Newsletter
NH GOP & Dem leaders team up on cannabis bill (Newsletter: December 13, 2022)
USDA delays hemp testing rule; WI agency wants legalization in budget; 2022’s top marijuana wins; Veterans push Congress for reform
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
New Hampshire’s House Republican majority leader and Democratic minority leader are teaming up on a new marijuana legalization bill for 2023.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is delaying enforcement of a rule requiring hemp to be tested only at laboratories registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue is requesting that the next biennial budget include provisions to legalize marijuana, which it projects will generate $165.8 million in new revenue every year.
A new NORML report looks at the biggest state legislative victories of the year for marijuana reform—from legalization and expungements to medical cannabis and industry equity.
In a new Marijuana Moment op-ed, Veterans Cannabis Project founder and chairman Nick Etten argues that it’s crucial for Congress to include veterans-focused provisions in the “SAFE Plus” cannabis reform package being considered for passage before the end of the year.
Louisiana senators blasted the State Board of Medical Examiners for refusing to allow physicians to recommend medical cannabis via telemedicine without in-person visits.
/ FEDERAL
The Air Force says it will review a section of a textbook for students enrolled in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps that says voters who approve legalization measures “do not necessarily understand how harmful a substance like marijuana is.”
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) wrote in a constituent letter that he opposes legalizing marijuana.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) tweeted a link to an op-ed by an American Enterprise Institute staffer that criticizes New York’s marijuana legalization rollout.
Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) tweeted, “There is ANOTHER American who is rotting in a Russian prison for MARIJUANA charges beside our Marine Paul Whelan but he’s not famous and deemed not politically relevant by the Biden Administration. Absolute travesty.”
/ STATES
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) posted a Twitter thread that begins, “Illinois has the most accessible and equitable cannabis industry in the nation.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) included “access to medical marijuana” and “hemp cultivation” in a Twitter thread about “things that didn’t exist in Pennsylvania before my administration.”
Rhode Island’s House speaker and majority leader spoke about the implementation of the state’s marijuana legalization law, saying it is likely that lawmakers will make tweaks to it over time.
Wisconsin’s new Senate minority leader said legalizing marijuana is only a matter of when and how.
Ohio lawmakers spoke about growing support for marijuana legalization.
A Missouri representative discussed his bill to streamline the state’s expungement process.
Two Arkansas medical cannabis companies each spent more than $1 million on the unsuccessful effort to pass a marijuana legalization ballot initiative.
New York regulators filed emergency rules on cannabis business violations and enforcement.
California regulators are proposing emergency rules on cannabis excise tax credits and vendor compensation.
Massachusetts marijuana regulators are asking for a significant budget increase.
Vermont regulators are making changes to the marijuana product registration process and will review recommendations for license approvals and social equity status on Wednesday, while also reviewing a draft report on concentrated cannabis products.
Michigan regulators published an advisory bulletin on a new procedure for the filing of annual financial statements by marijuana businesses.
Alabama regulators engaged the University of South Alabama for help evaluating medical cannabis business license applications.
Alaska regulators will consider marijuana business license applications and enforcement issues on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 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.
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/ LOCAL
A New York City councilmember sent a letter asking officials to crack down on unlicensed marijuana sellers.
Two Rochester, New York firefighters were suspended for allegedly smoking marijuana while on the job.
Boston, Massachusetts’s Cannabis Board will meet on Wednesday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Paraguayan lawmakers held a hearing on a marijuana legalization bill.
Canada’s minister of intergovernmental affairs, infrastructure and communities touted the government’s inclusion of non-medical cannabis in the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.
Baja California, Mexico’s governor said she supports legalizing medical cannabis.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “the literature suggests that cannabis legalization has resulted in some benefits to public health and public safety, even while some studies have produced mixed findings with regard to particular outcomes.”
A study of mice found that “THC and CBN induced apoptosis in [cholangiocarcinoma],” providing “a strong rationale for THC and CBN as therapeutic options.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The American Civil Liberties Union tweeted, “AS A REMINDER: No one should be incarcerated for marijuana. Ever.”
A former National Troopers Coalition executive director authored an op-ed calling on Congress to pass marijuana banking legislation.
The New York Times editorial board is calling on Congress to pass legislation to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.
/ BUSINESS
MariMed, Inc.’s CEO and chairman passed away suddenly.
Edible Arrangements is moving to drop a trademark infringement lawsuit it filed against Green Thumb Industries.
Trail Magic is opening Minnesota’s first dedicated THC-beverage taproom.
Jushi Holdings Inc. published a cannabis consumer survey.
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