Newsletter
DE legal cannabis vote delayed (Newsletter: June 11, 2021)
WY marijuana ballot measures; RI speaker: cannabis could pass in summer; Congress advances bill study dispensary products; VA legalization site
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…
Looking for more cannabis news and resources? If you support our reporting with a monthly donation of $25 or more, we’ll give you access to our Cannabis Bill Tracker, exclusive material from our interviews and more.
Don’t miss out – join us at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A planned Delaware House of Representatives vote on a marijuana legalization bill was postponed as the sponsor works to build support with various amendments. Several of his floated changes would scale back equity provisions.
Rhode Island’s House speaker says marijuana legalization won’t be in the budget but that lawmakers may reconvene in the summer or fall to tackle the issue after details from three separate cannabis plans are reconciled. Gov. Dan McKee (D) also says he “wouldn’t be surprised” to see the bills move forward later this year.
Wyoming voters may get the chance to decide on two marijuana ballot initiatives in 2022. The Libertarian Party plans to file the measures—one on medical cannabis and the other on decriminalization—with the secretary of state on Friday.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved legislation to let scientists study the actual marijuana that consumers are purchasing from dispensaries instead of researching only government-produced cannabis. It now heads to the House floor.
Virginia regulators launched a new website to educate people about what’s allowed—and what’s not—under the state’s new marijuana legalization law taking effect on July 1.
/ FEDERAL
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy touted the reduction of poppy cultivation and potential heroin production in Mexico for the third consecutive year.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) asked a Politico cannabis reporter if she was stoned during an interview.
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) said he supports some federal marijuana policy reforms but not ending prohibition altogether.
Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) asked a question during a House hearing about whether the legalization of marijuana is causing cartels to smuggle other drugs.
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) wrote about his opposition to legalizing marijuana in a constituent letter.
/ STATES
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) dodged a question about whether he would sign a bill to enact cannabis restrictions that’s on his desk. Separately, regulators sent a bulletin about the Friday expiration of policies enacted during the coronavirus pandemic, including the allowance of remote sales transactions and suspension of fingerprinting for license renewal applications. They also sent a bulletin warning about fraud against marijuana businesses.
New York lawmakers are likely to delay the appointment of members to the new cannabis regulatory body, though a former assemblyman is reportedly likely to be named chairman.
A Pennsylvania appeals court ruled that a man who was fired after failing a drug test due to medical cannabis use can receive unemployment benefits.
The Washington State Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force’s Disproportionately Impacted Communities Workgroup will meet on Wednesday.
Michigan regulators will host a marijuana social equity education and outreach session on Thursday.
—
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
New York City Democratic mayoral candidates debated restrictions on where marijuana can be smoked.
The Gwinnett County, Georgia Police Citizens Advisory Board is finalizing a recommendation in support of decriminalizing marijuana.
A Polk County, Iowa attorney candidate said resources should be redirected to violent crime and sexual assault by shifting focus away from prosecuting non-violent low level misdemeanors like marijuana possession.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Spain’s Congress approved the creation of a subcommittee to examine medical cannabis issues.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “patients find cannabis treatment effective for a broad range of medical conditions.”
A review concluded there are a “rising number of publications with substantial results on the valuable therapeutic innovation of CBD for treating” substance use disorders.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Drug Policy Alliance hired a lobbying firm to help pressure Congress to remove the ban on Washington, D.C. spending its own money to legalize marijuana sales.
AMVETS is hosting a forum about the benefits of medical cannabis for military veterans on June 27.
/ BUSINESS
Columbia Care Inc. launched an online cannabis discovery tool that suggests curated products depending on desired mood and experience, and syncs with local dispensaries inventories and pricing to enable online orders.
Harborside Inc. settled a lawsuit brought by a former employee for approximately $1.5 million.
CURE Pharmaceutical Holding Corp. and Biopharmaceutical Research Company launched a partnership to produce cannabis-based medical products.
Terra Tech Corp. is acquiring SilverStreak Solutions Inc.
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company’s Hawthorne Gardening subsidiary announced that the first recipients of its social justice grant fund are Last Prisoner Project, Marijuana Policy Project Foundation, Minorities for Medical Marijuana and United Returning Citizens and NuLeaf Project.
Merida Capital Holdings is seeking to raise $250 million in funding.
Colorado retailers sold more than $206 million worth of marijuana in April.
/ CULTURE
Sarah Silverman spoke to Conan O’Brien about the time she smoothed over a traffic dispute by buying the other driver some marijuana.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Kyle Jaeger.
