Newsletter
German legal cannabis vote scheduled (Newsletter: February 15, 2024)
SC medical marijuana bill passes; NH legalization to floor; AZ interstate commerce; MD cannabis & guns; NY & AZ psilocybin; Top lobbyist departs
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The German Bundestag’s Finance Committee is scheduled to vote on a marijuana legalization bill next week, signaling that the reform is on track to be enacted by April in accordance with the government’s plan.
The South Carolina Senate gave final passage to a bill to legalize medical cannabis, sending it to the House of Representatives for consideration.
The New Hampshire House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee approved a marijuana legalization bill, sending it to floor vote.
The Arizona House Commerce Committee approved a bill to legalize interstate marijuana trade, pending federal reform.
The Arizona Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously advanced legislation to legalize psilocybin service centers where people could receive the psychedelic in a medically supervised setting.
The Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee approved a bill to protect state gun rights for medical cannabis patients.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) is celebrating what he says is the “huge milestone” of his state now being home to more than 100 marijuana dispensaries.
New York lawmakers hosted a briefing on legislation to legalize psilocybin-assisted therapy, with the sponsor of an Assembly bill saying there’s a “real chance” it can advance this year.
Cannabis reform lobbyist Justin Strekal spoke to Marijuana Moment about his decision to retire from the movement, looking back on the biggest moments from his years of advocacy on Capitol Hill and offering advice to activists on how to win going forward.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) said he supports regulators’ efforts to increase advantages for marijuana social equity applicants but wants to make sure any steps don’t trigger lawsuits that upend legal sales implementation.
Missouri House and Senate committees held hearings on legislation to regulate intoxicating hemp products.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture included hemp in its own category in the Census of Agriculture for the first time.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health published a summary of a webinar it hosted on the creation of a new Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) tweeted, “The SAFE Banking Act would grant legitimate cannabis businesses access to these services ultimately leading to more accountability and enhanced public safety.”
The House bill to protect marijuana consumers from being evicted from public housing got one new cosponsor for a total of two.
/ STATES
Oklahoma’s attorney general touted his efforts to combat illegal marijuana grow operations.
New York’s Assembly majority leader discussed issues with the rollout of marijuana legalization.
An Arizona Senate special committee is investigating whether investors used “predatory tactics” against marijuana social equity licensees.
The Minnesota representative who sponsored legislation that created the state’s marijuana legalization law said, “the sooner we can get licensed dispensaries open, the better.”
A Wyoming representative filed a marijuana decriminalization bill.
The Washington State Supreme Court approved new rules clarifying the ability of lawyers to provide services to cannabis businesses.
Ohio regulators filed proposed marijuana rules.
Michigan regulators published a monthly report on disciplinary actions taken against cannabis businesses.
Nevada regulators will consider marijuana rules changes on Thursday.
Oregon regulators will consider a new marijuana licensing system on Thursday.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
Spain’s Ministry of Health is beginning the process of enacting medical cannabis regulations.
The UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology published a briefing about research on psychedelic-assisted therapy to treat anxiety disorders.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
Researchers “used publicly available data from 2010 to 2012 to predict which counties in the US would allow legal cannabis sales in 2014 using multiple methods.”
A study of rats found that “primary stages of neuroinflammation are ameliorated by cannabidiol.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Policy Matters Ohio published a blog post arguing that state marijuana revenue should be directed to helping “people and communities harmed by the failed war on drugs.”
/ BUSINESS
Defendants in federal cases on an alleged pump-and-dump scheme to inflate the stock price of Global Resources, Inc., which purportedly planned to bring hemp-infused wine to market, pleaded guilty and were sentenced to a combined total of 165 months of imprisonment.
MedMen Enterprises reportedly laid off staff at Nevada and Illinois stores.
Revolution Cannabis employees in Schaumburg, Illinois voted to ratify a collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local 777.
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