Newsletter
KY medical cannabis on gov’s desk (Newsletter: March 31, 2023)
Vets medical marijuana bill in Congress; DC officials slam fed legalization interference; MN cannabis bill tax changes; WA employment protections
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Kentucky House of Representatives approved a Senate-passed medical cannabis legalization bill—sending it to the desk of Gov. Andy Beshear (D), who says he plans to sign it into law on Friday.
Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) filed a bipartisan bill in Congress to allow military veterans to get medical cannabis recommendations from their Department of Veterans Affairs doctors.
The Minnesota House Taxes Committee approved a marijuana legalization bill and adopted amendments to reduce the tax rate on cannabis sales over time so that it only covers the costs of implementation without generating extra revenue for other programs.
Local Washington, D.C. lawmakers testified at a congressional hearing that ongoing federal interference in the city’s marijuana laws is “actually endangering public safety” by preventing regulation of sales.
The Maryland Senate advanced a bill to regulate marijuana sales following voters’ approval of a legalization referendum. After a vote on final passage, expected soon, lawmakers will have to reconcile differences with the House version that passed this month.
The Washington State House of Representatives approved a Senate-passed bill to bar employers from discriminating against job applicants for marijuana use. The legislation needs one more vote in the Senate to reconcile recent amendments before heading to Gov. Jay Inslee (D).
The Oregon House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee held a hearing on a bill that aims to address issues related to grant funding and other aspects of the state’s voter-approved drug decriminalization law.
/ FEDERAL
Former President Donald Trump, who is running again, has reportedly asked advisors to brief him on options for military action against drug cartels in Mexico.
The Food and Drug Administration announced it intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Waterloo University to provide services for a cannabis policy study.
The U.S. Sentencing Commission will vote to promulgate proposed amendments on marijuana criminal history and other issues on Wednesday.
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) and a bipartisan group of cosponsors filed a bill to provide oversight of U.S. agricultural land purchases that could threaten national security, citing concerns about Chinese-connected cannabis grows in Oklahoma.
/ STATES
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) tweeted about a marijuana business owner, saying, “Entrepreneurs like Greg Elliot are critical for our state’s economic growth. And thanks to our equity cannabis licenses, Greg is the majority owner and chief growth officer of Waukegan’s first cannabis dispensary: Ivy Hall Waukegan.”
North Dakota’s agriculture commissioner issued a statement clarifying the intent of a pending Senate bill on cannabinoid products.
A Legal Marijuana Now Party candidate for Minnesota state auditor received campaign donations from several Republican elected officials and operatives
The Georgia Senate did not approve House changes to a medical cannabis regulation bill by the end of the session, killing it for the year. Separately, regulators will consider medical marijuana issues on Wednesday.
The Florida Senate passed a bill to decriminalize fentanyl test strips.
A New York senator filed a bill to require child-resistant packaging for marijuana products. Separately, another senator authored an op-ed in support of eliminating the medical cannabis excise tax.
Hawaii lawmakers are considering legislation to restrict large-scale multi-patient medical cannabis grow facilities.
South Dakota regulators are being sued over an inspection at a medical cannabis business.
New Alaska rules on dairy butters, oils and fats as standalone marijuana-infused edible products were approved.
Washington State regulators extended the Social Equity in Cannabis Program application window.
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/ LOCAL
Denver, Colorado mayoral candidates discussed their views on marijuana policy.
The head of a San Jose, California police union is facing federal charges for allegedly attempting to illegally import a fentanyl analogue.
Los Angeles, California regulators sent an update about marijuana licensing issues.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Western Australia Legislative Council’s Select Committee on Cannabis and Hemp issued a report with 16 recommendations.
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration sent a warning about children eating cannabis-infused cookies.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of chronic pain patients found that “participants reported using cannabinoids to treat a wide variety of chronic pain conditions” and that “those currently taking cannabinoids (vs. previously) more frequently reported: (1) large improvements from cannabinoids in all pain types, including particularly difficult to treat chronic overlapping pain conditions (e.g., pelvic pain), (2) improvements in comorbid symptoms (e.g., sleep), and (3) lower interference from side effects.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute published an overview of research on psychedelic-assisted therapy for people receiving hospice care.
The New York State Society of CPAs officials authored an op-ed about Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D) proposed legislation to crack down on unlicensed marijuana sales.
The Coalition for Access to Regulated and Safe Cannabis, which represents several large marijuana companies, is criticizing New York officials for not more swiftly taking steps to stop unlicensed sales.
/ BUSINESS
Verano Holdings Corp. reported quarterly revenue of $226 million and a net loss of $216.1 million.
iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. reported annual revenue of $163.2 million and a net loss of $449.4 million.
SHF Holdings, Inc., d/b/a/ Safe Harbor Financial entered into agreements to settle $64.7 million in payment obligations.
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. has a new chief financial officer, chief operating officer and chief investment officer.
Akanda Corp. regained compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirements.
/ CULTURE
Erykah Badu spoke about her support for legalizing marijuana.
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