Newsletter
NY gov says cannabis coordination aids coronavirus response (Newsletter: March 17, 2020)
USPS doesn’t properly handle seized marijuana; Kevin Smith wants e-sigs for legalization petition; FBI probes former lawmaker’s industry ties
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NOTE TO READERS:
As many legislatures temporarily recess due to coronavirus concerns, you may notice fewer cannabis policy developments taking place over the coming days and weeks. That said, please know that Marijuana Moment is continuing to scour all our feeds and talk to our sources every day as usual to make sure we and you don’t miss anything that does happen. We plan to keep sending you this dispatch every day, though please understand if some issues seem thinner for a while due to a dearth of news.
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said that recent regional marijuana legalization talks with other states created relationships that are helping to formulate a coordinated response to the coronavirus outbreak.
- “Luckily we have set a template where our regional states work together. Many of you came to our regional meeting on marijuana laws. I have a good relationship that I’ve developed with the surrounding governors. We have actually deployed that here.”
The U.S. Postal Service is failing to properly internally mail seized marijuana packages, an audit found, and the agency’s failure to take steps to cover up cannabis’s scent is a key reason for shipments being stolen.
Filmmaker Kevin Smith and actor Jason Mewes are asking California officials to let marijuana activists collect signatures for a proposed ballot measure digitally rather than in person due to coronavirus concerns.
/ FEDERAL
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has reportedly been interviewing people about a former Missouri House speaker’s ties to medical cannabis companies.
Here’s a look at how work on coronavirus legislation could impact the chances of a congressional marijuana banking bill.
/ STATES
Florida lawmakers sent a hemp bill to the desk of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) hosted the co-chair of prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana-Nebraska on his podcast.
The Vermont House of Representatives appointed members to a conference committee that will resolve the differences between marijuana legalization legislation passed by the body and the Senate.
Texas regulators made industrial hemp license applications available.
Maryland regulators generally only investigate illegal CBD sales when complaints are filed, a public records request shows.
Michigan regulators sent a bulletin about steps in response to the coronavirus outbreak, including the allowance of marijuana curbside pickup and delivery services.
Missouri regulators said the coronavirus won’t delay the rollout of the state’s medical cannabis program.
Washington State regulators postponed planned meetings on marijuana draft conceptual rules due to coronavirus concerns.
A South Carolina senator plans to make revisions to his medical cannabis bill to garner more support this week.
Colorado generated more than $26 million in marijuana revenue in February.
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Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
Dutch officials reversed a decision to force cannabis coffee shops to close during the coronavirus outbreak.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “THC modulates threat-related processing in trauma-exposed individuals with PTSD, which may prove advantageous as a pharmacological approach to treating stress- and trauma-related psychopathology.”
A study found that “across oncology, there is growing interest in clinical research in the use of medical marijuana.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Iowa adults support legalizing marijuana, 53%-41%, and back expanding the state’s limited medical cannabis law, 81%-13%.
/ BUSINESS
The Bank of Oklahoma filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit against the dispensary Dank of Oklahoma.
A former Aurora Cannabis Inc. CEO sold nearly 12.2 million of his shares in the company.
/ CULTURE
The National Basketball Association has reportedly agreed to suspend player drug testing during the hiatus caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
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