Newsletter
Illinois governor pledges legal cannabis in inauguration speech (Newsletter: Jan. 15, 2019)
POTUS candidate Julián Castro on marijuana; Sen. Schumer touts Canopy hemp facility; RI legalization details
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
There are 197 cannabis-related bills currently moving through state legislatures and Congress.
Never let a marijuana bill catch you by surprise with exclusive access to Marijuana Moment’s custom-built cannabis legislation tracker for just $25/month.
- Patrick Gorman of Cannabis Government Strategies: “I joined because you produce timely, informative, relevant analysis and content on this fast-paced industry. There’s a lot of BS out there, making supporting quality honest reporting more important than ever. Your legislative tracker revealed a Budget and Taxation hearing in the MD Senate, Thursday, which I will now attend. Thank you for your leadership in this space.”
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Newly sworn-in Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) reiterated his promise to legalize marijuana during his inaugural address.
Marijuana Moment compiled an overview of where Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro stands on cannabis.
- “Growing evidence from Colorado and other states suggests we can sensibly legalize marijuana use with reasonable controls in place. State voters should have that power.”
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) held a press conference to tout a massive hemp farm that Canopy Growth plans to open in New York.
/ FEDERAL
Former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci will interview former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak at a cannabis event outside the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland later this month.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said, “We are going to win [marijuana reform]. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. The American people have already spoken in state after state; red state to blue state.”
Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) said that marijuana legislation “will be coming to the floor for a vote.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said the fight over whether patients in his state should be able to smoke medical cannabis is “silly.”
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) tweeted, “Marijuana reform is important to a wide range of people, and it’s something this Congress can do. #LegalizeAmerica #CommonsenseCannabis”
/ STATES
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said that moves to reduce marijuana possession penalties have “traction” in the legislature.
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo’s (D) administration released more details of her marijuana legalization plan, which she says she is putting forward “with some reluctance.” She is also planning to add more medical cannabis dispensaries and further restrict home cultivation by patients. Law enforcement groups have expressed concerns with the idea of ending prohibition. Meanwhile, the governor’s staff denied rumors that her husband has interests in the cannabis industry.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said that his marijuana legalization plan to be unveiled on Tuesday will allow local governments to opt out of allowing sales. The state’s lieutenant governor said that cannabis is “better than getting hooked on opioids” and that she supports legalization, but she won’t be consuming marijuana herself. She tweeted, “After decades of politicians having to disclose whether they smoked, inhaled or whatever… we’ve reached a new level where NOT smoking #marijuana makes news 😀Let’s get it done — regulate, legalize and tax it. Stop filling jails with young men of color.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said he will “very soon” announce actions on medical cannabis litigation and legislation.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in favor of a police officer’s judgement in determining whether a driver was under the influence of marijuana.
The Wisconsin attorney general’s office said it may release guidance on Racine’s ordinance directing local police to issue citations for first-time marijuana violations.
Details are beginning to emerge about Connecticut legislation to legalize marijuana that Democratic lawmakers on working on.
Ohio regulators awarded four medical cannabis dispensary certificates of operation. Sales are expected to begin on Wednesday.
The North Dakota House Human Services Committee held a hearing on three medical cannabis reform bills.
The South Dakota Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard legislation concerning the classification of CBD oil.
Three New Jersey Republican senators are demanding concessions in exchange for votes to pass marijuana legalization legislation.
An Indiana representative filed a marijuana decriminalization bill.
An Arkansas representative introduced a bill to amend the state’s list of medical cannabis qualifying conditions.
A Missouri representative filed a bill requiring that the state’s top medical cannabis regulator be a licensed pharmacist.
Oklahoma lawmakers are considering legislation on medical cannabis testing and labeling.
South Carolina lawmakers are expected to file medical cannabis legislation on Tuesday.
Here’s a look at various tweaks Nevada lawmakers are considering making to the state’s marijuana laws.
Utah regulators released a report tracking marijuana use in the state.
California regulators sent a reminder about marijuana excise tax requirements.
—
Marijuana Moment is tracking key cannabis bills in state legislatures and Congress. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.
We followed more than 900 pieces of cannabis legislation in 2018. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—
/ LOCAL
Prosecutors in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska are moving to dismiss charges against a family that opened a CBD store.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Trinidad and Tobago’s attorney general said a public consultation on decriminalizing marijuana will begin on January 23.
Regulators in Thailand are preparing to draft medical cannabis rules.
Zimbabwe’s finance minister endorsed the idea of exporting marijuana.
The Philippine House speaker and former president said that she has used medical cannabis for a spinal condition.
A Chinese court sentenced a Canadian man to death for drug smuggling in a move that is viewed as possible retaliation for the recent arrest of a Chinese businessman in Canada.
A former premier of Queensland, Australia said that drugs should be legalized.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found evidence “suggesting structural brain and cognitive effects of just one or two instances of cannabis use in adolescence.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Portland Press Herald editorial board is urging Maine lawmakers to pass legislation clearing past marijuana convictions.
/ BUSINESS
Aurora Cannabis Inc. will acquire Whistler Medical Marijuana Corporation in an all-share transaction valued at roughly $175 million.
Surterra Wellness is acquiring New England Treatment Access.
Wired takes a look at marijuana influencers on Instagram.
The Wall Street Journal examines the growth potential of the hemp industry.
The Boston Globe looks at branding decisions made by Massachusetts marijuana companies.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Philip Steffan.
