Connect with us

Newsletter

Feds & states work on cannabis standards (Newsletter: January 17, 2022)

Published

on

SD gov wants activists to pay for anti-legalization lawsuit; VT drug decrim bill; VA psychedelics decrim; CO marijuana revenue record

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…

They say a journalist is a machine that converts coffee into copy. But where do you think the coffee comes from? Readers like you!

Signing up for a $25/month subscription will help keep us digging, interviewing and reporting on all the cannabis news that’s fit to print. And in return, you’ll gain access to our Bill Tracker tool, too, so you can have the most up-to-date information on the drug policy reform efforts around the U.S.

Join Marijuana Moment for $25/month to support our work: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The federal National Institute of Standards and Technology and state officials are collaborating to develop national standards for cannabis products and packaging. Some of the proposals advanced at a National Conference on Weights and Measures meeting last week toward potentially being formally adopted into a federal handbook later this year.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) wants marijuana activists to pay the legal costs for a lawsuit her administration successfully waged to overturn a voter-approved legalization initiative.

42 Vermont lawmakers—nearly a third of the full House of Representatives—filed a bill to decriminalize drugs by replacing jail time with a $50 fine.

Virginia lawmakers introduced legislation to decriminalize psychedelics like psilocybin, peyote and ibogaine.

The Colorado Department of Revenue reported that the state generated a record $423 million in marijuana tax revenue last year. More than $12 billion in legal cannabis has been sold since 2014, with the state collecting over $2 billion in taxes altogether.

/ FEDERAL

The Congressional Research Service published an analysis of hemp-related issues that could be addressed in the next Farm Bill.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) blamed illegal marijuana cultivation issues in Oregon on ongoing federal prohibition.

Rep. Don Young (R-AK) tweeted, “Too many lives have been ruined by minor marijuana offenses. States w/legal cannabis should be empowered to expunge records with these minor crimes. I’m cosponsoring the HOPE Act to fund state expungement programs & roll back damage from the War on Drugs.”

Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) discussed “how changing marijuana laws will impact the safety of drivers” on a police ridealong.

Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) tweeted, “I remain committed to combating the illegal marijuana grow crisis in #CA25. While a local reality, the causal factor is our open southern border & efforts to defund the police. I promise to fight to fund the police and secure our border!”

/ STATES

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) said he would not sign a bill to legalize marijuana if approved by lawmakers, but he might be willing to support expansion of the medical cannabis program.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said one of his second term priorities is to grow the cannabis industry.

Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate John King, a former federal education secretary, tweeted, “Legalizing adult-use cannabis is going to be a top priority for Maryland legislature this session and the next governor will face the important task of making sure the industry is implemented and developed in an equitable way.”

Florida House Democrats tweeted, “Addressing recreational cannabis legalization has become an important topic for Floridians.”

Kansas House Democrats tweeted, “Marijuana legalization is overwhelmingly popular and would bring a significant amount of money to the state… what’s the holdup, folks? 🤔”

A Tennessee representative filed a bill to tax and regulate hemp-derived cannabis products.

Arkansas regulators approved rules changes that will allow the issuance of two remaining medical cannabis dispensary licenses.

Montana regulators filed revised marijuana rules that correct prior drafting errors.

Illinois regulators filed updated cannabis and hemp rules.

Maine regulators sent an update on adult-use and medical cannabis rulemaking.

Virginia regulators posted a list of trained hemp sampling agents.

Vermont regulators will discuss marijuana social equity and fee issues on Tuesday.

California’s Gaming Policy Advisory Committee will consider dual licensure of the cannabis and gaming industries on Thursday.

Pennsylvania’s Medical marijuana Advisory Board posted dates of virtual meetings it will hold this year.


Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 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

Activists in Killeen and Harker Heights, Texas launched local marijuana decriminalization ballot efforts.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Malaysia’s health minister said the government is reviewing drug laws to regulate cannabis and kratom for medical use.

A UK member of Parliament said his medical cannabis bill “almost definitely” will not move forward due to a lack of support.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study’s results “do not support any considerable impact of cannabis legislation on the prevalence of recreational cannabis use among youth and young adults in Europe.”

A study concluded that psychotropic experiences caused by use of “beer made from Schinus molle…combined with the hallucinogen Anadenanthera colubrina” by ancient Andean peoples served as “an intermediate step between exclusionary and corporate political strategies.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Americans for Prosperity endorsed a pending congressional bill to facilitate marijuana expungements.

The ACLU of New Mexico is concerned that U.S. Customs and Border Protection interior checkpoints threaten the state’s marijuana legalization equity goals.

/ BUSINESS

Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. is suing MedMen NY, Inc. and MM Enterprises USA, LLC over accusations of breaching an investment agreement.

/ CULTURE

Tiffany Haddish was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of marijuana.

Samuel L. Jackson narrates a new eight-part docuseries about the war on drugs called “The Fix.”

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

Get our daily newsletter.

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.