Newsletter
DE gov signals legal cannabis is inevitable (Newsletter: April 20, 2023)
CO psychedelics law revisions; Fed marijuana legalization for military vets; Congressman: 280E could generate more revenue; OR psilocybin licenses
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Bipartisan House and Senate lawmakers led by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) filed bills in Congress to legalize medical cannabis for military veterans and encourage the Department of Veterans Affairs to study the therapeutic potential of marijuana as an opioid alternative.
Delaware Gov. John Carney (D) is giving mixed signals about his intentions for marijuana legalization bills on his desk—saying he continues to oppose the reform but implying that it is inevitable and it’s “time to move on” from the debate about it.
Colorado’s Senate president filed a bill to revise provisions of the state’s voter-approved psychedelics legalization law. It would add some new restrictions on consumers, create an Indigenous community working group and shift regulatory responsibilities, among other changes.
At a 4/20 eve press briefing, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) told Marijuana Moment that his 280E bill allowing industry tax deductions would actually result in more government revenue. He also spoke about the prospects for interstate cannabis commerce and the tension between incremental and comprehensive reform.
The Oregon Health Authority approved the nation’s first state-licensed psilocybin facilitators to administer the psychedelic to adults at regulated facilities.
Groups including the Drug Policy Alliance, ACLU and Human Rights Watch are sending a 4/20 letter calling on President Joe Biden and other federal officials to support federally legalizing marijuana while taking interim steps to remedy the harms of criminalization.
The Louisiana House Ways and Means Committee rejected a bill that would have repealed a little-enforced tax on illegal marijuana that requires sellers to buy stamps to place on their products.
/ FEDERAL
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) filed remarks in the Congressional Record about his bill to repeal the 280E tax penalty on marijuana businesses.
Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) tweeted, “As a veteran & 26-year member of the House and Senate VA Committees, I’m proud to endorse the Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act. I applaud @SenBrianSchatz for leading on this bill and being a champion for comprehensive #cannabis reform.”
The House bill to undo the 280E tax penalty on marijuana businesses got one new cosponsor for a total of five.
The House bill to allow military veterans to get medical cannabis recommendations from their Department of Veterans Affairs doctors got two new cosponsors for a total of 18.
/ STATES
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced that law enforcement will be stepping up efforts to target impaired driving on 4/20. Separately, the Cannabis Advisory Board met.
Kentucky Republican gubernatorial candidates discussed their views on medical cannabis and marijuana legalization.
Oklahoma’s attorney general touted his office’s efforts to combat illegal marijuana operations.
The Nevada Assembly passed a bill to allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis at healthcare facilities.
Alabama’s House speaker said he would not allow a marijuana legalization bill to come to the floor under his leadership but that he expects lawmakers to consider “tweaks” to the existing medical cannabis program.
New Hampshire’s House majority leader authored an op-ed laying out the “conservative case for marijuana legalization.”
Wisconsin’s Senate minority leader is launching a “Grass Routes Tour” to discuss cannabis at events around the state.
A New Mexico representative tweeted, “We will continue to push to commit new #cannabis revenue to drug addiction prevention and treatment. With the benefit of the success of the industry, we must invest in our values.” Separately, the Department of Transportation will host a cannabis traffic safety summit on Thursday.
A Louisiana senator spoke about efforts to restrict the sale of intoxicating hemp-derived products.
Vermont’s cannabis product registration system crashed.
Mississippi regulators are increasing staffing to address a new law that requires medical cannabis patient applications to be processed more quickly.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation sent a reminder about the dangers of impaired driving ahead of 4/20.
The Oregon Cannabis Commission met.
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/ LOCAL
The Killeen, Texas City Council met to discuss a lawsuit the state and Bell County filed against its local voter-approved marijuana decriminalization law.
The Denton, Texas City Council discussed a local voter-approved marijuana decriminalization law behind closed doors instead of at its public meeting.
Albuquerque, New Mexico officials have not acted on recommendations issued a year ago by the Cannabis Equity Working Group.
The New York City Sheriff’s Office sent information about enforcement against unlicensed marijuana sellers to a City Council member.
Atlantic City, New Jersey officials approved the city’s first recreational marijuana retail license.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Germany’s health minister discussed the government’s goals in legalizing marijuana. He also expressed concerns about cannabis edibles, saying they are “often aimed at children and young people in a dangerously trivializing way.”
A Legalise Cannabis Party was elected to the New South Wales, Australia Legislative Council.
A Philippine representative is scheduled to speak at a 4/20 event.
Thailand’s Bhumjaithai Party said it objects to 4/20 events, reminding people that public cannabis consumption is still illegal.
The Mississauga, Ontario, Canada City Council voted to repeal the ban on retail marijuana stores.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found “no significant association between any measure of cannabis use at baseline and either transition to psychosis, the persistence of symptoms, or functional outcome.”
A study found that “adding the THC:CBD sprays have been shown to be more effective in treating [multiple sclerosis] spasticity than optimizing the dose of first-line antispastic drugs in selected responders patients.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The National Association of Realtors published a report noting a decline in commercial property purchases by marijuana businesses and a corresponding increase in leasing activity.
The National Safety Council published a report on state cannabis testing regulations.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. said previously filed financial statements will be “restated and reissued and should no longer be relied upon” and that it identified “additional material weaknesses in its internal controls.”
Workers at three Rise dispensaries in Illinois are launching a strike.
Trulieve settled a lawsuit filed by a former manager who accused the company of racial and gender discrimination as well as retaliation.
NuggMD is launching a “Too High Hotline” to provide peer support to people who overindulge on cannabis.
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