Newsletter
House approves cannabis banking bill (Newsletter: April 20, 2021)
Poll: 91% of Americans back legal marijuana in some form; USPS on hemp vape exemptions; NC Senate leader notes medical cannabis support
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House of Representatives approved a marijuana banking bill. The SAFE Banking Act cleared the chamber three times last Congress but got blocked in the Republican-controlled Senate. Hopes are high now that Democrats run both chambers of Congress, however.
Twenty-one governors, 51 state and territory banking associations and a group of state treasurers sent letters calling on Congress to pass the marijuana banking bill.
A new Pew Research Center poll found that 91% of Americans now support legalizing marijuana for recreational or medical use.
In a new Federal Register filing, the U.S. Postal Service is instructing hemp and CBD companies about how they can potentially apply for exemptions to a new federal law that generally bans the mailing of vaping devices.
North Carolina’s Senate president pro tempore noted strong public support for medical cannabis after the body’s Rules Committee chairman filed a bill on the issue.
/ FEDERAL
The Biden administration is reportedly considering requiring tobacco companies to lower nicotine levels in cigarettes.
A federal judge denied a company’s request for an injunction to prevent Customs and Border Protection from blocking its shipments of hemp processing machines.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture tweeted about the availability of revenue protection insurance for hemp.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Barbara Lee (D-CA) spoke about why they believe Vice President Kamala Harris will advocate behind the scenes for President Joe Biden to evolve on marijuana.
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) said he has a lot of concerns about marijuana legalization.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) tweeted a tribute to marijuana legalization pioneer Steve Fox, who passed away last week.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) tweeted about a new poll showing support for cannabis legalization, saying, “Your 4/19 reminder that marijuana should be legalized nationwide.”
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) tweeted, “Everything in politics seems impossible, until it happens. Time to remove cannabis from the schedule of controlled substances. Spending even one dime of taxpayer funds on federal marijuana investigations and prosecutions is dumb.”
Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA) toured a CBD lab.
/ STATES
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) conditionally vetoed a medical cannabis telehealth bill because he said it places “undue limitations” on patients.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) suggested that passage of a marijuana legalization bill could be delayed until next year due to disagreements among Democrats over key provisions.
Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor will participate in a 4/20 rally at the state Capitol on Tuesday.
Alabama’s House speaker said it will likely be a few more weeks until a Senate-passed medical cannabis bill comes up for a floor vote.
Wisconsin’s House speaker said there is “substantial support” among Republicans for medical cannabis.
The California Senate Business, Professions & Economic Development Committee approved a bill to let cities and counties opt into letting the state manage marijuana regulations for them.
A Florida representative who is sponsoring a bill to enact THC potency caps on medical cannabis is conceding that it is all but dead for the session.
The Washington, D.C. Council is set to vote on a bill to let formerly incarcerated people work in the marijuana industry on Tuesday.
Ohio regulators voted to more than double the number of medical cannabis dispensaries.
New Mexico regulators are accepting applications to serve on the new Cannabis Regulatory Advisory Committee. Separately, the health secretary said medical cannabis dispensary workers should be viewed similarly to pharmacists when it comes to coronavirus vaccine eligibility, a stance that undermines the state’s position in a lawsuit about taxing the product in a way that other medicines are not.
Colorado regulators issued a health and safety advisory about potentially unsafe levels of yeast and mold and lead on medical cannabis flower produced by Primal LLC.
Nevada regulators are extending the expiration of active marijuana temporary agent registration cards until June 30.
New Hampshire regulators approved a new medical cannabis dispensary to operate.
Washington State regulators posted information about potential new rules on pesticide and heavy metal testing for marijuana. They also sent a newsletter with other cannabis information. Meanwhile, the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force’s Licensing Workgroup will meet on Wednesday.
Minnesota regulators published updated data on participation in the medical cannabis program.
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/ LOCAL
The Denver, Colorado City Council approved legislation to allow marijuana delivery services and social consumption areas.
The Wilmington, Delaware City Council passed a resolution endorsing a statewide marijuana legalization bill.
A new Dallas, Texas policy to avoid most marijuana arrests took effect.
/ INTERNATIONAL
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke about what he sees as the harms of marijuana and drug use.
The Philippine deputy House speaker said a proposed bill to legalize medical cannabis is dead.
Argentinian lawmakers are considering medical cannabis legislation.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “phytocannabinoids have demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-acne properties by various mechanisms.”
A review concluded that “cannabis, cannabis-derived products and synthetic cannabinoids may slightly reduce disease activity in patients with [rheumatoid arthritis]” but that “its use may result in little to no difference in pain reduction and may slightly increase nervous system adverse events.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that New York voters support the state’s new marijuana legalization law, 57%-36%.
/ BUSINESS
Jushi Holdings Inc. is acquiring Nature’s Remedy of Massachusetts, Inc.
Colgate-Palmolive filed three patents for oral care formulas containing CBD.
Bespoke Financial announced it raised $8 million in a Series A financing round.
Tilray, Inc. is being sued for allegedly intentionally sabotaging a Florida nursery’s medical cannabis license application.
Parallel is investing $25 million in a new cannabis cultivation, production and retail facility in Texas.
/ CULTURE
Chelsea Handler authored an op-ed on the need for marijuana reform.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
