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GOP cannabis rescheduling bill in Congress (Newsletter: February 1, 2023)

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Truckers leaving workforce over marijuana; Booker on banking; DC medical cannabis expansion signed; MN legalization vote; BC drug decrim

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) filed a new bill in Congress to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. The proposal comes as the Biden administration is conducting a review of cannabis’s scheduling status.

New Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data shows that more than 40,000 truck drivers tested positive for marijuana in 2022—a 32 percent annual increase. Meanwhile, more than half of commercial drivers who tested positive for drugs haven’t enrolled in the return-to-work process amid labor shortages.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) spoke about the “cannabis crisis” caused by an ongoing lack of banking protections and said that enacting reform is “going to be harder, but not impossible” under Republican control of the House.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) signed a bill to remove medical marijuana license caps, give operators 280E tax relief, prioritize equity businesses and allow on-site consumption facilities while providing for enforcement against unlicensed sellers. The legislation also codifies that people can self-certify as medical cannabis patients without needing a doctor’s recommendation.

The Minnesota House State and Local Government Finance and Policy Committee approved a marijuana legalization bill while rejecting a number of GOP-led amendments to add further restrictions to the legislation—including one to raise the legal age from 21 to 25.

British Columbia, Canada’s federally approved drug decriminalization policy took effect—but advocates say it falls short by including possession thresholds that are too low and leaving the supply chain unregulated.

A Missouri Republican representative said his new legislation to provide therapeutic access to psilocybin for people with serious mental health conditions can be especially helpful for military veterans.

Sponsored Post: Green Check Verified’s Peter Su details what he says are the top five myths of cannabis banking.

/ FEDERAL

A Food and Drug Administration senior public health advisor focused on cannabis spoke about issues related to CBD regulation and the marijuana scheduling review.

The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on Mexicans accused of trafficking fentanyl.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled that the activist NJWeedman does not have standing to sue New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) in an attempt to invalidate the state’s marijuana legalization law.

Several senators and representatives reacted to the Food and Drug Administration’s announcement that it will not issue regulations for CBD products without further action by Congress.

/ STATES

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee’s (D) office walked back his commitment to name members of the Cannabis Control Commission by the end of January, saying that the background check process is still ongoing.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) posted a link to an op-ed from a cancer patient who used medical cannabis, saying, “In my #SOTS address last week, I shared how legalized medical marijuana would have made David Auble’s last days a lot more comfortable. Take a second and read his story in his own words from this past May.”

The board of trustees of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, located within Oregon, voted to legalize marijuana on the reservation.

The North Dakota House of Representatives rejected bills to allow medical cannabis edibles.

A Virginia House General Laws subcommittee tabled two bills that would have allowed regulators to begin taking steps to launch recreational marijuana sales.

The Wyoming House Education Committee tabled a bill that would have penalized selling synthetic THC-derived products to people under 21.

The Washington State Senate Committee on Labor and Commerce held a hearing on a bill to legalize psilocybin services. Separately, regulators will host a Cannabinoid Science Work Group meeting on Wednesday.

Kansas senators filed a medical cannabis legalization bill.

Georgia lawmakers are considering legislation that would ban delta-8 THC products.

New Hampshire senators discussed their views on marijuana legalization.

An Indiana representative talked about marijuana reform legislation he is sponsoring.

Illinois regulators filed revised cannabis tax rules.

Newly revealed Pennsylvania data shows that anxiety disorders were a factor in 60 percent of medical cannabis recommendations issued in 2021.

New York regulators announced the first class of the new Cannabis Compliance Training and Mentorship program.

New Jersey marijuana regulators launched a new blog.

Oklahoma regulators posted an overview of pending marijuana reform legislation.

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission will meet on Thursday.


Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of 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.

/ LOCAL

Killeen, Texas’s mayor said she has not yet been served in a potential lawsuit from Bell County officials over the city’s voter-approved marijuana decriminalization law.

Los Angeles, California regulators published a report on “progressive’ cannabis enforcement.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Canada’s mental health and addictions minister said the government will launch a dashboard to track the effects of British Columbia’s drug decriminalization policy.

Malaysia’s deputy prime minister said the government is holding talks on the medical uses of cannabis and kratom.

Costa Rican lawmakers held a hearing on a marijuana legalization bill.

Australian lawmakers plan to file marijuana legalization legislation within the next two months.

A top Mexican senator said lawmakers could consider marijuana legislation this session.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “phytocannabinoids can be promising topical antimicrobial agents when searching for novel therapeutic candidates for different skin conditions.”

A review concluded that “cocaine has been shown to reduce severity of depression and anxiety.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Prohibitionist groups Smart Approaches to Marijuana and Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions will hold a conference in Washington, D.C. on 4/20.

The Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation published recommendations on workplace cannabis testing.

20 top cannabis companies spent a combined $5.43 million on federal lobbying efforts in 2022, according to an analysis.

The New York Daily News editorial board is calling on state regulators to get the legal marijuana market up and running and take action against unlicensed sellers.

/ BUSINESS

High Tide Inc. reported quarterly revenue of C$108.2 million and a net loss of C$52.5 million.

/ CULTURE

Seth Rogen and his cannabis company Houseplant are partnering with Airbnb on a promotion where people can stay in a home and hang out with the actor, though the company clarified that “guests are not allowed to smoke within the home” and that “no cannabis-based products will be made available or provided to the guests during the stays.”

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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