Connect with us

Newsletter

Lawmakers push FDA on CBD with new bill (Newsletter: March 20, 2023)

Published

on

KS gov wants medical marijuana; WI eyes IL cannabis spending; NV psychedelics; TN lawmakers: reunite family after marijuana arrest; MN legalization

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.

Get our daily newsletter.

Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…

By starting a $10 per month pledge on Patreon—or about 45 cents per issue of this newsletter—you can help us rely less on ads to cover our expenses, hire more journalists and bring you even more marijuana news.
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Reps. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Angie Craig (D-MN) filed new bills in Congress to provide a pathway for the regulation of hemp derivatives like CBD as dietary supplements and food and beverage additives.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) is encouraging people in the state to pressure their lawmakers to advance a medical cannabis bill after a Senate committee decided to stall action on the measure for the session.

A Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis prepared for the Senate minority leader shows that state residents bought $121 million worth of legal marijuana in neighboring Illinois in 2022, contributing about $36 million in tax revenue to the state.

The Minnesota Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee amended and advanced a marijuana legalization bill.

Nevada lawmakers introduced a bill to legalize psilocybin and promote research into the therapeutic benefits of the psychedelic, as well as encourage studies of MDMA.

Tennessee Democratic lawmakers are pressing state officials to reunite a family whose five children—including a four-month-old infant who was still nursing—were removed from their parents following a traffic stop in which a small amount of marijuana was found.

/ FEDERAL

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy announced $275 million in funding for its High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program.

Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) said he’s not sure cannabis banking legislation can be prepared in time for introduction ahead of the Easter recess.

Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) spoke at a rally in support of a local San Antonio ballot initiative that would decriminalize marijuana. He also tweeted, “San Antonio police officers’ time should be focused on solving violent crimes, not on arresting people for marijuana possession or abortion cases. I fully support the San Antonio Justice Charter on the ballot in May!”

Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) tweeted, “Illegal cannabis fields found on federal land using banned pesticides hurt wildlife, consumers, and Forest Service agents tasked with cleaning up. @RepLaMalfa & I introduced the TOXIC Act to remedy the enviro damage and health effects of this practice.”

The House bill to protect veterans from losing federal benefits over medical cannabis got one new cosponsor for a total of four.

/ STATES

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) announced a process for social equity cannabis businesses to identify themselves on a government website.

A spokesperson for Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) signaled his support for a hemp regulation bill that’s on his desk.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) tweeted, “Kentuckians support medical cannabis and many, like veterans with PTSD, need access for safe and effective treatment. That’s why I signed an EO months ago allowing those with certain conditions to purchase medical cannabis. I’m glad legislation is making progress. It’s past time.”

Mississippi lawmakers sent Gov. Tate Reeves (R) a bill revising medical cannabis rules.

The Maryland House of Delegates gave preliminary approval to a bill to prevent police from detaining people over the smell of marijuana.

The New Mexico Senate passed a bill amending policies related to the expungement of marijuana records.

New York’s Assembly majority leader and other lawmakers are in talks with the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) about legislation to step up enforcement against unlicensed marijuana sellers and to make changes to cannabis tax policies.

The Florida House Health and Human Services Committee approved a bill to allow doctors to recertify medical cannabis recommendations via telehealth.

A Minnesota representative spoke about the prospects for his marijuana legalization bill this session.

A South Carolina senator said he believes he has enough votes to enact his medical cannabis legalization bill this year.

The Texas Supreme Court rejected a procedural challenge to a local San Antonio ballot initiative to decriminalize marijuana, block enforcement of abortion laws and make other reforms.

A Pennsylvania court ruled that workers’ compensation insurance plans can reimburse people for medical cannabis costs.

The Arkansas Supreme Court upheld regulators’ decision to grant additional medical cannabis cultivation licenses.

Oregon regulators acted on rules related to artificially derived CBN and batch tagging of marijuana plants.

Washington State marijuana regulators launched an enforcement education program.

Massachusetts marijuana regulators said they inadvertently released personal information in response to a public records request.

Colorado’s Retail Marijuana Public Health Advisory Committee will meet on Monday.


Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 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.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.

/ LOCAL

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg authored an op-ed criticizing the state’s rollout of marijuana legalization.

The Cheyenne, Wyoming City Council president plans to file a marijuana decriminalization proposal.

San Marcos, Texas police are refusing to institute a formal policy change following voters’ approval of a local marijuana decriminalization ballot measure.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government needs to “catch up and be supportive of the real positive industry” that the cannabis sector has become.

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government needs to “very carefully” study issues related to medical cannabis before making any policy changes.

Afghanistan’s Taliban regime instituted a ban on cannabis cultivation.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported that cocaine production around the world “has jumped dramatically” over the past two years.

A Western Australia lawmaker spoke about Irish momentum for cannabis reform in recognition of St. Patrick’s Day.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “there were no statistically significant changes in rates of [emergency department] visits and hospitalizations for motor vehicle or pedestrian/cyclist injury after [recreational cannabis legalization] after accounting for multiple testing.”

A study’s findings “support the role of cannabinoids in the treatment of patients with chronic tic disorders.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Kentucky Democratic Party tweeted, “Nine out of 10 Kentuckians believe Kentucky should be the next state to legalize medical cannabis. It’s past time for Republican lawmakers to get this done and put a bill on @AndyBeshearKY’s desk.”

The Teamsters promoted an interview about its efforts to unionize the cannabis industry.

The American Psychological Association published a podcast about psychedelic therapy.

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association posted information about energy usage by cannabis facilities.

/ BUSINESS

HEXO Corp. reported quarterly net revenue of $24.2 million and a total net loss and comprehensive loss of $11.1 million.

Lowell Farms Inc. is selling off its Lowell Smokes and 35s brands.

American Patriot Brands Inc. and its CEO and other entities are being charged with alleged fraud by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Columbia Care Inc.’s executive chairman is transitioning to chairman.

Michigan retailers sold $216.4 million worth of legal marijuana products in February.

/ CULTURE

Guillermo del Toro joked that if he could bring an Oscar statue to life, it would say, “Marijuana is very cheap.”

Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.

Get our daily newsletter.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.
Become a patron at Patreon!

Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

Advertisement

Marijuana News In Your Inbox

Get our daily newsletter.

Support Marijuana Moment

Marijuana News In Your Inbox

 

Get our daily newsletter.