Newsletter
MD lawmakers begin 2022 cannabis referendum process (Newsletter: September 9, 2021)
NE medical marijuana ballot measures filed; MN House poll shows growing legalization support; ME’s record cannabis sales
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
At its first meeting, Maryland’s House Cannabis Referendum and Legalization Workgroup discussed the steps it will take to craft legislation to implement marijuana legalization if voters approve the question the speaker has pledged to put on the 2022 ballot.
Nebraska activists submitted two complementary medical cannabis initiatives they hope to qualify for the 2022 ballot. The approach is designed to get around a single-subject challenge like the one that upended their 2020 campaign.
A poll conducted by the Minnesota House of Representatives at the State Fair found that 58 percent of respondents support marijuana legalization—and that it’s more popular than legalizing sports gambling, allowing to-go alcoholic beverages and automatic voter registration.
The Maine Office of Marijuana Policy reported that marijuana retailers set a sales record in August, with more than $10 million in monthly recreational cannabis purchases for the first time in the small state of 1.3 million people.
/ FEDERAL
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tweeted about a recent study showing marijuana sales increases in several states during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) spoke about his opposition to marijuana legalization.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) tweeted, “I support Marijuana Reform. @JoeBiden & other dems don’t. It is a health care issue. A freedom issue. A social justice issue.”
Washington State Democratic congressional candidate Jason Call tweeted, “The choice is between legalizing marijuana and continuing to force millions of BIPOC to suffer the horrors of our racist carceral system. That shouldn’t be a difficult choice.”
/ STATES
New York’s Assembly speaker appointed his pick to the Cannabis Control Board.
California regulators are moving to consolidate cannabis rules.
Connecticut’s consumer protection commissioner said there may be a delay in the anticipated start of recreational marijuana sales.
Missouri lawmakers do not appear likely to override Gov. Mike Parson’s (R) veto of a bill that would let medical cannabis operators deduct business expenses from state taxes.
A Wisconsin senator who is sponsoring a marijuana legalization bill posted about touring a hemp farm.
An Arkansas judge ruled that a lawsuit accusing regulators of improperly denying a medical cannabis dispensary license can continue.
Montana regulators proposed rules on marijuana canopy tier size increases and limitations on advertising, and adopted changes to medical cannabis regulations.
Washington State regulators sent an enforcement bulletin on delta-8-THC.
Colorado regulators sent information about a proposed medical cannabis application processing fee increase.
The South Dakota legislature’s Adult-Use Marijuana Study Subcommittee will meet on Friday.
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/ LOCAL
The Chicago, Illinois City Council’s Zoning Committee approved the mayor’s plan to ease marijuana business zoning rules.
The Sioux Falls, South Dakota City Council approved a medical cannabis ordinance that caps dispensaries at five.
Denver, Colorado regulators will host a hearing on rules for marijuana storage and service windows on Friday.
New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services tweeted about the importance of storing marijuana edibles out of the reach of children.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Italy’s House Justice Committee approved a bill to decriminalize low-level home cultivation of marijuana.
Former Haitian Prime Minister Michèle Pierre-Louis joined the Global Commission on Drug Policy, along with a former minister of health and social affairs of Mali.
Paraguay’s Inter-Institutional Industrial Hemp Commission met.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “several studies have demonstrated that certain terpenes could reduce inflammation symptoms.”
The National Institute on Drug Abuse put out a funding opportunity to support research on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of THC in cannabis products.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Perkins Coie LLP will host a panel featuring a former Massachusetts regulator and other analysts discussing interstate commerce of marijuana on Thursday.
Minnesota marijuana activist Jason Karimi pleaded guilty to threatening to inflict “pain in every way” on an unnamed California member of Congress.
/ BUSINESS
BMW Group said using sustainable materials like hemp is part of its plan to reduce its carbon footprint.
CannaTrac Technology, Inc. is preparing for a public listing on the Over the Counter Market in the U.S., the Canadian Securities Exchange and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
General Cannabis Corp closed its acquisition of the TREES Englewood Dispensary.
Cresco Labs is being sued for allegedly not compensating workers for time spent putting on and taking off required personal protective equipment.
A federal judge allowed MJ Freeway’s counterclaims against a subcontractor to advance.
Missouri dispensaries sold $21.73 million worth of medical cannabis in August, a new monthly record.
/ CULTURE
A Minnesota farmer planted a hemp maze to raise awareness about cannabis.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
