Newsletter
MN cannabis sales could start with tribes (Newsletter: June 6, 2023)
NV psychedelics bill to gov; MD marijuana grants & guidance; LA cannabis expungements vote & legalization poll
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) said legal marijuana sales could begin in the state much earlier than expected through tribal programs—with the legalization bill he signed saying it “acknowledges the sovereign right” of Indian tribes to regulate cannabis on their own.
Nevada lawmakers sent Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) a bill to create a Psychedelic Medicines Working Group charged with developing an “actionable plan on how to enable access” that is “safe, accessible and affordable.”
The Maryland Department of Commerce launched a new Cannabis Business Assistance Loan/Grant Fund. Meanwhile, regulators issued new guidance on issues for marijuana businesses covering issues like license fees, packaging, advertising and ownership transfers.
The Louisiana Senate sent Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) a bill to streamline expungements for people with first-time marijuana possession convictions.
A new poll shows that 70 percent of Louisiana residents support legalizing marijuana—a huge increase from a decade ago, when just 42 percent backed ending cannabis prohibition.
A new study found that psilocybin “may serve as a useful tool for enhancing psychological outcomes in the treatment of” alcohol use disorder due to how it “diminishes shame-based and self-critical thought patterns while improving affect regulation and alcohol cravings.”
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) tweeted, “Legal cannabis businesses should be able to access the financial services they need to keep their employees, businesses, and communities safe. I am working to get the SAFE Banking Act to the Senate floor for a vote. We have the momentum to get this done.”
/ STATES
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) signed a bill codifying into law the requirement that marijuana retailers verify the ages of customers before making sales.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) said there is “some hope” that medical cannabis legislation can advance in the state. He also tweeted, “It’s time to join our neighbors in legalizing and taxing marijuana, much like we already do with alcohol.”
Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura discussed his longtime support for legalizing marijuana. Separately, regulators sent an update about changes to medical cannabis rules.
The chair of the New York Assembly Agriculture Committee discussed amendments to her bill to allow marijuana growers to sell to tribal nations.
Louisiana bills to restrict hemp product sales appear to be stalled.
Missouri courts are expected to miss upcoming deadlines to expunge marijuana records.
Colorado regulators issued a bulletin about marijuana testing rule requirements going into effect.
Oregon regulators posted guidance on psilocybin tax registration.
The Alabama Department of Insurance is encouraging insurers to submit rates and forms for servicing medical cannabis businesses.
Washington, D.C. regulators will hold a public hearing on proposed medical cannabis rules on Wednesday.
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/ LOCAL
Bell County, Texas’s lawsuit against Killeen’s voter-approved local marijuana decriminalization law is on hold pending the resolution of an appeal concerning jurisdiction.
San Diego, California officials sent a notice about a new cannabis business operating permit fee.
The Clackamas County, Oregon Board of Commissioners is considering placing an advisory question on the ballot asking voters if the state would “criminalize possession of certain hard drugs.”
/ INTERNATIONAL
Colombian President Gustavo Petro suggested that legalizing drugs could reduce violence..
Brazil’s Supreme Court again postponed consideration of a case challenging the criminalization of drugs.
A German court gave an 82-year-old man a “last warning” to avoid incarceration after he was found guilty of selling marijuana, his 25th conviction.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “living in an [recreational cannabis legalization] state is associated with greater cannabis frequency but not more negative consequences from cannabis use than living in a non-RCL state.”
A review concluded that “CBD and THC demonstrate potential for treating some [substance use disorders], but evidence is limited.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Robert Randall’s widow Alice O’Leary Randall is launching a three-year project to create a digitized record of the medical cannabis movement in the U.S.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation is being delisted from the S&P/TSX Composite Index.
Illinois retailers sold $132.8 million worth of legal recreational marijuana products and $27.5 million worth of medical cannabis products in May.
/ CULTURE
Bill Maher and Wiz Khalifa discussed their use of marijuana.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
