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New cannabis laws take effect with new year (Newsletter: December 30, 2021)

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MS gov could get overridden on medical marijuana; NH psilocybin & drug decrim bills; SXSW cannabis & psychedelics panels

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

New Hampshire lawmakers pre-filed 2022 bills to decriminalize psilocybin and all drugs. The broad reform proposals come as the legislature is also set to consider at least six measures to legalize marijuana in the new year.

The Mississippi Senate Judiciary Committee chairman—who is running for Congress next year—said lawmakers are well positioned to override Gov. Tate Reeves (R) if he vetoes a medical cannabis bill.

With the start of the new year this weekend, new marijuana laws are taking effect across the country—from the launch of recreational sales in Montana to the addition of medical cannabis flower in Louisiana to a ban on most pre-employment marijuana testing in Philadelphia.

SXSW has selected a number of marijuana and psychedelics panels for the upcoming 2022 event in March. From equity in the cannabis industry to lawsuits against the DEA to the mainstreaming of psilocybin, the sessions will cover a lot of ground.

/ FEDERAL

Texas Democratic congressional candidate Coy Branscum tweeted, “Marijuana should be legal on the federal level. When I’m in Congress legalization will be a top priority for me.”

/ STATES

Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, currently a congressman, tweeted, “When I’m governor, we CAN and we WILL legalize marijuana and expunge non-violent related records. Raise your hand if you’re with me!”

Texas Democratic attorney general candidate Lee Merritt tweeted, “Legalizing cannabis in Texas is going to be economically beneficial for the entire state, but we must do it right. We must do it in a way that is equitable and rebuilds black and brown communities destroyed by the past 50 years of the so-called ‘war on drugs.'”

A Missouri activist spoke about efforts to qualify a proposed marijuana legalization initiative for the ballot.

Ohio representatives spoke about their competing marijuana legalization bills.

Maryland’s Department of Legislative Services published an analysis of marijuana issues for the 2022 session.

Louisiana’s agriculture and forestry commissioner said he expects that adding flower to the medical cannabis program will result in an “overall increase in utilization.”

Oregon regulators approved new marijuana rules and hemp product standards.

Oklahoma’s top medical cannabis regulator said a moratorium on new business licenses is not likely despite pressure from ranchers, farmers and sheriffs.

Connecticut regulators are accepting public comment on proposed medical cannabis laboratory testing standards.

Colorado and Washington State regulators partnered on a data analysis project looking at marijuana use rates in the two states following legalization.

A New York regulator spoke about efforts to implement the state’s marijuana legalization law.


Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,300 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.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.

/ LOCAL

Nashville, Tennessee’s district attorney touted efforts to reduce incarceration, including by ending the prosecution of some marijuana cases.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review highlighted “the neuroprotective potential of [cannabis-derived phytocannabinoids] and [resveratrol] for in vivo models of [Parkinson’s disease] and therefore suggests their potential translation to human clinical trials to either ameliorate PD progression and/or be implemented as a prophylactic means to reduce the risk of development of PD.”

A study concluded that spectroscopy and spectrometry methods “can correctly classify hemp and marijuana based on their mass spectral differences.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk said “it’s not freedom to have 12-year-olds doing marijuana recreationally.”

/ BUSINESS

Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center agreed to a settlement that includes reinstatement and back pay one day ahead of a National Labor Relations Board trial on employees’ allegations of violations.

Barclays Plc projected that U.S. marijuana tax revenues will outpace those from alcohol by 2030.

/ CULTURE

Ice Cube tweeted, “We were ready to pay Chris Tucker $10-12m to do Next Friday but he turned us down for religious reasons. He didn’t want to cuss or smoke weed on camera anymore.”

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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