Newsletter
German cannabis legalization bill passes (Newsletter: February 26, 2024)
Congresswoman’s rescheduling worries; PA Ag secretary on marijuana; NM gov backs psilocybin; VA legal sales; MD worker protections; WA homegrow
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Germany’s Bundestag voted to approve a marijuana legalization bill. It next heads to the separate Bundesrat, where members may delay but cannot block its enactment.
Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) told Marijuana Moment that she fears moving cannabis to Schedule III will set the cause of full federal legalization back “another 50 years.”
Pennsylvania’s agriculture secretary said he’s “excited” about Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D) marijuana legalization plan—pointing out that farmers in the state are “really good at growing things.”
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) endorsed a Senate-passed resolution calling on state officials to research the therapeutic potential of psilocybin and explore the creation of a regulatory framework to provide access to the psychedelic.
The Virginia Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee approved a compromise bill to legalize recreational marijuana sales, one day after a House panel voted to also advance the deal toward final passage.
Maryland House and Senate committees held hearings on legislation to protect workers from being fired or punished for off-duty marijuana use—with firefighters, NAACP organizers and state civil rights officials testifying in support.
The Washington representative whose bill to legalize home cultivation of marijuana died without a needed committee vote said she is committed to continuing to push the issue until it passes.
Oregon Democratic lawmakers reached a tentative deal on legislation to recriminalize drug possession in the state—a little more than three years after voters passed a decriminalization ballot measure.
The Maine legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee held a hearing on a bill to address illegal marijuana operations that advocates say is “racist” and “unconstitutional.”
Rhode Island cannabis businesses are more campaign donations to politicians in the hopes of having their voices heard in policy debates.
NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano authored a new op-ed calling on the Drug Enforcement Administration to finally abandon its “flat Earth” position that cannabis must remain in Schedule I and instead “move marijuana policy into the 21st century.”
/ FEDERAL
A White House spokesperson said President Joe Biden’s “campaign commitment was to do what he can to ensure that no one is in jail for marijuana possession alone” and that he has “taken historic actions to achieve that.”
A Department of Homeland Security lawyer argued in federal court that passages in a book by UK’s Prince Harry do not constitute “proof” that he used illegal drugs.
The House marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor for a total of 103.
The House bill to respect state marijuana laws got one new cosponsor for a total of eight.
/ STATES
South Dakota lawmakers sent Gov. Kristi Noem (R) a bill to add medical cannabis patients to the state’s prescription drug monitoring program.
New York lawmakers attended a rally in support of legislation to give local officials greater authority to take action against unlicensed marijuana businesses.
A Pennsylvania senator tweeted, “Legal marijuana is already accessible in NJ, DE, MD, NY, and OH. Why not keep that revenue & business opportunity here in our Commonwealth and #LegalizeIt?”
A California assemblymember spoke about how psychedelics legislation she is sponsoring was inspired by military veterans.
A Missouri court will hear arguments in a lawsuit challenging the stacking of municipal and county marijuana taxes on May 9.
Ohio’s top marijuana regulator said he plans to begin issuing recreational marijuana business licenses on September 7 unless lawmakers pass legislation to expedite the process.
Oregon regulators filed proposed rules to provide temporary relief from requirements for marijuana businesses to provide proof of tax compliance.
California regulators are refusing to answer questions about problems with the state’s pesticide rules for marijuana products.
Montana regulators are accepting questions for a cannabis town hall on April 10.
Oklahoma regulators tweeted about the smell of cannabis terpenes.
New York’s Cannabis Advisory Board will meet on Tuesday.
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Marijuana Moment is 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.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
Bermuda’s officials are being pressed to make progress on cannabis reform amid a dispute on the issue with the UK government.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study examined a method for “efficient capture of cannabis terpenes in olive oil during microwave-assisted cannabinoid decarboxylation.”
/ BUSINESS
Schwazze has a new interim CEO.
MedMen is being sued for allegedly owing nearly $2 million in unpaid rent.
CanPay said it made enhancements to allow for faster and more secure connections between consumers’ financial institutions and its app.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
