Newsletter
Schumer in talks on cannabis banking & expungements compromise (Newsletter: June 10, 2022)
Border Patrol focused on busting citizens for marijuana; CO gov signs MDMA bill; GOP congressman’s cannabis amendment blocked; WV local decrim efforts
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) met recently to discuss possible paths forward for incremental cannabis reform legislation this year—possibly by combining the SAFE Banking Act with the provisions of a separate expungements bill—both offices confirmed to Marijuana Moment.
A Government Accountability Office analysis of U.S. Border Patrol enforcement data reveals that 91 percent of the agency’s drug seizures at checkpoints are conducted against U.S. citizens—and 75 percent of those encounters involve marijuana only. Meanwhile, 69 percent of cannabis seizures are for less than an ounce.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed a bill to legalize MDMA prescriptions in the state when it gets federal Food and Drug Administration approval.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) blasted Democrats for blocking a marijuana reform amendment he tried to attach to a bill on aiding first responders with PTSD and traumatic brain injury. (The vast majority of members of Gaetz’s own party have voted against marijuana legalization bills brought to the House floor by Democrats—although he has supported that legislation.)
West Virginia activists are working to qualify marijuana decriminalization measures for two local ballots this November—including in the state capital of Charleston.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration is hosting a summit on the overdose epidemic next week.
The House Judiciary Committee noted in a report attached to a bill that would raise the age to legally buy certain firearms to 21 that all states where marijuana is legal have set that as the age to buy cannabis.
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) tweeted, “I’m standing up for NV’s cannabis industry by pushing for legal, licensed cannabis businesses to get equal access to SBA loans & receive the financial support they need. @SBAgov should treat the cannabis industry no differently than other industries.”
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “The War on Drugs is a war on people. It’s time we legalize cannabis at the federal level and work to undo decades of injustice against communities of color.”
/ STATES
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) tweeted, “Doors. Video games. Marijuana. The presence of ‘evil.’ And now… phones. The Republican Party will literally blame anything and everything except the common denominator in every mass shooting: GUNS.”
North Carolina lawmakers sent Gov. Roy Cooper (D) a bill to permanently legalize hemp.
A Pennsylvania representative said psilocybin research legislation she filed is no longer needed now that studies are already moving ahead in the state.
Michigan lawmakers are considering legislation to ban “fake urine” that is used to pass drug tests.
An Illinois judge issued a temporary restraining order on operations by marijuana craft cultivation licensees amid a legal challenge to the award process.
Alabama regulators said medical cannabis products are expected to be available to patients by next spring at the earliest.
New York regulators refiled proposed rules on medical cannabis home cultivation to correct an error in an earlier version.
Washington State regulators will host a public discussion on “impairing” and “non-impairing” THC compounds and cannabinoids on June 21.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 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 Los Angeles, California City Council approved a motion to create a program allowing marijuana businesses to display official emblems showing that they are licensed.
Kansas City, Missouri’s mayor tweeted about the city’s municipal marijuana pardon program, saying, “Views on and laws surrounding marijuana have changed tremendously over recent years—and folks shouldn’t continue to be punished for past low-level marijuana use.”
Detroit, Michigan officials are hosting a series of marijuana business workshops this month.
Massachusetts municipalities have collected more than $53 million in “impact” fees from marijuana businesses, according to a new analysis.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Thailand’s partial cannabis legalization law took effect. As a result, more than 3,000 prisoners have been freed. More than 100,000 people have registered for legal cultivation. And the Public Health Ministry enacted certain restrictions on sales.
The Australian Capital Territory’s local government is moving to decriminalize drug possession.
Spanish lawmakers are reportedly expected to vote on medical cannabis legislation this month.
Bermuda’s shadow national security minister accused the government of using a push to legalize marijuana as a way of creating “friction” with the UK.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “cannabis usage is associated with an increased sense of prosociality and prioritization of humanitarian behaviors that declines with time following cannabis consumption.”
A study found that “demonstrated that cannabis use is not associated with increased risk of complications or prolonged [length of stay] after primary [total hip arthroplasty]” but that “cannabis use is associated with higher hospital charges.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies appointed new members to the board of directors for the MAPS Public Benefit Corporation.
/ BUSINESS
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company said it expects sales for its cannabis-focused Hawthorne unit to decline 40 to 45 percent this fiscal year.
4Front Ventures Corp. announced new executive and board appointments.
Green Dragon workers voted to form a union.
/ CULTURE
Snoop Dogg said he raised his dedicated blunt roller’s salary due to inflation.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
