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FAA’s cannabis memo for airports (Newsletter: February 15, 2021)

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NM legal marijuana hearing; MS Senate passes alternate medical program; RI legalization bill details; Elon Musk doubts CBD; KS drug decrim

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

A little-noticed Federal Aviation Administration memo that says the agency has “received several requests” about “whether marijuana may be cultivated at federally obligated airports” has emerged at the center of a controversy surrounding an Arizona town’s move to lease airport land to a cannabis business.

The New Mexico House Health and Human Services Committee debated two marijuana legalization bills, and a vote is planned on Monday. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) has been pressing lawmakers to send her legal cannabis legislation as a priority this year.

Rhode Island’s Senate majority leader said a bill to legalize marijuana that he’s been working on could be filed as soon as this week. He also revealed some of the details that will be included.

The Mississippi Senate approved an alternate medical marijuana program to go into effect if the one voters passed in November is struck down by the courts. The vote came hours after lawmakers initially rejected the plan.

A 20-year-old Kansas representative filed a new bill to decriminalize drug possession. It’s the latest development in a nationwide movement of lawmakers embracing drug policy reform beyond marijuana.

After Elon Musk said he thinks CBD is “fake,” Joe Rogan gave him a lesson on how people use it to treat pain and as a sleep aid.

  • “Alright, so you have like sunscreen or something and then, I mean why not just throw it in there? You smell like weed all day.”

/ FEDERAL

The Internal Revenue Service asked the U.S. Supreme Court not to take up a marijuana dispensary’s case challenging the agency’s ability to investigate its operations.

A federal court is on track to begin next month’s scheduled trial of a former Fall River, Massachusetts mayor accused of extorting marijuana businesses.

Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) tweeted, “Nevada’s legal cannabis small businesses deserve full access to COVID-19 loans and grants.”

Former Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA) spoke about the need to increase military veterans’ access to medical cannabis.

/ STATES

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak’s (D) latest coronavirus plan will allow marijuana businesses to operate at 50% capacity as of Monday.

South Dakota’s attorney general said his office will not participate in an appeal of a court decision that struck down the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization measure. Meanwhile, Gov. Kristi Noem (R) wrote an op-ed explaining her decision to delay implementation of the separate medical cannabis law.

Pennsylvania’s agriculture secretary announced the availability of grant money for projects “aimed at increasing sales, export or consumer awareness of Pennsylvania hemp products.”

The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that judges cannot block people on probation from using medical cannabis.

Kansas’s House majority leader acknowledged that “there seems to be increasing support for some version of medical marijuana.”

The Arizona Senate approved a bill to legalize syringe exchange programs.

The New Hampshire House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted to retain marijuana legalization bills, preventing them from coming to the floor.

New Jersey’s Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled a Monday vote on a new bill aimed at resolving differences over provisions related to underage people in marijuana legalization enabling legislation. Meanwhile, police have arrested more than 6,000 people for low-level marijuana charges since voters approved legalization.

A Delaware representative sponsoring a forthcoming marijuana legalization bill said he is one or two votes away from having enough support to pass it in the House.

An Oklahoma representative introduced a marijuana legalization bill.

A California senator filed legislation to allow cities and counties to opt into a program where the state would manage marijuana licensing and regulations for them.

Connecticut lawmakers in both parties criticized Gov. Ned Lamont’s (D) marijuana legalization proposal for varying reasons.

A Washington State representative authored an op-ed about her bill to legalize marijuana home cultivation.

A former Massachusetts regulator published a letter to the editor calling on the state to set a better example on marijuana equity for the federal government.

Colorado officials published educational materials aimed at reducing marijuana-impaired driving.


Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 600 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

A report on Dallas, Texas police data showed that Black people make up 24% of the city’s population but accounted for 57% of marijuana possession arrests over the last three years.

San Francisco, California officials said there has been a recent spate of marijuana-related burglary attempts.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The Canadian government is being sued over its coronavirus quarantine policy by the CEO of CannaPharmaRx.

A French parliamentary report calls for loosening restrictions on CBD.

A UK member of Parliament sent a letter urging Prime Minister Boris Johnson to create a fund to aid families that cannot afford expensive cannabis medicines.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “the rate of neuropathy was reduced among patients treated with cannabis and oxaliplatin” and that “this reduction was more significant in patients who received cannabis prior to treatment with oxaliplatin, suggesting a protective effect.”

A review concluded that “available preclinical results suggest that targeting the [endocannabinoid system] for prevention and treatment of [HIV-associated neuropathic pain] is a plausible therapeutic option.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Indiana Democratic Party tweeted, “We agree with State Rep. @CherrishPryor. Non-violent crimes and simple possession of cannabis should not be grounds to arrest a Hoosier.”

Microsoft founder Bill Gates said he recently read “The New Jim Crow” and was moved by its depictions of harsh drug sentences.

/ BUSINESS

Dixie Brands is being sued for alleged patent infringement.

MedMen disclosed in a filing that it is experiencing a sales decline.

urban-gro, Inc. is going public on the Nasdaq.

Verano Holdings Corp. is going public on the Canadian Securities Exchange through a reverse takeover of Majesta Minerals Inc.

Canopy Growth Corporation sold two of its cultivation facilities in British Columbia, Canada.

CaaMTech Inc. was awarded a patent to combine aspects of marijuana and psilocybin.

Jushi Holdings Inc. closed an overnight marketed offering worth C$75 million.

Mydecine Innovations Group closed a bought-deal public offering led by Canaccord Genuity Corp. worth C$17.3 million.

/ CULTURE

Ice Cube launched a new marijuana brand called Fryday Gold.

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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.

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