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NJ lawmakers advance latest cannabis fix (Newsletter: February 1, 2021)

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ID senators move to block legalization; FL & CT psilocybin bills; AL medical marijuana bill filed; MT gov wants cannabis funds for treatment

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

An Alabama lawmaker whose medical cannabis bill passed the Senate last year only to die in the House without a vote amid the coronavirus pandemic has filed a new version for 2021. House and Senate leaders say they’re open to reconsidering the issue this year, making the state one of the most likely to be the next to legalize medical marijuana.

The Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would block the state from legalizing marijuana or other drugs—including medical cannabis. Activists are currently working to qualify separate marijuana legalization and medical cannabis ballot measures for 2022.

The New Jersey Assembly Community Development and Affairs Committee voted to approve a new compromise bill to resolve a marijuana legalization dispute with Gov. Phil Murphy (D) over penalties for underage people.

Lawmakers in Florida and Connecticut filed new psilocybin bills. The Florida bill would not only legalize psilocybin mushroom therapy but would also deprioritize police enforcement against additional psychedelics such as ibogaine, ayahuasca and peyote.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) said during his State of the State speech that he wants marijuana legalization revenue to fund drug treatment—a departure from the voter-approved ballot measure that allocated cannabis funds for environmental conservation.

/ FEDERAL

Acting Attorney General Monty Wilkinson issued a memo rescinding a Trump administration policy mandating that federal prosecutors almost always pursue the harshest possible charges and penalties.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture tweeted about the availability of hemp crop insurance.

Sen Cory Booker (D-NJ) cited marijuana and drug policy issues in a press release about his meetings with President Joe Biden’s nominee for attorney general and associate attorney general.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) tweeted about a hemp symposium Oregon State University is hosting, saying, “#Hemp + @OregonState = National leadership for this product that grows both jobs and the Oregon ag economy.”

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) met with the Montana Cannabis Guild last week.

Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) tweeted about visiting a marijuana dispensary.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “End the racist War on Drugs.”

/ STATES

Hawaii Gov. David Ige (D) said he supports Congress legalizing marijuana nationwide but is not in favor of state-level reforms beyond industrial hemp until then (about 7:30 into the video).

Michigan’s attorney general quote tweeted a post from a police department urging people not to use LSD and featuring a cat GIF, saying, “LSD is bad. Catnip-still acceptable in moderation.”

Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor tweeted that state officials once again removed the marijuana and LGBT flags he hangs from his office balcony.

The Mississippi Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments in a case seeking to overturn the state’s voter-approved medical cannabis measure for April 14.

A New Mexico judge overturned medical cannabis rules.

A California appeals court ruled that the city of Montclair was within its right to shut down a medical cannabis dispensary.

West Virginia regulators announced the winners of medical cannabis dispensary permits and said patients can begin registering for the program on Wednesday.

Arizona regulators issued tax guidance for marijuana businesses.

The U.S. Virgin Islands Cannabis Advisory Board held its first public meeting.

Colorado regulators sent an update on marijuana-impaired driving trends.

Washington State regulators announced they have a new director of enforcement and education.

Oregon regulators will consider draft rules to streamline the marijuana licensing process on Wednesday.


Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 450 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

Denver, Colorado officials will host a February 17 feedback session on proposed marijuana legislation that the City Council’s Finance and Governance Committee will take up on March 2.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration is expected to announce an interim decision this week on whether to declassify MDMA and psilocybin for clinical purposes.

Mexican regulators issued the country’s first permit for medical cannabis home cultivation.

The Czech Republic’s Chamber of Deputies defeated a proposal to legalize marijuana home cultivation.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that marijuana legalization “in Washington and Colorado was not associated with an increase in adolescent or emerging adult [substance use disorder] treatment admissions for opioids, cocaine, or methamphetamines.”

A study of psychedelic microdosing found “increased self-reported psychological well-being, emotional stability and reductions in state anxiety and depressive symptoms at the four-week primary endpoint, plus increases in psychological resilience, social connectedness, agreeableness, nature relatedness and aspects of psychological flexibility” but also that “positive expectancy scores at baseline predicted subsequent improvements in well-being, suggestive of a significant placebo response.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Abolish the Drug War New Jersey is a new state-based reform group.

/ BUSINESS

TerrAscend Corp. closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of C$224 million.

Revolutionary Clinics is dropping a lawsuit challenging Cambridge, Massachusetts’s marijuana licensing exclusivity period for economic empowerment applicants.

Schwazze announced changes to its board of directors.

/ CULTURE

Seth Rogen said he prefers to do all of his writing and editing while stoned.

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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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