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DE & MN cannabis legalization bills advance (Newsletter: January 26, 2023)
KS gov pushes for medical marijuana in SOTS speech; DC legalization bill includes reparations; MA & NY drug decrim proposals
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) called on lawmakers to legalize medical cannabis this session in her State of the State address, highlighting the stories of several cancer patients. After the speech, the Senate president committed to at least holding hearings on the issue.
The Delaware House Health & Human Development Committee approved a bill to legalize marijuana possession. The move comes one day after separate legislation to legalize and regulate cannabis sales cleared a different panel.
The Minnesota Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee advanced a marijuana legalization bill without recommendation. It and the House companion version, which cleared its third panel this week, both have additional hearings scheduled for Thursday.
In the face of an ongoing congressional blockade on local reform, Washington, D.C. Council members filed a new marijuana sales legalization bill that includes a reparations program with direct payments to people harmed by cannabis criminalization.
Lawmakers in Massachusetts and New York filed bills to broadly decriminalize drug possession.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit that a hemp farmer filed against police who prevented him from transporting plants on a plane flight.
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said he has been talking with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) about moving cannabis banking legislation “quickly” without the need for hearings.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) tweeted, “We have to find middle ground in Washington in order to solve the issues facing our country whether it is abortion or cannabis.”
The House bill to protect veterans from losing federal benefits over use of medical cannabis got two new cosponsors for a total of two.
/ STATES
A spokesperson for New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu (R) said he doesn’t expect marijuana legalization legislation that got its first House hearing on Wednesday to advance to his desk.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) tweeted, “Minnesotans are ready to legalize adult-use cannabis and expunge cannabis convictions in our state – and I’m ready to sign it into law.” The lieutenant governor tweeted, “It’s time to legalize adult-use cannabis and expunge cannabis convictions in Minnesota – and through our One Minnesota Budget, @GovTimWalz and I are going to get it done.”
The South Dakota House of Representatives approved a bill to block pregnant and breastfeeding women from getting medical cannabis recommendations.
A Virginia Senate subcommittee advanced a bill to allow recreational marijuana sales to begin.
Wisconsin’s Senate majority leader said the Republican caucus is “getting really close” to being able to pass medical cannabis legislation.
The Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland included cannabis legislation in its list of priority issues for the new session.
A Washington State senator spoke about his psilocybin services legalization bill.
Mississippi’s first medical cannabis dispensary opened.
Georgia regulators approved medical cannabis rules.
Florida regulators are facing a proposed injunction over medical cannabis purchasing caps.
New York regulators approved final medical cannabis regulations, appointed a general counsel and awarded additional dispensary, cultivation, manufacturing and testing licenses. Separately, the state Committee on Open Government published an opinion calling out marijuana regulators for straying from public meeting and comment laws.
The Connecticut Social Equity Council wants to make changes to the list of communities that get preference in marijuana licensing.
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/ LOCAL
Louisville, Kentucky police officials issued a memo discouraging officers from citing people for possessing marijuana.
The Irvine, California City Council voted not to initiate an inquiry into allegations of attempted bribery of two members by a cannabis lobbyist.
Tacoma, Washington officials held a meeting to discuss what the state should do to address the upcoming expiration of temporary drug criminalization laws.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Japan’s government is considering submitting medical cannabis legislation.
Argentina’s government created a new Regulatory Agency for the Industry of Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis.
A European Parliament member from the Czech Republic spoke about marijuana legalization plans in his country.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabis use does not appear to be related to lung function even after years of use.”
A review concluded that “the study of the endocannabinoid system, its ligands, receptors, mechanism of action, and signaling, has contributed to the development of research that shows that hemp-derived and their synthetic derivatives are an effective therapeutic alternative in the multimodal management of pain in dogs and cats due to their ability to prevent peripheral and central sensitization.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Idaho Democratic Party tweeted, “Republican politicians are at it again. They know a majority of Idahoans support access to abortion care and medical marijuana. That’s why they are fighting so hard to take away our ability to directly effect change through the ballot initiative process.”
The Better Business Bureau issued a warning about marijuana delivery scams.
D.A.R.E. officials rang the Nasdaq closing bell.
The Cannabis Media Council launched an ad campaign showing what marijuana consumers look like.
/ BUSINESS
Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. is changing its name to BZAM Ltd.
/ CULTURE
Kristen Bell’s CBD product brand Happy Dance is shutting down.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
