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Senator admits he was wrong about cannabis (Newsletter: March 21, 2022)

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Congressional marijuana measure to pressure UN; RIP to Cannabis Caucus co-chair; CT psychedelics bill vote; CO treasurer talks banking

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Reps. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) teamed up on a bipartisan resolution calling on the Biden administration to “use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States” to deschedule marijuana from an international drug treaty and treat it “similar to other agricultural commodities.”

Bipartisan members of Congress honored Cannabis Caucus co-chair Rep. Don Young (R-AK), who passed away on Friday. He was one of just five Republican House members to vote for a cannabis legalization bill in 2020.

Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) acknowledged that the fears he had that led him to campaign against Colorado’s legalization of marijuana when he was governor were misplaced.

  • “I was pretty surprised that the data overwhelmingly showed again and again” that youth use didn’t increase.

The Connecticut legislature’s Public Health Committee approved a bill to create a system to provide certain patients with access to psychedelic-assisted treatment with substances like MDMA and psilocybin.

Colorado Treasurer Dave Young (D) spoke to Marijuana Moment about the need to pass cannabis banking legislation and the conversations he had with fellow state treasurers and members of Congress about the issue during a trip to Washington, D.C. last week.

An Alabama senator filed a bill that would require women to provide a negative pregnancy test in order to purchase medical cannabis.

/ FEDERAL

White House Domestic Policy Council senior policy advisor for criminal justice Erin Murphy reportedly met with a cannabis industry official to discuss possible marijuana reforms.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “The War on Drugs has been a war on people—particularly people of color. Our bill will end the federal prohibition, make criminal justice reforms, and invest in the communities most impacted by the War on Drugs.”

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL) tweeted, “The Senate can and must right the wrongs of the war on drugs by passing the EQUAL Act and finally ending the crack & powder cocaine sentencing disparity.”

Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) tweeted, “It was great to see the @USCannabisCncl & discuss how Nevada’s cannabis industry continues to create new businesses and jobs, bringing millions in revenue for our state. I’ll continue to work at the federal level to allow this industry to reach its full potential.”

Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) described a bill she filed as a “straightforward approach to make the hemp industry more profitable and more equitable.”

Louisiana Democratic Senate candidate Gary Chambers spoke about the economic potential of legalizing marijuana.

/ STATES

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed six medical cannabis and hemp reform bills into law, including a measure to place a limit on medical marijuana home cultivation.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) included revised fiscal projections associated with marijuana legalization provisions in his supplemental budget recommendations.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said he’s “not fully committal” on his position against legalizing marijuana.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed a new deputy director of public affairs for the Department of Cannabis Control. Separately, a senator filed a bill to establish a tax credit for marijuana retailers.

Washington State’s treasurer blamed robberies on marijuana businesses on Congress’s failure to enact cannabis banking legislation. He tweeted, “This is exactly why I am in DC this week to urge Congress to pass #cannabisbanking this year. This was preventable and we all agree on the solution. Congress cannot delay in passing cannabis banking reforms any longer.”

Illinois’s attorney general will host an information session on cannabis expungements and social equity opportunities on Monday.

North Carolina’s House speaker said he would be surprised if the Senate passed a medical cannabis bill. A senator responded by tweeting, “Medical marijuana is a very popular idea. These powerful right wingers do not represent the people of NC. They consistently block progress.” A representative tweeted, “North Carolinians are ready for legal, regulated, and taxed marijuana. Opposition to medical marijuana is harming our citizens in so many ways.”

The Kansas Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee held several hearings on a medical cannabis bill.

Pennsylvania lawmakers plan to file legislation to allow hemp in animal feed.

Nebraska activists hosted more than 100 signature gathering events for a pair of proposed medical cannabis ballot measures in over 35 cities and towns.

The Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that the state Department of Revenue can be considered a “victim” entitled to restitution when a defendant has evaded marijuana excise taxes.

Connecticut regulators filed changes to proposed medical cannabis testing rules.

New Mexico regulators are readying for the launch of recreational marijuana sales on April 1.

The North Carolina Department of Justice held the first in a series of cannabis webinars it plans to host.

Vermont regulators will consider draft guidance on marijuana packaging requirements on Monday.

Guam regulators will consider marijuana banking and other issues on Monday.

Nevada regulators will hold a public workshop about marijuana consumption lounges on Tuesday.


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.

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

/ LOCAL

Cook County, Illinois’s sheriff authored an op-ed calling on Congress to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.

A Colorado Springs, Colorado ballot measure to allow recreational marijuana sales has been approved for signature gathering.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Fiji’s minister for economy said the government is cautiously considering the legalization of hemp.

Belize’s Senate amended and approved a cannabis and hemp bill.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review “highlights an apparent association between cannabidiol-based products and relief from motor symptoms in [Huntington’s disease] and [Parkinson’s disease] and an apparent association between synthetic cannabinoids and relief from behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia across [Alzheimer’s disease], PD, and HD.”

A review suggested that “psilocybin may be used as an alternative treatment for depression in some individuals.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Indiana Democratic Party tweeted, “What should happen next year: Indiana legalizes cannabis. More than 80% of Hoosiers support this idea in some form, and @INDems are ready to campaign on this economic issue across the state for the 2022 elections (and beyond).”

The ACLU of Maryland, NAACP Maryland State Conference, League of Women Voters of Maryland, Maryland Office of the Public Defender and other organizations sent a letter urging legislative leaders to advance racial justice-focused marijuana legalization.

/ BUSINESS

HEXO Corp. reported quarterly net revenue of C$52.8 million and a net loss of C$690.3 million.

iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $47.7 million and a net loss of $25.7 million.

Jointly completed a $5 million round of seed funding.

Canadian retailers sold C$347.2 million worth of cannabis products in January.

/ CULTURE

Seth Rogen’s marijuana company Houseplant launched a mentorship program for cannabis entrepreneurs.

Basketball player Kevin Durant shouted out a Weedmaps cannabis strain competition modeled after the March Madness college basketball tournament.

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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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