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MO legal cannabis bill heads to floor vote (Newsletter: April 20, 2022)
Marijuana banking sponsor pleads for Senate vote; Study: Legalization reduces Rx drug use; FL wants student hemp inventions; SC medical cannabis poll
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Missouri House Rules – Legislative Oversight Committee approved a GOP-led marijuana legalization bill, which now heads to a floor vote.
On the one-year anniversary of the House approving his standalone marijuana banking bill, Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) sent a letter asking Senate leaders to pass the legislation as they continue to craft a broader legalization plan.
- “We cannot let our fight for comprehensive cannabis reform stall progress this year.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) acknowledged there’s a “federal hurdle” to his idea of growing marijuana on public housing rooftops—but says his administration will talk to federal agencies about getting a waiver to allow the innovative cannabis strategy.
Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is inviting 4th-12th grade students to brainstorm new inventions made of hemp for an essay contest.
A new poll found that three out of four South Carolina Republican primary voters support legalizing medical cannabis. The survey comes as a Senate-passed bill is on its way to the House floor.
A new study concluded that legalizing recreational marijuana is tied to “significant reductions in the volume of prescriptions…for pain, depression, anxiety, sleep, psychosis and seizures,” and that the “substitution away from prescription drugs” toward cannabis could lead to “cost savings for state Medicaid programs.”
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard oral arguments in cases challenging Drug Enforcement Administration hemp rules.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture published blog posts about its work to collect data about the hemp industry and how it is funding research on the crop.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “The vast majority of Americans support legalizing the adult use of cannabis. I’m working with @SenBooker and @RonWyden to end the federal prohibition and ensure equity for the communities most harmed by the War on Drugs. As Senate Majority Leader—this is a Senate priority.”
Rep. Jim Clyburn (R-SC) tweeted, “SC ranks 2nd in marijuana poss. arrest rate in the US. Futures ruined. It’s time for real criminal justice reform. The MORE Act I helped pass, not only decriminalizes marijuana, but also expunges marijuana-related charges for non-violent offenders, etc.”
Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman, currently the lieutenant governor, tweeted, “It’s almost Legal Weed o’clock and we’re running out of time so I gotta ask – Can you help yours truly reach 420K followers by 4/20? 😁 We’re only like 1.3K away and there’s a Legal Weed for PA shirt with your name on it ✅”
California Democratic congressional candidate Shahid Buttar tweeted, “Psychedelics should be legal. Their criminalization has always been constitutionally suspect, because acts that don’t threaten others should not be crimes. That’s one reason why we aim in Congress to end the failed—and racist—war on drugs. Happy Bicycle Day!”
The House bill to decriminalize drugs got one new cosponsor for a total of 18.
/ STATES
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) indicated that he doesn’t plan to use marijuana when legal sales begin this week, saying that it “has never been an animating thing for me.” Separately, the Senate president opposes calls to allow police departments to punish officers for off-duty cannabis use.
Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial candidates discussed marijuana at a debate.
Mississippi’s secretary of state issued a statement expressing concerns about a bill that grants temporary exemptions to several state laws while agencies are implementing the medical cannabis program.
Nebraska activists put out a call for “angel donors” to fund a signature gathering drive to place medical cannabis initiatives on the ballot.
Missouri activists said they have collected more than 200,000 signatures for a marijuana legalization ballot measure, but the deadline to turn in petitions is approaching soon.
The California Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee approved a bill on interstate cannabis agreements.
The Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee approved several medical cannabis reform bills.
Colorado representatives coauthored an op-ed criticizing a law that defelonized drug possession.
A New York assemblymember tweeted, “Passing my medical psilocybin bill will go a long way in relieving the suffering that so many are facing.”
A former Indiana senator said the state should formally study legalizing marijuana.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court cleared two proposed marijuana ballot initiatives to move forward.
New Mexico regulators awarded the state’s first cannabis social consumption business license.
Alabama’s top medical cannabis regulator said it will probably be “a year or more” before products are available in dispensaries.
Vermont regulators voted to close the pre-qualification window for marijuana licenses on May 31.
An Arkansas judge ruled the regulators cannot avoid a lawsuit claiming they acted in a discriminatory manner when issuing medical cannabis business licenses.
Minnesota regulators sent a reminder about an April 30 deadline to apply for hemp cultivation and processing licenses.
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Marijuana Moment is already 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.
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/ LOCAL
Detroit, Michigan officials will begin accepting applications for marijuana business licenses on Wednesday.
Denver, Colorado’s official social media accounts clarified that marijuana use is not allowed at a 4/20 rally following criticism and confusion caused by earlier posts.
Some Rhode Island municipalities are considering banning safe consumption sites for illegal drugs that will be allowed under a state law enacted last year.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health approved a pilot program in Basel for legal marijuana recreational sales through local pharmacies.
The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Board of Police Commissioners is scheduled to discuss the potential decriminalization of drugs on Thursday.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of medical cannabis use in people with insomnia found that “15 patients (39%) were able to reduce or completely discontinue a prescription medication indicated for sleep,” that “on follow-up, 27 patients (71%) reported a subjective improvement in their sleep or related condition” and that “only 8 patients (21%) reported any adverse effects from medical cannabis use, and these were manageable and did not require discontinuation of cannabis.”
A study concluded that “the potential annual tax revenue from adult-use cannabis in the state of Ohio ranges from $276 million in year five of an operational cannabis market to $374 million in year five of operations.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Alabama Democratic Party tweeted, “Across party lines, Americans agree that it is time to legalize recreational cannabis. Even in Montana and South Dakota, states with majority GOP leadership, legalization efforts passed with strong majorities. ✅”
The Albany Times Union editorial board is calling on Congress to pass federal marijuana reform.
Decriminalize Nature’s national leadership has clashed with local chapters, leading to some activists splitting with the organization.
Minnesota cannabis activist Jason R. Karimi was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for threatening to inflict “pain in every way” on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
/ BUSINESS
Akerna Corp., Green Thumb Industries Inc. Verano Holdings Inc. and Surterra Holdings Inc. are facing a federal lawsuit from a group called True Social Equity in Cannabis that claims the companies collude to keep cannabis prices high as part of a “Chicago Cartel” involving the Pritzker and Wrigley families.
Native Roots, Wana Brands, kindColorado, Terrapin Care Station and other cannabis industry operators are teaming up with Colorado officials and Mothers Against Drunk Driving to ask people to take a 4/20 safe driving pledge.
GoDaddy founder Bob Parsons is funding research on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics after seeing the benefits for himself.
Rubicon Organics Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$6.8 million.
Marijuana from Grow Sciences was found to be contaminated with pesticides in a media investigation.
/ CULTURE
Woody Harrelson is preparing to open a marijuana dispensary in West Hollywood.
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