Newsletter
FL court allows cannabis legalization on ballot (Newsletter: April 2, 2024)
DOJ sees marijuana pardon “influx”; German legalization in effect; MPP/NORML merger off; PA cannabis revenue; WA teen use; NH & HI legalization
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Florida Supreme Court is allowing voters to decide on a marijuana legalization ballot initiative in November—rejecting a move by state Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) to invalidate the measure.
The Justice Department’s Office of the Pardon Attorney says it’s expecting an “influx” of applications for marijuana pardon certificates under President Joe Biden’s clemency proclamation, and it’s setting a target to process at least 80 percent of them within 30 days of their submission.
Germany’s marijuana legalization law took effect, allowing people to possess and grow cannabis. Social clubs where people can buy it are set to open in July.
The Marijuana Policy Project and NORML have suspended talks about a potential merger of the two advocacy organizations that was being considered as a way to consolidate resources amid a challenging fundraising environment for cannabis reform groups.
A new Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office analysis projects that Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D) marijuana legalization plan will generate $271 million in annual revenue for the general fund—but the potential is stunted by the fact that most surrounding states have already legalized cannabis.
The Hawaii House Finance Committee is facing a Thursday deadline to act on a Senate-passed marijuana legalization bill, with advocates warning that if the skeptical panel doesn’t take up the measure it will die for the session.
A New Hampshire House Finance subcommittee adopted amendments to a marijuana legalization bill, with a full panel vote to send the measure back to the floor scheduled for Tuesday.
Washington State teens say it is now harder to obtain marijuana than it was before legalization for adults was enacted in 2012 and retail sales launched in 2014—the latest data showing that prohibitionist fears about youth use rising are unfounded.
The Maine legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee voted to gut a bill that would have decriminalized drug possession and replaced its language with provisions to instead create a task force to study the reform.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) signed a bill repealing the state’s voter-approved drug decriminalization law.
Missouri lawmakers are considering legislation that would ban most hemp-derived delta-8 THC drinks and edibles.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) met with local Oklahoma officials to discuss efforts to combat illegal marijuana operations.
/ STATES
A Missouri senator discussed her bill to legalize psilocybin therapy for military veterans.
Kentucky regulators filed medical cannabis rules.
The California State Auditor published a report on local cannabis business permitting practices.
Arizona regulators rescinded an obsolete policy statement on requirements for medical cannabis patients with PTSD.
Nevada regulators published guidance on acceptable IDs for cannabis customer age verification.
Montana regulators are publishing guidance on how to celebrate 4/20 “lawfully and safely.”
The Tennessee Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case on whether the smell of cannabis can provide probable cause for a search when a police dog cannot distinguish between illegal marijuana and legal hemp on Wednesday.
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission will meet on Thursday.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
French officials stopped adding new patients to a medical cannabis trial program.
Jersey government officials previewed plans to restrict medical cannabis prescription practices following the results of an audit.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review “justifies the prescription of pharmaceutical-grade medical marihuana as part of health harm reduction for a group of cannabis use disorder patients who are unlikely to stop using marihuana from untested or illicit sources.”
A study concluded that “approximately 2% of the observed growth in the mean value of Denver County single-family homes in the above period is associated with legalized recreational marijuana revenue generated in that time.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Attorney General Alliance touted its work assisting Connecticut’s attorney general in making a public service announcement about cannabis edibles.
An American Enterprise Institute senior fellow authored an op-ed calling on New York officials to do more to discourage marijuana use.
/ BUSINESS
SHF Holdings, Inc., d/b/a/ Safe Harbor Financial reported quarterly revenue of $4.5 million.
iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. announced that its chief financial officer is resigning.
Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. touted an acquisition of 192,500 shares by its CEO.
Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. completed the conversion of C$123.4 million of principal and accrued interest under an unsecured convertible debenture.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
