.

Arkansas regulators are asking a judge to dismiss the city of Newport’s lawsuit challenging a medical cannabis business’s decision to relocate.


Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,100 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 Pennington County, South Dakota Board of Commissioners approved a moratorium on medical cannabis dispensaries.

Jamestown, New York is pitching itself as an ideal location for marijuana cultivation businesses.

/ INTERNATIONAL

A new governing agreement in Israel includes a commitment to legalize marijuana.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review concluded that “in vitro and in vivo evidence support the effectiveness of phytocannabinoids against various cancer types, in terms of proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis, actions partially due to their ability to regulate signaling pathways critical for cell growth and survival.”

A study of mice found that cannabis seed oil “exerted anti-atherosclerotic effects by modulating serum lipid profiles and inflammatory responses and improving endothelial cell integrity and arterial lipid deposition,” with the results providing “a promising preventive strategy for the early progression of” [atherosclerosis].

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

24% of Americans would be open to trying psychedelic therapies, according to a survey conducted by Field Trip Health Ltd.

The U.S. Cannabis Council is urging the Drug Enforcement Administration and Food and Drug Administration to “clamp down” on delta-8-THC products.

The Rosa Parks Committee cited racial disparities in marijuana arrests in a letter urging the Department of Justice to investigate the Huntsville, Alabama Police Department.

UMass Amherst Libraries is hosting a June 24 event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lester Grinspoon’s book “Marihuana Reconsidered” and to raise funds to process and digitize his papers on.

/ BUSINESS

A Delaware judge rejected a motion to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that Tilray, Inc’s founders hatched a scheme to extract tax benefits at the expense of public investors by overhauling the company’s ownership structure.

springbig and Weedmaps launched an integration.

The Parent Company selected Josephine & Billie’s as its first social equity corporate venture fund investment.

Rubicon Organics Inc. released an environmental, social and governance report.

/ CULTURE

Jimmy Kimmel joked about Amazon’s marijuana reform moves.

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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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