Newsletter
IRS hosts cannabis & crypto panel (Newsletter: August 19, 2021)
WY marijuana ballot summary issued; CA Assembly advances psychedelics legalization; NC committee amends medical cannabis bill; VA could speed up sales
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Wyoming’s attorney general issued official summaries for medical cannabis legalization and marijuana decriminalization initiatives that activists want to put on the 2022 ballot.
The Internal Revenue Service hosted a forum on tax issues related to marijuana businesses and cryptocurrency. The presenter highlighted growing support for legalization, saying it “is becoming more and more mainstream.”
The California Assembly advanced a bill to legalize possession of psychedelics on second reading. The measure faces a critical hurdle next week in the body’s Appropriations Committee that will determine whether it can be enacted this year.
The North Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee acted on a revised version of a medical cannabis bill it had previously passed. Another formal vote to advance the measure to the next panel will take place at a subsequent hearing.
Lawmakers on the Virginia legislature’s Joint Commission on Cannabis Oversight discussed launching recreational marijuana sales early through existing medical cannabis dispensaries if those businesses agree to incubate social equity applicants.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency tweeted, “A pilot hemp insurance program available in select counties through Multi-Peril Crop Insurance provides coverage against loss of yield because of insurable causes of loss for hemp grown for fiber, grain, or CBD oil.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) sent a letter urging President Joe Biden to reinstate Cabinet-level status for the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA) tweeted, “The GOP in Harrisburg have put the commonwealth at a financial disadvantage because of their prohibition against legalizing marijuana. Just ridiculous to let this opportunity to pass us by.”
/ STATES
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) appointed a new top medical cannabis regulator. Separately, a judge granted a motion to move a lawsuit challenging regulators’ medical marijuana tracking system to a different county.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) tweeted, “Marijuana legalization is long overdue in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvanians want it. I’m for it. And it’s well past time to restore justice to those harmed by criminalization. I’m going to keep doing everything I can to make it happen.”
New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Andrew Giuliani said he would implement marijuana legalization and that while working at the White House he met someone who benefited from medical cannabis. (About 5:15 into the video.)
Texas Democratic attorney general candidate Lee Merritt tweeted, “There are black and brown people still in prison for drug possession while companies make billions from the growing marijuana industry. It’s time to decriminalize and discuss reparations for the damage caused by the War on Drugs.”
The Louisiana House Criminal Justice Impacts of Legalizing Cannabis Subcommittee held its first meeting.
The Nevada legislature’s Interim Finance Committee approved new funding to help regulators oversee marijuana consumption lounges.
The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission reported that a marijuana legalization bill was the sixth-most lobbied piece of legislation this session.
Michigan regulators issued guidance on inhalable marijuana compound concentrate products and raw pre-rolls.
Iowa regulators published an updated agenda for a Friday meeting on the medical cannabis program.
The Virginia Marijuana Legalization Legalization Work Group’s Health Impacts Subgroup will meet on Thursday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,200 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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/ LOCAL
The Boston, Massachusetts City Council voted to overhaul the local system for reviewing and approving marijuana businesses.
The Sioux Falls, South Dakota City Council advanced proposed medical cannabis zoning and licensing ordinances to second reading.
Camden, New Jersey’s Cannabis Committee will hold its first town hall meeting on Thursday.
The Pima County, Arizona attorney’s office held a clinic to help people expunge marijuana convictions.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Colombian lawmakers debated a marijuana legalization bill. Former President Juan Manuel Santos tweeted, “Colombia must regulate cannabis for adult use because we need an approach of prevention and not prohibition. A policy that respects freedoms, that creates economic opportunities and reduces violence.”
Morocco’s government is expected to sign legislation expanding legal cannabis cultivation on Monday.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “early reports regarding medicinal cannabis in pediatric [autism spectrum disorder] symptom management are presented as positive; the evidence, however, is limited to very few retrospective cohort and observational studies.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The ACLU of New Jersey published recommendations for justice-focused marijuana rules.
The Multiple Sclerosis Society criticized UK officials for denying access to cannabis-based medicines.
/ BUSINESS
Eaze is acquiring Green Dragon and is seeking to raise $75 million.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. has a new chief technology officer and began selling clones at one of its Massachusetts dispensaries.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
