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MD cannabis regs posted for July 1 sales launch (Newsletter: May 29, 2023)

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NY marijuana farmers markets; DEA eradication & arrest data; Cannabis lobbying firm apologizes; CA drug war repair grants

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Maryland Cannabis Administration published draft emergency marijuana regulations as the state prepares for the launch of legalization on July 1.

The New York Office of Cannabis Management is launching a pilot program to allow marijuana farmers markets—with the first events expected to take place “optimistically, within a month.”

A new Drug Enforcement Administration report shows that the agency destroyed an increased amount of illegal marijuana plants in 2022—but its cannabis-related arrests plummeted from the prior year.

Marijuana lobbying firm The Liaison Group is apologizing for “inappropriate” references to Chinese-backed investors it included in a letter to senators on cannabis banking amendments following pushback from advocates who saw it as racially inflammatory.

The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development awarded more than $50 million in marijuana tax-funded community reinvestment grants to help repair the damage of the war on drugs.

Rhode Island representatives and activists are calling on the Senate to press Gov. Dan McKee’s (D) nominees to the Cannabis Control Commission about equity and justice issues during the confirmation process.

/ FEDERAL

Food and Drug Administration officials discussed the agency’s willingness to work with Congress on developing new regulatory pathways for CBD.

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) spoke about his lobbying firm’s work on psychedelics policy reform.

Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) criticized the “failed war on drugs” in a House floor speech.

Rep. Dale Strong (R-AL) expressed concerns in a House floor speech about marijuana and other drugs being laced with fentanyl.

Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) attended an event focused on marijuana and military veterans hosted by the  Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation.

/ STATES

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) signed an omnibus overdose prevention bill into law.

Wisconsin’s Senate minority leader tweeted, “Wisconsin is long overdue to legalize marijuana. How much longer will we fall behind our neighbor states that are taking millions of our revenue?”

Illinois lawmakers sent Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) a budget that includes several marijuana reform measures, but broader cannabis omnibus legislation was not enacted by the end of the session.

Oklahoma lawmakers sent Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) several bills to change medical cannabis rules.

The California Assembly passed a bill to restrict cannabis products and marketing that could appeal to children. Separately, the Legislative Analyst’s Office is projecting cannabis tax revenues of $509 million in 2022-23 and $611 million in 2023-24.

The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled that the odor of cannabis provides reasonable suspicion for a police search.

The New Jersey Division of Taxation published a summary of a new law allowing marijuana businesses to deduct expenses under a partial 280E workaround.

South Dakota regulators have now issued more than 10,000 medical cannabis patient cards.

North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement officials seized what they described as “illegal THC products” from several tobacco shops.

The New York Cannabis Control Board will meet on Tuesday.


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

The Mankato, Minnesota City Council approved a moratorium on marijuana sales.

A judge held a hearing in Bell County, Texas’s lawsuit against Killeen’s local voter-approved marijuana decriminalization law.

Denton, Texas’s police chief is reportedly working to influence a City Council vote on whether to implement a voter-approved local marijuana decriminalization law.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Thailand’s Move Forward Party said currently registered marijuana businesses would be protected if it is able to enact a policy relisting cannabis as a controlled drug.

Canada’s Competition Bureau is recommending changes to the cannabis licensing process, edible product potency limits and restrictions on advertising, packaging and labeling.

Germany’s health minister met with Canada’s minister for mental health and addiction, tweeting that “the doctor says legalization has not led to an increase in consumption there, not even among young people. 70% of the black market is gone.”

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “neither former nor current marijuana smoking of any lifetime amount was associated with evidence of [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] progression or its development.”

A study found that primary care physicians “practicing in states that had passed [marijuana legalization] were more receptive to patients using CBD supplements, whereas PCPs practicing in states that had not passed ML were more concerned about CBD-related side effects.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram editorial board criticized Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) for blocking House-passed marijuana reform bills from advancing in the Senate.

NORML filed an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit seeking to overturn the federal ban on gun possession for medical cannabis patients.

/ BUSINESS

Canopy Growth Corporation voluntarily applied for a management cease trade order related to its securities to be imposed against certain directors and officers of the company.

Tilray Brands, Inc. commenced a registered offering of $150 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes due 2027.

Akerna Corp. is facing a shareholder lawsuit seeking to block its merger with a bitcoin mining company.

SKUNK Global shareholders reportedly removed multiple members of the company’s board of directors.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

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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.

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