Newsletter
Hawaii Senate approves legal cannabis bill (Newsletter: March 10, 2021)
RI Senate & gov rival marijuana plans; MX legalization to floor; NY psilocybin decrim; Fed. immigration/cannabis bill; NM legalization votes; MD poll
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Hawaii Senate approved a bill to legalize marijuana as well as separate legislation to expand the state’s current cannabis decriminalization law. Both passed with veto-proof majorities—a key factor in light of Gov. David Ige’s (D) stated concerns about reform.
The New Mexico Senate Tax, Business & Transportation Committee approved a House-passed marijuana legalization bill as well as a competing proposal from a senator.
Rhode Island’s Senate majority leader and the Health & Human Services Committee chairman filed a marijuana legalization bill. Newly inaugurated Gov. Dan McKee (D) is expected to announce his own legal cannabis proposal soon.
The Mexican Chamber of Deputies Health and Justice committees approved a revised marijuana legalization bill, with a full floor vote expected on Wednesday.
Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) filed a new bill to make it so that marijuana would no longer be used as a strike against immigrants’ “good moral character” when determining citizenship eligibility.
A New York assemblymember introduced a bill to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms in the state.
A new poll found that 67% of Maryland residents support legalizing marijuana as the legislature considers cannabis bills sponsored by top lawmakers. There’s majority support among Democrats, Republicans and independents.
/ FEDERAL
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) tweeted about “the benefits our vets have seen from medical marijuana dealing with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and chronic pain.”
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) tweeted, “If cannabis businesses were allowed to have normal financial transactions, they wouldn’t have the danger of repeated robbery.”
/ STATES
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) tweeted, “I am pro-legalization. Pennsylvanians on both sides of the aisle want to see adult-use marijuana legalization happen. It would boost agriculture, help restore justice, and provide funding to historically disadvantaged small businesses.” Separately, the House speaker said decriminalizing cannabis “is certainly a discussion that I think we can have.”
Nebraska Gov, Pete Ricketts (R), the state attorney general, lieutenant governor and law enforcement officials will hold a press conference to oppose medical cannabis legislation ahead of a Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) will hold a public meeting on marijuana legalization and justice reform on April 14.
Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero (D) said during her State of the Island address that the territory should commit the first $50 million in legal marijuana revenue to “end flooding in Tumon, invest in island beautification and cultural preservation, and repair village roads.”
The Florida House Professions and Public Health Subcommittee approved a bill to enact THC potency limits on medical cannabis. The state’s agriculture commissioner tweeted, “Medical marijuana is medicine. It’s improved lives, Floridians voted for it, and Americans support it. No one has asked for THC caps. They’re a tax on patients and will stifle a fast-growing industry. I hope House Public Health Subcommittee members will vote no on HB 1455.” She also tweeted, “Florida Republicans are trying to restrict access & create a new tax on medical marijuana patients. Sign our petition against House Bill 1455. Decisions on treatment are between doctors & patients, not politicians.”
The California Senate Public Safety Committee approved a bill to end mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug crimes.
The Washington, D.C. Council tweeted about a Government Accountability Office determination that the city “has the green light to hold hearings on legislation legalizing & regulating the sale of marijuana. We can’t pass the bills, though, until Congress lifts its ban on us *enacting* such laws.”
New Jersey’s Senate president and Judiciary Committee chairman are working on a bill to lower penalties for home cultivation of marijuana. Separately, the state’s Election Law Enforcement Commission reported that pro- and anti- cannabis legalization organizations spent more than $3.9 in lobbying and campaign expenses last year.
Ohio House Democrats tweeted about a lawmaker’s effort to add more medical cannabis qualifying conditions.
Kansas representatives are filing a marijuana legalization bill.
An Arkansas senator introduced a marijuana decriminalization bill.
Missouri regulators told lawmakers that they expect to spend at least $12.4 million fighting legal challenges to the state’s medical cannabis program.
North Carolina’s Department of Justice published a podcast discussing hemp issues for law enforcement.
Michigan regulators posted a form for marijuana businesses to amend their social equity plans.
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/ LOCAL
The vice mayor of Coral Springs, Florida authored a blog post calling on the state to legalize marijuana.
/ INTERNATIONAL
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she doesn’t think marijuana possession should be criminalized. Meanwhile, a new study concluded that “the self‐imposed neutrality” she maintained on the country’s marijuana legalization referendum “may have been a decisive factor in the narrow defeat.”
Barbados’s attorney general said the government intends to follow through on plans to hold a marijuana decriminalization referendum.
Morocco’s ruling party is calling for a study on the impact of legalizing marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “cannabinoids possess anticancer potencies against glioma cells.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Roanoke Times editorial board said Virginia’s marijuana legalization bill is “surprisingly pro-rural.”
The Veterans Action Council published a “green paper” outlining its position on medical cannabis access for military veterans.
Vanderbilt University’s Robert A. Mikos argues in a new paper that states’ restrictions on importing marijuana from other states are likely unconstitutional.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. is acquiring EMMAC Life Sciences Limited. It also reported quarterly revenue of $230.3 million and a net loss of $35.3 million.
Acreage Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $31.5 million and a net loss of $36.9 million.
Verano Holdings is facing a federal racketeering lawsuit alleging that it illegally trafficked marijuana from Illinois to Arkansas.
COMPASS Pathways plc reported a quarterly net loss of $18.8 million.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp is partnering with the Morehouse School of Medicine to fund and conduct medical cannabis research and education.
/ CULTURE
Seth Rogen spoke to Architectural Digest about the ashtrays and lighters he designed for his marijuana company Houseplant.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
