Connect with us

Newsletter

DEA whines about hemp legalization (Newsletter: March 5, 2021)

Published

on

Feds: Marijuana banking slowdown levels off; TN medical cannabis advances; CT poll; MD legalization hearing

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.

Get our daily newsletter.

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.

  • Alec Johnson of Big Sky Buds: “Marijuana Moment’s bill tracker gives us an edge in the market by allowing us to stay on top of any new developments in the cannabis space.”

https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

A new Drug Enforcement Administration report argues that the broadly popular bipartisan legalization of hemp creates complications for police and has been used as a cover for drug cartels. But it also admits that as more states legalize marijuana, illicit trafficking is shrinking.

After months of declines in the number of banks working with marijuana businesses, the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reported that the trend has “leveled off.”

The Tennessee Senate Government Operations Committee approved a bill to legalize medical marijuana while also rejecting a separate measure to simply study the issue until federal law is changed.

The Maryland Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on a marijuana legalization bill sponsored by the body’s president, majority leader and key committee chairs. Discussion centered around merging its provisions with a separate legal cannabis bill in the House of Delegates.

A new poll found that 66% of Connecticut adults support legalizing marijuana as Gov. Ned Lamont (D) and lawmakers step up the push to enact the reform this year. The survey also shows broad backing for expunging prior cannabis records.

Momentum for South Carolina medical cannabis legislation is building ahead of a March 18 Senate Medical Affairs Committee hearing.

The state of Michigan Department of Treasury is sending nearly $10 million in marijuana revenue back to local governments. Municipalities and counties get about $28,000 for every cannabis retailer or microbusiness in their jurisdiction.

/ FEDERAL

The U.S. Department of Agriculture tweeted about the availability of revenue protection insurance for hemp.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “I am working alongside @SenBooker and @RonWyden on legislation for comprehensive marijuana reform. We must end the federal prohibition on marijuana, make criminal justice reforms, and ensure equity for communities—especially those of color—impacted by the War on Drugs.”

Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA) expressed concerns with marijuana legalization and said lawmakers should wait to see how medical cannabis rolls out first.

The Senate bill to expand marijuana research got one new cosponsor for a total of 10.

/ STATES

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) said voters’ approval of dual medical and recreational marijuana ballot measures was “unprecedented,” and dodged a question about whether she supports an affirmative defense for patients that was added to a bill to delay the medical cannabis measure’s implementation. Here’s a look at where marijuana legislation stands in the session.

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) appointed members to the Cannabis Advisory Commission.

Florida’s agriculture commissioner authored a blog post on NORML’s website opposing Republican lawmakers’ efforts to institute THC caps on medical cannabis.

The New Mexico House of Representatives approved a bill to legalize safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.

The Wisconsin Assembly minority leader said he’s unsure if a standalone medical cannabis bill could pass the chamber.

The Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill to lower marijuana penalties.

An Idaho senator revised his proposed constitutional ban on legalizing marijuana or other drugs to now require a two-thirds vote of both chambers of the legislature before any Schedule I or II drug could be legalized.

A Colorado representative filed a bill to revise rules for marijuana delivery services.

An Alabama representative said he thinks a Senate-approved medical cannabis bill is “more likely to pass than not” in the House.

Michigan regulators published a bulletin on common issues experienced by marijuana businesses.

California water officials hosted a webinar on cannabis permitting.

Washington State regulators released an updated list of recreational marijuana retailers with a medical endorsement.

Oregon regulators will consider revised marijuana violation rules on March 16.


Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 800 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 Clarksville, Tennessee City Council is considering a resolution calling for marijuana decriminalization.

Denver, Colorado officials will participate in a marijuana equity event on Friday.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Bermuda’s Senate rejected a marijuana legalization bill.

Morocco’s government is postponing consideration of legislation to legalize medical cannabis.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an immediate decrease in marijuana and methamphetamine seizures, and then increases throughout 2020 with some months exceeding the number (and weights) of seizures from the previous year.”

Researchers determined the crystalline structure of THC-A for the first time.

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

JustLeadershipUSA included passage of a federal marijuana legalization bill in its roadmap for criminal justice reform.

/ BUSINESS

Bevcanna Enterprises Inc. appointed a former PepsiCo executive as president.

Stripe reportedly won’t service businesses that are “providing information and resources to individuals who may be using marijuana.”

atai Life Sciences closed a $157 million Series D financing round.

Delic Holdings Inc. is acquiring Homestead.

Illinois retailers sold more than $80 million worth of recreational marijuana products and nearly $30 million worth of medical cannabis in February.

/ CULTURE

Gwyneth Paltrow is partnering with Green Thumb Industries Inc. on a line of THC- and CBD-infused sparkling waters.

Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.

Get our daily newsletter.

Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.
Become a patron at Patreon!

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.

Advertisement

Marijuana News In Your Inbox

Get our daily newsletter.

Support Marijuana Moment

Marijuana News In Your Inbox

 

Get our daily newsletter.