Newsletter
Feds worried international cannabis changes could boost legalization (Newsletter: February 5, 2020)
Can Sanders really legalize marijuana nationally on day 1?; MN House leader previews legalization plan; Cannabis bills advance on state level
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
In a document obtained by Marijuana Moment, the U.S. government appears to express concern that an upcoming United Nations vote to internationally reschedule cannabis—as soon as next month—could boost legalization efforts.
Marijuana Moment’s latest analysis takes a look at whether Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a presidential candidate, could actually follow through on his promise to “legalize marijuana in every state in this country” on his “first day in office.” Legal experts we spoke to said that he probably cannot achieve the plan as characterized, though activists said they still see value in the pledge.
Minnesota’s House majority leader held a press conference to announce a forthcoming marijuana proposal he says will be the “best legalization bill in the country to date.”
/ FEDERAL
During his State of the Union address, President Trump discussed the opioid crisis and drug seizures at the border. He also touted criminal justice reform legislation he signed into law.
- “Our roaring economy has, for the first time ever, given many former prisoners the ability to get a great job and a fresh start. This second chance at life is made possible because we passed landmark Criminal Justice Reform into law. Everybody said that Criminal Justice Reform could not be done, but I got it done, and the people in this room got it done.”
Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) released a “People’s Housing platform” that includes a recommendation to remove barriers to obtaining federal housing assistance for people with a criminal record and their families and decries how the “destructive impacts of the failed war on drugs, mass incarceration, and unequal policing practices on communities of color also affects their ability to secure and retain housing.”
Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) discussed Connecticut’s hemp progress in a radio interview.
The House bill to require the Food and Drug Administration to allow CBD to be marketed as a dietary supplement got two new cosponsors for a total of five.
/ STATES
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) spoke about the state’s implementation of marijuana legalization.
California’s treasurer visited a marijuana grow site and dispensary.
Michigan lawmakers sent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) a bill to require that marijuana products have warning labels for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
The Rhode Island House and Senate approved bills to repeal a controversial provision giving lawmakers an effective veto over cannabis regulations.
The Virginia House of Delegates approved two hemp bills.
Indiana Senate leadership ruled a marijuana decriminalization amendment non-germane. Separately, a senator gave up on an effort to force the prosecution of cannabis cases that local prosecutors don’t want to pursue.
The Florida Senate Agriculture Committee and House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee approved legislation to fix “glitches” in hemp laws. Separately, the state Supreme Court heard oral arguments about the language of a proposed marijuana legalization ballot measure.
The North Dakota legislature’s interim Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the implications of legalizing marijuana.
The South Dakota House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee deferred action on a hemp bill until Thursday.
Ohio’s top medical cannabis regulator is stepping down to take another state job.
An Alabama senator who is expected to file medical cannabis legislation says it will not allow smoking or vaping.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 cannabis 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.
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/ LOCAL
Denver, Colorado officials will host another clinic to help people clear and vacate low-level marijuana convictions on February 29.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Trinidad and Tobago lawmakers are accepting public comments on a pending marijuana regulation bill.
Tanzanian lawmakers discussed marijuana reform.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cannabinoids, terpenes, terpenoids or flavonoids…are proven to have medicinal properties” and “appear to be promising pharmaceuticals.”
A study found that “individuals with low well-being were more likely to experience a positive mood change after use of lysergic acid diethylamide, psilocybin or MDMA than individuals with normal well-being.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Albuquerque Journal editorial board raised several concerns with a pending marijuana legalization bill and said lawmakers should not approve it during this month’s short session.
/ BUSINESS
Tilray Inc. is laying off about 10% of its workforce.
Caliva is laying off 200 employees and ending its partnership with Eaze.
/ CULTURE
Actress Rosario Dawson said she plans to refrain from smoking marijuana this year, but that “four-twenty might be the month where I CBD out.”
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