Newsletter
No Senate cannabis banking vote anytime soon (Newsletter: April 23, 2021)
FL court kills legal marijuana measure; MN legalization advances again; LA cannabis flower bill approved; MT implementation moves forward
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is putting a damper on hopes that a marijuana banking bill will advance in the chamber anytime soon following the House’s passage this week. Meanwhile, the House bill’s sponsor, Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), said he’s open to almost any changes that would allow it to move forward.
A new Marijuana Moment analysis breaks down this week’s House cannabis banking vote, including looking at which lawmakers flipped their position from the last vote in 2019, how freshman members broke down and which Republicans from legal states voted against banking access.
The Florida Supreme Court ruled that the summary for a marijuana legalization initiative that 550,000 voters have already signed is “misleading”—meaning supporters will have to start all over to get on the 2022 ballot.
The Minnesota House Education Finance Committee approved the majority leader’s marijuana legalization bill—the eighth panel to do so. A floor vote is expected in May.
The Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee approved a bill to legalize medical marijuana flower for patients.
The Montana Senate Select Committee on Marijuana Laws advanced a House-passed legalization implementation bill with changes making it closer to what voters approved on the ballot. The current version would restore funding for conservation programs, allow home cultivation and make sure legalization will continue even if certain provisions are struck down in court.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected a request to take up a challenge to a U.S. Tax Court ruling on the application of the 280E tax provision against Harborside Health Center.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency tweeted, “Delicious hemp hearts, durable hemp paper, and CBD products like soaps and oils are all made possible by America’s hemp farmers. We offer a variety of operating, ownership, beginning farmer, and farm storage facility loans to support them.
The Environmental Protection Agency posted an updated list of pesticide products registered for use on hemp.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “Americans are sending a clear message: We must end the federal prohibition on marijuana. That’s why I’m working in the Senate to end the federal prohibition and to repair the damage done by the War on Drugs.” He also tweeted, “We must end the federal prohibition on marijuana and repair the damage of the War on Drugs. I’m proud to work with @SenBooker & @RonWyden on comprehensive marijuana reform legislation in the Senate.”
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) tweeted, “It’s past time to end the federal prohibition of cannabis. @SenBooker @SenSchumer and I are working hard to get it done this year.”
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) tweeted, “When we talk about legalizing marijuana, we can’t overlook the fact that people of color have been disproportionately harmed by a system that delivers unequal justice based on the color of your skin. We shouldn’t be putting people in jail over a joint.”
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) posted on Facebook, “For decades, we’ve watched a failed War on Drugs—that’s really been a war on people—destroy communities and disproportionately criminalize people of color. It’s time to right the wrongs of this failed war—we must legalize marijuana and focus on restorative justice.”
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) tweeted, “If we are ever going to have real justice in America, then we must legalize marijuana and expunge all prior convictions.”
Former House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) spoke about broad public support for marijuana legalization. (About 13:45 into the video.)
Former Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) posted a video of himself outlining his concerns about marijuana.
The Senate marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor, for a total of 33.
The House bill to let cannabis businesses access federal aid got one new cosponsor for a total of five.
/ STATES
The California Senate passed a bill to legalize safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.
Alabama lawmakers sent Gov. Kay Ivey (R) a bill to expunge past marijuana and other convictions.
The Oklahoma Senate approved a bill to require disclosure of foreign investments in medical cannabis businesses.
The Connecticut legislature’s Appropriations Committee removed provisions dealing with marijuana legalization from the budget, saying the issue will be handled in separate legislation. Meanwhile, the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee approved a bill to approve a tax structure for cannabis if it is legalized. A separate legalization bill received a fiscal note.
Hawaiian lawmakers killed a bill that would have restricted medical cannabis home cultivation.
Ohio representatives are preparing legislation to legalize marijuana.
Pennsylvania Senate Democrats tweeted about a pending bipartisan marijuana legalization bill. Meanwhile, a Republican senator spoke about his efforts to legalize cannabis.
Idaho regulators said they will begin the process of forming hemp rules following the passage of a legalization bill.
New Jersey marijuana regulators held their second public hearing.
Nevada regulators will consider marijuana business issues on Tuesday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 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.
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/ LOCAL
The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania City Council approved a bill to ban pre-employment marijuana testing for many jobs.
Benton County, Oregon’s district attorney claimed that the state’s voter-approved drug decriminalization measure is driving an increase in crime.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “CBD can induce odonto/osteogenesis from [human dental pulp cells] and has the potential to develop new therapeutics in [vital pulp treatment] in dentistry.“
A study found that “households located in states adopting these laws increase their quarterly spending on food, which is driven mainly by spending on food consumed away from home” and that “legalization of recreational marijuana also leads to increased quarterly spending on alcohol.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Virginia Democratic Party touted the legalization of marijuana as one of its members’ accomplishments this year.
The Alabama Democratic Party released a poster supporting marijuana legalization.
The Kansas Democratic Party tweeted about growing momentum for marijuana reform.
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America launched an action alert to defeat marijuana banking legislation in the Senate.
/ BUSINESS
Cresco Labs has a new board member.
Planet 13 Holdings Inc. said it generated approximately $543,000 worth of sales on 4/20.
/ CULTURE
The NFL Players Association sent a reminder about the resumption of drug testing, but forgot to mention the fact that marijuana is being excluded for the first time this year—sparking panic among some players.
Whoopi Goldberg is launching a new cannabis brand.
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