Newsletter
Public cannabis smoking is legal, NYPD clarifies (Newsletter: April 5, 2021)
State AGs press Congress on marijuana banking; CO auctions cannabis-themed license plates; Another MA psychedelics decrim win; NY legalization website
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A bipartisan group of state attorneys general sent a letter urging Congress to pass a marijuana banking bill this year.
- “Our states’ ability to protect public safety and properly regulate this new and growing industry depends on Congress enacting this vital legislation.”
New York is taking the first step toward implementing its new marijuana legalization law by launching an Office of Cannabis Management website. It details the basics of what’s allowed, licensing, local opt-out and will even have a dispensary finder.
A new NYPD memo clarifies that under the state’s new marijuana legalization law, police can no longer arrest you for smoking cannabis “almost anywhere that cigarette smoking is allowed…including on sidewalks, on front stoops and other public places.”
Colorado officials are auctioning off marijuana-themed license plates such as “BONG,” “GANJA” and “SATIVA” to raise money for the state Disability Funding Committee. The bidding ends on 4/20.
The Northampton, Massachusetts City Council approved a measure to decriminalize psychedelics. It’s the third city in the state to adopt the entheogen-focused reform so far this year.
Montana Republican lawmakers joined with Democrats to temporarily kill Gov. Greg Gianforte’s (R) plan to amend and implement the voter-approved legalization of marijuana—but then revived it after frenzied negotiations.
/ FEDERAL
The Food and Drug Administration issued updated guidance on CBD bioequivalence studies.
The State Department’s 2021 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report says “there was a surge in U.S. seizures of cannabis in transit from Canada to the United States” after the former country legalized marijuana.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said lawmakers should move forward with federal marijuana legalization even if President Joe Biden remains opposed, and that he wants cannabis banking legislation to be tied to broader reform. He also tweeted, “The War on Drugs has been a war on people, and particularly people of color. I’m working in the Senate to end the federal prohibition on marijuana and to repair the damage done by the War on Drugs.” And he tweeted, “I’m working with @SenBooker & @RonWyden on comprehensive marijuana reform legislation. We must end the federal prohibition on marijuana, make criminal justice reforms, and ensure equity for communities—especially those of color—impacted by the War on Drugs”
The New York Times cited sources saying Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) took MDMA during encounters with women he is alleged to have paid for sex.
Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) said she is considering trying marijuana. (About 52:30 into the video.)
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) tweeted, “I applaud the NYS legislature for legalizing marijuana, redirecting revenue to communities harmed by prohibition, and expunging arrests and convictions. We must do the same in congress.”
Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) tweeted, “94% of people arrested for marijuana in New York last year were people of color. Recreational marijuana being legalized today is a historic moment.”
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted that New York’s legalization of marijuana is “progress! Now, It’s time for outdated cannabis laws to be abolished. We need reform at the national level. We need the MORE Act.”
/ STATES
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) tweeted, “legalizing cannabis is the right thing to do.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) and the state’s attorney general recorded messages to be played at the annual Hash Bash event. (About 1:13:40 and 1:36:10 into the video.)
Arizona’s attorney general suggested that federal officials must be too busy smoking marijuana to help with immigration issues at the border.
The chief of South Carolina’s State Law Enforcement Division authored an op-ed on why he thinks a pending medical cannabis bill is really about legalizing marijuana.
The Oregon House of Representatives approved a bill to change the name of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.
New York’s Assembly majority leader said she thinks recreational marijuana sales could start as soon as within a year.
The Nevada Assembly Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a bill to allow marijuana social consumption sites.
The Vermont House Human Services Committee is expected to take up a bill to decriminalize buprenorphine this week.
Rhode Island representatives filed a bill to decriminalize drug possession.
A Pennsylvania Republican senator spoke about plans to get more members of his party on board with legalizing marijuana.
Michigan regulators issued guidance on mailing industrial hemp.
Washington State regulators published a report based on a survey of marijuana producer licensees.
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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.
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/ LOCAL
Plano, Texas’s police chief instituted a new policy to reduce marijuana arrests.
San Francisco, California officials said the annual 4/20 rally in Golden Gate Park has been cancelled again this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Canada’s New Democrat Party will consider proposed resolutions endorsing drug decriminalization and cannabis record expungement at its convention this weekend.
The Legalise Marijuana WA Party won a seat in the Western Australian Legislative Council.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “although THC-containing [cannabinoid-based medicines] are associated with side effects, CBMs in general are safe and acceptable in older adults.”
A study found that “different fractions of leaf extract of C. sativa has remarkable potential in controlling growth of [the fungus] A. versicolor.“
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Marijuana Moment’s Kyle Jaeger appeared on Vox’s Today, Explained to break down recent cannabis policy developments.
The South Carolina Democratic Party tweeted about Republican opposition to or skepticism about an advancing medical cannabis bill.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee tweeted, “This has been a big year so far for marijuana legalization in Democratic states, which have focused on centering racial justice in their legislation!”
The Albuquerque Journal editorial board said lawmakers have more work to do to improve the recently passed marijuana legalization bill.
/ BUSINESS
Organigram Holdings Inc. repaid its approximately $58.5 million outstanding balance under its credit agreement with Bank of Montreal.
/ CULTURE
Jay-Z said he is “proud” that New York legalized marijuana.
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