Newsletter
German cannabis legalization back on track (Newsletter: February 5, 2024)
DOJ marijuana pardon update; PA legalization poll; FL veterans cannabis fee waiver; SC medical vote fails; RI safe consumption; NBA CBD partnership
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Germany’s coalition government has worked out disagreements on a marijuana legalization bill—clearing the way for a vote this month with implementation planned for April 1.
The Department of Justice is asking the White House to approve a revised application form for people who want to receive certificates demonstrating their marijuana pardons under President Joe Biden’s recently expanded cannabis clemency proclamation.
A new poll found that nearly two-thirds of Pennsylvania voters support legalizing marijuana—a result that comes as a House committee prepares to hold a hearing on the issue on Monday.
A Virginia House General Laws subcommittee approved a bill to legalize recreational marijuana sales, with new amendments that would launch the market through existing medical marijuana dispensaries and some new small businesses on January 1, 2025.
The Florida House Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee approved a bill to waive medical cannabis patient registration and renewal fees for service-disabled military veterans.
A South Carolina Senate motion to special order a medical cannabis legalization bill toward consideration got majority support—but fell short of the two-thirds threshold needed for approval.
Rhode Island organizers announced the location for the nation’s first state-sanctioned safe consumption site for illegal drugs—with the Providence City Council giving formal approval in a unanimous vote.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is being called out for using the first day of Black History Month to celebrate the drug war legacy of President Richard Nixon—whose domestic policy advisor revealed promoted punitive drug laws in order to target Black people.
The Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty entered into partnerships with CBD beverage company Mynd Drinks—the first teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), respectively, to forge deals with the cannabis industry.
The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation’s director told lawmakers that marijuana sales will generate nearly $20 million in revenue that will be directed toward services for military veterans this fiscal year.
/ FEDERAL
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved a bill that includes a provision requiring U.S. Border Patrol to produce an annual report including data on “seizures of trace amounts of marijuana” and “drug seizures, including drug seizures involving fentanyl mixed with another drug and drug seizures of counterfeit drugs.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) tweeted, “We must legalize marijuana nationwide and start to repair the harms of an unjust criminal legal system.”
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D) tweeted, “A majority of Americans now live in states where recreational marijuana is legal. The very least we can do is deschedule it on the federal level.”
The House bill to reduce restrictions on hemp growers got one new cosponsor for a total of 12.
/ STATES
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) signed a bill to legalize drug testing strips.
New York’s attorney general applauded a federal court’s decision to deny a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the regulators’ marijuana licensing activities amid ongoing litigation.
New Jersey’s attorney general is asking a federal court to dismiss Jersey City’s lawsuit against a state policy protecting police from being punished for off-duty marijuana use.
The Illinois legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules approved craft cannabis cultivation canopy rules.
The Nebraska legislature’s Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a bill to restrict intoxicating hemp-derived products.
Records tied to Massachusetts’s suspended top marijuana regulator are being sought by federal prosecutors amid a grand jury investigation of “suspected violations of federal criminal law.”
Alabama regulators are appealing a court order allowing unsuccessful medical cannabis business license applicants to depose them.
California regulators filed proposed rules changes for the cannabis appellations program.
Pennsylvania regulators posted an update on the medical cannabis program.
The Red Lake Nation, located within Minnesota, is stepping away from day-to-day operations of its marijuana dispensary.
Oklahoma regulators posted a list of cannabis reform bills being considered by lawmakers.
Oregon regulators are launching a new marijuana licensing system on March 18.
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/ LOCAL
The Miami Beach, Florida City Commission voted to repeal the city’s marijuana decriminalization law.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Bahamian national security minister discussed reduced arrest rates for marijuana possession with a Rastafarian minister.
British Columbia, Canada’s mental health and addictions minister pushed back against criticism of the province’s drug decriminalization policy.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “neural complexity is increased after low doses of LSD, but not moderate to high doses of oral THC or methamphetamine.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Martin Luther King III spoke about creating a just and equitable cannabis industry.
/ BUSINESS
A former Eaze consultant is being ordered to pay $17 million after being convicted of tricking credit card companies into processing marijuana transactions, an increase from an initially proposed penalty of $100,000.
Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. signed an agreement to amend and restate a credit facility between its subsidiary Auxly Leamington Inc. and a syndicate of lenders.
Numinus Wellness Inc. announced a C$6 million bought deal public offering.
Akanda Corp. entered into a securities purchase agreement with accredited investors with estimated proceeds of approximately $708,000.
/ CULTURE
Musician Darius Rucker was arrested for possessing marijuana and psilocin pills.
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