Newsletter
MN legal cannabis bill approved by committee (Newsletter: February 18, 2021)
WI gov’s marijuana plan details; HI legalization advances; CA 2022 legal psilocybin campaign; NJ negotiations still; Governors across US talk cannabis
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Minnesota House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee approved a marijuana legalization bill that’s sponsored by the majority leader and speaker. The legislation is set to go through up to a dozen panels before hitting the floor.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) unveiled the full provisions of his marijuana legalization plan in a budget proposal he sent to lawmakers.
The Hawaii Senate Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee approved a bill to legalize marijuana as well as another one to expand the state’s existing cannabis decriminalization law.
New Jersey’s Senate Judiciary Committee chairman is giving up work on trying to resolve disagreements with Gov. Phil Murphy (D) over provisions related to underage people in marijuana legalization enabling legislation, raising questions about whether the governor will sign or veto the bill.
California activists revealed details of their plan to put a measure legalizing psilocybin mushrooms on the state’s 2022 ballot. They’re asking people to weigh in on a draft of their psychedelics reform initiative.
At least 11 governors have cited marijuana reform as a priority for 2021 in their State of the State speeches and budget plans. From New York to New Mexico, cannabis is near the top of the agenda for this year.
/ FEDERAL
President Joe Biden said, at a CNN town hall, “No one should go to jail for a drug offense. No one should go to jail for the use of a drug. They should go to drug rehabilitation.”
Department of Justice lawyers urged the U.S. Supreme Court not to take up Standing Akimbo’s case challenging the Internal Revenue Services’s ability to investigate marijuana businesses.
The House Rules Committee is preparing for floor action a bill that includes provisions concerning remediation of lands damaged by illegal marijuana cultivation.
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “Cannabis justice is a racial justice issue. But, it’s not enough to just legalize cannabis. We need to invest in Black and brown entrepreneurs, expunge nonviolent criminal records, and use the tax money to fund social programs.”
/ STATES
Illinois Gov. J.B Pritzker (D) said in a budget speech that conducting the “overdue” second marijuana business licensing lottery is a priority.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) tweeted, “I want to see Pennsylvania begin the process to legalize adult-use marijuana this year. The profits from this measure would be used to help us recover from COVID. Plus, it’s past time that we restore justice to those harmed by marijuana criminalization.”
The New York Assembly majority leader said Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D) marijuana legalization plan amendments are “promising, but we still have a ways to go.” She also tweeted, “I’m pleased to see the Governor’s 30-day amendments moving in the right direction, but we still have a ways to go. I am reviewing the amended language, as the true impact is always in the details. We have one opportunity to get this right & it’s vital that we do for all NYers.”
New Jersey’s Senate president said he is tired of being asked about marijuana.
The Utah Senate approved a bill to let healthcare providers recommend medical cannabis to more patients.
The South Dakota House Commerce & Energy Committee approved a bill to let marijuana and hemp businesses use banks.
The Montana legislature’s General Government Appropriations Subcommittee is recommending spending less money on marijuana legalization implementation.
The Arizona Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved a bill to legalize possession of testing strips that can detect the presence of fentanyl.
The Indiana State Police is opposing a marijuana decriminalization bill.
Washington State regulators approved rules on marijuana vaping products and initiated a project on the criminal history of cannabis license applicants.
The California Cannabis Advisory Committee met.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 600 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.
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/ LOCAL
Denver, Colorado officials sent urgent guidance about marijuana business license renewal applications.
San Francisco, California regulators sent an update on permanent cannabis business permit approvals.
/ INTERNATIONAL
A Mexican lawmaker presented a marijuana legalization bill.
The New South Wales, Australia government is opposing a proposed marijuana legalization bill.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study raised concerns that residential drug treatment programs “may be admitting a clinically and financially vulnerable population for costly treatment without assessing appropriateness for other care settings.”
A study suggested that “THC may produce subjective and neural reward responses that contribute to the rewarding, reinforcing properties of cannabis.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Drug Policy Alliance, New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association and New York Cannabis Growers & Processors Association issued a joint statement expressing support for lawmakers’ bill to legalize marijuana over a separate proposal from Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable announced its new slate of officers.
/ BUSINESS
Verano Holdings Corp began trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange.
Tilray, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $56.6 million and a net loss of $3 million.
MedMen Enterprises Inc. announced an equity private placement worth $5.8 million.
TILT Holdings Inc. projected quarterly revenue of between $42.2 million and $43.2 million.
British American Tobacco is considering selling cannabis products.
SpaceX raised $850 million at $419.99 per share, one cent off from the $420 that CEO Elon Musk once got into trouble with the Securities and Exchange Commission for tweeting about.
/ CULTURE
Saturday Night Live aired a sketch about a police hostage negotiator who accidentally ate marijuana gummies.
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