Newsletter
RI gov back cannabis expungements (Newsletter: March 23, 2021)
NJ gov open to drug decrim; ND legal marijuana bills advances; KS medical cannabis hearing; Yang backs legal psilocybin in NYC mayor’s race
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee (D) said he supports expunging prior marijuana convictions—even though the legalization plan he introduced this month contains no provisions to clear prior cannabis records.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said he is “open-minded” on the issue of decriminalizing all drugs but remains focused on implementing marijuana legalization for now.
The North Dakota Senate Human Services Committee advanced a House-passed marijuana legalization bill, but without a recommendation on passage. Lawmakers are trying to prevent activists from putting a more far-reaching cannabis measure on the ballot.
The Kansas House Federal and State Affairs Committee began considering amendments to a medical marijuana bill, with an expected vote to advance the legislation planned for later this week.
At a New York City mayoral forum, Andrew Yang called for legalizing psilocybin mushrooms and marijuana, plus decriminalizing certain opioids, but he and most other candidates avoided backing broader drug decriminalization.
/ FEDERAL
The Food and Drug Administration sent letters warning Honest Globe Inc. and Biolyte Laboratories LLC to stop marketing CBD products in unapproved ways.
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) wrote in a constituent letter that he supports federally decriminalizing marijuana.
Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Reps. Scott Peters (D-CA) and John Curtis (R-UT) filed legislation to declare methamphetamine an emerging drug threat and require the Office of National Drug Control Policy to develop a plan to combat it.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted, “Legalizing marijuana is necessary to right the wrongs of our failed drug war & end decades of harm inflicted on communities of color. But that alone is not enough—we must also expunge records & lift up people who were unfairly targeted in the drug war.”
Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) sent a press release about Oregon State University getting a federal grant to study feeding spent hemp biomass to cattle.
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) tweeted, “Proud to join @RepPerlmutter and 100+ of my colleagues in reintroducing the bipartisan #SAFEBanking to prevent federal cannabis policy from hurting legitimate businesses/endangering their workers. The federal govt can no longer fail on an issue our states have taken the lead on.”
Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) tweeted, “Americans in 47 states have voted to legalize some form of marijuana but businesses are still forced to operate in cash only. That’s why I am a proud original cosponsor of @RepPerlmutter’s #SAFEBanking Act. It’s time for Congress to catch up!”
Ohio Democratic congressional candidate Nina Turner tweeted, “Legalize cannabis. Expunge criminal records. Invest in people we criminalized.”
Former Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson tweeted, “This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. People get government jobs who supported bombing hundreds of thousands of innocent people, but they get fired for having smoked marijuana.”
/ STATES
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) tweeted, “We are very close to finalizing the legalization of adult-use cannabis in New Mexico and I will be calling a special session to ensure that we finish the job. New Mexico is ready, and I look forward to continuing to work with lawmakers to get it done.”
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) said there’s “no such thing as medical marijuana.”
Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe tweeted, “All past convictions for simple marijuana possession should be expunged automatically. I’m proud of the legislature’s work to get this done.”
The Pennsylvania Republican senator who is sponsoring a marijuana legalization bill said he is considering running for governor.
The Washington, D.C. Council chairman cited Congress’s interference with the city’s marijuana laws in testimony in support of a statehood bill.
A New York Assemblymember filed a bill to decriminalize drugs.
Here’s a look at marijuana reform bills that Tennessee lawmakers are considering this session.
Ohio regulators posted proposed medical cannabis rules changes for public comment.
Oregon regulators are initiating rulemaking on Delta-8 THC.
Documents reveal that disputed Illinois marijuana dispensary applications were scored by briefly trained gig workers paid $35 an hour by a subcontractor of global accounting firm KPMG.
Arizona regulators sent a tax remittance reminder to marijuana businesses.
Washington State regulators sent a reminder about a ban on branded merchandise for marijuana businesses.
Michigan regulators created a new form for certified public accountants who work with marijuana businesses.
Maine regulators are conducting a survey of businesses planning on selling hemp seedlings or clones.
Ohio regulators released new medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.
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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
Denver, Colorado’s district attorney said she doesn’t have a problem with people sharing psychedelic mushrooms as long as money isn’t exchanged.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Scottish regulators approved the country’s first medical cannabis clinic.
Members of Canada’s Conservative Party voted to remove a platform plank that had endorsed the decriminalization of marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “THC molecules may be considered for the therapy in treating Alzheimer’s disease.”
A review concluded that “substantial evidence from animal models supports the contention that cannabinoids and endocannabinoid system modulators hold considerable promise for analgesic drug development.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The New York Daily News editorial board said marijuana legalization legislation must sufficiently punish impaired driving.
The Boston Herald editorial board criticized the White House for its confusing position on marijuana use by staffers.
Fox News host Sean Hannity slammed the White House’s inconsistent position on past marijuana use by officials.
The New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, General Contractors Association, Manufacturers Association, Building Contractors Association and other groups sent a letter to New York lawmakers expressing concerns about marijuana legalization.
/ BUSINESS
Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund has invested in Canopy Growth Corp., Cronos Group Inc. and Aurora Cannabis Inc.
/ CULTURE
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert made fun of Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts’s (R) comments about marijuana legalization leading to the death of kids.
Adult film actor Nacho Vidal is being charged with manslaughter following the death of a man he apparently gave psychedelic toad venom to.
The Food Network’s “Chopped” is adding a new a marijuana-focused miniseries.
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