Newsletter
Schumer on cannabis banking, expungements and gun rights (Newsletter: September 21, 2023)
House panel approves marijuana job/security clearance bill; Congressional psilocybin measure; Square enters cannabis market; Ketamine insurance
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee approved a bill to prevent the denial of federal employment or security clearances based on a candidate’s past marijuana use.
A bipartisan group of senators officially filed a renamed and revised marijuana banking bill that’s set to receive a committee vote next week—but a top House lawmaker is not committing to bringing the measure up in his chamber if it is passed by the Senate.
- Notably, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)—who previously pledged to “lay myself down” to block cannabis banking legislation from advancing ahead of justice-focused marijuana legalization—is an original cosponsor of the newly filed SAFER Banking Act.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is committing to bring a marijuana banking bill to the floor along with amendments on expungements and gun rights for cannabis consumers. He shared his announcement in advance exclusively with Marijuana Moment.
- Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said he expects a “strong majority” of his panel to support the legislation next week.
Reps. Robert Garcia (D-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) filed a bill to prevent the federal government from interfering with the implementation of state and local psilocybin laws. It’s called the Validating Independence for State Initiatives on Organic Natural Substances (VISIONS) Act.
Payment processor Square is entering the cannabis market in Canada through a partnership with Jane Technologies.
Enthea is announcing the “nationwide availability” of ketamine-assisted therapy as an available employee health insurance benefit. The company says MDMA and psilocybin therapies will also be offered following federal approval.
The Oklahoma Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee held a hearing on opportunities to expand hemp production.
Rhode Island marijuana activists are pressing regulators to close industry loopholes, protect workers and prioritize equity—with one lawmaker saying current policy has created a “pay-to-play system.”
The Seattle, Washington City Council passed a measure to locally criminalize public drug possession and use.
/ FEDERAL
The House bill to repeal restrictions on people with felony drug convictions from working in the hemp industry got one new cosponsor for a total of nine.
/ STATES
Oklahoma’s attorney general formed a task force to combat illegal marijuana growing operations. Separately, regulators took action against violations by cannabis businesses.
Alaska regulators are proposing changes to rules on marijuana business ownership changes.
New York regulators issued a warning about synthetic cannabinoids found to contain opioids. Separately, a regulatory spokesperson defended the state’s marijuana testing requirements from criticism that they are not protecting consumers.
Oregon regulators published a bulletin about the release of cannabis products that tested positive for aspergillus.
Missouri regulators issued guidance on the marijuana track and trace system and testing rules.
Maine regulators discussed contaminants in medical cannabis.
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/ LOCAL
An El Paso County, Colorado commissioner authored an op-ed criticizing Gov. Jared Polis (D) for supporting federal marijuana rescheduling.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Thai lawmakers plan to consider legislation to regulate medical cannabis.
Ministers from Hamburg, Thuringia and Lower Saxony, Germany are pushing to slow down the government’s plan to enact marijuana legalization legislation.
Alberta, Canada regulators said they will begin relisting and accepting CBN and THCV products.
New Zealand’s Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party authored an op-ed about the need for marijuana reform.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “cannabinoids may have efficacy in managing symptoms of certain inflammatory dermatologic conditions.”
A study concluded that hemp seed oil “could improve depression-like behavior” in rats.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Credit Union National Association sent a letter supporting newly refiled marijuana banking legislation.
Axiom Strategies and Vanguard Field Strategies are simultaneously working on a Florida marijuana legalization campaign and aiding the presidential election bid of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who opposes legalization.
The Albany Times Union editorial board criticized New York officials over the implementation of the state’s marijuana legalization law.
/ BUSINESS
GrowerIQ secured C$1 million in funding from the Canadian government to enhance its cannabis tracking system.
Cornbread Hemp acquired its manufacturing partner to achieve full vertical integration, which it says will allow it to reduce prices.
Rapid Therapeutic Science Laboratories, Inc. and its CEO are being charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission with allegedly engaging in fraudulent unregistered securities offerings.
Weedmaps and Abstrax are partnering on a cannabis educational content series.
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