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Schumer cannabis legalization bill coming soon (Newsletter: April 10, 2024)
Congressman slams fed seizures from marijuana biz; Truckers refuse drug tests; VA gov signs cannabis bill; Consumer poll: Dems vs GOP; SC medical push
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) are planning to file a new federal marijuana legalization bill this month, and they’re asking for original cosponsors to sign on by the eve of the 4/20 cannabis holiday.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) said President Joe Biden’s administration is “not doing enough to protect states” that have legalized marijuana amid reports of federal officials seizing cannabis products from licensed businesses.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that a record number of truck drivers are refusing to take drug tests as more states legalize marijuana, contributing to a labor shortage in the transportation industry.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) signed legislation to protect firefighters, teachers and other public sector workers from being fired for legal medical cannabis use. He vetoed a separate bill to strengthen parental rights for marijuana consumers, however.
20 U.S. senators filed a resolution condemning Russia’s incarceration of American citizens, including one serving 14 years for possessing medical marijuana that was recommended by a doctor—a prison sentence Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) said is “ludicrous.”
A new poll from NuggMD found that marijuana consumers believe Democrats have “better ideas” for cannabis policy than Republicans do—and that includes almost a fifth of Trump voters who prefer the other party’s approach to the issue.
- The new survey also found that cannabis consumers believe President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump would each have a better “understanding of cannabis markets and culture” if they were younger.
South Carolina lawmakers are pushing the House to take up a Senate-passed medical cannabis bill, and a new poll shows strong bipartisan support for the reform.
/ FEDERAL
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality posted an updated “Living Systematic Review on Cannabis and Other Plant-Based Treatments for Chronic Pain.”
Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) said he hasn’t thought about marijuana rescheduling or cannabis banking legislation.
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) tweeted, “It’s time to take a ‘time out’ on the Biden Administration’s efforts to further legalize marijuana so we can consider all the bad effects.”
/ STATES
Florida’s attorney general partnered with the Florida Sheriffs Association’s Research Institute and Florida Chamber of Commerce to promote a report that criticizes Oregon for decriminalizing drugs and says that unlike that state, “or even states that have legalized marijuana recreationally, Florida has taken a different approach.”
Maryland’s comptroller announced that the state collected $14.5 million in cannabis sales tax revenue last quarter.
The Colorado House of Representatives passed a bill to legalize safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.
New York lawmakers are pushing to include funding in the budget to support loans for people affected by the war on drugs who want to participate in the legal marijuana industry.
The director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation coauthored an op-ed cheering a Senate committee for killing a medical cannabis legalization bill.
Montana regulators posted guidance about marijuana purchasing and possession rules.
Vermont regulators posted an updated marijuana businesses license database.
Minnesota regulators will participate in a cannabis conference on Wednesday.
Washington State regulators are hosting workshops about implementation of a THC bill this week.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,400 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 North Newton, Kansas City Council approved a marijuana decriminalization ordinance.
The Prosecutorial District 43, North Carolina district attorney said she will continue to enforce state prohibition outside of tribal lands after the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians begins medical cannabis sales this month.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Jersey’s police chief said “entrepreneurial criminals” are exploiting the medical cannabis system.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that there is “no direct relationship between impairment and Δ9-tetra-hydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) concentrations in blood or saliva, making legal ‘per se’ Δ9-THC limits scientifically unjustified.”
A study suggested that “cannabinoids may be a promising alternative to antibiotic therapy for bovine biofilm-associated MRSA.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Anchorage Daily News editorial board is calling on Alaska lawmakers to pass legislation to create a psychedelics therapy task force.
/ BUSINESS
Tilray Brands, Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $188.3 million and a net loss of $105 million.
WM Technology, Inc. received a notification that it is not in compliance with a Nasdaq rule on timely filing an annual report.
Missouri retailers sold $124.7 million worth of legal marijuana products in March.
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