Newsletter
NM legal cannabis bill likely dead for 2020 (Newsletter: February 14, 2020)
GOP lawmakers praise marijuana banking delay; Pennsylvania rep unveils new legalization plan; Study: Lasers can tell hemp and marijuana apart
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There are now 1,273 cannabis-related bills moving through state legislatures and Congress for 2020 sessions.
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The New Mexico Senate Judiciary Committee dealt a major procedural defeat to a marijuana legalization bill that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) had considered a priority for 2020.
Twelve Republican House members sent a letter thanking Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) for delaying consideration of a marijuana financial services bill. Meanwhile, more than 1,300 cannabis industry professionals sent a separate letter urging the chairman to hold a vote on the legislation soon.
A Pennsylvania representative revealed provisions of a newly updated marijuana legalization bill in a letter to colleagues.
- “The failed war on drugs produced countless victims to heavy handed, unreasonable drug laws.”
A new study highlights how lasers can be used to tell hemp and marijuana apart with “100% accuracy.”
- The device “can be an ideal tool for police officers and hemp breeders to enable highly accurate diagnostics of THCA content in plants.”
/ FEDERAL
The Library of Congress published an overview of a new local Australian marijuana legalization law.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “While investors make millions on marijuana in the states where it’s legal, hundreds of thousands of Americans are arrested and end up with criminal records for use. Bold criminal justice reform must include ending the federal prohibition of cannabis in the United States.”
/ STATES
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) spoke about the importance of justice and equity provisions in marijuana legalization legislation.
Florida’s House speaker said enacting a THC cap for medical cannabis products is a priority.
The New Jersey Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee approved a bill to shield insurance companies from being punished for working with marijuana businesses and consumers.
The New Hampshire House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee held a hearing on a bill to sell legal marijuana in state liquor stores.
The Minnesota House Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division held a hearing on the state’s hemp program.
The Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on a medical cannabis bill next week.
Two companies with ties to Utah lawmakers applied for medical cannabis cultivation licenses, a public records request shows.
Here’s a look at where pending Massachusetts marijuana reform bills stand in the legislature.
The California Office of Administrative Law approved emergency rules on Quick Response Code requirements for marijuana businesses..
Nevada regulators approved settlements with marijuana companies for not keeping accurate records, including with a testing lab that reported THC results appearing to be inflated by as much as 10 percent.
Georgia’s number of approved medical cannabis patients has grown by more than 70% in a year.
Ohio regulators published updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.
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/ LOCAL
The Los Angeles County, California district attorney is partnering with Code for America to clear up to 66,000 prior marijuana convictions from people’s records.
The Kansas City, Missouri City Council approved a measure to let people apply for pardons for past marijuana or paraphernalia possession convictions without having to pay a fee.
Denver, Colorado officials are accepting applications from people who want to serve on a new Marijuana Licensing Work Group.
/ INTERNATIONAL
South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa said the country will “open up and regulate the commercial use of hemp products” and “formulate policy on the use of cannabis products for medicinal purposes” in his State of the Nation address.
Uruguayan officials released research showing that youth marijuana consumption did not rise following legalization.
The UK’s Food Safety Authority is requiring all CBD product manufacturers to submit valid novel food authorization applications by March 31, 2021 or be taken off the shelves.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland released a study finding that the majority of CBD products analyzed were in violation of food laws and that some posed potential safety risks for consumers.
The mayor of Amsterdam, in The Netherlands, is circulating survey results showing that foreign tourists would be less likely to visit the city if they couldn’t purchase marijuana at coffee shops.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study identified “interesting implications for the potential use of CBD in treating impairment deficits after chronic exposure to psychostimulant drugs such as METH.”
A study concluded that “few consumers can understand and apply quantitative THC labelling; in contrast, THC labels that provide ‘interpretive’ information, such as descriptors, symbols, or references to servings have greater efficacy.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of New Zealand voters found that 51% plan to vote against a marijuana legalization referendum and 39% will support it.
United Food and Commercial Workers Western States Council, Teamsters locals and the California Labor Federation are asking California Democratic lawmakers to leave the California Cannabis Industry Association out of negotiations on marijuana legislation because the group allegedly circulated “a piece of anti-union literature.”
/ BUSINESS
Aurora Cannabis Inc. reported a quarterly loss of $80.2 million.
CannTrust Holdings Inc. appointed a new CEO and plans to file for its license to be reinstated months after it was discovered the company illegally grew marijuana in unlicensed rooms.
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. announced that the Department of Justice review period for its planned acquisition of GR Companies, Inc. has expired.
Trading of Celexus, Inc. stock was suspended by the Securities and Exchange Commission as a result of ” a lack of current and accurate information concerning” the business.
/ CULTURE
Musician David Crosby, replying to a tweet about mushrooms, said, “I know a little about the psychedelic ones but I don’t like the food ones at all.”
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
