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State treasurers group endorses cannabis banking legislation (Newsletter: May 20, 2019)

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Presidential candidate jokes about psychedelic decrim; GOP congressman presses feds on hemp/CBD credit; Texas medical marijuana expansion advances

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The National Association of State Treasurers adopted a resolution endorsing congressional marijuana banking legislation.

Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) pressed federal federal regulators about hemp and CBD businesses’ access to credit card processing during a hearing.

  • “I’ve had constituent businesses tell me that their access to financial products, specifically card services, have actually deteriorated since we descheduled industrial hemp in the Farm Bill. This obviously conflicts with congressional intent.”

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), a presidential candidate, had some jokes about why Denver voted to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms and how it might have something to do with the supply of marijuana.

The Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services approved a House-passed bill to expand the state’s limited medical cannabis law.

/ FEDERAL

The Food and Drug Administration’s principal deputy commissioner and acting CIO posted several tweets about the agency’s efforts to formulate a regulatory strategy for CBD.

White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Jim Carroll will travel to China to discuss cracking down on fentanyl production.

South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D), a presidential candidate, spoke about his support for legalizing marijuana and allowing retroactive expungements. He also listed legalization in a new issues section of his website.

Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), a presidential candidate, published an op-ed on his efforts to expand medical cannabis access for military veterans.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has reportedly occasionally answered the phone as “Cocaine Mitch.”

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) tweeted about helping to initiate a marijuana competition, saying it “highlights Oregon as the nation’s best place for clean, craft cannabis & celebrates the evolution of the industry in our community, setting the bar nationally.”

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “It’s no secret that people of color are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement for marijuana. We must learn from the failed #WarOnDrugs and end today’s war on marijuana.”

The House marijuana banking bill got two new cosponsors, for a total of 182.

/ STATES

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) tapped marijuana industry veteran Ean Seeb as his cannabis policy advisor. Separately, the state attorney general tweeted in support of Denver’s efforts to help people expunge marijuana records.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) directed lawmakers to consider legislation on vertical integration of medical cannabis companies during a special session.

Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló (NP) appointed a director for the Medicinal Cannabis Regulatory Board.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) said the state isn’t generating much revenue from medical cannabis sales yet.

Missouri lawmakers sent Gov. Mike Parson (R) a bill to remove restrictions on industrial hemp.

The New Jersey Assembly is scheduled to vote on medical cannabis expansion and marijuana record expungement bills on Thursday. The expungement legislation would reportedly decriminalize cannabis possession.

The Alabama House Health Committee is reportedly stalling a Senate-passed medical cannabis bill.

A Connecticut representative who supports marijuana legalization said the chances of getting it done within the next two years are “grim” and suggested that lawmakers are considering putting the issue on the ballot.

Rhode Island regulators sent a bulletin about the prohibition on business relationships between medical cannabis dispensaries and physicians.

The Associated Press looks at efforts to ensure social equity in state marijuana legalization bills.


Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 cannabis 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

New York City’s public advocate authored an op-ed about his support for legalizing marijuana and how he used to sell it.

/ ADVOCACY

NAACP tweeted about the participation of its president and vice chairwoman in the Cannabis Trade Federation’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review of research on oral fluid testing devices concluded that “no THC concentration has been determined that indicates impairment” and that “currently available devices do not meet recommended effectiveness.”

A study concluded that Colorado’s implementation of marijuana legalization is “largely and positively related with marijuana-related traffic fatalities.”

/ OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Los Angeles Times editorial board is critical of California legislation to force municipalities to allow marijuana businesses.

/ BUSINESS

Organigram will begin trading on the Nasdaq on Tuesday.

Cannaramic Media, Inc. is suing Facebook for blocking marijuana-related content.

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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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