Newsletter
NM gov could sign cannabis bill today (Newsletter: April 12, 2021)
TX marijuana decrim vote; NV social use lounge bill advances; Biden gets another letter on cannabis firings; EPA funds hemp bricks
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- Blaine Mitchell: “The reason for my support is simple. Even from a freed state I understand the need to fight until freedom rings from sea to shining sea, otherwise the beast of prohibition will rise again to devour us once more. Thank you for all that you have and are doing to keep growing awareness regarding all things cannabis.”
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The office of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) sent a “save the date” notice for Monday to sponsors of the marijuana legalization bill that’s on her desk—signaling that its formal signing into law is imminent.
The Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee voted to approve a bill to decriminalize marijuana, as well as separate legislation to lower penalties for cannabis concentrates.
The Nevada Assembly Judiciary Committee approved bills to allow marijuana social consumption lounges and to protect people from getting DUI charges just for having cannabis metabolites in their blood.
Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) sent a letter urging President Joe Biden to stop firing White House staff over past marijuana use. It’s the third such letter the president has received from lawmakers about the cannabis employment issue in recent weeks.
- “Minnesotans and the American people are demanding change to our harsh and unequally applied cannabis laws. I look forward to seeing your Administration reverse course on this harmful and unnecessary hurdle to hiring diverse and talented public servants.”
The Environmental Protection Agency awarded a company nearly $100,000 to support the development of sustainable bricks made from hemp. The hempcrete is a “durable, lightweight, carbon-negative” alternative to traditional construction bricks.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled that the Internal Revenue Service was within its right to issue a summons to a data services company seeking information about marijuana business clients..
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “It’s time to legalize marijuana on the federal level.”
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) tweeted, “Kudos to my friend @RepAngieCraig for penning a letter to @POTUS that a majority of Americans would likely sign. It’s high-time to remove cannabis from the Schedule I substance list, allow for research, legalization, federal excise taxation, and fact based decision making.”
A new House Ethics Committee investigation into possible misconduct by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) includes allegations of illicit drug use. Current and former congressional officials reportedly told media outlets about occasions in which he has apparently smelled of marijuana on the House floor.
The House marijuana banking bill got seven new cosponsors for a total of 147.
The House bill to allow CBD as a dietary supplement got one new cosponsor for a total of 22.
/ STATES
Florida’s agriculture commissioner tweeted, “April is #NationalCannabisMonth, and the future is bright for #cannabis in Florida! With $370M in est. economic impact in year one, our state #hemp program is bringing new crops and products to Floridians.” She also authored an op-ed criticizing Republican lawmakers’ efforts to restrict medical cannabis patients’ rights.
The Montana House of Representatives passed three marijuana legalization implementation bills.
The Vermont House of Representatives approved a bill to decriminalize small amounts of buprenorphine.
The South Dakota Senate president pro tempore said an upcoming special session should not make substantial or controversial changes to the state’s voter-approved medical cannabis law.
Alaska lawmakers are considering legislation to bring the state’s hemp program into compliance with federal law. Separately, a resolution calling on Congress to pass marijuana banking legislation is also advancing.
The California Senate Governance & Finance Committee approved a bill to let cities and counties opt into letting the state manage marijuana regulations for them.
A North Carolina senator posted a Twitter thread about how his experience with cancer in his family motivated his work on a new medical cannabis bill.
Oregon regulators modified marijuana licensee violations and approved changes to streamline the licensing process.
Illinois regulators sent an alert about tax compliance for marijuana concentrates.
Mississippi regulators discussed medical cannabis implementation issues at a meeting.
The North Carolina Department of Justice published another podcast on hemp and law enforcement.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 900 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
A federal judge blocked Detroit, Michigan officials from processing recreational marijuana business license applications while a dispute on the city’s residency requirements for owners is challenged.
The Denver, Colorado City Council is scheduled to take up bills to reform marijuana ordinances on Monday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine legalized some cannabis extracts and synthetic cannabinoid medicines.
The New Zealand government permanently legalized drug checking services.
Mexico’s Senate majority leader spoke about the need for “extensive reflection” in forming marijuana legalization legislation.
An American businessman who legally smoked marijuana in Nevada before taking a plane to Dubai is now facing up to three years in prison there.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “marijuana use is not a reliable gateway cause of illicit drug use” and “as such, prohibition policies are unlikely to reduce illicit drug use.”
A case study reported the “successful use of medical marijuana for treating chronic pruritus.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that 58% of Americans don’t know the difference between CBD and THC.
The South Dakota Democratic Party tweeted, “Another Noem-led assault on South Dakotans: The same taxpayers who voted to legalize recreational marijuana in South Dakota are now paying to fight it in the state’s highest court.”
The Washington Times editorial board expressed concerns about the growing number of states that are legalizing marijuana.
/ BUSINESS
Glass House is going public.
ATAI Life Sciences acquired a majority stake in Psyber.
Planet 13 is planning to hire hundreds of workers.
Terra Tech Corp. appointed a new member to its board of directors.
/ CULTURE
Snoop Dogg, A$AP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, Mike Tyson, Too $hort and others will participate in a 4/20 event hosted by Weedmaps.
The Onion joked that Colorado temporarily recriminalized marijuana for a statewide tolerance break.
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