Newsletter
Legal cannabis heads to CT gov’s desk (Newsletter: June 18, 2021)
FL Court blocks marijuana initiative; Drug war hearing in Congress; Advocates’ federal legalization amendments; Poll: Voters back drug decrim
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Connecticut lawmakers sent a marijuana legalization bill to the desk of Gov. Ned Lamont (D), who announced he will sign it into law after recent changes addressed concerns that led him to issue a veto threat earlier this week.
On Thursday’s 50th anniversary of President Richard Nixon declaring the war on drugs, congressional lawmakers formally filed a bill to decriminalize all drugs and held a hearing on the harms of prohibition enforcement.
The Florida Supreme Court invalidated another marijuana legalization ballot measure because, the justices say, its ballot summary is “misleading.” They already blocked one cannabis initiative in April. Activists have to start all over for 2022 now.
The Parabola Center—a new organization led by former Massachusetts marijuana regulator Shaleen Title—proposed changes to a federal legalization bill to prevent big businesses from shutting communities harmed by the drug war out of the cannabis industry.
Another new poll found that a strong majority of U.S. voters support decriminalizing all drugs. The survey, published by The Appeal and Data for Progress, also shows support for removing criminal penalties for intent to distribute personal amounts.
/ FEDERAL
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration to the floor.
Several Republican senators spoke about their views on federal marijuana reform.
Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL), who is running for Florida governor, tweeted, “The Florida Supreme Court that @GovRonDeSantis packed with partisan judges just denied another ballot initiative to let Floridians vote on legalizing marijuana. This is wrong. Legalization should be up to the people of Florida.”
Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) gave a House floor speech calling on the federal government to do more to combat illegal marijuana grow operations.
Former Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) spoke about how he is pressing senators to approve marijuana banking legislation.
/ STATES
Delaware Gov. John Carney (D) signed a bill allowing certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants to issue medical cannabis recommendations.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) held a signing ceremony for a medical cannabis bill that she previously formally signed.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) tweeted, “I want South Dakota to have the best, most patient-focused medical cannabis program in America. I’ve heard from people who are hurting & hopeful for relief. We are 100% committed to starting this program as quickly & responsibly as possible. Learn more at http://MedCannabis.SD.gov.”
Former Colorado governors are endorsing a proposed ballot measure to increase marijuana taxes.
The Maine Senate and House of Representatives gave initial approval to a bill to block controversial medical cannabis regulations.
The Wyoming Supreme Court rejected a motion from the state attorney general’s office to remove from the record the identity of a police officer whom the court found lied during testimony in a case charging hemp farmers with growing marijuana.
A Michigan representative filed a bill to regulate delta-8-THC.
Washington State regulators held an emergency meeting on hemp-derived delta-9-THC. Separately, regulators sent an update to clarify that marijuana dispensaries may use their parking lots to host vaccination clinics as part of the “Joints for Jabs” program.
Massachusetts regulators will begin accepting applications for the state’s third social equity cohort on Monday.
Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee met.
Nevada regulators will host a webinar on health hazards in marijuana facilities on Wednesday.
Idaho regulators will hold public meetings on planned hemp rules on Wednesday and on June 30.
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/ LOCAL
A federal judge said Detroit, Michigan’s residency rules for marijuana business ownership are “likely unconstitutional.”
The Gwinnett County, Georgia Police Citizens Advisory Board issued a recommendation to decriminalize marijuana.
A Cleveland County, Oklahoma commissioner wants the legislature to conduct an interim study on medical cannabis cultivation facilities in unincorporated areas.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The UK’s Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform recommended changes to regulations for CBD products.
Former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos tweeted, “Fifty year ago Nixon declared the world war on drugs. A war with worse consequences each day. It’s a lost war that we must change. Prohibition is the original sin.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of marijuana purchasing choices found that “price difference between licensed and un-licensed sources was commonly discussed as a factor that influenced purchase decisions” and that “product quality characteristics (e.g. size, color, moisture content) and social influences were also considered in purchase decisions,” while “participants were generally indifferent to packaging and warning labels but expressed concern about the excessive packaging required for regulated products.”
A study provided “evidence for the beneficial effects of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in treating [sleep disorders] in individuals with PTSD.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Connecticut Democratic Party tweeted, “Connecticut is about to legalize marijuana.”
New Jersey Policy Perspective published a report finding that the state spent $11.6 billion over the past decade to enforce the war on drugs.
The Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation published a policy paper on opportunities for small and minority-owned marijuana businesses.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. is being sued by a former executive of a company it acquired who alleges she never received the equity she was promised as a condition of her employment.
Subway won a trademark infringement lawsuit against Canadian cannabis dispensary Budway.
Simplifya closed a $6 million Series B funding round.
Cresco Labs launched a “summer-long social justice campaign” that will feature expungement events and fundraising and petitioning drives.
Total Life Changes LLC is being sued by a former Army sergeant who alleges the company failed to warn consumers that its weight loss tea and other products contain THC.
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