Newsletter
Senators push Biden for cannabis clemency (Newsletter: November 11, 2021)
Govs want marijuana banking ASAP; Lawmakers: Protect state cannabis laws; OH legalization poll; Denver psilocybin decrim hearing
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) sent a letter urging President Joe Biden to issue mass pardons for people convicted of marijuana offenses as a first step toward righting the wrongs of prohibition.
- “Our country’s cannabis policies must be completely overhauled, but you have the power to act now: you can and should issue a blanket pardon for all non-violent federal cannabis offenses, fulfilling your promises to the American people and transforming the lives of tens of thousands Americans.”
A bipartisan coalition of two dozen governors sent a letter calling on congressional leaders to pass marijuana banking legislation through the National Defense Authorization Act.
Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) sent a letter calling on House leaders to include provisions protecting state and tribal marijuana laws from federal interference in upcoming spending legislation.
A survey of Ohio lawmakers found that Republicans are more likely to support legalizing marijuana than Democrats are. However, GOP members are less supportive of letting people grow their own cannabis at home.
The Denver, Colorado City Council’s Finance and Governance Committee held a hearing on a city panel’s recommendation to expand the voter-approved decriminalization of psilocybin to include gifting and communal use.
Montana Department of Revenue officials testified at a legislative hearing that they are open to scaling back proposed rules blocking marijuana industry employment for people with past cannabis convictions and restricting CBD sales.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) posted photos of himself visiting a marijuana dispensary, tweeting, “Local cannabis businesses like @tokyostarfish here in Oregon show the way to a smart cannabis policy at the federal level that ends the long-failed national prohibition.”
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) confirmed a recent Marijuana Moment scoop by announcing she will file a bill to federally legalize cannabis next week.
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) tweeted, “We need to safeguard our financial system, reduce the public safety risk in our communities, and help better support small, Veteran- and minority-owned cannabis businesses and their employees. We need #SAFEBanking now.”
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair drug war harms got three new cosponsors for a total of 96.
The House bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct clinical trials on medical cannabis got one new cosponsor for a total of two.
Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman, currently the lieutenant governor, tweeted, “I’ve [led] the charge in Pennsylvania to free people of bullshit weed charges that have damaged their lives.”
Ohio Democratic congressional candidate Nina Turner tweeted, “Black Americans are four times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than white Americans. There is no reason for people to be in prison for cannabis possession in 2021.”
/ STATES
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) filed impaired driving legislation that would prohibit loose or unsealed packages of marijuana in the driver’s compartment of a vehicle.
A working group of the Virginia legislature’s Cannabis Oversight Commission held a meeting to discuss the potential acceleration of legal recreational sales.
The Georgia House Regulated Industries Committee held a hearing on implementation of the state’s medical cannabis law.
A Florida campaign working to place a marijuana legalization measure on the 2022 ballot raised $307,522 in October, with $250,000 of that coming from Trulieve.
California state officials and local law enforcement are being accused in a federal lawsuit of extortion, theft and corruption related to marijuana seizures.
Maine’s top marijuana regulator spoke about the challenges of exercising oversight of the state’s medical cannabis system.
A pending appeal that has prevented Rhode Island regulators from conducting a lottery to award a medical cannabis dispensary business license is being dropped by the company behind it.
Ohio regulators delayed the expiration of telemedicine for medical cannabis recommendations and renewals until March.
Alaska regulators sent guidance about testing marijuana for E. coli.
Guam regulators signed a contract for Metrc to manage the territory’s marijuana tracking system.
New Mexico regulators have received more than 1.500 marijuana production license applications.
Nevada regulators will consider marijuana business issues on Tuesday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,200 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 Oakland, California City Council’s Public Safety Committee approved a proposal to end marijuana metabolite testing of city employees.
Colorado Springs, Colorado City Council members discussed their views on decriminalizing psychedelics.
Denver, Colorado officials will begin accepting applications for marijuana hospitality business licenses this week.
The Jackson County, Oregon Board of Commissioners laid out changes they want state legislators to make to help combat illegal marijuana cultivation.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Germany’s incoming government coalition is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to legalize marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of Dutch cannabis coffeeshops found that “compared to homes nearby remaining coffeeshops, homes nearby closing coffeeshops decrease on average 1.6 to 8.5 percent in value.”
The Global Drug Survey is seeking participants for its 2022 edition.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Former Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Michael Blake criticized the continued denial of access to public housing over marijuana, tweeting, “Truly discriminatory, racist, ignorant and divisive. Why on earth would someone be denied federal public housing over Marijuana?? Why has this not been changed yet? Where is the federal action?”
The Washington Post editorial board said the Biden administration should not rule out allowing safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.
/ BUSINESS
Green Thumb Industries Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $233.7 million.
Acreage Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly consolidated revenue of $48.2 million and a net loss attributable to Acreage of $12.3 million.
Novamind Inc. secured coverage of ketamine for treatment-resistant depression from four major health insurance providers.
MedMen Enterprises Inc. has two new board members.
Puffco brought on a new chief financial officer and chief marketing officer.
/ CULTURE
Ed Sheeran spoke about finishing a song while “really blasted” on CBD and wine.
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