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RI legal cannabis hearing signals inevitability (Newsletter: April 2, 2021)

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MN House vote on marijuana next month; Another ND legalization push dead; HI wants DEA exemption; Rappers push Biden for cannabis clemency

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary and Finance Committees held a joint hearing on competing marijuana legalization bills from the governor and leading lawmakers. The panels didn’t vote, but the reform was framed as an inevitability for this year.

Minnesota’s House majority leader said his marijuana legalization bill will get a floor vote next month. So far it has cleared four committees, with several more on the way in the meantime.

North Dakota senators had a new plan to put a marijuana legalization question on the 2022 ballot after their chamber killed a House-passed legal cannabis bill last week—but activists saw the new measure as a “cynical” attempt to fool voters, and the full Senate rejected it.

Hawaii lawmakers passed resolutions requesting a federal exemption for the state’s medical cannabis program and urging state officials to form a plan to “ensure the availability of medicinal psilocybin.”

A new poll found that 75% of U.S. voters support either a federally imposed national legalization of marijuana or letting states decide the issue—while only 25% want to keep cannabis illegal across the country.

Drake, Killer Mike, Meek Mill, T.I., 2 Chainz, Kevin Garnett, Deion Sanders and other celebrities sent a letter calling on President Joe Biden to free rapper Ralo, who’s in federal prison for marijuana. It’s part of a broader push for clemency for cannabis prisoners.

/ FEDERAL

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy published the “Biden-Harris Administration’s Statement of Drug Policy Priorities for Year One,” which doesn’t include any mention of campaign pledges to decriminalize marijuana or expunge records.

The Internal Revenue Service is urging the Supreme Court not to take up two cases brought by cannabis businesses who argue that missing the deadline to file a Tax Court petition doesn’t mean a case can’t be heard.

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) tweeted, “Proud to see New Mexico finally legalize responsible recreational cannabis use! Even prouder that our state is doing so in a way that will help New Mexicans who have been harmed by the failed War on Drugs.”

The Congressional Progressive Caucus Center tweeted, “Marijuana legalization passes in NY and NM after years of organizing by local grassroots orgs and @DrugPolicyOrg! These wins will change millions of lives, putting justice at the core of a new legal market. It’s time to end marijuana prohibition on the federal level too!”

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted that New York’s legalization of marijuana is “great news for cannabis justice! One more state has reformed out of touch cannabis policies. Now it’s time to do it at the federal level.”

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) tweeted about New York’s marijuana law, saying, “Good. Let’s get this done everywhere in America. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t finally legalize marijuana and start repairing the damage done to BIPOC communities by the racist and harmful War on Drugs.”

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) tweeted a link to information about the provisions of New York’s new marijuana legalization law.

/ STATES

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) tweeted, “NY’s adult-use cannabis program will use tax revenue to invest in communities that have disproportionally suffered under failed marijuana prohibition.” The lieutenant governor tweeted, “Legalized adult-use cannabis will create thousands of jobs for New Yorkers, and new revenue will help fund education and invest in marginalized communities that were disproportionately targeted by an unjust system.” The state budget director spoke about the fiscal impact of legal cannabis.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) spoke about his amendment to speed up the effective date of marijuana legalization. Meanwhile, the state attorney general said he backs the move to accelerate reform.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle  Lujan Grisham (D) tweeted, “New Mexico will be the next state to legalize cannabis, establishing a new industry that will create immense economic opportunity in communities both rural and urban while addressing and rectifying the harmful impacts of criminalization.”

Florida’s agriculture commissioner tweeted, “Today marks the start of National Cannabis Awareness Month — and let me tell you, I am fully aware of the benefits of cannabis. I pushed to legalize hemp here in Florida and we got it done. Next, we need to legalize marijuana for adult use.”

The West Virginia House of Representatives rejected an amendment to remove marijuana from the scope of drug testing for TANF recipients.

Montana House committees advanced several marijuana legalization bills to the floor.

Louisiana’s House speaker pro tempore is sponsoring a bill to allow smokable medical cannabis flower.

Colorado state agencies published a report on how the state can maintain its national leadership in the hemp industry.

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority provided an overview of marijuana revenue-funded grants for communities harmed by the war on drugs in its annual report.

Michigan regulators sent a bulletin clarifying requirements for testing marijuana-infused beverages.

An Ohio representative said she will be filing a marijuana decriminalization bill.

California lawmakers are considering competing bills on advertising restrictions for marijuana businesses.

Washington, D.C. regulators will host an information session on legislation to make the medical cannabis program more equitable on Tuesday.


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.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.

/ LOCAL

The Pine Lake, Georgia City Council approved a measure to block police from making arrests for misdemeanor marijuana possession.

Members of the Hempstead, New York Town Board are urging municipalities to ban marijuana businesses.

Albany, New York’s mayor tweeted, “This is no April Fool’s Joke: today is the first full day that marijuana is legal in the State of New York. #MRTA is a much-needed step to end the social and racial injustice of the criminalization of marijuana – and, it’s a matter of equity.”

/ INTERNATIONAL

The Swiss government announced details of a draft plan to make marijuana legally available under a pilot program.

The UK’s National Health Service is launching a medical cannabis patient data registry.

An Italian lawmaker gave a floor speech congratulating New York on its new legal marijuana law.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review concluded that “the use of cannabis seems to be beneficial in patients with fibromyalgia.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Plant Medicine Coalition is accepting applications for its Community Creation Grants program.

Representatives of Americans Against Legalizing Marijuana, Cannabis Industry Victims Educating Litigators and other prohibitionist groups are asking the National Rifle Association to help “call attention to marijuana-induced psychosis as a cause of mass shootings.”

NewsMax anchor Greg Kelly tweeted, “SMOKING WEED (aka GRASS) is NOT a good idea.  I’ve tried it (back in the day) and it was WORSE than anything that happened to HUNTER BIDEN. I “toked up” with some buddies in Kentucky and woke up 4 days later in Nairobi, Kenya.  With no idea what happened. DON’T DO DRUGS.”

/ BUSINESS

YouTube is allowing more drug-related content to be monetized with ads.

iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $46 million and a net loss of $27.3 million.

Canopy Growth Corporation completed its acquisition of AV Cannabis Inc.

Parallel is acquiring certain operations of Windy City Cannabis.

Vireo Health International Inc. entered into a mutual release with its former executive chairman.

/ CULTURE

The Onion made fun of New York’s legalization of marijuana.

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Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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