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GOP cannabis bill to get congressional hearing, sponsor says (Newsletter: March 4, 2022)
SD House defeats legalization; MD Senate marijuana hearing; DC advances cannabis protections for workers; Republican lawmakers’ pro-reform op-ed
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) said Democrats have agreed to schedule a hearing on her marijuana legalization bill soon. The congresswoman also said on Ethan Nadelmann’s Psychoactive podcast that her campaign has been polling on cannabis issues in her own district and finding strong support.
The South Dakota House of Representatives killed a Senate-passed marijuana legalization bill. It was revived earlier this week in a legislative maneuver known as a “smoke out” but didn’t have enough support to formally advance to the calendar. The body also defeated legislation that would have gutted existing protections for medical cannabis patients.
The Washington, D.C. Council Labor & Workforce Development Committee unanimously approved a bill to ban pre-employment marijuana testing for most workers.
The Maryland Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on two competing marijuana legalization bills—just days after the House of Delegates passed legislation to place a legal cannabis referendum on the November ballot.
A pair of Republican lawmakers from Missouri and Oklahoma write in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that the federal government must end cannabis prohibition and states should enact “reasonably regulated and enforced” legalization laws.
/ FEDERAL
The Biden administration is reportedly circulating an “internal executive branch presentation” about a previously published policy memo on how investing in marijuana businesses can negatively impact eligibility for security clearances.
Federally owned electrical utility Tennessee Valley Authority further clarified its stance on supplying power to medical cannabis businesses in a letter to a Mississippi public service commissioner.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “The cannabis industry saw a 33% growth in jobs in 2021. And it’s only going to keep growing! We will move forward on comprehensive federal cannabis reform with justice for the communities most impacted by the War on Drugs.”
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) delivered a Senate floor speech criticizing efforts to put fentanyl-related substances in Schedule I.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) tweeted, “The work to right the wrongs of the War on Drugs must always be informed by those most impacted.Deadline for public comment to @MA_Cannabis’s Disproportionately Impacted Areas designation is tomorrow. Make your voice heard.”
Louisiana Democratic Senate candidate Gary Chambers said Democrats “need to expect the president to be true to what he said as candidate Biden” by following through on his cannabis reform campaign pledges.
The House bill to regulate CBD foods and beverages got two new cosponsors for a total of seven.
/ STATES
Massachusetts Democratic gubernatorial candidate Maura Healey, currently the state attorney general, said she doesn’t regret opposing a voter-approved marijuana legalization ballot initiative.
Here’s a look at where South Dakota gubernatorial candidates stand on marijuana.
The Illinois House of Representatives is expected to vote on a bill to provide workplace protections for cannabis consumers on Friday.
Minnesota’s House majority leader spoke about efforts to expand medical cannabis access and to build support for broader legalization.
The Missouri Senate General Laws Committee approved a bill to decriminalize syringe exchange programs.
The chairman of the Louisiana House Health & Welfare Chair filed a bill to double the number of medical cannabis pharmacy licenses.
An Alabama senator introduced a bill to require women of childbearing age to have a negative pregnancy test before they can get medical cannabis.
Hawaiian regulators adopted new medical cannabis rules.
Iowa regulators issued guidance on consumable hemp.
Oregon regulators will be accepting public comment on proposed psilocybin services rules beginning on April 1.
The Colorado Department of Transportation tweeted, “New data shows crashes and impaired driving arrests involving multiple substances, such as alcohol and cannabis used together, are prevalent.”
Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture tweeted, “Despite the industry’s struggles over the years, the Dept. of Agriculture is working to boost uses for industrial hemp, particularly in construction. Under the #PAFarmBill, grant funding was awarded to an array of hemp projections and organizations.
Ohio regulators released updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.
California regulators will release proposed changes to marijuana rules on Friday.
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Marijuana Moment is already 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.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
New Zealand’s Ministry of Health approved medical cannabis flower for use in the form of tea.
South Africa’s Constitutional Court heard arguments on the constitutionality of criminalizing children for possessing cannabis while it is no longer criminalized for adults.
Canadian lawmakers debated a bill to decriminalize drugs.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that CBD “improves spatial memory in 14-month-old female TAU58/2 transgenic mice.”
A review concluded that “oral psilocybin is showing itself to be clinically efficacious by producing statistically significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms over time versus control in multiple clinical trials” and “has also been shown to reduce cigarettes per day and drinks per day in patients with substance use disorders,” while “there have been no significant adverse clinical events.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that 66 percent of Singapore residents support using the death penalty against people convicted of drug trafficking.
Dr. Bronner’s CEO David Bronner authored a blog post about efforts to reconcile differences among stakeholders in the psychedelic reform community.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $320 million and a net loss of $30.1 million.
Shopify is reportedly ordering sellers to remove products containing more than 0.3 percent of any form of THC.
Tilray Brands, Inc. and HEXO Corp. announced a proposed strategic partnership in which the former company would acquire up to $211 million worth of senior secured convertible notes issued by the latter.
Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc. has been granted a 180-day extension to meet Nasdaq’s minimum bid requirement.
A judge ruled that a former MedMen CFO must repay the company $612,000 in legal fees that he was previously awarded.
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