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MD House passes cannabis referendum bill (Newsletter: February 28, 2022)
UT psychedelics bill heads to gov; Another USDA hemp survey; NCAA lowers marijuana penalties
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Maryland House of Delegates voted to put a marijuana legalization referendum on the November ballot and to pass a separate bill to begin implementing the policy if voters approve.
Utah lawmakers sent Gov. Spencer Cox (R) a bill to create a task force to study and make recommendations on the therapeutic use of psychedelics such as psilocybin for treating mental health disorders.
Just days after releasing the results of its first national hemp survey, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is asking the White House for permission to question another 20,000 respondents about “production practices and costs” for the newly legal crop.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is moving to lower marijuana penalties for student athletes and increase the allowable THC threshold for drug tests.
The West Virginia House of Representatives passed a bill to allow no more than two medical cannabis testing labs in the state.
/ FEDERAL
Federal Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden’s Supreme Court nominee, does not have an extensive record on marijuana but did argue as a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission that a reduction in federal sentences for crack cocaine possession should be made retroactive.
The full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit is being asked to take up a marijuana business’s case challenging the Internal Revenue Service’s ability to investigate its operations.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) said federal marijuana taxes will “play a key role in preventing youth access and paying for important social equity and policy priorities.”
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) discussed her federal marijuana legalization bill and South Carolina medical cannabis legislation at a town hall event.
The House bill to facilitate marijuana expungements got one new cosponsor for a total of five.
/ STATES
Texas Democratic attorney general candidate Joe Jaworski spoke about his support for legalizing marijuana. Rival Democratic contender Rochelle Garza tweeted, “Here’s the thing about legal cannabis: it never should have been criminalized. The fight for legal cannabis isn’t about making a dangerous substance legal. 18 states have already legalized cannabis, and Texas needs to be next if we want to jump-start criminal justice reform.”
The Indiana House of Representatives passed a bill to let delta-8 THC products remain legal for now but direct a legislative study committee to consider a potential ban.
The Utah Senate approved a bill to let veterinarians discuss medical cannabis treatments for pets.
The South Dakota House of Representatives voted against placing a bill to gut affirmative defense protections for medical cannabis patients on its calendar. Separately, the House State Affairs Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on a Senate-passed marijuana legalization bill on Monday.
A Virginia House General Laws subcommittee tabled a Senate-passed marijuana commerce bill to give members more time to consider its provisions.
The Pennsylvania Senate Law & Justice Committee will hold a hearing on marijuana legalization on Monday. Separately, a representative will host a discussion on marijuana and social justice on Tuesday.
A California senator filed a bill to allow the governor to enter into interstate cannabis agreements with other states.
Georgia lawmakers have filed several bills to increase the number of medical cannabis business licenses.
A Washington, D.C. councilmember said she’s concerned the city is “going to miss our window” to legalize marijuana sales if congressional Democrats further extend a rider that has blocked the local reform to date.
A Maryland medical cannabis regulator resigned to run as a Republican lieutenant governor candidate.
Oklahoma regulators reached an agreement in a lawsuit that has blocked them from implementing a medical cannabis tracking system.
New Jersey regulators discussed potential rules for marijuana consumption lounges and approved a waiver for medical cannabis providers to produce and sell concentrates. They also said they hope to begin approving applications for medical cannabis dispensaries to sell recreational marijuana next month.
Most applicants for Arizona marijuana social equity licenses are backed by large companies or have ties to major investors, a media review of records shows.
The Massachusetts Cannabis Advisory Board is considering a proposal to reduce medical cannabis business licensing fees.
The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is seeking volunteers to help evaluate applicants for cannabis revenue-funded community reinvestment grants.
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/ LOCAL
At least 42 Vermont municipalities will decide whether to allow recreational marijuana retailers to operate on Tuesday.
A Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania Borough Council member withdrew a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
Erie County, New York’s district attorney said he won’t prosecute stores that “gift” marijuana to people who buy other items.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Russian President Vladimir Putin called Ukraine’s government a “gang of drug addicts and neo-Nazis.”
The Isle of Man’s minister of enterprise said proposals to build medical cannabis facilities would provide an economic benefit.
The European Commission’s Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed is expected to vote on a measure to increase the allowable amount of THC in hemp foods on Monday.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada City Council rejected a proposal to ask the federal government for permission to decriminalize drugs.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “CBD can decrease METH addiction-associated problems, for example, symptoms of withdrawal and craving.”
A review concluded that “preclinical and clinical research indicates that CBD has a wide range of therapeutic effects, and many of them are relevant to the management of cancer.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of cannabis consumers found that 83 percent support requiring retailers to provide verified certificates validating that products have been tested for safety and potency.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. issued a statement addressing “speculation regarding how the Russia-Ukraine crisis may impact the Company,” saying that is “incorrect” to suggest that it and “its major shareholders and executives will somehow be subject to any U.S. government economic sanctions now or in the future.”
Veriheal Inc. is acquiring MarijuanaDoctors.com.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. investors are urging a federal court not to dismiss their securities lawsuit against the company.
/ CULTURE
John Mulaney joked about breaking up with his drug dealer as part of rehab during a Saturday Night Live monologue.
2 Chainz joked about taking a break from smoking marijuana on the nonexistent dates of February 29, 30 and 31.
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