Newsletter
Deal on cannabis banking bill “close” (Newsletter: February 26, 2020)
Bottle bill includes marijuana drinks; Dems debate cannabis; Smokable hemp bill to VA gov; Mexican senators work to finalize legalization plan
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) said in a speech at a credit union conference that he and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) are “close” to finalizing a deal on marijuana banking legislation.
Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) filed a beverage container recycling bill that specifically includes bottles and cans for drinks “containing marijuana or hemp” as one of just five eligible categories.
Democratic presidential candidates clashed on marijuana legalization during a debate in South Carolina, with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) defending his pledge to enact legalization in all 50 states on his first day in office, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) saying she also backs ending prohibition but that it might take longer and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg expressing opposition to legalization but support for more modest reforms.
Virginia lawmakers sent Gov. Ralph Northam (D) a bill to legalize smokable hemp. They also passed a resolution directing a joint legislative commission to study broader marijuana legalization. Meanwhile, a cannabis decriminalization bill is advancing toward the governor’s desk.
Mexican Senate committees are meeting this week to finalize marijuana legalization legislation ahead of a Supreme Court-imposed deadline to end prohibition.
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and representatives of Disabled American Veterans discussed the potential benefits of medical cannabis at a joint congressional hearing.
/ FEDERAL
A federal judge issued an order giving final approval to a proposed Philadelphia, Pennsylvania safe consumption site for illegal drugs that the Department of Justice had opposed.
Former White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske wrote an op-ed on the challenges of regulating legal marijuana.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), a presidential candidate, tweeted, “Outdated federal marijuana laws prevent vets who work in a state’s legal cannabis industry from getting VA-backed home loans & immigrants who work in a state’s legal cannabis industry from getting citizenship. I have bipartisan bills to fix both problems.”
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) tweeted, “To recap tonight’s Democratic debate. If they are elected you will get govt controlled internet, energy, schools and health care. And as a bonus, reefer for everyone!”
Arizona Republican congressional candidate Chris Taylor suspended his campaign after overdosing on heroin.
New York Democratic congressional candidate Shaniyat Chowdhury tweeted, “My opponent @RepGregoryMeeks does not support legalizing marijuana like his endorsed candidate Bloomberg. I DO. It has helped me through mental health and no one should be criminalized for it.”
Florida Democratic congressional candidate Jen Perelman tweeted, “I also support Marijuana Legalization. My opponent, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, does not.”
/ STATES
The South Dakota Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources unanimously approved a hemp bill.
The Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee is holding hearings this week on a bill to expunge past marijuana convictions.
Alaska regulators filed rules on oversight of marijuana testing facilities, suspension or revocation of cannabis handler permits and applications and renewals.
The Texas Department of Public Safety sent an update on its efforts to be able to test cannabis samples following confusion created by the state’s hemp law.
New Mexico regulators filed medical cannabis reciprocity rules.
California regulators approved a formal rulemaking process for marijuana track-and-trace regulations.
Illinois regulators launched a technical assistance program for social equity marijuana business license applicants.
An Arkansas judge blocked regulators from issuing additional medical cannabis dispensary licenses.
A Georgia representative filed a resolution calling for a study committee to examine equity issues in the state’s limited medical cannabis market.
A Massachusetts representative is pressing state officials to explain how marijuana revenue is being spent.
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/ LOCAL
Detroit, Michigan’s mayor spoke about the need for social equity in marijuana business licensing in his State of the City address.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Paraguayan regulators issued the country’s first medical cannabis production licenses.
The campaign of a candidate for leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada said he would not move to repeal marijuana legalization despite his concerns about the law.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “recent clinical trials added further evidence for an antipsychotic potential of cannabidiol.”
A study found that “an increase in cannabis exposures reported to the US National Poison Data System was observed following recreational cannabis commercialization in the US.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll funded by prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana found that while Long Island, New York Senate district voters are divided on cannabis policy options, “full legalization of sales, distribution, and use” was the most popular choice in five out of six districts surveyed.
African-American sorority Delta Sigma Theta included marijuana decriminalization and criminal justice reform in its agenda for a Capitol Hill lobby day.
/ BUSINESS
Eaze closed a $20 million investment.
GW Pharmaceuticals plc reported $109.1 million in quarterly revenue and a net loss of $24.9 million.
Jane Technologies hired a former Whole Foods co-CEO as retail advisor.
Green Growth Brands Inc. is selling off its CBD business to BRN Group Inc.
/ CULTURE
Actor Brian Cox spoke about how marijuana helps him relax.
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