Newsletter
State treasurers push cannabis banking in DC (Newsletter: March 16, 2022)
CO psilocybin initiative; RI legalization hearing; MD psychedelics treatment bill; Hemp wigs for UK lawyers
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The National Association of State Treasurers held a session on marijuana banking legislation as part of a conference it is hosting in Washington, D.C. Officials in attendance at the event plan to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to discuss the SAFE Banking Act.
Colorado activists picked one of four proposed psychedelics reform initiatives that they will pursue for the November ballot. Signature gathering will begin soon for the measure, which would legalize psilocybin, create licensed “healing centers” for therapeutic use and seal prior convictions.
The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a jointly negotiated bicameral marijuana legalization bill, though advocates who testified criticized its expungements provisions for not being automatic.
The Maryland House Appropriations Committee held a hearing on a bill to create a state fund that could be used to provide access to psychedelics like psilocybin, MDMA and ketamine for military veterans suffering from PTSD.
A UK lawyer is disrupting the tradition of wearing horsehair wigs in court with a new vegan hemp-based version.
/ FEDERAL
The Internal Revenue Service denied tax-exempt nonprofit status to a church whose ceremonies involve marijuana use.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted, “It’s time for comprehensive cannabis reform in this country.”
Former Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) said, “I’m not pro-marijuana, I’m pro-freedom.”
/ STATES
Pennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro, currently the attorney general, tweeted, “What’s the difference between Colorado, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania? Three are states, and one is a Commonwealth — and the three states legalized recreational marijuana and have minimum wages over single digits. Pennsylvania, let’s get it done.” He also tweeted, “Step 1. Legalize recreational marijuana. Step 2. Expunge the records of those with non-violent marijuana-related offenses. Step 3. Grow our economy. Pennsylvanians support those steps. We’ve got to get it done.”
The Georgia Senate and House passed differing medical cannabis licensing bills ahead of the crossover deadline.
The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to reject or table several proposed marijuana legalization constitutional amendments.
The Connecticut legislature’s General Law Committee approved a bill to close a perceived loophole related to marijuana “gifting.”
A Washington, D.C. councilmember said congressional Democrats “betrayed” the city by continuing a rider that blocks it from being able to legalize marijuana sales.
A Texas representative tweeted, “Very excited to see Oklahoma is following TX’s lead & expanding research into the use of psychedelics to meet our mental health epidemic. I commend Oklahoma for going further & including a variety of conditions. Hopefully other states continue to follow TX’s example.”
Vermont regulators approved marijuana rules and will begin accepting applications for cannabis business pre-qualification status on Wednesday.
California regulators launched a new resource called CannaConnect that aims to help marijuana businesses navigate the regulated market and maintain compliance.
New York regulators began accepting applications for hemp farmers to obtain conditional licenses to grow marijuana. Separately, the state’s Dormitory Authority is taking steps to help cannabis social equity businesses secure leases for dispensaries.
New Jersey regulators began accepting recreational marijuana dispensary license applications. Separately, regulators will host a hearing to get input on how to spend cannabis tax revenue on Wednesday.
An Arkansas judge extended a temporary restraining order preventing regulators from issuing additional medical cannabis dispensary licenses.
Illinois regulators are moving to simplify the marijuana dispensary license application process.
Alabama’s top medical cannabis regulator spoke about efforts to implement the program.
Oklahoma regulators announced a partnership with NCS Analytics to establish a data analytics platform to monitor and regulate medical cannabis business operations.
The Washington State Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force’s Licensing Workgroup will meet on Thursday.
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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
Ann Arbor, Michigan activists are asking the City Council to pass a measure to decriminalize drugs.
A lawsuit filed against Cartersville, Georgia and local police agencies over the mass arrest of more than 60 party attendees for possession of marijuana has been settled, with defendants agreeing to pay $900,000.
The Detroit, Michigan City Council delayed a vote on a proposed ordinance to allow recreational marijuana businesses.
The Boston, Massachusetts Cannabis Board will meet on Wednesday.
The New York Times examined Oakland, California marijuana business owners’ struggles.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Israeli Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee held a hearing on marijuana decriminalization regulations.
Milan, Italy’s City Council is calling on the nation to legalize marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “concurrent cannabis use at the 30-year follow-up is strongly related to life success.”
A study found that “high-CBD cannabis extracts attenuated ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression and the induction of inflammatory mediators COX2, IL-6, and IL-8 via the AKT pathway, highlighting their potential anti-COVID-19 features.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Minnesota adults oppose legalizing marijuana, 53 percent to 42 percent.
Better Organizing to Win Legalization, Our Revolution, Drug Policy Alliance, National Employment Law Project and other organizations sent a letter urging House leaders to hold a floor vote on a federal marijuana legalization bill.
The Veterans Action Council sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland arguing that he must initiate the rescheduling of marijuana due to changes to its status under international conventions.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation was fined C$434,611 by Canadian officials for allegedly growing plants on an outdoor farm before receiving a license to do so.
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. has a new interim CFO.
TerrAscend Corp. says it is the first major U.S. cannabis operator to launch a mobile retail app Apple’s iOs App Store.
MUD\WTR allows its employees to microdose psychedelics in the workplace.
/ CULTURE
Mike Tyson’s cannabis brand launched a line of ear-shaped edibles, a reference to when he bit off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear during a fight.
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